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Click on the Question link to see the detailed answer.
Keyword(s): Western Rite |
Date answered: 8/25/2010
Question: I would like to know about the Orthodox western-Rite Churches. Are they in line with Orthodoxy or are they in between Roman Catholic and Orthodoxy.
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Keyword(s): Marriage between Orthodox | Jews, Israel, Chosen People
Date answered: 8/16/2010
Question: WHy does the ortho church not allow maraige between a jewish man and orthodox spouse? Are teh Jews not the "chosen people" of the bible?
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Keyword(s): "ethnic" church | universality of Orthodoxy
Date answered: 8/10/2010
Question: I am interested in Orthodoxy but have several issues. Though my family background is Roman Catholicism and High Church Anglicanism, I grew up in a doctrinally conservative, Protestant evangelical church with an emergent spin to it. The issue for me is that it seems that the Eastern Orthodox Church seems to be a relatively "ethnic" church and lacks universality. While I am comitted to knowing the Truth as a Christian, it is a relatively big hurdle for me culturally. Any help?
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Keyword(s): |
Date answered: 8/10/2010
Question: I read that St. John the new theologeon took his own life in despair. Is this true? How did st. john pass on from this life?
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Keyword(s): Name Orthodox Church |
Date answered: 8/10/2010
Question: Exactly when did the Church begin to refer to itself as the “Orthodox Church” to differentiate itself from the Roman Catholics and other denominations?
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Keyword(s): |
Date answered: 8/1/2010
Question: My boyfriend and I are both Greek Orthodox and I a pregnant we are engaged to be married but may only do do after we have the baby. In order to baptize our child in the Greek Orthodox church do the parents have to be legally married, or can they be common law?
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Keyword(s): John Chrysostom |
Date answered: 8/2/2010
Question: John Chrysostom is held in high esteem by the Orthodox Church as one of the greatest theologians, preachers, and Bible teachers of all time. And his emphasis on charitable giving and helping the poor is noted by all. But did he ever teach any things that were wrong, or that the Orthodox Church of today would not agree with? Sometimes it seems as if some people almost exalt his words above Scripture, or as the only correct interpretation of Scripture. What things did he teach that the Orthodox Church does not agree with? Thank you for your help.
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Keyword(s): |
Date answered: 8/2/2010
Question: I was baptized with the name Violetta. Who is my saint name?
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Keyword(s): |
Date answered: 7/24/2010
Question: WHAT SHOULD I DO I USED TO BE ROMAN CATHOLIC AND I LEFT AND CAME BACK BECAUSE MY FRIENDS WOULD KEEP TELLING ME IT'S THE ONLY TRUE CHURCH BUT I ENDED UP LEAVING AGAIN AFTER SOME SERIOUS BIBLE STUDY I EVAN WENT TO A ORTHODOX CHURCH I KNOW SOME COPTIC ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS SOMETIMES I WANT TO BE ORTHODOX BUT I DON'T WANT TO PLAY GAMES WITH GOD I LOVE THE CATHOLIC CHURCH BUT I WOULD RATHER GO TO A PROTESTANT CHURCH I REALLY WANT TO REDISCOVER THE CATHOLIC FAITH I STUDY WITH BOTH CATHOLICS AND PROTESTANTS AND FROM TIME TO TIME ORTHODOX I WAS BAPTIZED CHRISTIAN BUT I WAS ALSO BAPTIZED AS AN INFANT WHICH WASN'T MY CHOICE I HAVE 4 SACRAMENTS IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH I NEED CONFESSIONS AND COMMUNION MANY PROTESTANT CHURCHES DON'T EVAN SERVE COMMUNION
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Keyword(s): Vestments | Clergy Vestments
Date answered: 7/22/2010
Question: Why do Orthodox clergy where vestments? Why does it matter?
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Keyword(s): iconostasis |
Date answered: 7/24/2010
Question: Should the 12 feasts on the iconostasis be installed in order from left to right or right to left???
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Keyword(s): Right to hear confession | Confessions
Date answered: 7/22/2010
Question: I have recently learned that Orthodox priests who are newly ordained are not permitted to hear confessions until granted the right by that priests Bishop. Does this mean when the laying of hand occurs the Priest is not given the power of that sacrament or is it just a local Orthodox tradition (by justistiction) to exclude the ability to be a confessor until the new Priest becomes more seasoned ? Please explaine this process to me.
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Keyword(s): People who lived before C | Is Christianity a new religion?
Date answered: 7/22/2010
Question: Are people who lived before the 1st century in hell? Orthodox Christianity did not arise until the 1st century. Countless other religions existed before it. Even if we assume that some members of the Jewish religion are in heaven, Judaism did not arise until the 1st century BC. Humans have been on the earth for 400 thousand years at the latest. So I was just wondering how you reconcile the fact that Orthodox Christianity is the one true faith, when it's existed for such a brief time in human history.
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Keyword(s): |
Date answered: 7/22/2010
Question: Hello, I have a personal situation that I would like direction on. My father is Greek-Orthodox and my mother is Roman Catholic, we grew up learning about both and followed Easter in the Orthodox tradition. I was not baptized Greek Orthodox simply because my mom did not drive and we lived far from a Greek Orthodox church and there were many Catholic ones in the area. I have always been compelled to the Orthodox faith. I have followed saint days and have a strong belief. I wanted to convert long ago before I got married but my parents both got sick and it was difficult. I married a Catholic man and we got married in a Catholic church. Now that we have a son, I really want for us to convert and for him to be baptized into the Greek Orthodox faith. He is 9 months now and we would like to baptize him as soon as we can. What are the steps? Would we be able to convert and then baptize him? Or baptize him and then convert? Thanks so much
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Keyword(s): Can an Orthodox join a Ro | differences between the Orthodox Church and the Ro
Date answered: 7/16/2010
Question: Besides not accepting the authority of the Pope, what are the differences between the Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church? Can an Orthodox join a Roman Catholic Church, or attend a Roman Catholic Church, and still remain Orthodox?
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Keyword(s): Jesus omniscient, Ignoran | Omniscience of Christ
Date answered: 7/10/2010
Question: Was Jesus omniscient while on earth? I've met some Orthodox Christians who told me that He wasn't based on Mark 5:30 and Mark 13:32.
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Keyword(s): Celibates, Monastics |
Date answered: 7/6/2010
Question: Do all Orthodox who never marry have to become monastics?
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Keyword(s): Biblical inerrancy |
Date answered: 7/16/2010
Question: What is the Orthodox view on Biblical inerrancy?
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Keyword(s): Apostle's Fast |
Date answered: 6/26/2010
Question: What is the purpose of the "Apostle's Fast" eight days after Pentecost? I know it ends on June 28th on the Feast of Sts Peter and Paul. Thank you.
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Keyword(s): Antichrist |
Date answered: 7/6/2010
Question: Who or what is the AntiChrist according to the teaching of the Orthodox Church? Has he or it already come and been revealed or his/its being revealed still future to the days in which we live? Thank you very much.
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Keyword(s): Restrainer |
Date answered: 6/26/2010
Question: How does the Orthodox Church interpret 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7? Who or what is the restrainer of lawlessness in v. 7? Is it the Roman Empire as some say? Thanks.
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Keyword(s): Non Christian myths |
Date answered: 6/14/2010
Question: just a general ques. i am a convert to the faith and i was wondering what the church teaches about all the similarities in the egyptian myths,,like horus and isis and how they seem to parralel the christian faith,,with father,,son,,ank, the cross,,amon and amen ,etc..are the just coincedence and how should an orthodox christian view and respond to such who make allegations that it is just a plagarizzed myth,,thank you,,
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Keyword(s): Civil marriage, previous |
Date answered: 6/14/2010
Question: Neither my husband nor I are Orthodox; we are Protestant. However, we are leaning toward wanting to learn more. Our question has to do with our marriage. We were both married before: I was married in a civil ceremony, and he was married in a Protestant ceremony. After our divorces, we married each other in a Protestant ceremony. Our question is, if we were to become members of the Orthodox Church, would our current marriage be considered valid, or would we have to annul our previous marriages?
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Keyword(s): marriage with same God-pa | spiritual relatives
Date answered: 6/6/2010
Question: I have God parents at church who are also God parents of my friend. I now have feelings for him and I believe he has feelings for me. Could we marry? We were both converts in our adult lives.
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Keyword(s): Rapture, Second Coming |
Date answered: 6/2/2010
Question: What is the Orthodox understanding of "The Rapture"
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Keyword(s): Website |
Date answered: 6/2/2010
Question: I see in the left bar of your website's home page "Specific Answers to:" Why is "Jews" not listed along with the others? Do they not also have questions & challenges?
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Keyword(s): Book of Revelation |
Date answered: 5/27/2010
Question: What is the position of the Russian Orthodox Church on the Book of Revelation?
