Are Eastern Orthodox Catholics

[Prophet01]

Are EO Christians part of a denomination or are they non denominational christians?

[Oblio]

Pre-denominational

Welcome to TAW :)

[Xpycoctomos]

I can't vote.

We are the Church. No denomination. We are it. All else are bodies of outsiders who hold beliefs that are farther or closer to the Church Christ gave us. We don't deny their sincerity nor do we speculate on if they're going to Hell. That's God's business (as it is with us). But this is the fullness of the Truth and is the Church of Christ.

[Nickolai]

We are neither of the options you gave.

[ThePilgrim]

Are EO Christians part of a denomination or are they non denominational christians?
Neither?

[Xpycoctomos]

Prophet...

We really aren't trying to be difficult or split hairs. iT jsut really is not either of the choices you offered. And that's fine. If you knew the answer to such aquestion (essentially, how do you view your DChurhc in the grand scheme of Christendom) you wouldn't be asking.

So, don't be offended by our answers and... welcome to TAW. ;)

[Theophorus]

As Nickolai said, neither applies.

[MariaRegina]

We belong to the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church as established by Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ in 33 AD.

[Marxist]

We belong to the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church as established by Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ in 33 AD.

Mega-dittos!!!:thumbsup:

[choirfiend]

This longish article, while addressing others' beliefs, also lays out the Orthodox teaching on the Church.

http://orthodoxinfo.com/inquirers/church.pdf

[eoe]

Our Church was 1500+ yeas old when the first "denomination" was formed.

[Philip]

Agreed. Neither option applies.

[gzt]

We believe that we are the Church which Christ founded.

[HandmaidenOfGod]

Our Church was 1500+ yeas old when the first "denomination" was formed.

:amen:

[Michael the Iconographer]

I can't vote because neither of your choices apply to Orthodoxy. Orthodoxy is pre-denominational. We are not part of the Church, we are the Church.

[MariaRegina]

I can't vote because neither of your choices apply to Orthodoxy. Orthodoxy is pre-denominational. We are not part of the Church, we are the Church.

Amen to that, Michael. We're all on the same wavelength.

[Michael the Iconographer]

Amen to that, Michael. We're all on the same wavelength.

I am Catholic, but not Roman Catholic. The night I was Chrismated Fr. Basil said to me "Michael do not think of this as turning your back on your Catholic faith but rather as the fulfillment of your Catholic faith."

[InnerPhyre]

Neither option is valid. We are the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.

[Prophet01]

"We belong to the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church as established by Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ in 33 AD."

surely if you belong to the church founded by Christ not only are you pre denominational (historically) but also not a denomination either, therefore you must be stricktly speaking non denominational christians. since you dont belong to a denomination but the universal Catholic church.

you people seem to be thinking I am trying to trick you into catagorizing you along with my protestant friends in the non denominational forum, they dont believe in denominational christianity because it seperates and divides the body of Christ I was under the assumption both western and eastern catholics believe this to be so.

It just so happens that my protestants friends also believe in protestant theology, while you lot believe in catholic or should we say orthodox theology.

Now it is my belief that since East and west Catholic Christians are members of the pre denominational apostolic church, they can not possibly be denominational making them technically speaking non denominational - i have no doubt the EO Churches are pre denominational churches, but are you personally denominational or non denominational since I doubt your 500 years old... in short are orthodox christians (not the churches or the faith) denominational or non denominational since they can not be pre denominational since no one is 500 years old.

[kamikat]

Now it is my belief that since East and west Catholic Christians are members of the pre denominational apostolic church, they can not possibly be denominational making them technically speaking non denominational - i have no doubt the EO Churches are pre denominational churches, but are you personally denominational or non denominational since I doubt your 500 years old... in short are orthodox christians (not the churches or the faith) denominational or non denominational since they can not be pre denominational since no one is 500 years old.

I don't think you're gonna get an answer any different what you've already gotten. We belong to a pre-denominational church, that's the only answer to your question.

kamikat

[InnerPhyre]

We are not part of the one holy catholic and apostolic church. We are the one holy catholic and apostolic church.

[Prophet01]

individually you are part of the holy catholic church, you are not the church

[Prophet01]

individually you are part of the holy catholic church, you are not the church
I am of course speaking not of the EO faith but of you as a person a single christian, perhaps I didnt make the poll clear enough

[InnerPhyre]

The Orthodox faithful are the One Church. What I mean is it's not as tho we are a part and the RC's are a part and Protestants are a part. The Orthodox Church is the Catholic Church and those outside of it are not a part of the Catholic Church.

[InnerPhyre]

edited

[choirfiend]

We are predenominational because we are 2000 years old. We are the Church founded in 33AD in an upper chamber at Pentecost. We are not part of an"universal church" we ARE THE Universal Church. Check that article:
The Universal Church is VISIBLE and One.

[Dewi Sant]

I used to be Church of England, then I was non-denomination, then I considered myself "non-denominational" and went to a free methodist church. I was constantly seeking the right church and for a short period I fell into the trap of Mormonism but (Praise God) I am out of that. [though it was a useful period to get to know what happens in those "churches"]


I would talk to a new found friend in school and he would tell me about the Eastern church, I would think it was all very strange and to the Western eye it is, especcially to the protestant eye.


