What is the nature of the relationship of the Orthodox Church with the Armenian Church?
Olga
The nature of the relationship between the Orthodox Church and the
Armenian church varies from place to place. In Russia, there are
cordial relationships between the primate of the Armenian Apostolic
church and His Holiness, Patriarch ALEKSY II. They invite each other
to celebrations and other important events in the lives of their
Churches. In America, there is an exchange of theological students
from St. Vladimir's Seminary and the St. Nerses Armenian seminary in
New York.
While friendly relationships are good, we must remember that there
cannot exist any kind of liturgical relationship, as the
Armenian church is what we would call, a non-Chalcedonian, or
monophysite church, not having the fulness of Orthodoxy as expressed
in the 7 Ecumenical Councils, and followed by all local Orthodox
Churches up until today. Diologue exists, and we must pray for the union
of all, and we therefore hope that these so-called non-Chalcedonian
churches see the errors of the past, repent, and join in communion
with the Orthodox Church.
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Are people allowed to stand on the knees on sundays?
Natalia
Every Sunday of the year is considered to be a "small Pascha" so to
speak, as the Church commemorates the Resurrection of Christ on these
days. For this reason, it is customary for people to stand throughout the entire Divine
Liturgy on Sundays. On weekdays there are times that the faithful
would kneel (Lord's Prayer, Anaphora, etc) during the Divine Liturgy,
but this is not the case on Sundays. However, you might encounter
people who kneel on Sundays in various places throughout the Orthodox
world. The best advice I could give you is to speak about this to your
parish priest and also see what your local community practices.
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In the book entitled "The Orthodox Church" by Bishop Kallistos Ware on page 260
regarding the "Immaculate Conception" he states - "From the Orthodox point of view, however, the whole question belongs to the realm of theological opinion; and if an individual Orthodox today felt impelled to believe in the Immaculate Conception, he or she could not be termed a heretic for doing so."
He seems to be classifying this recently proclaimed RC doctrine as a theologoumena.
How could an Orthodox Christian be free to believe in a doctrine which has a direct effect on the doctrine of the Incarnation and the belief in the Dormition of the Mother of God? If the Theotokos was immaculately conceived wouldn't she be without 'original sin and therefore a higher form of human being and immortal as Adam & Eve were originally created before the fall?
Wouldn't this also affect the belief of the 'dual natures of Christ' in the sense that
he would no longer be both human and divine like us but a high bred human?
Seems that this RC doctrine affects too many beliefs of Orthodoxy to be considered
theologumena. What is your opinion?
Gregory
The quote you mention is certainly His Grace, Bishop Kallistos'
personal opinion, and not the universal view of the Church. However,
many to believe as he does, and many believe otherwise. I would tend
to disagree with His Grace on this point as well. Nevertheless, Bp.
Kallistos is a wonderful theologian, gifted speaker, and a great asset
to our Church.
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Can a person believe in God and His Church without knowing theology? (Not without knowing
dogmas, of course). I have a feeling that today's theologians are "theoliars" and
"alchemists", playing around with ideas, i. e. "divine darkness", "hesychasm", "scientific
redemption", "divine evolution", "illumination", "sanctified beast Adam"(God forbid!),
instead of teaching simple dogmatic faith.
I understand they may want to wander in dark forests of "theology", but I would rather
believe in something more down-to-earth.
In my opinion,the above-mentioned theologians only alienate people, especially youth. I
myself considered converting to Old Believers(!) or even Islam(!) because of those
"theologians"!
This is a plea from a simple, sinful but believing heart. Can anything be done about
academic elitism in our Holy Church of Christ?
Anton Yermakov
Greetings! I am sorry to hear about the fact that people within the
Church tempted you to leave it.
There should never be any type of "elitism" in the Church. Christ came
to save all, and those called together in His Holy Church are all
equal in God's eyes. Elitism is a sin, plain and simple.
Theology is necessary in that it explains what we believe. Back in
seminary, we used to always hear the quote: "A theologian is one who
prays, and one who prays is a theologian". This is the proper
attitude.
