Orthodox Christianity

[Kristy S.]

Hello brethren.
I am intrested in learning about Orthodox Christianity. I know nothing about it. I am looking for simple, honest answers about the religion, such as a little of its history, and about the religion itself. Thank you.

[Philip]

Welcome. I will be happy to answer your questions. Is there anyplace in particular you would like to start?

As I said, I will be happy to answer your questions, but if you want to read up on the Church as well, I would be happy to make some recommendations.

As for our history, there is nearly 2000 years of it.

We believe that the Orthodox Church, guided and protected by the Holy Spirit, maintains the fullness of the Christian faith that was handed to the Apostles. In particular, we believe in the Holy Trinity and the dual nature of Christ. We accept Scripture as the center of Sacred Tradition. We believe that salvation is a process, begun by God and made possible by Christ, in which we must participate. We believe in the Communion of Saints and honor those whom God has honored. We believe that God bestows His grace on us through a variety of means, the most visible being the seven Mysteries.

[fieldmouse3]

I'm curious about Orthodox Christianity, too, so I'll ask some questions! :) What are the church services like? Are there any special ceremonies or traditions at Christmas time? I figured I'd ask that, since it's getting to be that time of year!

[buzuxi]

The orthodox church is the dominant church of the east. all apostolic churches mentioned in the new testament except for rome are to this day orthodox. the official new testament of the orthodox church is the septuagint, which is a translation made in 280 bc, it was sanctioned by Ptolemy for his alexandrian library and for the jews of the diaspora who no longer knew hebrew, the importance of the septuagint OT is that it is the scripture that the authors of the new testament quoted from. The orthodox new testament has been translated into the native tongue of each church, the greek orthodox jurisdictions still use the original koine greek and believe the inspiration of the scriptures is attained in its original language only. we follow the Christological desicions formulated in the 7 ecumenical councils, these councils invited represenattives from every church thru out the worldto consider the christology and define the truth as was done in acts 15 when all came to jerusalem in a council. it is thru these councils that the Holy Spirit leads the ekklesia to all truths. These 7 councils established whAT was the apostolic belief that was believed by all, at all times, since the begining. the fathers of these councils had to demonstate that there theology can be traced back to there predeccesors to the begining, and be traced back thru more than 1 apostolic church located in different geographical areas. this assured that the true apostolic traditions were protected by the holy Spirit in the apostolic churches and the truth finally revealed in the ecumenical council.

[Matrona]

Eh, the Septuagint is the OLD Testament (hence it was written before Christ ;) ). Otherwise, I think you have everything right.

[Philip]

I'm curious about Orthodox Christianity, too, so I'll ask some questions! :) What are the church services like?

Our main service is the Divine Liturgy (http://yourpage.blazenet.net/chrysostom/liturgy.html). It is celebrated every Sunday. To some, it probably seems a bit old-fashioned. Either way, it is definitely old. The version (http://yourpage.blazenet.net/chrysostom/liturgy.html) my parish normally uses was written by St John Chrysostom (http://www.chrysostom.org/). The service is one long responsive prayer led by the priest. It is sung/chanted without music.


Are there any special ceremonies or traditions at Christmas time? I figured I'd ask that, since it's getting to be that time of year!

We are currently observing the 40 day fast of Advent in preparation for the Feast of the Nativity (we don't normally use the word Christmas). The Nativity is of great importance to us, perhaps more so than it is in the West since our theology places a great emphasis on the importance of the Incarnation.

[nicodemus]

What are the church services like?
Are there any special ceremonies or traditions at Christmas time? I figured I'd ask that, since it's getting to be that time of year!
While these certainly aren't the defining characteristics, the Orthodox Liturgy is much longer than what most westerners are used to. A typical Divine Liturgy at my parish lasts right at 2 hours. As mentioned earlier, we typically use the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. However, during the Nativty season we sometimes use the the Liturgy of St. Basil, in which case Liturgy is about 2 & 1/2 hours. Also, in a traditional Orthodox parish, there will be no pews (except perhaps along the walls for the elderly and the infirm)...people stand for the duration of the service because the Orthodox believes an attentive body makes for an attentive mind.

We have a completely different set of "standard" hymns to used during Nativity. My personal favorite is:


"Thy Nativity, O Christ our God,
Has shone to the world the Light of wisdom.
For by it, those who worshipped the stars, were taught by a star
To worship Thee, the Sun of Righteousness,
And to know Thee, the Orient from on high.
Oh Lord Glory to Thee."

[Philip]

Also, in a traditional Orthodox parish, there will be no pews (except perhaps along the walls for the elderly and the infirm)...people stand for the duration of the service because the Orthodox believes an attentive body makes for an attentive mind.

How did I forget to mention that? I guess it just seems normal to me now.

[Peter]

We get so used to doing it one way we forget that others don't. lol

Peace.

Peter

[nicodemus]

How did I forget to mention that? I guess it just seems normal to me now. It is amazing how quickly one gets used to it. My wife and I were on vacation last year and we attended Liturgy at a church that had pews and it felt so alien. I never thought I'd hear myself say I'd rather stand that sit.:P

[Hoonbaba]

As a Catholic I'm a bit curious about the Divine Liturgy:

What does it mean when the priest says:

Having in remembrance, therefore, this saving commandment and all those things which have come to pass for us: the Cross, the Grave, the Resurrection on the third day, the Ascension into heaven, the Sitting at the right hand, and the second and glorious Coming.

It sounds like the priest is admitting that the second coming actually happened in the past. This is actually what I believe (to some extent). anyway, anyone have any thoughts on how that's interpreted?

By the way, I know I mentioned this before but it's so comforting to know that Catholics and Orthodoxy have so much in common. I hope no Orthodox brother or sister will attack me by shouting out all the differences, but I have a deep appreciation for both the Orthodox and Catholic Church. Liturgy is incredible :)

It's far more sublime than any other non-liturgical service I've been to. :)

God bless!

-Jason

[Reader Nilus]

The Second Coming has not happened, to hold such views is heresy. What the Priest at the Divine Liturgy is celebrating is the 8th Day, and it is the Kingdom of God. From the Eternal view it has happened, from our vantage point it has not happened.
Jeff the Finn

[MariaRegina]

Thanks for the explanation, Jeff.

We have invented time so it is relative - past, present and future.

Christ appeared as the God-Man before the Incarnation:

* in the Garden of Eden when He walked with Adam and Eve
* to Abraham (the three angels), and
* in the fiery furnace where He walked with the three youths and they were unharmed.

Hope this helps.

Lovingly in Christ our God,
Elizabeth

Edit: The Divine Liturgy takes place in the eternal presence of God's time, not our own. It is celebrated in heaven as on earth. We are taken up into the heavenly worship -- it is heavenly worship.

[nicodemus]

The Second Coming has not happened, to hold such views is heresy. What the Priest at the Divine Liturgy is celebrating is the 8th Day, and it is the Kingdom of God. From the Eternal view it has happened, from our vantage point it has not happened.
Jeff the Finn Thanks for concisely describing what I wanted to but couldn't :D

[Hoonbaba]

Wow....the eternal view...that's fascinating :)

-Jason

[Orthosdoxa]

Hey all,


I created a web page for my family and friends who had questions on my decision to convert to Orthodox Christianity. Perhaps it might be of some use to those who have questions now.

www.stienekel.tripod.com (http://www.stienekel.tripod.com)

[Orthosdoxa]

Gack... that link didn't work... try this one...

http://stienekel.tripod.com/

[nicodemus]

Gack... that link didn't work... try this one...

http://stienekel.tripod.com/ I'm really busy at work right now, but I look forward to reading it. I bookmarked it for later!