I eventually picked up the courage to go to an Orthodox church (Greek Orthodox) and in the porch there was a candle stand and an icon of the Theotokos (Mary with young Jesus). I was plunged into the deep end, or that is what it felt like.
I proceeded into the hall and the people were so nice, I didn't want to disturb them because I could feel the reverence in the building.

By the end of the service I knew that I was home, finally after four years of searching for a church.


I still consider myself "trans-denominational" but I consider myself to belong to the Christian faith, the Orthodox way.



I know this may sound a little arrogant but it is true that the Orthodox church is the original church estabilished on the day of Pentecost AD33.

The church keeps itself free from earthly corruption and compromise and this is why it feels old, it hasn't changed with the times, this is a good thing (but hard for western people to accept).
Change isn't always good.

I am a newbie to Orthodoxy and if you ever want someone to talk to about it who is new feel free to contact me by PM.


This Friday is the Annunciation of the Theotokos:clap: , the the Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross.
Such exciting times:)




I feel that the worst thing that ever happened concerning the church was the first split. The split between Rome and the East, since then everyone seems to be jumping on the band wagon.
If there were no denominations there would be greater unity of believers, doctrinal matters would be easily standardised and the rapidly spreading disease that is Mormonism would never have happened.



I protest against the church that protested.




Sorry for bringing up Mormonism but I see that it denominationalism and Mormonism are deeply intertwined and I feel very strongly about that "church".
"Let my People go!"

[Gnisios]

I see the 'branch theory' has become very popular in the West.

[Dust and Ashes]

Are Eastern Orthodox Catholics....what? :scratch: ;)

I know, I know. :sorry:

[gtsecc]

Our Church was 1500+ yeas old when the first "denomination" was formed.
?
400

[IowaLutheran]

I've heard Catholics/Orthodox object to the term "denomination" before and I guess I want to understand a little bit. Here are two definitions:

A religious denomination, (also simply denomination) is a large, long-established subgroup within a religion (http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Religion) that has been in existence for many years.

Taken from
http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Religious_denomination

Here's the second definition:

A large group of religious congregations united under a common faith and name and organized under a single administrative and legal hierarchy.

Taken from:

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=denomination

I understand your objection to the first definition, in that I think you would say you are not a "subgroup" out of the whole - you believe you are the Church.

If the second definition is used, however, I don't really see how that definition does not apply. Maybe you could object in that their are multiple heirarchies because of the different patriarchates, but you are a common faith organized under a common name, are you not?

[Petronius]

I've heard Catholics/Orthodox object to the term "denomination" before and I guess I want to understand a little bit. Here are two definitions:

A religious denomination, (also simply denomination) is a large, long-established subgroup within a religion (http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Religion) that has been in existence for many years.

Taken from
http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Religious_denomination

Here's the second definition:

A large group of religious congregations united under a common faith and name and organized under a single administrative and legal hierarchy.

Taken from:

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=denomination

I understand your objection to the first definition, in that I think you would say you are not a "subgroup" out of the whole - you believe you are the Church.

If the second definition is used, however, I don't really see how that definition does not apply. Maybe you could object in that their are multiple heirarchies because of the different patriarchates, but you are a common faith organized under a common name, are you not?

This is the problem: the definition(s).
When the definition(s) appeared and mainly why ?

To understand better, think of this definition:

There is the Eastern Orthodox Church. What ever separated from it and separated from a separated group and so on, this is a denomination or non-denomination. This is valid even if one separated group is now greater in number than the EOC.

[Rilian]

The word catholic comes from two Greek root words, “kata” and “holos”. Roughly this means “according to the whole” or “wholeness”.

Orthodoxy is by definition the right faith, and therefore is the fullness of faith. It goes without saying then that Orthodoxy is “catholic” in the truest sense of the word, which is all about the content of the faith and not its geographic dispersion. The church was fully catholic on the day of Pentecost when it was simply the disciples gathered in a single room.

[Xpycoctomos]

I think in the latter definition it was the "But East and West" that through us off, thinking you were referring to teh Roman Catholic Church as well. That's why I didn't vote for that one.

John

[copticorthodoxy]

I can't vote.

We are the Church. No denomination. We are it. All else are bodies of outsiders who hold beliefs that are farther or closer to the Church Christ gave us. We don't deny their sincerity nor do we speculate on if they're going to Hell. That's God's business (as it is with us). But this is the fullness of the Truth and is the Church of Christ.

all the old traditional churches say that about themselves

[Xpycoctomos]

all the old traditional churches say that about themselves

Right. I wasn't trying to prove anything by the statement. I was only explaining our point of view on the Church (which is also held by the Oriental Orthodox as well as the RCC). For the sake of the OP, however, what other Churches believe is irrelevant since the Poster was asking about the Eastern Orthodox Church.

John

[copticorthodoxy]

in my opinion , any point agreed by the (OO,EO and RC) is true 100 % , because that means that this point is a very old and depend on the apostolic faith ( that ofcourse don't mean that the other points is not true )

[Akathist]

I will gladly edit your poll if you send me a Pm with what other option(s) you would like added to it.

As it stands now I can't vote for either option.

Please read the article choirfiend posted. It might be kind of long but it really explains this well.

(Choirfiend, that link should be added to our library if it isn't already!)

[Akathist]

I have discovered that there are two threads on the same topic. Since this was the one started first, I am going to close this one and let the other one continue.