Please stay faithful to the Holy Orthodox Church, and pray for those
who led you into temptation.
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How does one convert to orthodox christianity?
Chris Webb
This depends upon where one is coming from. There are different forms
of reception into the Orthodox Church, depending upon the former faith
of the person being received.
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I am from Ukraine, but I study in England. Do you have any suggestions as to which church I should be going to?
Dima
Where in England are you located? His Eminence, Metropolitan Anthony Bloom serves in the Cathedral in London. If you are close, I'd strongly recommend you going there.
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Could you please explain the difference beetween the "old and new" styles of Orthodoxy and explain which churches are "new" styles and which are "old'?
Dima
The so called "styles" you ask about, I believe, are related to the Church calendar. "New Style" means that the local Orthodox Church uses the "Gregorian" or "Revised Julian" calendar to determine when feast days are to be celebrated. "Old Style" denotes that the "Julian" calendar is followed. The Orthodox Churches in Russia, Jerusalem, Serbia, Mt. Athos, and some parishes in the United States follow Julian calendar, while the Orthodox Churches of Greece, Constantinople, Romania, Bulgaria, and elsewhere follow the "Revised Julian" or "Gregorian" calendar.
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I am an English student currently writing a dissertation on the subject "How important is the role of the Russian Orthodox Church in Russian society today". I would very much appreciate it if you could provide answers for the following questions :
1) Where does the church receive money from and what does it spend it on?
2) Does the church take part in charity work? How?
3) How does the church aim to help with the problems of modern society?
Davina Jeffery
The Church receives money from various sources. Donations can come
from individuals, businesses, organizations, etc. The Church spends
her money on restoration of parishes and monasteries, conferences, hospitality towards visiting dignataries, etc.
The Church takes part in charity work in many ways. There are Church-run hospitals, schools, and numerous orphanages throughout Russia. The Church is, of course, concerned with the problems of modern society and she serves as a foundation of morality for the culture around her.
If you are interested, you may go to the website of the Russian Orthodox Church at www.russian-orthodox-church.org.ru and find the newly approved "Social Doctrine of the Russian Orthodox Church" for a more detailed explanation of the way in which the Church hopes to deal with the problems of modern society.
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Father, what is the teaching of the Orthodox Church on the subject of the "Tollhouses" after death?
James H. Jenkins
The notion of "tollhouses" that you speak about is the path of the soul after its departure from the body after death. Different theologians hold different positions on the notion of "tollhouses" and there is no distinct dogma regarding the tollhouses. St. Macarius of Alexandria states that we should regard the tollhouses in a "spiritual sense" and not in a material sense as some have tried to teach. The Church teaches that there is a Particular Judgement of each person and that the soul will immediately pass over into either joy or sorrow and grief. You can find more information on the subject by contacting either St. Vladimir Seminary bookstore at www.svots.org and request books on the subject.
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Why do some religions consider praying to icons as idol worshiping? The same thing about praying to saints. Isn't it better to pray to God instead of St. Mary ets.?
Marina
Some religions wrongly interpret the 2nd Commandment where God spoke,
"You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of
anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or
that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them
or worship them..." (Exodus 20:4-5) These religions fail to take into
consideration that only 5 chapters later, God instructs Moses to make
images, or 'icons' of cherub on the mercy seat and that He will speak
to us through this imagery. (Exodus 25:19-22). Therefore, it is clear,
through the Bible, that venerationg icons is not the same as idol worship.
Worship is due God alone, and that is what the Church teaches.
However, we "honor" the saints and "venerate" them through icons
because of their life in service to God. This also has Biblical
roots (see the epistles of St. Paul). The saints give us an example as
to how we are to live in Christ Jesus and for that we honor them and
remember them and their lives.
