How can you tell if an Orthodox Church is really Eastern Orthodox?

[Akathist]

We have not covered this topic in a while.

In the United States and Canada there are many jurisdictions of Orthodox Churches that all fit under the title "Eastern Orthodox". They are all part of one large Church, unified with Russian Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, Antiocian Orthodox, Serbian Orthodox, etc etc.

However, there are also splinter groups who are not really Eastern Orthodox. These groups start out as small parishes of people who for what ever reason may have left a genuine Orthodox Church. They may have many similarities. But as time passes, often there is a drift away from true Orthodox Traditions. They are also outside the Church, lacking in the blessings that the Eastern Orthodox Church has. They lack the supervision of the Patriarchs who are all accountable to God, to lay people and also to one another. This is what helps preserve our faith for generation to generation.

When looking for an Orthodox Church as an inquirer, it is very important that you make sure that you find a genuine Orthodox Church, and not one of these other groups. We often refer to them as "non-canonical" or "schismatic groups". This basically means that while they may look Orthodox, they are not Eastern Orthodox and the rest of the Church rejects them as not having the fullness of Truth. (I am putting this into simple terms. More learned members of TAW please help me explain this.)

Before visiting a Church, check to make sure they are not listed here: http://aggreen.net/other_orthodox/other.html

Also check to make sure they are listed Here.

If outside of the United States and Canada, call a local Greek Orthodox, or Russian Orthodox, or Serbian Orthodox (etc.) and ask if the parish you want to attend is "in full communion with them".

My guess is that the list by aggreen is good for churches in other parts of the world. Do not rely solely upon what a group says about themselves. Recently, I came across a group that said that were a part of SCOBA but in fact they are NOT.

I could tell you I am really a Ph.D. teaching at Harvard. Just because I say something doesn't make it true. (and I taught one year at a community college ... three classes altogether... clearly not Harvard . My highest degree is a Master's.)

Be careful about this. Coming into the church from Protestantism, I didn't see what the problem was when I was a new inquirer. But false teachings is a dangerous thing and something we all need to avoid. The Eastern Orthodox Church offers the fullness of the Truth. Avoid substitutes.

Could other members of TAW help me explain more about this issue, please?

 

[ProScribe]

Specifically, the "Evangelical" aspect of the Eastern Orthodox Church is through holy Icons,Art,traditions and especially Divine Liturgy. You can tell some main differences by observing what is Orthodox and specifically what is Eastern through custom,tradition,or style in liturgical worship. To further clarify, the EOC has no Pope and is not under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome. Because the ecclesiology of the Eastern Church is different from that of the West. I believe that Orthodoxy (tradition) has kept and preserved the original meaning of the Nicene Creed. There are notable differences but also similiarities between East vs.West.

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[Thekla]

thank-you for the reminder

 

[Michael G]

Specifically, the "Evangelical" aspect of the Eastern Orthodox Church is through holy Icons,Art,traditions and especially Divine Liturgy. You can tell some main differences by observing what is Orthodox and specifically what is Eastern through custom,tradition,or style in liturgical worship. To further clarify, the EOC has no Pope and is not under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome. Because the ecclesiology of the Eastern Church is different from that of the West. I believe that Orthodoxy (tradition) has kept and preserved the original meaning of the Nicene Creed. There are notable differences but also similiarities between East vs.West.

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Last I checked, there is no sacred art within Orthodox Christianity outside of iconography.

 

[Michael G]

If you are referencing the poster in a now closed thread, there were alot of things which were included on the webpage in his sig file which showed the person to not be canonically Orthodox.

 

[choirfiend]

Michael--architecture, guilding, carving, embossing, painting, colors, weaving, metal work, etc etc etc, are all forms of art while not being Iconography. They are all found within the Orthodox Church and may be rightly called part of our tradition. Our sanctuaries are not 4 bare walls that just happen to be covered in icons, after all.

If you will notice, the poster called his list "Holy Icons, art." He did not say "sacred art."

 

[Shubunkin]

Akathist, I am glad you brought this up, because it was only recently that it came to my attention there are a lot (a LOT) of these sites out there, and people genuinely looking for an Orthodox parish to attend has a huge problem right away. With knowing the facts, it will help people to know and understand which are the real ones, and which ones are schismatic.

 

[Shubunkin]

P. S. I think you did just fine explaining all of this! Bravo...

 

[gzt]

I think you should be clear that we're dealing with discernment on the internet rather than in general, since 99% of the parishes out there are real Orthodox parishes, the only relatively common confounding influence is Byzantine Catholics. The internet gives those bizarre <1000 member groups a disproportionate presence, but the last thing we need to do is give the impression to random visitors to our forum that they're a big problem in the real world and that they need to be very careful about the parishes around. I mean, c'mon, that's just nutty given what actually exists.

 

[Rowan]

A parish being listed on orthodoxyinamerica.com does help. I thought this one parish near my boyfriend's house was Indian Orthodox (not in communion with us) until I saw their listing on that site (that will teach me sterotype parishes named after St. Thomas).

 

[Melanie3]

I think you should be clear that we're dealing with discernment on the internet rather than in general, since 99% of the parishes out there are real Orthodox parishes, the only relatively common confounding influence is Byzantine Catholics. The internet gives those bizarre <1000 member groups a disproportionate presence, but the last thing we need to do is give the impression to random visitors to our forum that they're a big problem in the real world and that they need to be very careful about the parishes around. I mean, c'mon, that's just nutty given what actually exists.

So no one looks on the Internet to see if they can find a parish near where they live? Nothing wrong with being informed.

Just in case.

Perhaps it's never happened that way. We can hope.

 

[ClementofRome]

I think you should be clear that we're dealing with discernment on the internet rather than in general, since 99% of the parishes out there are real Orthodox parishes, the only relatively common confounding influence is Byzantine Catholics. The internet gives those bizarre <1000 member groups a disproportionate presence, but the last thing we need to do is give the impression to random visitors to our forum that they're a big problem in the real world and that they need to be very careful about the parishes around. I mean, c'mon, that's just nutty given what actually exists.

While all that you say may be true (and it is, I believe), my first D/L was amongst a schismatic group (OCCA) and even with my theological training (Protestant), I had not a clue that they were not Orthodox!

It is easy to find them....or they find YOU!