Eastern Orthodox Knowledge Thread

Thekla · Feb 26, 2009

Hello Sofiya,

although there are some Catechisms (brief), they are not often used and were only (afaik) introduced in 20th c. US.

In truth, the Liturgy (worship) is our "catechism", as is the Bible, and also ikons, prayers. Our priests and elders, often in the role of "spiritual father" (a role like that of Paul to Timothy, for ex.) answer questions and instruct us. The episkopos/bishop is the spiritual father to the priests he serves in his diocese. Likewise, the bishop has a spiritual father (often a monk, who also has a spiritual father). So in this way, everyone is not "alone" in his spiritual struggle in and toward Christ, our Lord.

SofiyaKhristina · Feb 26, 2009

Hi Thekla, nice to meet you.
I have a big smile on my face right now. I didn't know what the answer to my question would be, but the answer couldn't be any better.

Thank you.

OrthodoxyUSA · Feb 26, 2009

Happy name day to all of you Photini's.

Forgive me...

Thekla · Feb 26, 2009

SofiyaKhristina said:
Hi Thekla, nice to meet you.
I have a big smile on my face right now. I didn't know what the answer to my question would be, but the answer couldn't be any better.

Thank you.

It was my joy to answer, thank-you Sofiya !

E.C. · Feb 26, 2009

LamorakDesGalis said:
My question was more related to theology, but I'm glad you provided the interesting visual answer.

Since God the Father isn't allowed to be represented, how about the Holy Spirit? Or the Trinity?

LDG

There is what's called the Rublev Trinity.

An icon depicting Pentecost.

A better 'place' to go for specific iconography questions would be the "Questions About Iconography" thread in TAW. We have a few resident iconographers that would know the subject in greater detail and hopefully provide more accurate answers.

SofiyaKhristina said:
Maybe it is just me, but it seems harder to find very detailed information but exactly everything about EO. It is out there but not in detail for my liking.
When I studied all things RCC, it was very easy especially with their Cathecism of the Catholic Church.

Do the Orthodox plan to come out with something similar to their Cathecism of the CC? Or do you feel it not necessary because all things can be learned by the local priest?

The more I read of EO , the ECF and church history the more EO seems.....I don't know. I do know it is a good thing.

Thanks
Sofiya

The two best catechism-like things that I know of would "The Orthodox Faith" series as found for free! Here: Link.

One personal favorite of mine is called "The Law of God" by Fr. Seraphim Slabodovsky of blessed memory. The last name may be a little off because I'm not great at remembering Russian spellings. I was given a copy of it from my godparents on my Chrismation about two and a half years ago. It is quite easy to read, but has a thick spine.

prodromos · Feb 26, 2009

SofiyaKhristina said:
Hello Handmaiden. In general are more Priests married or unmarried?

I believe that the majority of our priests are married, at least that has been my experience in the Greek Church.

John

E.C. · Feb 26, 2009

Same with the OCA. I think the only unmarried priest I've met in my life was a widower.

prodromos · Feb 26, 2009

OrthodoxyUSA said:
Happy name day to all of you Photini's.

and all the Svetlana's

SofiyaKhristina · Feb 26, 2009

E.C. said:
The two best catechism-like things that I know of would "The Orthodox Faith" series as found for free! Here:

One personal favorite of mine is called "The Law of God" by Fr. Seraphim Slabodovsky of blessed memory. The last name may be a little off because I'm not great at remembering Russian spellings. I was given a copy of it from my godparents on my Chrismation about two and a half years ago. It is quite easy to read, but has a thick spine.

Thank you very much E.C.
Your memory of the spelling was close enough for me to find it.
Fr. Seraphim Slobodskoy

SofiyaKhristina · Feb 26, 2009

prodromos said:
I believe that the majority of our priests are married, at least that has been my experience in the Greek Church.

John

E.C. said:
Same with the OCA. I think the only unmarried priest I've met in my life was a widower.

Thank you both for the reponses, I was curious.

Laus_Deo · Feb 26, 2009

A nice informative thread. God bless my brothers and sisters here!

Mikeb85 · Feb 27, 2009

LamorakDesGalis said:
My question was more related to theology, but I'm glad you provided the interesting visual answer.

Since God the Father isn't allowed to be represented, how about the Holy Spirit? Or the Trinity?

LDG

The Holy Spirit is depicted as either a dove in the icon of Christ's baptism, or tongues of fire in the icon of Pentecost. The Trinity is depicted as 3 angels in the icon often called the 'Holy Trinity', but more accurately called the 'Hospitality of Abraham' (Genesis 18).

SummaScriptura · Mar 7, 2009

Does the EO believe in the "sacrifice of the mass", as taught in the RCC?

angrylittlefisherman · Mar 8, 2009

One great resource for information on the EOC is a podcast entitled
"At the Intersection of East and West." He has just finished a series on all of the ecumenical councils, the whys and whats etc...of them, and has just started one on the Orthodox theologies of the Theotokos. Also has some on fasting, marriage and scritpure.
http://ancientfaith.com/podcasts/eastwest
god bless
this is an awesome thread!

OrthodoxyUSA · Mar 8, 2009

SummaScriptura said:
Does the EO believe in the "sacrifice of the mass", as taught in the RCC?

Interesting word "mass".

It comes from the word "misal" as in dismisal.

You can imagine living in early Rome and your mother asking if you stayed for "mass". What she's really asking is "Did you stay for the dismisal". IOW, did you stay for the whole service. Or did you sneak out early...

The sacrafice of the mass, hmmm... I suppose we are talking about The Eucharist here. The answer would be yes.

We believe strongly in the anamnesis of the Eucharistic Thanksgiving. It is the center of all Christian worship. Everything else revolves around it. The entire litugical cycle is built around The Holy Eucharist... that is to say Christs body and blood.

Forgive me...

Esta2220 · Mar 8, 2009

angrylittlefisherman said:
One great resource for information on the EOC is a podcast entitled
"At the Intersection of East and West." He has just finished a series on all of the ecumenical councils, the whys and whats etc...of them, and has just started one on the Orthodox theologies of the Theotokos. Also has some on fasting, marriage and scritpure.
http://ancientfaith.com/podcasts/eastwest
god bless
this is an awesome thread!

and you my friend have provided a great link.
Thank you.

SummaScriptura · Mar 8, 2009

I had to refer to a dictionary for "anamnesis". The definition is "recollection" or "remembrance". That's not a sacrifice as far as I can see. I am confused.

Chesterton · Mar 8, 2009

SummaScriptura said:
I had to refer to a dictionary for "anamnesis". The definition is "recollection" or "remembrance". That's not a sacrifice as far as I can see. I am confused.

There's a TAW thread on this right now:

http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?t=7348839

OrthodoxyUSA · Mar 8, 2009

SummaScriptura said:
I had to refer to a dictionary for "anamnesis". The definition is "recollection" or "remembrance". That's not a sacrifice as far as I can see. I am confused.

There was only one sacrifice. That was Christs. It can never and will never be done again.

It was once and for all.

It is eternal.

We "involve" ourselves in it as an eternal sacrifice by participating in the one eternal event through anamnesis (re-calling) the event into the present and ever bringing it forward in time. Eternally. Every time we gather for the Liturgy, the eternal sacrifice of Christ, his body and his blood are at the very center.

Emphasis is on the "do". The Praxis, not the gnosis.

Does that help?

Forgive me...

OrthodoxyUSA · Mar 8, 2009

Esta2220 said:
and you my friend have provided a great link.
Thank you.

I love http://www.ancientfaithradio.com especially the hours.

Forgive me...

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