Do the Eastern Orthodox have to believe that all the relics purported to be from the saints and the apostles truly came from them? Do they have to believe that the icon purported to be from St. Luke was indeed painted by St. Luke?
if it's affirmed by the Church, then yes.
So does this mean that an Eastern Orthodox Christian couldn't be skeptical about the origin of relics being purportedly from the saints and the apostles? You couldn't doubt that some of them might be fakes?
But are you asking if it's absolute dogma that every single relic is rightly labeled? And if one has doubt that any one of them could be misidentified, one can't be Orthodox at all?
Also, I’d say that to be chrismated, you don’t need to fully understand everything. I didn’t reject relics, but I didn’t fully understand it and wasn’t fully comfortable with my own veneration of them when I was chrismated. Some things make more sense over time.
I don’t think you are required to believe each relic is accurate, but I haven’t had the same type of doubts myself. I was someone who struggled with the very concept of relics. My comment earlier was a comment about what we are required to believe in order to be Orthodox, rather than a direct answer to your question.I think I need to clarify. I am not even a catechumen. I am just a Christian currently doubting everything (even the essentials of Christianity). I am interested in learning about some other Christian groups.
I am not an opponent of the veneration of relics; I am simply asking if an Eastern Orthodox has to believe that all relics in Orthodox Churches are from whom they were puportedly from. Does an Eastern Orthodox have to believe that the belt puportedly from the Virgin really came from the Virgin? Does he or she have to believe that the icon purportedly painted by St. Luke really came from St. Luke. Or could there be nuance (e.g. the belt is not directly from the Virgin, but it has been blessed by its contact with a true relic from the Virgin)? Could an Eastern Orthodox believe that, at least, St. Luke painted an icon but what we have today is simply the replica of the original icon that was lost?
Or do the Eastern Orthodox have to strictly believe in their authenticity?
Or do the Eastern Orthodox have to strictly believe in their authenticity?
Yes!!
Forgive me Father, but wouldn't it be more of a spiritual recommendation to believe that which the church has excepted as legitimate rather then required unless it is of Holy Tradition? While venerating relics is itself a holy Tradition, each Individual relict would not have such an affirmation.if it's affirmed by the Church, then yes.
So does this mean that an Eastern Orthodox Christian couldn't be skeptical about the origin of relics being purportedly from the saints and the apostles? You couldn't doubt that some of them might be fakes?
Forgive me Father, but wouldn't it be more of a spiritual recommendation to believe that which the church has excepted as legitimate rather then required unless it is of Holy Tradition? While venerating relics is itself a holy Tradition, each Individual relict would not have such an affirmation.
Does the Church examine individual relics to ensure that they truly are what they are purported to be? Often, relics are given to churches or people, and are not directly taken from the saint. Are they at some point validated by the Church?if venerating relics is a part of Holy Tradition, then each relic does have such an affirmation.
Does the Church examine individual relics to ensure that they truly are what they are purported to be? Often, relics are given to churches or people, and are not directly taken from the saint. Are they at some point validated by the Church?