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Keyword(s): Miracle cross over Jerusa |
Date answered: 5/27/2010
Question: information regarding the Miracle Illumination of the Holy Cross - May 7, 356
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Keyword(s): |
Date answered: 5/27/2010
Question: what is another name for the book of Acts in the church readings
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Keyword(s): Musical instruments in wo |
Date answered: 5/27/2010
Question: Is there a biblical reason why the Orthodox do not use instruments in worship services. Instruments seem to be used in Heaven, {Rev} and our worship is to be a shadow of Heavenly things.Or is it just a matter of church tradition. Thankyou
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Keyword(s): Confession | Absolution
Date answered: 5/21/2010
Question: Do Orthodox priests give out penances after Holy Confession? If so, why...? If during confession, we have asked for and received, through the priest, forgiveness for our sins? Is this at the discretion of a priest and if so, what criteria does he use is deciding to give out a penance e.g. to say an Our Father and Hail Mary?
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Keyword(s): Mary Magdalen |
Date answered: 5/27/2010
Question: Is Mary Magdalen believed to have been a prostitute? This does not appear to be explicitly in scripture; is it part of the Orthodox belief?
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Keyword(s): Millennium, Premillenaris |
Date answered: 5/12/2010
Question: Is it possible whitin orthodox teaching to look at the 1000 years (Rev 20,1-6) as the period from the resurraction of Christ to about the year 1033, so that the Devil was loos from that time onward? So that we now is in the part of the book of revelation cap 20,7-9. This would explain the Shisme betwen the orthodox Church and the Roman Church in 1054 and all the problemes with faith since.
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Keyword(s): Dormition and Assumption |
Date answered: 5/10/2010
Question: Are there several different traditions concerning the things that happened related to the Dormition and Assumption of Mary? Do the Coptic Orthodox have a different tradition of exactly what happened than the Greeks? Was Thomas transported from his missionary work in India to Jerusalem? Is there some book or resource where I can find out more about different traditions concerning this? Thank you for your help.
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Keyword(s): Ecumenical Councils | Eighth Ecumenical Council, Ninth Ecumenical Counci
Date answered: 5/5/2010
Question: The Orthodox church is very clear on its unity through the recognition of the first 7 Ecumenical councils. However, what is not so clear is that after the first 7 Ecumenical Councils there were many local synods as well as Pan-Orthodox councils.Why is it so difficult to find accurate information on these post schism councils. I have gone to all the Patriarical websites and have not been able to locate any of these so called local councils or the content of them. I have found them on some independent sites but doubt the authenticity.And the rudder is very difficult for a Lay person to navigate through. Where can I find this information and why is it kept so secret?
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Keyword(s): Orthodox Christian who ma | Economia
Date answered: 5/3/2010
Question: Is there any way an Orthodox christian who marries a non-Christian (outside the church, since it is not permitted within Orthodoxy), may return to full good standing and recieve the churches sacraments with out the christian converstion of the non-christian spouse or Divorce? I am aware that through economia there are situations where a repentant Orthodox may recieve the sacrament of confession and then recieve Holy Communion once or twice a year (Pasca and Nativity). But other sacraments like the healing oil and regular communion are not permitted. The fact that through economia communion may be offered once per year but other sacraments denied as well as frequency of communion denied seem very well, hypocritical. It is like saying No you can't have the sacraments because you are not in good standing but we forgive you a little bit so will let you have some of the sacraments only sometimes, but thats all you get. But the other Orthodox who commit other major sins may show up once in a while and go to confession, and they can recieve all the sacraments as frequently as they want. Again this seems very hypocritical. And I would like to understand how this scenerio is anything but.
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Keyword(s): Eastern Orthodox, Orienta |
Date answered: 5/3/2010
Question: I am just wondering about the churches that call themselves orthodox. While at this moment Non demoninational I agree with pretty much all the Eastern orthodox church teaches (can't join an orthodox church at this moment), but I understand there are other churches which use the name "Orthodox" Such as the Oriental orthodox and the Tewardo (Spelt wrong) orthodox church, are these churches the same church as the general eastern orthodox church which accepts the 7 councils? I am lead to believe that the Oriental church follows Nestorius in his teachings about the nature of Christ deity and humanity? Thank you.
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Keyword(s): Colossians 2:20-23 | Fasting, Asceticism
Date answered: 5/5/2010
Question: I was wondering how the Church defends ascetic practices in light of Colossians 2:20-23: "Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations— “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh." It was pointed out to me that this seems to condemn the asceticism of the Orthodox Church, and I am not sure how the Church interprets this passage. It has left me feeling a little confused, as for example the Desert Fathers appear to be doing exactly what Paul is warning against in his epistle.
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Keyword(s): Protevangelium of James |
Date answered: 5/5/2010
Question: There is much in the Protevangelium of James that supports the doctrines about Mary taught by the Orthodox Church, and much liturgical material has been drawn from it. Does the Orthodox Church consider the Protevangelium of James a true, reliable and authoritative source of teaching? Thank you for your help.
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Keyword(s): baptism, salvation, unbap |
Date answered: 4/17/2010
Question: Do catechumens and infants go to hell if they die before Baptism?
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Keyword(s): Intercession, Prayer of t |
Date answered: 4/9/2010
Question: Why do we pray to the Lord to have mercy on us and save us "through the prayers of the Theotokos..." and "through the prayers of our Holy Fathers..."?
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Keyword(s): |
Date answered: 4/9/2010
Question: The vesperal liturgy of Great Saturday is ancient paschal service of the Orthodox Church. How and when was it replaced by paschal matins of St. John Damascene & liturgy and why it was not abandoned? I love both services but it seems that we celebrate Pascha two times which is a bit odd. Or am I completely wrong?
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Keyword(s): Sponsor at a Roman Cathol |
Date answered: 3/31/2010
Question: can an orthodox stand as sponsor at a roman catholic baptism
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Keyword(s): actual bread, actual wine | eucharistic elements
Date answered: 4/5/2010
Question: Could you please discuss the importance of using actual bread and actual wine in the Eucharist. I interact with several evangelicals who would say it doesn't really matter what the elements are, grape juice and oyster crackers are just fine. "That's the way it's always been" is a good enough answer for me, but what about someone who that wouldn't be good enough for?
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Keyword(s): Particular Judgment, Inte |
Date answered: 3/16/2010
Question: Dear Fr, What is the Orthodox position on the fate of the soul after death prior to the last judgement? Roman Catholics believe - and it has been defined a dogma of the Roman Catholic Church - that the soul goes immediately to a particular judgement. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church states: "Each man receives his eternal retribution in his immortal soul at the very moment of his death, in a particular judgment that refers his life to Christ: either entrance into the blessedness of heaven-through a purification [purgatory] or immediately, -- or immediate and everlasting damnation". At the last judgement, the Catechism states, after the resurrection of the dead, the Father "through his Son Jesus Christ will pronounce the final word on all history. We shall know the ultimate meaning of the whole work of creation and of the entire economy of salvation and understand the marvelous ways by which his Providence led everything towards its final end and the body will be restored to the soul." I realise that Orthodoxy rejects the teaching of purgatory. I also believe that Orthodoxy does not have a concept of a particular judgement. Is this true? Certainly some Orthodox seem to believe that the soul will not enter heaven or hell until the Last Judgement. There also seems to be some heated debate among Orthodox about the toll houses. I would be grateful if you could elaborate on these matters. Kind regards, Stephen.
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Keyword(s): Date of Easter / Pascha |
Date answered: 2/20/2010
Question: How does the Orthodox Church calculate the date for Easter? And does it go by the Julian calendar or the Gregorian calendar? Thank you for your time.
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Keyword(s): Fasting, Medical concerns |
Date answered: 2/18/2010
Question: How should a 61 year old diabetic fast?
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Keyword(s): Hellenism, Platonism, Gre |
Date answered: 2/18/2010
Question: In his book "Orthodoxy and Philosophy" Constantine Cavarnos, one of the great Orthodox thinkers of today, shows how some of the Church fathers were influenced by Greek philosophy (e.g. Justin Martyr, St. Basil the Great, St. Gregory of Nyssa, etc.). Did some of the teachings of the Orthodox Church come from Greek philosophy, particularly Platonism and Neoplatonism?
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Keyword(s): Origins of Lent |
Date answered: 2/20/2010
Question: When did the practice of Lent start? Is it the result of a pronouncement by a Church Council? Thank you for your help.
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Keyword(s): Start of Lent |
Date answered: 2/18/2010
Question: When does Lent start this year? What is a person supposed to eat or not supposed to eat during Lent? Thank you for your time.
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Keyword(s): Revelation 12, Mary, Woma |
Date answered: 2/10/2010
Question: Is the Ark of the Covenant a type or symbol of Mary in the Orthodox Church? The woman with a crown of 12 stars in Revelation 12:1, is that symbolizing Mary? Is this what the Church fathers taught?
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Keyword(s): left hand |
Date answered: 2/10/2010
Question: Is it okay to make the sign of the cross with the left hand? I'm thinking of left-handed people and people who do not have an existing or functional right hand.
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Keyword(s): infant communion, childre |
Date answered: 2/10/2010
Question: How old can a child be to receive communion without fasting or confessing a sin? When should a child start fasting?
