Eastern Orthodox Knowledge Thread

[LamorakDesGalis]

The focus for this particular thread is to provide an interactive place to learn about Eastern Orthodox beliefs and practices, adn the people who hold them.

Now I'm not Eastern Orthodox. I'm not even considering becoming Eastern Orthodox. I have read a few books on EO, but I sincerely want to learn more about other perspectives different from my own. I don't have any real authority, just suggested guidelines, and I'm pretty open as to the direction of the thread.

I envision this thread to be straightforward questions from mostly non-EOs and the answers to come from mostly EOs. There should be no attacks, no debates, and no disrespect. At the same time I don't want to stifle frank and candid questions and replies.

 

[LamorakDesGalis]

Questions:

What would you say is the central belief or focus in the Eastern Orthodox church?

In what ways has the fall of the Iron Curtain affected Eastern Orthodoxy?

 

[Thekla]

Hi,

and thank-you for your efforts wherever they lead

Lord have mercy

for the second question, I would rather leave to those who have experienced this first hand, and hope some will join in.

For the first, the answer is Christ.
As the question included the term "Church", I think it important to mention that it is one could say the 'function' of the Church to act as hospital. In this sense, Christ is the Physician who heals. The Church maintains the treatments He prescribes.

 

[Mikeb85]

Questions:

What would you say is the central belief or focus in the Eastern Orthodox church?

The central focus is definitely:

- Worship of God - the Trinity
- Repentance
- Christ's victory over death

In what ways has the fall of the Iron Curtain affected Eastern Orthodoxy?

The church is no longer persecuted, and as a result has seen a very strong resurgence in former communist countries. Also, greater communication is now possible between Orthodox churches worldwide, which has led to strong growth in most places (especially Africa and North America). Unfortunately the Orthodox church is still persecuted in some parts of the world (Turkey, Middle East, some parts of Africa, etc...).

 

[Kristos]

The focus of EO is correctly understanding Scripture.

The fall of the iron curtain brought to light the lives and faith of many Christian martyrs.

 

[Sphinx777]

History of the Orthodox Church...
​

 

[Julina]

Questions:

What would you say is the central belief or focus in the Eastern Orthodox church?

In what ways has the fall of the Iron Curtain affected Eastern Orthodoxy?

The central belief or focus in the Eastern Orthodox church is God. period.

 

[SummaScriptura]

I feel fairly ignorant of the EO way.

I do have an EO anecdote that may be of value though...

I recently received a copy of the Orthodox Study Bible. What a refreshing breath of fresh air it has been! The articles in it are very faith-affirming. Often Study Bibles approach Bible background information in a dry antiseptic sort of way. Not the OSB. It comes across as an unequivocal celebration of the faith which I find quite different and thoroughly edifying.

 

[GreekGrl]

Go to www.goarch.org

 

[Hentenza]

Great thread LDG!!! I am subscribing to learn.

 

[OrthodoxyUSA]

OrthodoxyUSA checking in...

Forgive me...

 

[OrthodoxyUSA]

The focus? UP!

Forgive me...

 

[Mikeb85]

Maybe something about our practices...

The most basic prayer in Orthodox Christianity is based the story of the Publican and the Pharisee... "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner." And of course the Lord's prayer.

Most of our hymns are composed from the Psalms and other scripture, often with a refrain in between verses. I tried to find some examples in English:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3PWNyBddvg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yys0Y1MSMg

 

[Musa80]

Intercisus subscribes....

 

[Uphill Battle]

The focus? UP!

Forgive me...

It is probably a cultural thing, and no disrespect is intended. That icon just looks forbiding to me.

 

[SummaScriptura]

It is probably a cultural thing, and no disrespect is intended. That icon just looks forbiding to me.

How forbidding is the picture in Rev. of Christ with a sword in His mouth?

 

[simonthezealot]

Please share with the readers what iconostasis is and how its involved in your worship.

 

[Uphill Battle]

How forbidding is the picture in Rev. of Christ with a sword in His mouth?

very. And a very good point.

 

[Thekla]

It is probably a cultural thing, and no disrespect is intended. That icon just looks forbiding to me.

Christ "Pantocrator" (All Powerful/Almighty/Ruler of all)

the term St. John uses in Revelation
wave: Little Lamb of Jesus)

 

[OrthodoxyUSA]

It is probably a cultural thing, and no disrespect is intended. That icon just looks forbiding to me.

Interesting... it should.

It's Christ the Pantocrator Icon.

The earliest surviving original work is this one.

One half of the face is said to be judgement and the other mercy.

It was written in the 500's and is the first Icon of Christ fully grown.

The Prototype of Christ's head is this... The shroud. Even the flowers are in the right place.

Forgive me...