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In reading The Philokalia, the apparent message in most if not all of the writings is that of "dispassion" and love of God rather than love of pleasure. The vices of self-esteem, avarice, and so on are mentioned often as well. What is unclear to me is if striving for pleasure and money and so on is wrong then what is the purpose for children to go to school, work hard, and get good jobs? It seems that getting a good job and being successful in life by secular means is just a path to self-esteem, avarice, pleasure, and so on. What then is the purpose of schooling and vocation and any kind of effort in secular activities?
Marko
Please be advised that the Philokalia is an ascetic work written
primarily for monks living in a monastic community. Although it
provides a wealth of spiritual wisdom for all Orthodox Christians, we
must remember to whom and for whom it was originally written. Those
living "in the world" should read the Philokalia only with the
blessing of their spiritual father, and should discuss their readings
with him, especially when questions arise.
In regard to your question about children going to school and getting
a good job, I must say that these things do not, and must not lead to
"self-esteem, avarice, pleasure, and so on" as you expressed in your
question. The mark of an Orthodox Christian is to live as Christ did
-- in humility and simplicity, and with love for all. Someone living
"in the world" with a good job, and a good education can do that just
as easily as one living in a monastery. God calls some to live the
monastic life and others to be lights to the world, in the world. We
must never allow secularism to tempt us -- even those of us who live
in monasteries!
May God strengthen us all to live "dispassionate" lives whether in the
world or in the monastery.
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Can a layman perform the rite of Chrismation in the case of a loved one dying? If this person expresses a wish to join the Church, and there is no priest to be found. How is this done?
Nikolaj
Historically, in the ancient Church, and also in places where there
was no priest nearby, laymen have performed the mystery of "Baptism" for those on
their deathbeds. This certainly cannot be the "norm", and it should be
looked at as the Church's "economia" in exteme cases only.
Chrism is something given to priests from their diocesan bishop, who
receives it from the Primate of a local Church. Chrism is not to be
entrusted to laymen, and therefore a layperson would not have the possibility
to chrismate someone else.
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Basically when my sister asked if we could pray together about a certain cause (this was a group of Orthodox and Catholics) my Orthodox friend refused to do so. Later he told me, Orthodox do not pray with Catholics because they are heretics. My sister of course was highly offended, and has never forgotten that episode. Regardless of the theology and the reasons, is there some nice and more charitable way to handle a situation like this?
Nancy Ferguson
Technically, your Orthodox friend was correct in stating that Orthodox
do not pray with Roman Catholics. This "joint prayer" is what the Orthodox
object to in Ecumenical circles. However, the best witness of
Orthodoxy is a witness of love, and therefore everything we do must be
done in love and with charity. I am sorry to hear that your sister was
"highly offended" as you mentioned above. I would have advised your
friend to be present as the Roman Catholics prayed, and then he could
have compassionately told your sister that he would pray privately for
the cause, if of course it was "prayer-worthy".
We must preserve our Faith and Her teachings as pure as possible, but
we also must remember that Her teachings and rules (or "canons") are
all given to us and based on love. Therefore, our fulfillment of these
rules should also be done in love.
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In the reading for Zacchaeus Sunday, Zacchaeus climbs a sycamore tree to get a better view of our Lord. Is there any significance attached to the sycamore tree?
Lawrence Most (sub-deacon) in OCA
The significant fact is that Zacchaeus climbed a tree to see the Lord. It was an act of "ascetic effort" and that is the significance of the Sycamore tree.
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What is the symbolism behind having the curtain half way closed during the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts?
Curt Thompson
The "symbolism" of having the curtain drawn half-way during the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is to stress the fact that it is not a "full" liturgy as are the Liturgies of St. John Chrysostom or St. Basil the Great, with the Consecration of the Holy Gifts taking place at the time of the Liturgy.
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What is the Orthodox definition of justification as found in the New Testament?
John Maddex
The Orthodox definition of justification is "The act whereby God
forgives the sins of a believer and begins to transform him or her into
a righteous person. No person can earn justification by works of
righteousness, for justification is the gift of God given to those who
respond to the gospel with faith. God also helps those who cooperate
with His grace to become righteous. Saving faith is not mere belief but
a commitment to Christ that is manifested by works of righteousness"
(Orthodox Study Bible)
I hope this helps your question.