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Keyword(s): Sinlessness | Mary, Theotokos, Immaculate
Date answered: 2/5/2010
Question: Isaiah 53 of course is a prophecy of the Messiah. Isaiah 53:5-6 tells us for whom the Messiah died: Isaiah 53:5 But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities…All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him. Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 11:32 For God has shut up all in disobedience that He might show mercy to all. 1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust… Concerning believers the Bible says: 1 John 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. How does the Orthodox Church interpret these verses? Wouldn’t these verses indicate that all people, at one point or another, have committed at least some sins? Wouldn’t that include Mary? Doesn't the teaching of the sinlessness of Mary contradict Scripture? Thank you for your consideration. David Wolfe
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Keyword(s): uplifted hands, hands ext | kneeling
Date answered: 2/5/2010
Question: I am seeing more and more people praying in church with their hands extended. I was alway taught that this act was for the Priest (two hands) and Decon's (one hand).
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Keyword(s): bishops, diocese |
Date answered: 2/5/2010
Question: Hello, Firstly, sorry for sending a second question so soon. You get a lot of them and I shouldn't be taking up so much time. However, how would reunification of, say, the Catholic or Oriental Orthodox Churches with the Eastern Orthodox Church work? Specifically, if there is a Catholic Bishop, an Oriental Bishop, and an Eastern Bishop over the same territory, what would happen? The question could also be extended to the American scene, by asking what will happen to the many Bishops of various Orthodox jurisdictions (OCA, GOA, etc.) who share the same territory? On a similar note, I believe that the OCA has Bishops without defined territory or at least overlapping territory with others (such as the Albanian diocese). If I am in fact right, what is the historical and canonical justification of this?
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Keyword(s): |
Date answered: 2/5/2010
Question: Hello, I have recently made a firm decision that I will in fact convert to the Orthodox Church. However, the nearest one is about 2 hours away from where I live and I have no way to get there (I will be 16 at the end of the month) because of that, and I obviously cannot, by myself, move closer to one. I am worried about the possibility of dying before I can convert to the Church. Is there anything I can do until I am able to regularly get to an Orthodox Church? (By the way, even when I have my license, I will not be able to drive there by myself due to the road being very dangerous - we live in a small town situated on a mountain, and consequently the road to the nearest Orthodox Church is very windy and narrow.)
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Keyword(s): Sinless |
Date answered: 2/3/2010
Question: Thank you for answering my question about the sinlessness of Mary. In your answer you mentioned "St. John Maximovitch could point to the fact that a very important prayer in the Divine Liturgy calls Jesus Christ 'the only sinless one'." Could you please tell me which prayer is that or where could I find such prayer? Thank you.
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Keyword(s): ordinational validity, su |
Date answered: 2/2/2010
Question: Could you please elaborate (or direct me to a good source) on the concept of ordination and sacramental authority? Is there biblical support for this? I know the Apostles were given Christ's authority to baptize and forgive sins, etc., but what I'm mainly interested in, is the scriptural foundation and/or patristic logic/explanation behind this transferal, if that makes any sense. For example, how would we explain and confirm this to a Protestant who does not believe their "sacraments" (or versions of them anyway) need ordinational validity? If they ask, "Why would my pastor need to be ordained by someone with apostolic succession for our sacraments to be valid"?
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Keyword(s): Sinlessness of Mary, Imma | Theotokos
Date answered: 2/2/2010
Question: The Orthodox Church teaches that Mary was sinless, that she never committed any actual or personal sins. I don't know of any Scriptures that teach this. Several of the Greek church fathers (e.g., Origen, John Chrysostom, Cyril of Alexandria, and Basil) held that Mary, although outstandingly holy in character, had nonetheless been guilty of some sins. St. John Chrysostom mentions the Wedding at Cana where she presumed to instruct Him (John 2:3-4). Where did this teaching of the sinlessness of Mary come from, or what is it based on? Is there some Scripture on this that I am not aware of? Or some Church Council? Why did some major Church Fathers not accept it? Thank you in advance for your response.
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Keyword(s): Disaster, Theodicy |
Date answered: 2/10/2010
Question: What does Orthodoxy say about a God that seems absent in the wake of the Haiti disaster. If there is a God, he seems to have left the phone off the hook and gone for a long walk. If there is no God then the whole disaster makes much more sense.
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Keyword(s): God of the Old Testament, |
Date answered: 1/21/2010
Question: When Elizabeth said in Luke 1:43 "the mother of my lord" Did she refer to the God of the Old Testament or to the Messiah?
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Keyword(s): Justification |
Date answered: 2/18/2010
Question: How is a person justified according to the teaching of the Orthodox Church?
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Keyword(s): Queen Mother, Queen of He |
Date answered: 1/18/2010
Question: Does the Orthodox Church use the title Queen of heaven for Mary in any of its Liturgy, in hymns, prayers, etc.? Thank you for your time.
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Keyword(s): Authoritative teaching, c |
Date answered: 1/20/2010
Question: I am trying to learn what the Orthodox Church teaches. I don't want to just go by the opinion of this Orthodox person or that Orthodox person or this Orthodox priest or that priest, as I've seen they may differ.So I went online and found the Longer Catechism (aka the Catechism of St. Philaret of Moscow). It says in the introduction to it that it "is now the most authoritative doctrinal standard of the Orthodox Graeco-Russian Church". Wouldn't the things in it be considered the teachings of the Orthodox Church? Wouldn't it be considered correct Orthodox doctrine and authoritative? I thought the Council of Jerusalem (1672) would be but you said no. Is the Longer Catechism considered correct and authoritative teaching for the Orthodox Church, or if not, where can I find such? I realize that the Orthodox Church goes by the teachings of the first Seven Ecumenical Councils.But those Councils only dealt with certain things (mainly Christological).There are many, many things which are not addressed in such Councils (some of which are dealt with in the Longer Catechism)(and the Jerusalem Council). So again, my question is, is the Longer Catechism considered an authoritative source of teaching for the Orthodox Church? If not where can I find such? Does the Orthodox Church have any authoritative source of teaching or statement of faith (besides the first 7 Ecumenical Councils) or is it all subjective, depending on the opinion or view of the particular priest you happen to be talking to at the moment, or which Orthodox Church you happen to attend?
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Keyword(s): Amillenialism |
Date answered: 2/10/2010
Question: Amillennialism, the view of most who reject Chilialism (also known as premillennialism,that is the belief that Christ will return to this earth and then set up a literal "Messianic kingdom of God on earth",ruling and reining on the earth from Jerusalem for a thousand years {the millennium])--Classical Amillennialism (amillenialism means "no thousand years")teaches that the thousand years (millennium) spoken of in Rev. 20 is symbolic and refers to an indeterminate period of time between the Resurrection of Christ and His Second Coming. That we are in the millennium now.Is this what the Orthodox Church teaches, and if not, when and what is the millennium according to teaching of the Orthodox Church? I realize this is a long question but this is important to me. Thank you very much for whatever insight you can give on this topic.
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Keyword(s): Holy Communion, Mysteries |
Date answered: 1/14/2010
Question: How does the Orthodox Church view communion? What is its significance and how does it differ from the Mormon view of "sacrament?"
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Keyword(s): Millennium, Premillenaris |
Date answered: 1/12/2010
Question: I have read that the Council of Ephesus (the Third Ecumenical Council)AD 431 condemned as superstition the belief in a literal millennium (a.k.a. Chiliasm)that is the belief that Christ would return to this earth and set up a literal "Messianic kingdom of God" on earth,ruling and reigning from Jerusalem for a thousand years, also known as premillennialism. And I have read , "At the Second Ecumenical Council of A.D. 381 (the first Council of Constantinople), the Holy Fathers condemned the heresy of chiliasm." from an Orthodox website from a book entitled "Father Seraphim Rose:His Life and Works" by Hieromonk Damascene. The Orthodox Church is definitely Amillennial. Does the Orthodox Church base its teaching of Amillennialism (and rejection of premillennialism) on the aforementioned Ecumenical Councils,or if not, what does it base it on? Thank you.
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Keyword(s): Cornelius |
Date answered: 1/12/2010
Question: How does the Orthodox Church interpret Acts 10:34-48? Wasn't Cornelius saved/born again/indwelt by the Spirit, before he was baptized in water? Awaiting your reply.
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Keyword(s): Ecumenical Councils | Trisagion
Date answered: 1/12/2010
Question: 1. What is the Greek name of the prayer which begins "Holy, Holy, Holy Lord Sabaoth..."? It seems like it should be called a Trisagion prayer, but the Trisagion is the one that goes "Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal..." 2. From whence do the seven "ecumenical" councils derive their formal validity? For example, how can the fourth council (Chalcedon)--which resulted in schism with the Monophysitic churches--be said to express the views of the entire church? (Isn't this a "no true Scotsman" type of argument?) And what about the so-called "Robber Council? It is tempting to conclude that the outcomes of these were more the result of worldly politics than of divine guidance...
