Eastern Orthodox Knowledge Thread

[Thekla]

Per the iconostasis, the architectural design of the Church itself is a sort of "icon" of the spiritual journey, the narthex (transition from the world), nave (the ekklesia, the militant, the struggle) moving ever closer to heaven (the altar, the "goal"). It has also been described (the whole) as an icon of the interior spiritual journey, ending with the altar as the heart: the place where Christ is to be enthroned

 

[Uphill Battle]

I am a ninja. I posted before you even knew I was there, Simon.

hiya!

 

[Julina]

Whats with the accusations today? I show no double standards, if you think I do the least you could do is put it out there so I can defend myself.
Where is UB with his war declaration?

he's like two posts above you.

 

[boswd]

Whats with the accusations today? I show no double standards, if you think I do the least you could do is put it out there so I can defend myself.
Where is UB with his war declaration?

You blast the RCC for their beliefs on the Eucharist and have called them cannibals in the past and called them Mary Worshippers.

The EO have very similiar beliefs when it comes to these two as the RCC but you only attack the RCC.

but that's as much as I want to dwell on it here in this thread. Sorry for hijacking just to make a point.

 

[Uphill Battle]

I see no violations by Simon in this thread, boswd.

 

[simonthezealot]

The EO have very similiar beliefs when it comes to these two as the RCC but you only attack the RCC.

but that's as much as I want to dwell on it here in this thread. Sorry for hijacking just to make a point.

Don't worry you didn't make a point..And I have stated my disagreements with orthodox many times...Ask ousa and anglian and thekla.
NOT the thread drop it.

 

[OrthodoxyUSA]

may I ask why?

Modesty... as little skin as possible all year round.

If one is asked to serve The Altar or as a lay reader, one should be dressed accordingly. Black pants and shoes, a collared shirt, a belt, nothing flashing or ringing during services. etc. etc.

Forgive me...

 

[Uphill Battle]

interesting. I would never have considered mens arms as a point of modesty.

 

[boswd]

Men should have their arms covered when visiting Monasteries.

Forgive me...

thanks.

 

[HandmaidenOfGod]

I'm so happy with this thread! Everyone is asking such wonderful questions so nicely!

Are there any other questions?

 

[HandmaidenOfGod]

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.

Thank you for this glowing review!

 

[E.C.]

interesting. I would never have considered mens arms as a point of modesty.

Well, think of the women.

It's like this, let's say you are in church and a few feet in front of you is an attractive looking girl. You get distracted by her looks and end up having your mind focused on her more than the actual praying and worshiping and singing going on (yes, it happens; we are all human and thus subject to fall into temptation once in a while (stupid sin nature...)). I don't know about you, but if Arnold Schwarzenegger or some other extremely muscular person walked into any church wearing a wife-beater I think it is fair to say that any person's attention would be caught.

Modesty, UB. Modesty is key. If we all dress modestly, than no one would get distracted and thus loose their focus on worshiping and prayer.

 

[ma2000]

---- Subscribing ----

 

[-Kyriaki-]

*subscribing, too*

I n-th the bit about comfy shoes if you visit an Orthodox Church. While we do have a homily at the Divine Liturgy usually (and some other times too, depending on the service and the priest) it's shorter than the average protestant sermon, but the worship teaches theology itself - the hymns that change each day/week celebrate the events of Christ's life, Christ Himself, teach theology and encourage us with the stories of holy people. Let alone the Liturgy itself, which is jam packed full of Scripture quotes, prayers to all three Persons of the Trinity (sometimes individiually, mostly together) and other theology. But...we stand up for a lot of that. Even in parishes that sit more than in, say, a ROCOR (more traditional, conservative Russian) parish, you still stand a lot.

I have a pair of neat, black suede sneakers that I wear in cooler weather under my long skirts. My priest laughed and approved of them the first time he saw them, my boyfriend thinks they're hilarious. Comfy shoes make a BIG difference - I can last the Greek style All Night Vigils (about 5 hours and no most parishes DON'T do these) in those shoes, whereas if I wore normal "church shoes" I'd be miserable. And have been!

As for clothes - it varies parish to parish. Dress nice - think a conservative-ish protestant parish. A nice dress for women, skirts below the knee, some sleeves (usually), a shirt and pants for men, no logos on tshirts etc. If you're a woman, take a scarf - many parishes don't enforce the headcovering rule, but some do and if you don't see the other ladies wearing them, you don't have to! Many parishes are more relaxed - some don't mind pants for women, for instance, but it's best to be on the safe side. Take your cue from what you see people wearing when you attend

 

[SummaScriptura]

Well, think of the women.

It's like this, let's say you are in church and a few feet in front of you is an attractive looking girl. You get distracted by her looks and end up having your mind focused on her more than the actual praying and worshiping and singing going on (yes, it happens; we are all human and thus subject to fall into temptation once in a while (stupid sin nature...)).

That one happens to me every time I'm in fellowship and I feel conspicuous and ashamed.

I don't know about you, but if Arnold Schwarzenegger or some other extremely muscular person walked into any church wearing a wife-beater I think it is fair to say that any person's attention would be caught.

Modesty, UB. Modesty is key. If we all dress modestly, than no one would get distracted and thus loose their focus on worshiping and prayer.

 

[-Kyriaki-]

Which is why we have the rules about dress that we do Especially in monasteries, where the purpose of the place is to pray!

It's consideration for others which is reciprocated towards us.

 

[Mikeb85]

Maybe some info about the organisation of the church itself. The Eastern Orthodox church has about 300 million members worldwide, making it the second largest communion in the world (next to the RCC). It consists of 15 autocephalous (independant) churches who are in communion with each other, and share the same theology and beliefs.

Here they are as follows:

1. Constantinople (Turkey, various other countries)
2. Alexandria (Egypt and all Africa)
3. Antioch (Syria and Middle East)
4. Jerusalem (Israel, Palestine, Sinai)
5. Russia (Russia, Ukraine, Belarus)
6. Serbia
7. Romania
8. Bulgaria
9. Georgia
10. Cyprus
11. Greece
12. Poland
13. Albania
14. Czech Lands and Slovakia
15. Orthodox Church in America (US, Canada)

Here are pictures of all the current heirarchs of these churches: http://www.orthodoxresearchinstitute.org/ (just on the main page)

And we even have our own Pope! (though our 'Pope' doesn't have any special powers - he's simply the leader of the church of Alexandria)

Here's a pic of Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and all Africa, Theodoros II.

 

[SummaScriptura]

So are the Ethiopian Orthodox affiliated with Alexandria?

 

[Kristos]

So are the Ethiopian Orthodox affiliated with Alexandria?

Not with the "Greek" Patriarch of Alexandria. They are OO - so they would be affiliated with the Copts.

 

[Mikeb85]

So are the Ethiopian Orthodox affiliated with Alexandria?

Nope. They are part of a separate communion of churches called the 'Oriental Orthodox'. Although I will add, the relationship of the Alexandrian church is very close to the Coptic and Ethiopian churches, although they aren't in full communion. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oriental_Orthodoxy

While the Oriental Orthodox are outside of our communion (they separated about 1500 years ago), they share pretty much the same faith, and reconciliation is seen as very close (possibly within the next decade or two). Here's a website detailing our relationship with the Oriental Orthodox: http://www.orthodoxunity.org/

Edit - thought I'd add, on a local level, relations between Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox are very friendly, most consider each other as belonging to the same faith (despite our very minor differences).