Worship
Worshipis a central feature of the Orthodox Christian faith. The liturgy in the Orthodox church is transcendent,meant to take the worshiper to the heavenly realm with God. Worship services also emphasize the nearness of God who became incarnate in Jesus Christ.

What is the purpose of Orthodox Christianity?

The purpose of Orthodox Christianity is the salvation of every human person, uniting us to Christ in the Church, transforming us in holiness, and giving us eternal life. This is the Gospel, the good news, that Jesus is the Messiah, that He rose from the dead, and that we can be saved as a result.

What is the difference between the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Church?

The Roman Catholic Church argues that the Holy Spirit derives from both God the Father and from Jesus, while the Orthodox Church believes it derives exclusively from the God the Father. The Holy Spirit is God’s force here on Earth, and Orthodox Christians celebrate it during the Pentecost.

Which country has the most Orthodox Christians?

Orthodox Christianity In Russia. Of all the countries on the list, Russia is the largest both in land mass and the number of Orthodox Christian followers. Here, there are 101 million followers of the faith. The Russian Orthodox Church has had strong political influence over the country for nearly 1,000 years.

What is the center of Orthodox Christian liturgical life?

The center of Orthodox Christian liturgical life is the Divine Liturgy, the church service where believers who are prepared by prayer, fasting and confession, receive the Holy Eucharist, bread and wine which have been mystically changed by God into the Body and Blood of Christ (John 6:47-58).

What are the two parts of the Bible that Orthodox Christians follow?

The Bible that Orthodox Christians follow is similar to the Bible of other Christian denominations, which comprises two parts: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Jewish Torah makes up the first five books of the Old Testament. Orthodox Churches do not use the Hebrew Old Testament, but follow the Septuagint, an ancient Jewish Text in Greek. Prayer occurs multiple times daily. Their worship rites include baptism, chrismation, in which they place a holy oil called chrism on a person in the sign of the cross, taking in the Eucharist, or the divine liturgy, which is the symbolic bread and wine that Jesus gave to his followers to symbolize his body and confession of sins for absolution. Orthodox Christians use icons, art depicting religious figures and saints, to assist in prayer.

Why did the Orthodox believe Jesus was crucifixion?

While Jesus’ crucifixion atoned for sin, Orthodox Christianity holds different beliefs about the concept of original sin than other denominations, which believe humans are automatically born sinful because of the actions of Adam and Eve.

What are the differences between the Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church?

However, one of the main differences of belief between the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church centers on ideas about the Holy Spirit. The Roman Catholic Church argues that the Holy Spirit derives from both God the Father and from Jesus, while the Orthodox Church believes it derives exclusively from the God the Father. The Holy Spirit is God’s force here on Earth, and Orthodox Christians celebrate it during the Pentecost.

Where does the Holy Spirit come from?

The Roman Catholic Church argues that the Holy Spirit derives from both God the Father and from Jesus, while the Orthodox Church believes it derives exclusively from the God the Father. The Holy Spirit is God’s force here on Earth, and Orthodox Christians celebrate it during the Pentecost.

Where is Timothy Peckinpaugh?

A resident of Riverside, California, Timothy Peckinpaugh began writing in 2006 for U.S. History Publishers, based in Temecula, California. He graduated magna cum laude from the University of California, Riverside, with a bachelor’s degree in English.

What is the Homoousian doctrine?

The Homoousian doctrine, which characterized Jesus as both God and man with the canons of the 431 Council of Ephesus, won out in the Church and was referred to as orthodoxy in most Christian purposes since this was the understanding of early Christian Church Fathers and was confirmed at the ecumenical councils.

What is the most important season of the Orthodox Church?

Easter is the most meaningful and holy season of the Orthodox Church calendar. Orthodox Easter primarily commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ with a series of celebrations or movable feasts. In Eastern Orthodox Christianity, the spiritual preparations begin with Great Lent, 40 days of introspection and fasting (including Sundays), which starts on Clean Monday and finishes on Lazarus Saturday.

What was the Western Church called after the 1054 Great Schism?

Following the 1054 Great Schism, both the Western Church and Eastern Church continued to consider themselves uniquely orthodox and catholic. Augustine wrote in On True Religion: “Religion is to be sought … only among those who are called Catholic or orthodox Christians, that is, guardians of truth and followers of right.” Over time, the Western Church gradually identified with the "Catholic" label, and people of Western Europe gradually associated the "Orthodox" label with the Eastern Church (in some languages the "Catholic" label is not necessarily identified with the Western Church). This was in note of the fact that both Catholic and Orthodox were in use as ecclesiastical adjectives as early as the 2nd and 4th centuries respectively.

