Unanswered Questions

Orthodox Answers gets a lot of questions, and we do our best to keep up and try to answer those questions with the limited resources we have. Our volunteer priest answerers take time out of very busy schedules to tackle tough issues, but there's just too much for us to get every question answered as we would like.

If you are an Orthodox Christian that would like to participate and help us to clear our question queue down to zero, we provide the following list of questions for you to consider. Your confidential answers will be reviewed by one of our priest volunteers, but your help will be noted in the final answer, should it be used. You can enable us to extend our reach dramatically just by helping to put these answers in order.

If you would like to participate, please abide by these guidelines:

1. Be an Orthodox Christian
2. Pray before answering a question
3. Do your homework, and provide a researched answer
4. Remember that your answer is representing Orthodoxy to non-Orthodox, or is ministering to another Orthodox Christian

Public Questions

• Question #60: about singing
  <p>Why are Orthodox liturgical services sung rather than spoken?</p>

  >>Answer Question #60

• Question #111: about sanctification
  <p>In Evangelical/Protestant theology a distinction is made between justification and sanctification, can you show from patristic sources and holy scripture if this view is correct or incorrect? Thank you in advance for your answer.</p>

  >>Answer Question #111

• Question #810: about Successor of Peter
  <p>Do Orthodox Christians believe that the Pope is a successor directly to St. Peter? Aren't all bishops successors of St. Peter's?</p>

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• Question #812: about Authority
  <p>Did all the Ecumenical Councils decisions support the collegial rule of the bishops? Did any one Patriarch go over the head of another Patriarch to exercise authority or rule? What was the authority in the early church?</p>

  >>Answer Question #812

• Question #813: about Primacy of Honor
  <p>I realize that papal authority and infallibility was a gradual process, and gained recognition with the ultramontanists movement(Vatican I). What proof is there in the early church that Rome had a "primacy of honor" amongst the other Patriarchal Sees? Is this "primacy of honor" an Orthodox perspective? Since Rome is the sole heir of St. Peter and Peter's Chair, did Rome have sole authority in the early church because of these claims?</p>

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• Question #815: about Icon of John the Baptist
  <p>The Icon of St Johon the Baptist in eastern Icons never has a Shell in the hand of the Baptist and most of the Roman Icons do. Why is the shell left out of the Holy Church and in the Roman?</p>

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• Question #843: about icon veneration
  <p>Some of the earliest church fathers clearly taught against any form of man made object or image to either honour or worship - whether it be an icon or an idol. There seemed to be no difference.. Polycarp, a direct disciple of John in his letter to the Philipians made this clear. &nbsp;Marcianus Aristides in his 'apology of aristedes the philosopher'. &nbsp;Melito of Sardis ca. 170AD in his apology addressed to Aurelius Antoninus. &nbsp;Also - Justyn Martyr, Irenaeus and Tertullian wrote against this.</p> <p>On top of that - Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:7 'we are to walk by faith not by sight and faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God..' Even though the great 'victory for orthodoxy' was won in favour of icon veneration centuries later - does it not seem that this practice may actually be totally heretical and pagan in nature given the factual history and the clear Word of God?</p>

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• Question #875: about
  <p>In researching Orthodox prayers and "services", I came across many names I didn't recognize, such as Troparia, Kontakia, Vespers, and Matins. What are the differences between these? Are these the same as liturgies?</p>

  >>Answer Question #875

• Question #914: about
  <p>I'm interesting in learning more about Orthodox theology- who would you say are the most influential 3 to 5 Orthodox writers in the development of the faith that I should read up on?</p>

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• Question #1063: about
  <p>I am a protestant converting to orthodoxy.when I make my first confession, do I have to drag up all of my past sin?</p>

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• Question #1070: about
  <p>What is the purpose of people lighting candles as they go into Orthodox churches, or of having them lit at home. I've heard it's "for relatives", but how, exactly?</p>

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• Question #1071: about
  <p>Would you know if there is any such thing as a topical index in English of the works of the Church Fathers? (Either digital or in book form). There are so many of them and so many profound and wonderful things that they say, that an index would be very useful.</p>

  >>Answer Question #1071

• Question #1196: about
  <p>Why do we do 500 Lord Have Mercies today?</p>

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• Question #1225: about
  <p>Can you please recommend a book to interpret the Old Testament. I have an Orthodox Study Guide for the New Testament and am looking for one with the old Testament?</p>

  >>Answer Question #1225

• Question #1236: about
  <p>Do Orthodox Christians observe the Assumption of the Mother of God? I thought the celebrate the Dormition rather than the Assumption, but I am aware of at least two Orthodox churches that are called Assumption. Thanks. p.s. Also, I have heard Orthodox Christians refer to Theophany as "Epiphany," but I thought these were two entirely different things.</p>

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• Question #1240: about
  <p>Could you tell me what is the Oldest sign of cross?</p>

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• Question #1261: about
  <p>Please, I'm looking for books in English defending (at least explaining) the orthodox canon of the Old Testament. Thank you</p>

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• Question #1280: about
  <p>Are Orthodox couples required to wear their wedding bands on the right hand or is that determined more by culture and tradition of their home country?</p>