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Keyword(s): Eternal Security, Assuran |
Date answered: 1/6/2010
Question: I realize that the Protestant doctrine of "Eternal Security" is false. Even if I am in a right relationship with God today, and am a communing member of the Orthodox Church, that is no guarantee that I won't apostatize tomorrow and fall away from the faith. However, is there any way I can have assurance of my *present* salvation? In other words, can I know for certain that -- if I were to die today -- that I would go to Heaven? 1 John 5:13 seems to say that there is a way for me to *know* for sure. Can you help me here?
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Keyword(s): Council of Jerusalem, Con |
Date answered: 1/6/2010
Question: Hello.Thank you for offering to answer inquiries. In seeking to find a Catechism,or something that put forth the official doctrines of the Orthodox Church step by step, I found The Acts and Decrees of the Synod of Jerusalem (1672), also known as The Confession of Dositheus on the internet.According to "Basic Sources of the Teachings of the Eastern Orthodox Church", at the website of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America: "This Confession was issued in 13 editions in a short period of time. It is considered one of the major pronouncements of the Orthodox Faith,and an important source of Church teaching." Concerning this statement of faith by the Orthodox Church,historian Philip Schaff, in his book The Creeds of Christendom, says: The Synod Of Jerusalem And The Confession Of Dositheus A.D. 1672.The Synod convened at Jerusalem...by Patriarch Dositheus..signed by Dositheus, Patriarch of Jerusalem and Palestine...and by 68 Eastern bishops and ecclesiastics, including some from Russia. This Synod is the most important in the modern history of the Eastern Church, and may be compared to the Council of Trent. Both fixed the doctrinal status of the Churches they represent...The Confessio Dosithei presents,in 18 decrees or articles, a positive statement of the Orthodox faith. It follows the order of Cyril's confession, which it is intended to refute. It is the most authoritative and complete doctrinal deliverance of the modern Greek Church on the controverted articles.It was formally transmitted by the Eastern Patriarchs to the Russian Church in 1721, and through it to certain Bishops of the Church of England, as an ultimatum to be received without further conference by all who would be in communion with the Orthodox Church." (Philip Schaff,The Creeds of Christendom Vol.I,pp.61-62) I have heard many times that the Church's teaching is always the same and can never change.My question is, is The Acts and Decrees of the Synod of Jerusalem (1672)still considered an authoritative and binding source of teaching for the Orthodox Church, even though it was first issued in 1672? Thank you very much for your help. David Wolfe
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Keyword(s): Dormition, Assumption, Do |
Date answered: 1/5/2010
Question: My question is regarding the Dormition of Mary and its feast. I've been doing some research and am troubled on this matter. Reading the dogma and the whole story which accompanies it one would have to conclude that if this happened as it is taught that this would have been of incredible significance to early Christians. The theological significance of the first fruits of the resurrection of the faithful and someone’s bodily resurrection would not be something to be ignored. Yet this is exactly what I have found. Even Orthodoxwiki states “As with the nativity of the Virgin and the feast of her entrance to the temple, there are no biblical or historical sources for this feast.” When I did further research on it I discovered that not only does it not have a Biblical foundation but that nowhere is there any account of it whatsoever in any documents, from any church until nearly 500 years after said event. If this was an established truth, why is there no record anywhere of the observance or knowledge of it in the early church? Even for 200 years after Christianity was legalized? The Roman Catholics settle this dispute by claiming “papal infallibility” and using the old “the pope said it therefore it is true” argument. I saw on Wikipedia that someone said “this belief has never been formally defined as dogma by the Orthodox Church nor made a precondition of baptism.” So to an Orthodox Christian you don’t have to believe in it? I’m curious about this and the Orthodox defense of this issue. I would not question that the death and spiritual ascension of Mary into heaven to be crowned is a thing worth celebrating, but why is the bodily resurrection and the little story dragged along when there seems to be no apostolic basis for it? Thanks, and I look forward to hearing from you.
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Keyword(s): Fasting |
Date answered: 1/5/2010
Question: My wife asked a question and I would like an answer if it is possible. Tomorrow she will go to a Makaria and they serve fish but it is strict fast due to the day before Epiphany. What is she suppose to do. Eat fish or not.
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Keyword(s): Icons, saints holding a c |
Date answered: 1/6/2010
Question: Why, in some icons the saints being represented are carrying what seems to be small replicas of churches or monasteries?
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Keyword(s): Ecumenical Patriarchate, |
Date answered: 12/26/2009
Question: I recently wtched the 60 Minutes episode in which Patriarch Barthalamew discussed the actions occring from the Muslim govt in Turkey. He mentioned that the Turkish govt will only allow a Turkish citizen to hold that position. yet they closed Halki the only seminary. If there is no qualified Orthodox Turkish citizen to take the role of Patriarch what will happen?
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Keyword(s): |
Date answered: 12/23/2009
Question: My Girlfriend is Roman Catholic, yet she does not believe that the Pope has infalible voice nor does she believe in Purgatory or indolgences. Is she in Rome's eyes an Apostate or Excumnicated if she said these things aloud?
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Keyword(s): infallibility |
Date answered: 12/15/2009
Question: I apoloize if this has already been addressed, but I would like some clarification on the catholicity and infallibility of the Church. I have heard that the local church is the "catholic" church in that it is whole, complete, etc. However, I know also that individual dioceses can fall into error. How does one reconcile the belief in the local church as the "catholic" church when local churches can, and do, apostosize? Thank you
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Keyword(s): origins of the orthodox c |
Date answered: 12/15/2009
Question: the founders and the origine places of the orthodox religions.
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Keyword(s): Real Presence, John 6 |
Date answered: 12/15/2009
Question: In John 6.63 when Jesus said "It is the spirit that quickeneth; THE FLESH PROFITETH NOTHING: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life" doesn't this contradict the belief in the Real Presence? Why does this not show that Jesus was simply speaking metaphorically when he said "my flash is meat" etc?
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Keyword(s): Death of Christ |
Date answered: 12/15/2009
Question: Why was it necessary for Christ to die in the manner he did? Or at all?
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Keyword(s): Active orders of monastic |
Date answered: 12/15/2009
Question: Why do we not have active orders of monastics (e.g. medical or teachers)or tertiary orders like the Romans do?
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Keyword(s): |
Date answered: 12/15/2009
Question: Why do we not have active orders of monastics (e.g. medical or teachers)or tertiary orders like the Romans do?
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Keyword(s): Culture, Ethnic |
Date answered: 11/25/2009
Question: This question has to do with church design. I have been very perplexed about this for quite some time. Orthodox churches have almost always been built in either the Byzantine or Russian onion dome styles. These church designs are beautiful and good. The confusing thing to me is that in my local area in the USA I see new orthodox churches, are ones less than 40 years old that are being built with Russian like features including the distinctive onion dome features. These kind of things are cultural designs and ethnic expressions. Church design all throughout the Christian world has always varied with place and time. If an Orthodox Church is being built in America, why not build it to match the ethnic and cultural makeup of America? Why not build it to look like other churches in the area to draw all of the people in the area in? Why give it distinctive Russian or Greek cultural features is the congregation isn't Russian? And doesn’t that seem a bit misplaced? If the goal is to continue the great commission of Christ converting the people, why bring such disparate ethnic imagery to an area of no similarity? Wouldn’t more people be comfortable entering a building that looks familiar to them then one that projects a clearly Russian cultural theme that has nothing to do with their own background? Unfortunately the past century has left a very pronounced effect on the way Americans view Russians. I remember entering an Orthodox church with my grandpa once and instead of feeling like he was entering a church, the first thing that came to his mind and thus the first thing he said was “well, lets go visit Russia”. Later that evening we went to a southern gospel concert in which he was perfectly comfortable. Why not incorporate these aspects into the American church instead of projecting a distinctly foreign flavor which immediately turns off most non-eastern European descended Americans?
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Keyword(s): |
Date answered: 11/25/2009
Question: Is oral sex permitted between married couples?
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Keyword(s): Oriental Orthodox unity |
Date answered: 11/25/2009
Question: I read an article on this website referencing a question whether or not the Coptic and Byzantine Rite Orthodox churches should re-unite. The Copts (Oriental Orthodox) in Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Armenia, India, and beyond Number in the tens of millions. I personally find the Copts very intriguing as they are the ones responsible for keeping the Antiochian and Alexandrian Rites alive throughout time, offering the preservation of ancient languages and traditions which would have otherwise been lost. From what I have read regarding the nature of the split and the current status I can't seem to imagine why there is not more attention being put on this issue. We are talking about tens of millions of Christians living outside full communion of the Church for seemingly non-existent reasons and no one seems to be doing anything about it. I hear more news all the time about Orthodox Bishops meeting with the Pope, and the whole effort to reunify the East with the West but hardly ever hear of the Oriental issue. Re-uniting East and West to me seems like a highly idealistic goal that theologically, at least for the current time, seems more distant than ever. Yet it seems that in the much more practical goal of bringing unity back between the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox churches there is little to no effort. It almost gives one the impression that there is money at work here. The majority of Oriental Orthodox adherents are very poor and probably wouldn‘t be able to contribute all that much to the coffers. If this is not the reason, why is there no push to bring all the Patriarchs and bishops together to hammer this seemingly much simpler issue out?