What is Orthodox belief?

Orthodoxy is belief or adherence to traditional or affirmed creeds, notably in religion. In the Christian sense, the term means, …

What is the wisdom of the Fathers of the Church?

The wisdom of the Fathers of the Church is fundamental to the Orthodox way of life as today’s successors of the "true faith and Church" passed on in its most authentic form. By maintaining the virtue of the received teachings of the apostles, followers are more conscious of the inspiration of the Holy Spirit being present both in history and in …

What is the meaning of the word "orthodox"?

In historic Christian use, the word orthodox relates to the collection of doctrines which were accepted by the early Christians. Several ecumenical councils were gathered over a period of several centuries in an attempt to establish these doctrines.

When did the first ecumenical councils start?

The first seven ecumenical councils were between the years of 325 and 787 A.D. with the purpose of establishing accepted doctrines. In historic Christian use, the word orthodox relates to the collection …

Why do we venerate icons?

This practice helps the worshiper to enter into a spiritual mindset. Normally, the icons on the iconostas (the screen/panel separating the altar from the rest of the church) are not venerated. There are various reasons, but the most practical is that these are often more expensive hand-painted ones that will sustain wear or damage if frequently venerated.

What does a lit candle represent?

We light the candle and ask our Lord (or a saint) for help, for prayers, etc. The lit candle represents our prayers and the light also represents the prayers of the Church dispelling the darkness of this world with God’s light. The small fee we pay for the candle shows our seriousness in making the prayer (and it often helps a little to support the local church).

What does the rising of the sun in the east do?

Just as the rising of the sun in the east dispels the darkness of night, so the return of the Son of God will dispel the darkness of our present age.

Why do we worship on the eighth day?

When we worship, we enter into a time outside of time, proclaiming our life and resurrection in the Lord. That is why we worship on what should properly be thought of as the eighth day; the day that is the culmination of all days, the fulfillment of all ages.

What do people do when a world leader such as the President of the United States enters a room?

When a world leader such as the President of the United States enters a room, what do people do? They stand out of respect. What should we do when the King of kings and Lord of lords, the creator of the entire cosmos enters into our space? We should stand in reverence of His presence, even if we cannot feel it.

How does the Orthodox Christian sign the cross?

The Orthodox Christian makes the sign of the cross by placing his thumb to his first two fingers to symbolize the Trinity, and the remaining two fingers rest against his palm to symbolize the two natures of Christ (divi ne and human). The right hand holds this form as it is moved from the forehead, to the navel, to the right shoulder, and then to the left shoulder. This traces the cross on ones entire upper body.

What parts of the service should everyone stand?

There are certain parts of the service where everyone who is physically capable should stand, such as the Gospel reading, the Small and Great entrances, etc.

What is the dominant religion in the United States?

Christianity is the dominant religion in the United States accounting for about 70% of the religious population. Orthodoxy is one of the Christian denominations practiced in the US and around the world. As per the history of religions, Orthodoxy is recorded among the earliest religions to be practiced in the world.

How many Orthodox are there in the US?

There are approximately 7 million Orthodox Americans. Although it is one of the world’s oldest religions, it seems to be gaining ground at a very gradual rate in the US. Members adhere to different branches including Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, Ukranian Orthodox, and Albanian Orthodox among many others.

Which state has the largest Orthodox population?

Alaska . Alaska has the largest Orthodox population by percentage of the state population at 5%. This is due to Alaska ‘s settlement by Russian traders in the 18th century. Missionaries of the Russian Orthodox faith were sent to establish a formal mission in the settlement in the 1790s.

Which state has the largest number of Orthodox Christians?

California. California is the most populous state among the fifty states of the USA. It is home to the largest number of Orthodox Christians. However, this number is still so small that it is almost insignificant when compared to the entire USA population.

Why is the Orthodox Church important?

The Orthodox Church carefully guards the truth against all error and schism, both to protect its flock and to glorify Christ, whose Body the Church is. An astonishing number of religious groups today claim to be the successors of the early Church.

What do Orthodox Christians believe?

What Orthodox Christians Believe. A comprehensive guide to what the Orthodox Church believes about a number of subjects including belief in: God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

What is the yardstick for truth?

