Cyrilic Bible, Russia Orthodox

I've had the privalage of going to Russia to see the Orthodox church and its beautiful Cathedrals. I also learned a bit of history, which is why I even choose to read the Russian Orthodox Bible in lieu of even the KJV at times.

As you may or may not be aware, Russia came to know Orthodox Christianity in 988AD. At the time, the spoken language did not have an alphabet, so the Cyrillic alphabet was invented to provide a means to translate the Greek Orthodox Bible into Russian. UPon completion of the Cyrillic alphabet, the common people had a Bible in thier own language, and to date, the Cyrillic Bible remains one of the oldest translations of the origional Canon. The Russian language and Cyrillic alphabet have not changed much in the past 1000 years, unllike the differnce between the KJV and NIV English translations. You'll also note the Cyrillic Bible is over 500 years older than the KJV.

That it has changed so little, and remains a very authentic and accurate translation, it is surprising to me that so few Russian Orthodox Christains read it. Many appreciate the story of the Bible in icons on the walls of thier magnificent church. I surmise that if the Bible were taught and read as diligently as the KJV is in the protestant church, Russia may well experience a revival unsurpassed since the defeat of Napoleon. How better to understand God's love than to read His love letter?

One can only pray, but since the fall of comnumism, the Orthodox church has made a strong come back in many parts of Russia. What a testiment to faith to keep the religion alive amid harsh and oppressive governmental pressure to stop it altogether. It is amazing to me how faith in God can get anyoen through the most horrid of circumstance. Knowing they are saved into eternity provides such joy to witstand such torture and testing of one's faith. I have to admire that. I hope the masses will justly reclaim thier Holy Book as they have thier faith and freedom to practice it.

Blessings.

One can only pray, but since the fall of comnumism, the Orthodox church has made a strong come back in many parts of Russia. What a testiment to faith to keep the religion alive amid harsh and oppressive governmental pressure to stop it altogether.

Amen.

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"Tradition is the living faith of the dead. Traditionalism is the dead faith of the living." Jaroslav Pelikan

OnceDust -

Where did you go in Russia?

I lived in Moscow for a short while. My wife (who is Russian) and I had a little two-room flat in Vikina (southeast Moscow), and we also spent some time in Volgograd (my wife's hometown), the former Stalingrad.

We had no car, so I have walked all over Moscow and have practically lived on the Metro.

I love Russia and plan to go back there someday.

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I arrived in Moscow, but the region I've worked in was called Penza. It's South of Moscow about 450 miles. Directly across from the Ukrain or North of the Black Sea. Connect the lines and in the middle will be Penza. The missionaries that we worked with are protestant, but many of the kids we witnessed to in the orphanages grew up Orthodox. We did summer camps there, and I have been going for 3 years now. I dont know if or when I'll go back. I'd like top eventually teach in the Slovik region.

Blessings

__________________
"Don't change for the world but let worlds be changed by YOU!!"
"I mean what I say, I said what I meant, an elephant's faithful 100%" Dr. Suess
From dust you came, to dust you shall return
Do your best, let God do the rest

OnceDust -

Interesting. Well, I hope you will visit our forum often and that you will take the time to learn more about the Orthodox faith.

In Christ,
Max

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Oh, I'll definately be back. Many Orthodox Christains have as divergant theological views as the protestants do. I was fortunate to have a tour guide while in Moscow who was Orthodox and I learned a lot from her. I'll post my personal questions and comments in another thread. As I understand it Russian Orthodox is no different from any other, except that the litergy is in Russian.

Blessings

__________________
"Don't change for the world but let worlds be changed by YOU!!"
"I mean what I say, I said what I meant, an elephant's faithful 100%" Dr. Suess
From dust you came, to dust you shall return
Do your best, let God do the rest

I really enjoy Dr. Suess. The joy of rhyming and teaching phonetics together is great fun!

__________________
Virgin Theotokos, rejoice!
O Mary, Full of Grace;
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
And blessed is the fruit of thy womb,
For thou hast borne the Savior of our souls.

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Glory to Jesus Christ!
Glory Forever!
O Giver of Life, Glory to Thee!


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