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Keyword(s): Re-baptism |
Date answered: 11/25/2009
Question: I am Greek Orthodox and Baptized in the faith from an infant. I left for two years and become an Evangelical. Now I am back in the Orthodox faith (the fullness of the Faith) as a true faithful believer. During that time I was baptized (dunked under water 3 times) in the ocean by a Pastor in the name of the Father, Son and Holy spirit. My question is do I need to get ReBaptized in the Orthodox Church.
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Keyword(s): tattoos, tattooing |
Date answered: 11/20/2009
Question: what is the church's position regarding tattooing oneself
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Keyword(s): pre-Chalcedonian | Oriental Orthodox
Date answered: 11/20/2009
Question: Hi, In a recent interview with Arch. Hilarion Alfeyev of the MP, he was quoted as saying that "the pre-Chalcedonian churches... though they are not in Eucharistic unity with the Eastern Orthodox Churches, share their theological, ecclesiological and moral positions." I never thought this was so; I thought the "pre-Chalcedonian churches" held monophysite beliefs (Christ has one nature, not two). Can you comment on this remark by the Archbishop? Eugene
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Keyword(s): Revelation, Apocalypse |
Date answered: 11/20/2009
Question: Greetings, Can you recommend any books/commentaries on the book of Revelation from an Orthodox perspective It is one that has much miss information attached to it.
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Keyword(s): 1 John 5:7 | Comma Johanneum
Date answered: 11/25/2009
Question: I would like to know if the discussion of 1 john 5:7 heavenly witness was cited at the council of carthage 484 please give source
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Keyword(s): |
Date answered: 11/17/2009
Question: Can I join the Orthodox Church if I am married to a Protestant? She is a devout Christian but would not be willing to convert - but she would be completetly supporitve of me if I became Orthodox.
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Keyword(s): Inseparability | Two species
Date answered: 11/17/2009
Question: CIX I am a Latin Catholic and have been asked by some Coptic friends about the practice of receiving Holy Communion under only one kind in our church. As far as I can tell, the Eastern Orthodox Churches recognise this teaching against the Hussites (our Council of Basel-Ferrara-Florence I think), based on the inseparability of Our Blessed Lord's Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity after the Resurrexion, since they allow for the reception of the Precious Blood only by infants; do you know if this is also true of the Oriental Churches? If so, would it be possible to give me some indication either from practice or from formal teachings? Thanks.
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Keyword(s): Liberal Christians | Shelby Spong
Date answered: 11/4/2009
Question: I was wondering what the Orthodox position was on the far liberal side of Christianity. If indeed it could be called Christianity. Such as the antics and arguments of Episcopal (bishop) Shelby Spong, whom denies many of the traditional beliefs which have been associated with Christianity. Jesus dying on the cross, literalness of the Gospels and etc. Would the Orthodox Church consider individuals such as Spong a Christian or not?
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Keyword(s): proper matter |
Date answered: 11/4/2009
Question: Does the Orthodox Church have an understanding of proper matter for the Eucharist similar to that of the Roman Church? According to Rome, the bread for the Eucharist must be, leavened or unleavened, made of only wheat flour and water. Otherwise the Eucharist is not "confected" and our Lord is not present. Does Orthodoxy have a similar position?
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Keyword(s): Eucharistic miracles | no grace in the sacraments of the hrertics
Date answered: 11/4/2009
Question: Hello, I am Orthodox. I have a question concerning the so-called RC eucharistic miracles, miracles in which the Catholics claim that there are instances the eucharistic bread and wine have been visibly transformed into bread flesh and blood. If true, can that be compatible with Orthodox theolgy, which claims that there is no grace in the sacraments of the hrertics?
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Keyword(s): Ecumenical Councils |
Date answered: 10/23/2009
Question: A Roman Catholic Apologist has made the claim that because The Orthodox churches have not held an Ecumenical Council in 1,000 years and the RC church has that this is proof that we are just a bunch of National churches and not a true unified "catholic (universal)" body. They hold tight to a universal magestirum which make them the true universal (catholic church). Is there a document that shows all of the Dogma and doctrine that is believed by the Entire Orthodox church. I have found it hard to find any such documents which makes us continue to appear as as bunch of national churches even though this is far from the truth.
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Keyword(s): koumbaro |
Date answered: 10/23/2009
Question: The person that did our stefana at our wedding, our kombaro, would like my husband to do his stefana at his wedding and be his koumbaro. Is that allowed?
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Keyword(s): Saint Ignatius of Antioch | Real Presence, Eucharist
Date answered: 11/4/2009
Question: Hi, I was wondering if you could help me with a question I have about Saint Ignatius of Antioch. Can you refer me to any sources, article or books that show that Saint Ignatius believed the holy Eucharist to be the real body and blood of Christ? Also, how would you answer a protestant who claims that Saint Ignatius spoke allegorically when he referred to the Eucharist as the body of Christ? It has been argued that because Saint Ignatius spoke allegorically in some places, this means he was being allegorical when he spoke about the Eucharist being the body and blood of Christ. Thank you.
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Keyword(s): Masturbation |
Date answered: 10/23/2009
Question: good day, i would just like to ask if the Orthodox Church has the same moral teachings on masturbation like the Roman Church?
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Keyword(s): conditionally re-baptized |
Date answered: 10/23/2009
Question: I was baptized and chrismated by a rogue Russian Church outside of Russia priest, Father Herman Podmoshensky, two months before he was defrocked. My parents and I were received into an OCA church when I was 2. I found the whole of this out recently. I have been practicing as an Orthodox Christian. 1. Should I be conditionally re baptized and/or chrismated? 2. Could I marry in the Orthodox Church without a baptismal certificate, but only a note of reception in parish's registry? 3. Have I been been sinning by receiving sacraments? Should I stop?
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Keyword(s): Matthew 24 | Destruction of Jerusalem
Date answered: 10/23/2009
Question: Glory be to God! As an Orthodox Christian, my question today is toward the interpretation of destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the Romans. Several passages in the Scriptures like Luke 19:43-44 and Matthew 24:2 are brought up in discussion. Is it predicted to be a full destruction as some structures left intact? How did the Church understand the words of our Lord in these passages? Can the predictions be reconciled with the writings of Josephus in testimony to the destruction?
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Keyword(s): Extraterrestrial life |
Date answered: 9/23/2009
Question: How does Orthodoxy view extraterrestrial life? (If it even exists)
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Keyword(s): Orthodox Church, Divine L |
Date answered: 9/23/2009
Question: Could you elaborate on why it's important to become Orthodox? Let's put forward a hypothetical situation, where a body of Christian believers believe everything an Orthodox believer believes, but they feel out of place in an Orthodox church, with the vestments, and the incense, etc. So they continue to gather by themselves, practicing the Divine Liturgy, participating in the Sacraments, but do not identify as an Orthodox church. What is it about identifying as an Orthodox church, or having their priest be ordained by a Bishop, that makes it any different? Are the Sacraments empty of God's grace if not prepared and served by a priest with Apostolic succession? Is there a scriptural basis for that concept, if so?
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Keyword(s): Bibles for Children |
Date answered: 9/23/2009
Question: I am looking for a good Bible to use for my children for the daily lectionary readings. I have the OSB and have tried the downloadable EOB NT, but both seem to be a bit difficult for them to follow. Do you have a recommendation for a children's translation? I already have an International Children's Bible.
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Keyword(s): Clergy, Donations, Author |
Date answered: 9/11/2009
Question: I would like to know the degree of power an orthodox priest has over a perishiner. And the degree of respect that is due to him as a priest. And what can be done if his power or authority is being abused. also, is an orthodox priest aloud to accept large personal gifts of property willed to him by a dying perishiner or otherwise given?
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Keyword(s): Vesting |
Date answered: 9/23/2009
Question: Why does the bishop not vest himself during the Liturgy? Thanks.
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Keyword(s): Patriarchal Text |
Date answered: 9/23/2009
Question: As a student of Greek, I was wondering where can one get a hard copy of the Patriarchal Text 1904?
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Keyword(s): Donations, Tithing |
Date answered: 9/23/2009
Question: What is the Orthodox teaching regarding giving? Specifically: 1) Are Orthodox Christians expected to tithe? If not, what principles govern Orthodox giving? 2) How is the Orthodox church supported financially? 2) How should Orthodox Christians direct their financial giving?
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Keyword(s): Baptism |
Date answered: 9/23/2009
Question: How do you explain the sacrament of baptism to those who reject it as a non-event, symbolic only?