A "yardstick for truth" is needed by which to compare what the Church originally believed and practiced with what these groups proclaim. Certainly we all have the God-given right to believe whatever we desire and to participate in whatever religious association we choose.

Who founded the Orthodox Church?

The Orthodox Church is the Church founded by Jesus Christ and described throughout the New Testament. All other Christian Churches and sects can be traced back historically to it.

How many Orthodox Christians are there in Ethiopia?

Orthodox Christianity In Ethiopia. Ethiopia also has a high number of Orthodox Christians – 36 million. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church dates back to the 4th century when the nation was converted to Christianity and today its followers make up nearly half the population.

What was the Great Schism of 1054?

The Great Schism of 1054 brought on a separation of the Orthodox religion due to the difference of opinion on such things as the Holy Spirit, bread for the Eucharist, use of images, and the date of Easter. This separation created what today is the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox church. The Orthodox Church is one …

How many followers of the Greek Orthodox Church are there?

Followers of the Greek Orthodox Church number 10 million. While that is significantly less than the Orthodox populations in Russia and Ethiopia, it represents 98% of the population of Greece. The church descends from the original churches of the 1st century, those that the Apostles founded.

What is Orthodox Christianity?

Orthodox Christianity is one of three distinct branches of the Christian religion (the other two being the Catholic and Protestant branches). Being an Orthodox Christian means following the earliest known set of Christian doctrines. Believers follow the Homoousian doctrine which declares that Jesus is both God and man.

What is the Eastern Orthodox Church?

The Orthodox Church is one of the oldest religious institutions and attempts to follow the original Christian faith as established by Jesus . By the 4th century, the faith had spread throughout the Roman and Byzantine Empires, …

How long has the Russian Orthodox Church been in power?

The Russian Orthodox Church has had strong political influence over the country for nearly 1,000 years. In 988, Prince Vladimir made it the official language of Russia. By 1453, the Byzantine Empire had fallen and in 1589, Moscow became the patriarch.

Is the Orthodox Church important?

Modern Significance. Although unfamiliar to many people around the world the Orthodox Church continues to hold importance in many countries around the world. Observers praise its adherence to original Christian principles, but this observance of ancient tradition does not make the Church irrelevant in modern times.

What do Orthodox Christians worship?

Orthodox Christians worship the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit —the Holy Trinity, the one God (Matt. 28:19; II Cor. 13:14; I Peter 1:1-2; Rom. 14:17-18, 15:16, etc.). Following the Holy Scriptures as interpreted by the Holy Fathers of our faith, the Church believes that the Trinity is three divine persons of one essence.

What is the Orthodox faith?

The Orthodox Christian faith is that faith “handed once to the saints” (Jude 3), passed on to the apostles by Jesus Christ, and then handed down from one generation to the next within the Church, without adding anything or taking anything away.

How many members does the Orthodox Church have?

With roughly 250 million members worldwide, Orthodoxy is second in size only to the Roman Catholic Church. However, in spite of its size, relatively few Americans are aware that it exists. The Orthodox Church has deep and lasting roots in Christian antiquity and is steeped in rich Biblical tradition.

What is the oldest Christian church in the world?

The Orthodox Christian Church, also called the “Eastern Orthodox,” “Greek Orthodox” Church, or simply “the Orthodox Church,” is the oldest Christian Church in the world, founded by Jesus Christ and with its beginnings chronicled in the New Testament. All other Christian churches and groups can be traced historically back to it.

Why do we have the opportunity to become by grace?

Because of who He is and of what He did for us, we have the opportunity to become by grace what He is by nature, to the fullness of the stature of Christ (Eph. 4:13). We can put on the divine, becoming partakers of the divine nature (II Pet. 1:4). That’s Who Jesus is and what He came here to do.

How is the Holy Tradition transmitted?

Holy Tradition is transmitted to the Christian from the Apostles of Jesus Christ both by word of mouth and in writing (II Thess. 2:15, 3:6). The Orthodox theologian Vladimir Lossky famously described Tradition as “the life of the Holy Spirit in the Church.” It is dynamic in its application, but unchanging in its doctrine. It is growing in expression, yet always the same in its essential meaning.

What is the primary statement of what the Church believes about God?

The primary statement of what the Church believes about God is found in the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, usually just called the Nicene Creed, which was formulated in AD 325 and 381 at the First and Second Ecumenical Councils.