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I have been trying to live as an Orthodox (I`m a Lutheran) for some 4 years now. My slovak/slav background has helped me to embrace Orthodoxy (of course It`s universlav too) because I feel it`s part of my ancestry and something thats unchanged, true and a real part of my life. But I would like to join a Slavic speaking church because of my language background - preferably Slovak and as there is no Slovak church in Finland. I would like to join The Orth. Church in Slovakia... Or some Slav speaking church in Finland. Your comments or help will be very much appreciated.
Misko Ladislav
The best way to live as an Orthodox is to be received into the Orthodox
Church through the sacrament of Chrismation. In Helsinki there is a
large Orthodox parish (Uspenski Sobor) as well as a smaller parish
where they use Slavonic during Divine Services. I suggest you try to
contact them for information.
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Father, I am an Orthodox Christian and have a friend who converted from Christianity (she used to be a Catholic), which she did not truly understand, to Islam about a year ago. She is now a devout muslim. How should I proceed in converting her back to Christianity? Should I just pray that Lord shows her the truth, or should I also try to talk to her about this subject, even though it seems to upset her very much? Also, are the any resources on the Internet which may help me to convert her back to Christianity?
Dmitri
Of course you should pray for your friend, that the Lord leads her back
to Christianity. However, if this subject upsets her, I recommend that
you do not speak to her about it yet, until she is ready to
listen. You could end up driving her further away by upsetting her. The
best witness is a witness of love. Jesus Christ is love and as an
Orthodox Christian it is your responsibility to make this love manifest
in the world. Continue to love her and to pray for her. May the love
that you show her and others around you convince her of the Truth of
Orthodox Christianity.
If you have any further questions, I would be happy to help further.
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I am in the process of conversion. Your website, and some of the people/articles there have helped
me greatly in my search. I am attending various protestant churches and an Russian Orthodox
Church in order to decide where to be baptized.
In a bible study group in a protestant church, we were discussing Revelations.
The minister indicated that the message had to be put in historical context, and that since persecution did not exist as it did in the 1st century, Revelations applied then and not now. Further, he indicated that we
shouldn't fear the apocalypse, and downplayed its significance for christains and non-christians. I think it is as applicable today is it was in the 1st century, for Christianity is being assaulted
if not persecuted everywhere. I think it reinforces the "Fear of God" all Christians should have. What is the Orthodox view?
Grey Horton
"Revelation" or the "Apocalypse" is seen as a canonical book of the New
Testament in the Orthodox Church. However, it is the only New Testament
book that is not read during Divine Services of the Church. The book of
Revelation's major theme is one of "Faithfulness in tribulation" and
this is certainly applicable to us today. You certainly can read it at
home, but I suggest you do so with the help of a spiritual guide. May
God help you in the process of conversion, and I am very glad to see
hear that our website has helped you as well.
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I am a syrian orthodox christian. I would like to know whether reconciliation has been reached between Orthodox Churches with the Patriarch of Constantinopole as the supreme head. I am very much interested in Russian Orthodox Church and the return of religious life in Russia.
George
The Patriarch of Constantinople is the "first among equals" in the
Orthodox Church. He is certainly not the "supreme head", but rather
Christ Himself is the "supreme head" of the Church.
Please look to our website, www.pravoslavie.ru or
www.russian-orthodox-church.org.ru to find more information about
Russian Orthodoxy and the revival of religious life in Russia.
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How can apostates return to the Orthodox Church?
George
Apostates can return to the Orthodox Church through the mystery (sacrament) of Chrismation.
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The following question appears on one of the Christian discussion groups I belong to. I am at a loss on just how to answer it. Perhaps you can answer it for me?
I am curious to find out what the Orthodox view of God's sovereignty is. I have some Calvinist friends with whom I still talk and the issue of God's overarching sovereignty comes up from time to time.
Bob Tallick
The Orthodox view of God's sovereignty can be found by reading Romans 9:10-29.
I hope this helps.
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