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Keyword(s): Worship, Development |
Date answered: 9/23/2009
Question: I have 2 questions. We are new to the Orthodox church. We love the beauty and tradition associated with it, but have some concerns that we cannot find anwers to. Firstly, can you tell me any first century writings that describe the worship service as it is performed today in the orthodox religion, including the inclusion of icons and sensing of the icons, the veneration of Mary, etc. Secondly, can you explain to me the need to wait for Baptism. We asked about the process of joining the church and baptism and were told there is a wait. One must first be a catachumen, etc. If this is correct, the Bible illustrates that there is no need to wait to be baptized. If you died before being baptised into the orthodox church, would you go to hell? I may have more questions after you answer these. I appreciate your help and this website. Thank you.
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Keyword(s): John 3:13 |
Date answered: 8/23/2009
Question: Gbu.How can we be sure Jesus was in earth before going up to heavens and be born anew,to come down and enter into the world,and that this had taken place before his known death and resurrection? thanks.Benjamin,Colombia
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Keyword(s): Baptism, Chrismation, Ini |
Date answered: 8/23/2009
Question: Hello, Can you please give me a overview of the Orthodox rite of Holy Baptism/Christmation (how it is celebrated in the Eastern Orthodox Church versus other churches like the Roman Catholic Church). I am very curious and want like know what have change (if any) between how Holy Baptism/Christmation was practice in the Early Church (as told by Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, Saint Ambrose, etc) and how it is practice now in the Eastern Churches. Thanks,
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Keyword(s): Premarital abstinence, yo |
Date answered: 8/23/2009
Question: How do Orthodox explain the reason for premarital abstinence to their young adult children? Thank you.
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Keyword(s): Schism |
Date answered: 8/17/2009
Question: As a Protestant, I am uneasy about the presence of such a large and ancient portion of Christendom that I am out of communion with. But this raises an important question: in what sense can we even meaningfully speak about Eastern Orthodoxy being out of communion with the Western Church? After all, there have been significant ecumenical meetings between Popes and Patriarchs of Constantinople which have included a lifting of previous excommunications. The most recent meeting was between Benedict XVI and Bartholomew I, who signed the Common Declaration which stated that "We give thanks to the Author of all that is good, who allows us once again, in prayer and in dialogue, to express the joy we feel as brothers and to renew our commitment to move towards full communion". . When I asked an Eastern Orthodox brother about this he said that Constantinople was acting as an aberrant congregation when they did this. However, given that the various Pentarchy in the East have a relationship that is primus inter pares rather than hierarchical, and that each main Orthodox communion is autocephalous, by what criteria can we claim that Constantinople did not represent Orthodoxy? If they were violating the decrees of an ecumenical council it would be a different matter, but there never has (to my knowledge) been a formal severing of communion with the West on the part of the East. The altercation of 1054 (known subsequently and somewhat anachronistically as the "Great Schism") was largely personal and did not, at the time, represent a full scale separation of the Western and Eastern branches of Christendom. The two branches remained in intermittent communion after that and only fell out of communion gradually. As far as I can make out, there never was a point when the East and West corporately and officially stopped being in communion. Now this is crucial because it raises the question: if the separation between the East and the West was gradual, non-corporate and never formalized, then re-assuming communion could also be gradual, non-corporate and non-formalized. But if so, then on what basis can we claim that the liberal ecumenical strains of Orthodoxy are anachronistic?
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Keyword(s): Masturbation | Confession
Date answered: 8/17/2009
Question: Congratulation for the beautiful site ! i would like to know if a person who does masturbation , is allowed to receive the Holy Communion . Thank you very much . With honor Alice
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Keyword(s): Song of Songs |
Date answered: 8/17/2009
Question: Why the Orthodox Churches not included the Book of the Song of Songs in the liturgical readings?Kindly give an answer.
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Keyword(s): ordination of women, gend |
Date answered: 7/28/2009
Question: I am an Orthodox Christian and I am trying to explain a few non-denominational individuals that Orthodox Church does not deny equal rights of women by letting only men reach priesthood. I am aware that our Church follows biblical, traditional and theological principles towards leadership, what is the best way to explain this to these people?
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Keyword(s): schism, anathema, sardica |
Date answered: 7/19/2009
Question: What authority during the buildup of schism before and and during the great schism did the early bishops have against the pope so as to be able to disagree with his authority and not be anathematized?, I thought the old cannon law says if anyone disagrees, or goes against the authority of the pope or supreme bishop at that time on matters of faith or authority they were instantly anathematized, and was this concept of "anathematizing" one for not falling in line with the popes authority added latter on way after the great schism? please go into great depth or even send more information forwarded to my email, it is very important for my conversion.
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Keyword(s): Evolution |
Date answered: 7/20/2009
Question: I have two questions: What is the Eastern Orthodox position on Theistic Evolution? Does it goes against Scriptures? Many Young Earth Creation advocates a literal interpretation of Genesis 1-2, that the Earth is only 6,000 years, and that God created everything in a literal 6 days with a literal 24 hours period. What is your opinion on all this? Also, was Adam and Eve the first humans beings according to Orthodoxy? Some believe in a Pre-Adamite world. In IC.XC, Ramon
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Keyword(s): Oriental Orthodox |
Date answered: 7/20/2009
Question: I am an oriental orthodox. I just want to know the current situation of these two families of the orthodox church. Are they in full communion? if not what steps are currently taken to restore full communion? When can we expect the full communion between these two churches
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Keyword(s): Confession at home |
Date answered: 7/5/2009
Question: Why would an Orthodox Priest bring the Eucharist to my home but not hear my Confession?
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Keyword(s): New Skete, Ecumenism |
Date answered: 7/5/2009
Question: Lately I have become very dissatisfied with what I perceive as the divisive, “us vs. them” mentality which pervades my jurisdiction/diocese. I am entering into a second marriage, and want to do the best for my new wife and family. I’ve been looking into the OCA, and have been impressed by at least the web images of parish life in my area. I’m disturbed by a few things, however; but I’ll just mention one. In looking around for an OCA monastery to visit, I came across the Monks of New Skete. And on their sanctuary walls, I see icons – actual “holy” pictures – of Mother Teresa, a Roman Catholic pope, and Dorothy Day! I also see pictures of a bishop officiating at services in this sanctuary. I don’t want to come across as judgmental or pharisaic.” But these photos disturb me; as does the apparent failure of your bishops to correct these monastics. This problem is adversely affecting my previous interest in the OCA. Can you comment? I ask with sincerity, and no desire to judge or debate.
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Keyword(s): Old Testament God, Cruel |
Date answered: 7/1/2009
Question: What is the Orthodox perspective about the God of the Old Testament? A God who appears to be vicious, vengeful, hateful, and genocidal? Are the war stories figurative? How do we reconcile the ethical dilemmas presented to us when we read these stories and how do we articulate these tough-to-swallow stories to non-believers who could never imagine themselves worshipping a God like this?
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Keyword(s): soul sleep, Ecclesiastes |
Date answered: 7/1/2009
Question: I would like to know how the Orthodox church interprets verses like Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6 "For the living know they will die; but the dead do not know anything, nor have they any longer a reward, for their memory is forgotten. Indeed their love, their hate and their zeal have already perished, and they will no longer have a share in all that is done under the sun." and Psalms 115:17 "The dead do not praise the LORD, nor do any who go down into silence." How do Orthodox Christians reconcile these passages with seeking the intercession of the saints?
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Keyword(s): Contraception, Birth cont |
Date answered: 7/1/2009
Question: What is the Orthodox position with regards to artificial contraception?
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Keyword(s): Mortal Sin, Venial Sin |
Date answered: 6/20/2009
Question: Hello I am Roman Catholic and interested in converting to Eastern Orthodoxy, allot of my issues for me are over sin and mortal sin in the sense that for me there is always the fear looming that if you die in mortal sin you are condemned to hell,especially when even thoughts can be in the categorize of being mortally sinful ,which I do not want to believe is true in the roman catholic way of categorizing sin/mortal sin. however my main and yet simple Question is ,Does Eastern Orthodoxy believe in similarity to Roman Catholicism that if one doesn't confess their sins/mortal sins before death then they will go to hell?
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Keyword(s): Bibles |
Date answered: 6/19/2009
Question: Hello, dear brother or sister), could you please tell me, what is the correct (synodical) translation of Bible in English, i would like to read it, because sometimes it is quite difficult to find proper quotations from the Scripture and be understood,(i have to translate it before from Russian into English) when explaining and discussing with different sects or denominations representtatives. Thanks!
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Keyword(s): no salvation outside the |
Date answered: 6/19/2009
Question: Would you please explain "there is no salvation outside the church" and how the community of believers saves one another. I suppose a comparison to the individual salvation theory of the West would be helpful too. Thank you.
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Keyword(s): Fasting |
Date answered: 6/19/2009
Question: I am about to fast for two weeks but I am unsure as to the reason behind this. This fast is about the Apostles (i am greek orthodox) Can you give me some background information as to why we are fasting?
