Stupid Ignorant Questions

[AimlessEMF]

Hey I've got some really dumb questions for you guys.

Sorry if I offend anyone, I'm really just completely ignorant of anything except good ole down south evangelical protestant churches.


What exactly is veneration?

I understand that some churches have relics (is that supposed to be "Relics") of saints that are venerated by kissing them. Do you say a prayer when kissing the relics?

Also does veneration always involve kissing?

Is veneartion only reserved for relics or are there other symbols or objects that are venerated... for example are icons venerated?

I'm sure I'm going to offend someone with this....Who or what is "Panagia"?

[gzt]

In reverse order:

"Panagia" means all-holy or most-holy or something along those lines, it refers to the Theotokos, that is, the Virgin Mary because she is "full of grace".

Icons are venerated, the saints themselves are venerated [well, the relics of saints are usually the saints themselves, you know]. Veneration is any way of showing honor to somebody or something. Yes, if often involves kissing, since kissing is a common way of showing honor and respect for something. Saluting the flag is a form of veneration. So is kissing your priest's hand, tipping your hat, saluting a commanding officer, or complimenting somebody on a job well-done. But in the religious context, kissing is the most common form of veneration and you obviously venerate an icon differently than you venerate a flag.

We often say prayers when venerating an icon or a relic [like, the bones of the saint, which is the saint himself], maybe "Pray for me, a sinner..." or something along those lines or maybe the troparion and kontakion of that saint.

[AimlessEMF]

Theotokos = "Mother of God" ?

[ExOrienteLux]

Yep. If you believe that Christ is fully God and fully Man and was so since the instant He descended into her womb, then you have to acknowledge her as Mother of God.

Not that any of the Three Persons had a mother, but she is the temporal Mother of the Son. She is both His Daughter and His Mother.

-Philip.

[AimlessEMF]

Okay, here's another question.

According to the Orthodox Church (is that the right name or phrase) was Christ only fully God before the incarnation (as in fully God but not fully human until the incarnation)?

Is there a distinction in names or terms.. for example before the incanation would one refer to Christ as God the Son and afterwards as Jesus the Son of God?

What exactly is Hypostatic? I hear that a lot with the trinity but usually not from protestants... does it pertain to the EO at all?

[ExOrienteLux]

According to the Orthodox Church (is that the right name or phrase) was Christ only fully God before the incarnation (as in fully God but not fully human until the incarnation)?

Yes. In the Incarnation, God took upon Himself that which He did not possess: humanity. Before He descended, He was perfect Divinity; after He descended, He was perfect Divinity and perfect Humanity; after He ascended, He raised Humanity to where previously was only Divinity.

Is there a distinction in names or terms.. for example before the incanation would one refer to Christ as God the Son and afterwards as Jesus the Son of God?

Not generally.

What exactly is Hypostatic? I hear that a lot with the trinity but usually not from protestants... does it pertain to the EO at all?

The word hypostasis is Greek for 'person'. That word is used to describe the Three Persons (hypostases) of the Trinity. It also refers to the mystical union between the Divine and Human natures in the Incarnate Christ, which exist united "inconfusedly, unchangeably, indivisibly, inseparably" in His One Person. The two are united in Him as He, His Father, and the Spirit are united: united, yet distinct. I can't really explain it because I'm no theologian; but then, who can really explain the Incarnation and the Trinity?

Hope this helped some.

-Philip.

[Orthosdoxa]

Welcome to TAW! :clap:

Your questions are not offensive at all. We love talking about our faith!

I myself am a convert from good old (or rather new ;)) fashioned Protestantism, and I always welcome sincere questions.

LK

[Marjorie]

Yes. In the Incarnation, God took upon Himself that which He did not possess: humanity. Before He descended, He was perfect Divinity; after He descended, He was perfect Divinity and perfect Humanity; after He ascended, He raised Humanity to where previously was only Divinity.

Yes, this was well-put. To add to this, though, Orthodoxy does not tend to talk of Christ outside the context of the kerygma, the gospel preaching of Christ as the God-man crucified and risen... those who, in the early Church, approached Christ *first* as God the Word and not *first* as Jesus Christ who is God the Word and perfect man, tended to veer towards a sort of pagan logos-theology where the Word was seen more as an intermediary than as the direct Source of Life, as God. While 'before' (time is different with God) the Incarnation, God the Word was not human, we can only say anything about God the Word in the context of the Incarnation and Christ's death and resurrection.

In IC XC,
Marjorie

[pilgrimtim]

Theotokos is some time translated as Birthgiver of GOD also
Hypostasis sometime similar to faces
"GOD has three faces but one being"

[The Prokeimenon!]

Dear Aimless,

Just to let you know, I don't think these questions are stupid or ignorant. They're a heck of a lot deeper than the kind of questions I asked when I first heard about Orthodoxy. :)

Ask as many questions as you like. The best way to learn about our Faith is to attend our services. If we can help you locate a real Orthodox Church (sometimes things that say "Orthodox" turn out to be Jewish or Presbyterian ;) ) just let us know. And welcome.

Moses

[Padraig]

Hypostasis sometime similar to faces
"GOD has three faces but one being"

I know what you're trying to say here, pilgrim, but it sounds a lot like modalism. We should refrain from saying God has "3 faces." Yes, God is one being, one essence, but 3 distinct Persons. And strictly speaking, God has but one "Face" and that is Christ who visibly reveals the invisible.

kevin