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• Question #1287: about
  <p>Can I get the number or the following types of figures in the OT with names please? Names of the prophets, kings, judges, patriarchs. I'm asking because I have heard of different numbers of judges, some say 12, a few say 13 and others 14. Also people always despute on whether to categorize Moses as prophet or king etc. I would appreciate the help</p>

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• Question #1288: about
  <p>During the slavery of Ottoman empire of Patriarche of Constantinople, there are some historians who believe that the Patriarche did not do enough to free greece, and maybe were made comfortable by the Turks, so as to have contributed to slavery. What is the historical background of the church during this difficult time?</p>

  >>Answer Question #1288

• Question #1295: about liturgy of the hours
  <p>Does Orthodoxy have the Liturgy of the Hours? first vespers, Lauds, terce, sext, none, vespers, compline and vigil?</p>

  >>Answer Question #1295

• Question #1303: about body of Christ
  <p>Christ is Born! I was wondering, given some reflection on the Incarnation, which naturally led to contemplating the Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension--If Christ was raised bodily, as we confess, and ascended bodily, does He yet retain a body, and if so, where is it? Is He now among the stars, working out some purpose unknown to us? Did He divest His body and return to incorporeal existence, as He had prior to the Incarnation, perhaps retaining body only in the Eucharist and metaphorically in the Church? I thank you for your ministry.</p>

  >>Answer Question #1303

• Question #1306: about commentary
  <p>Hi. Would someone be able to direct me to an 'orthodox' commentary, or an 'orthodox' interpretation of Romans Chapter 4? I have looked high and low for commentaries on the bible from an orthodox perspective and can't seem to find much. Maybe someone could help me to understand this chapter of Romans from an orthodox view? I'd appreciate your help. Thanks.</p>

  >>Answer Question #1306

• Question #1307: about 4 Maccabees
  <p>Why is 4 Maccabees placed in a appendix?</p>

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• Question #1308: about 4 Maccabees
  <p>Where can i get a Greek Orthodox Bible untranslated with 4 Maccabees placed in a appendix?</p>

  >>Answer Question #1308

• Question #1311: about Genesis
  <p>I know that the Church leaves open the question as to whether the creation story is literal or figurative. I am wondering what saints/ fathers/ others have interpreted the first Genesis chapters figuratively and what they have said. Also, but closely related, I am wondering what some Orthodox scholars or theologians have to say about the Hebrew word "yom". Thank you!</p>

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• Question #1315: about prayer rope
  <p>The knotted bracelet that I see people wear and us during prayers, how many knots and what are the prayers said with them?</p>

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• Question #1318: about Noah
  <p>In Noah's arc there were only 8 people. Are we to assume that we descended all from these 8 people? Does all of mankind other than Noah's family vanish in the great flood? Further to this story, why did Noah get so mad at his son in order to curse him. Was his "nakedness" his drunkeness,,returning to sinful ways for mankind?</p>

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• Question #1320: about Epiphany
  <p>Do Orthodox Christians celebrate Epiphany?</p>

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• Question #1330: about Spiritual Father
  <p>Must every Orthodox Christian has a spiritual father???I don't want to have a spiritual father,but still be Orthodox.</p>

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• Question #1334: about icon of Theotokos
  <p>What do the three stars (one on each shoulder and one on the head) on icons of the Theotokos signify?</p>

  >>Answer Question #1334

• Question #1385: about
  <p>What good theology texts are available for Kindle? (N.B. I have a text, available for Kindle or reading online, at http://JonathansCorner.com/the-best-of-jonathans-corner/)</p>

  >>Answer Question #1385

• Question #1391: about Modalism
  <p>Hello, I was recently in debate with a Oneness Pentecostal who believes that Jesus Christ is the Father.. It's an odd belief, but he quotes Isaiah 9:6 which states that Jesus is called the Father, and has pulled out some other verses that talk oh Jesus being called Father. Any help?</p>

  >>Answer Question #1391

• Question #1445: about
  <p>Why is Constantine a saint? I realize I know only a little about him and nothing about his spiritual life, but from history, neither his actions nor his motivations seem saintly. Important, yes. But he seems from this distance a bloody, opportunistic leader and possibly an Arian.</p>

  >>Answer Question #1445

• Question #1450: about
  <p>To be received into the Orthodox Church, does one have to agree to support the platform of any specific political party or group (like constitutional conservative or tea party?)</p>

  >>Answer Question #1450

• Question #1453: about
  <p>Why do Clergy wear black?</p>

  >>Answer Question #1453

• Question #1454: about
  <p>Can a catechumen receive holy unction on Holy wednesday? this is coming up.i am a convert from the west to be received by chrismation on pasca. thanks waw</p>

  >>Answer Question #1454

• Question #1457: about
  <p>Who typically attends the Baptism of an infant?</p>

  >>Answer Question #1457

• Question #1463: about
  <p>I understand that we don't use instruments in liturgy. But is using instruments ever appropriate in the Orthodox faith? I am a catechumen converting from many Protestant years. we sang last week about praising Him on the harp and lyre, on the stringed instruments and with trumpets.....just curious.</p>

  >>Answer Question #1463

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