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Keyword(s): Mass |
Date answered: 6/19/2009
Question: Is the mass and the divine ligugy in eastern orthodox the same? Are both communions the same? Is it a sin to take Roman Cathlic communioin>
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Keyword(s): Episcopal, Open Communion |
Date answered: 6/19/2009
Question: Why am I not allowed to participate in receiving the eucharist in the Orthodox church? I am a baptized Episcopalian who has been visiting an Antiochian Orthodox congregation for the last several weeks. My understanding is that since I have undergone a Trinitarian baptism, I won't be required to be re-baptized should I choose to join. Why, then, am I not allowed to participate, especially since the church professes in the Nicene creed that we believe in ONE, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic church (that I am a member in)?
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Keyword(s): Sin |
Date answered: 6/1/2009
Question: Dear OA: I've listened to a number of Orthodox podcasts comparing and contrasting Roman Catholicism to Orthodoxy. Would you clarify for me the Orthodox positions on the following points: 1. Original Sin vs. Ancestral Sin 2. The Orthodox posiition on what Christ conquered on that First Easter. 3. Different outlook on sin--i.e. missing the mark as opposed to mortal and venial sins. 4. When would an Orthodox Christian not recieve Holy Communion Thank you in advance for your clarifications. Mike
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Keyword(s): Mortal Sin, Venial Sin |
Date answered: 6/1/2009
Question: What are the differences between Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodoxy's view of the understanding of the nature of sin, As I have noticed it is part of RCC belief that sin is categorized as mortal and venial, why did RCC come to that conclusion using 1 John 5:16-17 which the RCC claim is proof of mortal and venial sin and why when EOC was confronted with this interpretation from the RCC was it rejected by EOC?
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Keyword(s): God siblings |
Date answered: 6/1/2009
Question: i like this girl.. but my parents baptised her sister... am i allowed to marry her even though her sister and i are god siblings?
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Keyword(s): Armstrong, Sabbatarianism |
Date answered: 6/1/2009
Question: Has anyone on here seen this polemic before? It's probably the first time I've ever seen an Armstrongist devote so much space to Orthodoxy, but I'm wondering if we've got an answer to the claims that despite what we say, we don't hold to the faith of the Fathers whom we esteem as saints. I know that many of his facts are wrong, such as calling the Orthodox churches that aren't one of the four ancient Patriarchates "semi-autonomous", but I am interested to hear a response to some of his claims - particularly as far as premillennialism and Sabbatarianism are concerned. I know I'm probably not meant to post URLs (the whole spamming thing), but I'll break it up so you know I'm not a bot? www dot cogwriter dot com / orthodox dot htm Thank you, Tom.
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Keyword(s): Brenton, BibleWorks |
Date answered: 6/1/2009
Question: Sorry for another question, you said for Old Testament study to use the Septuagint. I have a copy of Brenton's Septuagint, is this translation suitable for Orthodox use? Thanks again, Chandler
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Keyword(s): New Testament, Manuscript |
Date answered: 6/1/2009
Question: Thanks for answering my question about the KJV. I have another short one, when I read the KJV or NKJV all the verses appear in the proper place, but when I read my RSV some verses are missing and are at the bottom of the page. For example St. Matt 17:21 is in the KJV and NKJV and not in the RSV. Why is this? Thanks again, Chandler
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Keyword(s): King James, Translations, | RSV, NRSV, EOB, OSB
Date answered: 5/15/2009
Question: First off I would like to thank you for this website, I have been looking for sound Orthodox apologetics for quite sometime and have not found any. My question is two part and about the Bible. I recently bought a Penguin Classics Bible, and it said it was the 1611 AV (KJV) Bible and it has the deuterocanonicals books (it says apocrypha) like when it was first published. The spelling had been updated, ie showed instead of shewed ect. and the text was in paragraph form (taken from the New Paragraph Bible Cambridge University Press). My question is what does the Church say about the 1611 AV (KJV)? I am asking because my priest told me that the readings during church services come from the RSV. I have been reading an RSV so it would match up with the readings at church, but I noticed that the RSV I was reading at home did not have all the verses like the one at church. Since I have been using the AV I have noticed that the verses missing in my RSV are in the AV, which has me a little confused. Can you please explain this. Thanks again for the website, Chandler
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Keyword(s): Acquistion of the Holy Sp |
Date answered: 4/29/2009
Question: you answered much of my question but i still dont understand what St. seraphim of sarov is telling me when hes talking about the acquistion of the Holy Spirit specificly works done for Christ sake.
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Keyword(s): Liturgy / Liturgies | Western Rite
Date answered: 4/29/2009
Question: As someone considering becoming Catholic, I decided to also study Orthodoxy. Your site has been a great help. My question is, is there any move toward a western orthodoxy, using the Old Latin rites? It seems as if most of the Divine Liturgies are in Greek, Aramaic, Russian, or other eastern languages.
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Keyword(s): Hades, Paradise, Abraham' | Harrowing of Hell
Date answered: 4/29/2009
Question: In Orthodoxy, unlike other Christian groups, we teach that even now souls do not go to Heaven, but "Abraham's bosom" or "Tartarus" in Hades, one for the saints fortasting for Heaven and the other for those foretasting Hell. My question has to do with Christ's redemption in this light. If on Great Saturday we remember the "Harrowing of Hades," and then Christ rose bestowing life on those in the tombs, what does this mean? If they were already in Hades, in what way were they given life or how was Hades harrowed? Also, I heard the Church believes that the thief on the cross was the first to enter Paradise, which I assume is Abraham's bosom - but then how was Lazarus there in Christ's story in the Gospels? Thank you!
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Keyword(s): Wisdom, Wise Living |
Date answered: 4/29/2009
Question: Thank you for writting me back i loved it but did not understand everything please explain more on what is wise living and what is self destructing living.
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Keyword(s): Joy |
Date answered: 4/22/2009
Question: i used to be Orthodox over six years found little or no joy. why?
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Keyword(s): Right and Wrong, Wisdom, |
Date answered: 4/22/2009
Question: whats the point of right and wrong? does it matter if so how do i live by it?
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Keyword(s): Apocrypha, Canon, Deutero | Old Testament, LXX
Date answered: 4/22/2009
Question: What books are in Eastern Orthodox Bibles in both OT and NT? are they the same as the Roman Catholic Bibles? What final decree or canon does the Eastern Orthodox follow and from where do they get it?
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Keyword(s): Eggs, Easter, Pascha |
Date answered: 4/13/2009
Question: why do we have easter eggs?
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Keyword(s): Spiritual relatives, cano |
Date answered: 4/22/2009
Question: hello i would like to ask you a question regarding baptisms and mariage.... say i baptise one of my friends daughters and then my sister also baptises one of his daughters..... Now i have a son and two daughters and they would be god siblings with the girl i baptised correct?... and my sister has 3 daughters that would be god siblings with the girl that she baptised.... now my question is say my son later in life becomes interested in the daughter that my sister has baptised, would mariage be allowed in that type of situation since we are not related to my friend and neather is my sister and if my sister is that girls nona?
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Keyword(s): Prayer for the dead |
Date answered: 3/25/2009
Question: Why do Orthodox Christians pray for the departed?
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Keyword(s): Human nature, Christology |
Date answered: 3/25/2009
Question: Was Jesus always human?
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Keyword(s): Evolution |
Date answered: 3/25/2009
Question: Does the Orthodox church believe in evolution?
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Keyword(s): Hell, Universalism, Apoca |
Date answered: 3/25/2009
Question: Can you be a Universalist and a member of an Orthodox church? I have a problem with Hell, not because I don't like it, but because I do not think this is truly what Christ taught and that He used an already existing concept (inherited from pagans) to make a point, as he often did in His parables. Hell is noticeably absent from the OT and then we first hear of it on the lips of Jesus, but it is historical fact that He did not invent this language, but Hell was already a concept used by the Romans. From what I have read too, there are a few church fathers that were Universalists, one of whom was a direct descendant of John (was it Ignatius?). I am not currently a member of an Orthodox church, but I have been studying your faith lately and I am falling in love with it. I was just curious if one could believe in Universalism and still become a member of an Orthodox church. Thank you for your time.
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Keyword(s): Recluse, Community | Hermits
Date answered: 1/31/2009
Question: The Orthodox Church places much emphasis on living one's life within a community of believers. Why then are so many of the great saints of the Church hermits and recluses? Why are they exempt of the need for community? Thank you.
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Keyword(s): John the Baptist, Wings, |
Date answered: 1/20/2009
Question: Why in Orthodox iconography is St John the Baptist depicted with wings?
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Keyword(s): Church, Bishopric, Corrup | Patriarchates
Date answered: 1/31/2009
Question: Hello, I was wondering if I could find an answer to a charge Catholics seem to put up. They say that the Orthodox Church lost her apostolic succession when the four great Sees of the Eastern Church had their bishoprics interrupted by Islamic conquerers who installed puppet bishops - therefore only leaving Rome as the sole unblemished see. They also seem to think that we believe that all Church authority is centered on the Pentarchy, rather than the conciliarity of all the canonical bishops. But I'm not sure how to answer their other charges. Here are some quotes from them: "When barbarians controlled Italy, they for the most part did not interfere with the Church, except in the cases of when the Church was trying to thwart them somehow. The Ottoman Empire, on the other hand, took the initiative in appointing puppet bishops and directly giving orders to others. The Pentarchy has basically failed, if you think about it. Rome is not part of the EO church, and the other patriarchates have either been wiped out, puppeteered by the Islamic empires, or fallen to heresy. It's like having a monarchy with no dynasty." "The Eastern Patriarchates don't "still" exist. They were restored, after a huge vacancy during the middle ages." "If the Eastern Orthodox are correct to assert that all authority in the Church is centered on the Pentarchy, then that would mean that the only legitimacy left in their apostolic succession lies in Rome, as the other four posts were interrupted during the Islamic conquests. Correct?" In Christ, Tom.
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Keyword(s): Anglican orders, Valid or | invalid orders, apostolic succession
Date answered: 1/10/2009
Question: Does the Orthodox Church have a unified understanding of the validity of Anglican Orders? I know that Pope Leo XIII declared Anglican Orders invalid, but this is questioned and doubted by many theologians, Roman and Anglican alike. What is the Orthodox view? Thank you.
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Keyword(s): Schools, Schooling |
Date answered: 1/10/2009
Question: What are your thoughts as to educating our children in a Christian school which is not an Orthodox Christian school? The school is open to Orthodox and Roman Catholic families but is made up of nearly all Protestant families and the curriculum includes an emphasis on Reformation history. Thank you.
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Keyword(s): mezuzah | jewish customs
Date answered: 1/10/2009
Question: I know some Christians who are not "Messianic Jews" but like to observe certain Jewish customs, for example, they have a mezuzah on their doorpost that they venerate. How does the Orthodox Church regard such practices?
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Keyword(s): Theophany, Epiphany | Hagiasmos
Date answered: 1/10/2009
Question: what is the meaning and purpose of Hagiasmos and house blessings during the period of Epiphany?
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Keyword(s): in-vitro fertilization |
Date answered: 1/3/2009
Question: Father bless, Is there a unified Orthodox view of in-vitro fertilization method?
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Keyword(s): repetitive prayer | repetitions
Date answered: 1/3/2009
Question: Why is there so much repetition in the liturgical services of the Orthodox Church (e.g. repeating "Lord Have Mercy" forty times in a row, saying the Lord's Prayer twice per Liturgy, repeating the litanies, etc)? Is it not sufficient to say something once and move on? Thanks
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Keyword(s): Miracles, Apparitions | Lourdes, Medjugorge, True Church
Date answered: 12/28/2008
Question: How does the Orthodox Church respond to events such as the alleged Marian apparitions at Međugorje and the healings that have taken place there and at Lourdes? If the Roman Church has removed itself from communion with the "true Church" how does one explain these miracles?
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Keyword(s): Monasteries | Spiritual Fathers, Radical Christianity
Date answered: 12/20/2008
Question: Why are some maligning Elder Ephraim's monasteries here in America? Isn't this just a case of secular Greeks befuddled by the fact that their children are taking the Orthodox Faith seriously?
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Keyword(s): homosexual couples | homosexuality, same sex marriage
Date answered: 12/20/2008
Question: While I am aware of the proof texts, what is/are the theological reasons/ orthodox anthropological reasons in opposition to homosexual couples?
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Keyword(s): Tradition, Traditionalist | Conservative, Liberal
Date answered: 12/20/2008
Question: Is there such a thing as "conservative" or "liberal" in the Orthodox Church? Also, could you distinguish for us between the terms "traditional" and "traditionalist"?
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Keyword(s): Dormition, Dogma | Doctrine, Ecumenical Council
Date answered: 12/20/2008
Question: Follow-up to your answer on the Dormition of the Theotokos. You say it's not a dogma, but maybe you could define how you're using the term "dogma" here. It would be rather silly for modern day Orthodox Christians to deny the Theotokos' death and resurrection owing to the universality and antiquity of the Church's witness to this event. If a movement arose in the Orthodox Catholic Churches which vainly attempted to deny this event in our salvation history, don't you think a council could/would be convened to defend this ecclesiastical truth?
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Keyword(s): Oriental Orthodox | Coptic, Monophysite
Date answered: 12/28/2008
Question: I just found your site through Fr. Milovan's "Again and Again" blog. What incredible depth of insight I am already reading! Please keep it up-- we American Orthodox need this sort of spiritual food. A new question for you: Please discuss rapproachment with the Oriental Orthodox. It seems that we have found that our traditions have preserved the same apostolic christology, albeit with different terminology-- neither of us denying the double consubstantiality of Christ (as did Eutyches) nor the singularity of His person (as did Nestorius). Should we reunite, and if so "how" do we do that? Thanks.
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Keyword(s): rebaptism | economia
Date answered: 12/20/2008
Question: Thank you, and I have a follow-up to my last question. In the case of the Catholic Church then, which has fallen into heresy and schism, can it similarly be said that it is no longer has "assured manifestations of the Church"? In other words, when they are received into Orthodoxy without baptism at times, is this because Catholicism has assured manifestations of the Church or only as an act of pastoral economia? This is another topic I've heard many Orthodox responses to.
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Keyword(s): Old Calendar, Schism | Orthodox
Date answered: 12/17/2008
Question: What tells us when an Orthodox Church ceases to be Orthodox? For example, the Old Calendarists of Greece - I've seen them called Orthodox and no longer Orthodox all at once. How do we know?
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Keyword(s): Bishop's Staff | Snakes, Serpents, Wisdom
Date answered: 12/1/2008
Question: Orthodox bishops have a strange staff with two snakes around a cross. What does it mean? Is is not an evil symbol?
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Keyword(s): blood, transfusions, Acts |
Date answered: 4/13/2009
Question: I wonder if it is ok to eat food that has blood in it? What about Acts 15 where the Apostles forbid it and what about blood transfusions?
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Keyword(s): War | Military Service
Date answered: 12/1/2008
Question: What is the Orthodox view on war and military service?
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Keyword(s): Chanting | Singing, Speaking
Date answered: 12/1/2008
Question: Why is the entire service (and the readings - except for the sermon) sung or chanted, not spoken?
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Keyword(s): Apocrypha, Canon, Deutero |
Date answered: 4/13/2009
Question: What is the Old Testament canon of the Orthodox Church? Is the Apocrypha recognized as canonical?
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Keyword(s): Married priests | Celibate Clergy
Date answered: 12/1/2008
Question: I thought priests could not marry? Why are Orthodox priests married?
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Keyword(s): Hell, Hades | Gehenna
Date answered: 12/1/2008
Question: What does it mean that 'Christ descended into Hell?'
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Keyword(s): Ecumenical Councils | 8th and 9th Ecumenical Councils, Photius
Date answered: 12/1/2008
Question: Why is there only 7 ecumenical councils according to the Orthodox? What about references to an 8th or even 9th ecumenical council?
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Keyword(s): Divorce, Remarriage | Second Marriage, Matthew 19:9
Date answered: 12/15/2008
Question: Why does the Orthodox Church allow divorce and more than one marriage? Do annulments exist in Orthodox canon law?
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Keyword(s): Assumption of the Blessed | Dormition of the Theotokos, Dogma
Date answered: 12/1/2008
Question: Do you Orthodox believe in the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin which is a Roman Catholic dogma?
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Keyword(s): Pentecostal, Gift of Tong | Glossolalia
Date answered: 12/15/2008
Question: Is there an Orthodox pentecostal movement? Do you believe in the gifts of tongues?
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Keyword(s): Sabbath | Sunday, Saturday
Date answered: 12/1/2008
Question: Is it the Orthodox view that Sabbath has been transferred to Sunday? What is the Orthodox view on Sabbath?
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Keyword(s): Leavened Bread | Unleavened, Host
Date answered: 12/1/2008
Question: Why do the Orthodox use leavened bread since leaven is a symbol of sin? Is not Christ's body sinless?
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Keyword(s): Calendar | Old Calendar, New Calendar, Russian Christmas
Date answered: 12/1/2008
Question: What is the Old Calendar and which calendar (old or new) is most correct?
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Keyword(s): Ordination | Become a priest
Date answered: 12/1/2008
Question: How can I become an Orthodox priest?
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Keyword(s): Valid orders, Anglican Or | Apostolic Succession
Date answered: 12/1/2008
Question: Does the Orthodox Church believe in Apostolic Succession? Are Anglican orders recognized as valid?
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Keyword(s): Nicene Creed | Creed of Nicea-Constantinople
Date answered: 12/1/2008
Question: Why does the Orthodox creed omit the sentence "God from God?"
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Keyword(s): Millennium | 1000 years, Irenaeus, Justin
Date answered: 11/22/2008
Question: If Irenaeus and other early Fathers believed in the Millennium on earth and taught this doctrine, why is this not taught by the Orthodox Church (since its position is amillenialism).
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Keyword(s): Apostolic Succession | Petrine Succession, Successors to the Apostles
Date answered: 12/1/2008
Question: Are bishops successors to the Apostles?
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Keyword(s): Infant Communion | Paedocommunion
Date answered: 12/1/2008
Question: Why do infants receive holy communion in the Orthodox Church?
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