Question on Greek Orthodoxism

[MDTyKe]

Γειάσου!

Anyway, my mother is Greek, and her entire family are Greek Orthodox. I'm just Christian, don't have a set denomination. Anyway, I have a few questions about Greek Orthodoxism.

Firstly, what is the beliefs of Greek Orthodoxism. I notice they aren't as big on Mary as Catholics are, yet I heard they are very similar. When Im in Greek Orthodox churches, which is usually a few times a year, I notice a lot of icons of Christ etc, but nothing on Mary. Do you's believe that Christ paid the full price for our sins? (unlike Catholics that is).

Just, what are the general beliefs of Greek Orthodoxes. I do know you's think Baptism is necessary though. From what I know, they aren't as big on 'idols' or 'icons' that Catholics are. There are some things I don't understand though, like that thing that's performed in one of the islands every August. Where they carry an icon up a hill.. can't remember which wee island it was though. Anyway, any other info is *greatly* appreciated!!

Thanks God Bless,


Matt

 

[Suzannah]

Γειάσου!

Anyway, my mother is Greek, and her entire family are Greek Orthodox. I'm just Christian, don't have a set denomination. Anyway, I have a few questions about Greek Orthodoxism.

Firstly, what is the beliefs of Greek Orthodoxism. I notice they aren't as big on Mary as Catholics are, yet I heard they are very similar. When Im in Greek Orthodox churches, which is usually a few times a year, I notice a lot of icons of Christ etc, but nothing on Mary. Do you's believe that Christ paid the full price for our sins? (unlike Catholics that is).

Just, what are the general beliefs of Greek Orthodoxes. I do know you's think Baptism is necessary though. From what I know, they aren't as big on 'idols' or 'icons' that Catholics are. There are some things I don't understand though, like that thing that's performed in one of the islands every August. Where they carry an icon up a hill.. can't remember which wee island it was though. Anyway, any other info is *greatly* appreciated!!

Thanks God Bless,


Matt

Dear Matt,

May God bless you and keep you in His care! Welcome to the Ancient Way, at CF. We hope that you will enjoy posting here.

In answer to your questions, I think first that since you have an entire family at your fingertips who are Orthodox, they might perhaps be better suited to help you. You do seem to hold a couple misconceptions about Orthodoxy and also Catholicism, (yes Catholics do believe that Jesus is our Lord and Saviour) but in todays age, that is not surprising. I hope you will avail yourself of your Greek family members . I'm certain they would be delighted to share the Faith with you.

Having said that, there is a section here in our Chapel, with FAQ, and links to various websites that will help answer your questions. While you're there, I hope you will just review our forum rules.
Click here for all your answers:
http://www.christianforums.com/f271

Please click here and review our forum rules:
http://www.christianforums.com/t36757

These are in addition to the general rules of CF which can be reviewed here:
http://www.christianforums.com/rules

 

[MDTyKe]

My Irish family here at home though, aren't. I'd have to fly over to ask them details on it Which isn't really convenient. And I've read the rules before, thanks..

Anyway, Is there anything you'd like, or anyone else, to share with me on Orthodoxy, it's merely for curiosity. Thanks

Matt

 

[Suzannah]

Dear Matt,

Newry is quite beautiful this time of year.

The absolute best answer I can give you is to read this book, "The Orthodox Church" by Bishop Kallistos Ware.
You can read the entire book online, for free:
http://www.intratext.com/X/ENG0804.HTM

Slainte!

 

[MDTyKe]

It sucks all year 'round I'd rather be in Cyprus right now *sighs*

Matt

 

[Suzannah]

We must bloom where we are planted. Ireland has fertile soil and lots of rain.


Good luck Matt!

 

[Orthodox Andrew]

Sounds like you and I, MDTyKe, have had a similar upbringing. Here's some links, http://goarch.org/ http://goarch.org/en/ourfaith/ http://www.oca.org http://www.oca.org/pages/orth_chri/index.htm

If you have any more questions we would all love for you to post them. But I think you should really read The Orthodox Church by Timothy Ware, who is an Oxford educated convert to the to the Orthodox Church.

 

[Cradle]

Γειάσου!

Anyway, my mother is Greek, and her entire family are Greek Orthodox. I'm just Christian, don't have a set denomination. Anyway, I have a few questions about Greek Orthodoxism.

Firstly, what is the beliefs of Greek Orthodoxism. I notice they aren't as big on Mary as Catholics are, yet I heard they are very similar. When Im in Greek Orthodox churches, which is usually a few times a year, I notice a lot of icons of Christ etc, but nothing on Mary. Do you's believe that Christ paid the full price for our sins? (unlike Catholics that is).

Just, what are the general beliefs of Greek Orthodoxes. I do know you's think Baptism is necessary though. From what I know, they aren't as big on 'idols' or 'icons' that Catholics are. There are some things I don't understand though, like that thing that's performed in one of the islands every August. Where they carry an icon up a hill.. can't remember which wee island it was though. Anyway, any other info is *greatly* appreciated!!

Thanks God Bless,


Matt

Hi Matt,

What are ya up to mate .

I don't think it's possible to define "what the general beliefs of Orthodoxy are" in a single paragraph! Technically the Nicean Creed is what we believe in (I assume you know what I'm talking about). But of course (almost) everybody says they believe in the Nicean Creed and really their ways and doctrines are very different from each other. The links that Suzannah proposed are very good, and the book she directed to has often been used as "the Orthodox Church for beginners" kind of thing. You may be interested to know that the writer is actually english and an Oxford scholar.

In fact there is actually considerable Orthodox presence in the UK, both studenty greek communities and a growing number of english-speaking convert parishes. For links on Orthodoxy in this country, you can find a relevant query that a welsh guy posted in this forum about a week back. Just go to page 4 of this forum and check the thread under the name "Info" (unfortunately I can't post urls yet otherwise I would give a direct link). Not too many in Ireland I'm afraid though. To the best of my knowledge, the greek patriarchate has a single priest in the whole of the island, based in Dublin and probably dropping up north once a month or so. There is also a small number of non-greek parishes around. See www . orthodoxireland . com.

Note that greek or non-greek makes no difference whatsoever in faith, doctrines or worship. As to your other comments, we actually do venerate Our Most Holy Lady and Ever-Virgin Mary the Mother of our Lord quite a lot. Next time you are in an Orthodox church you can notice Her icon with the Lord as an infant in Her arms at the left hand side of the altar (The Lord himself is depicted at the right hand side). As you've already noticed, we do use icons, while I'm not sure what you refer to by 'idols'. "That thing with the icon on that greek island" is probably one of our many processions, whereby we venerate our saints and ask for their prayers. At a guess, you must have stumbled upon the feast day of the patron saint of the island or the feast of a particular church.

Hope that helps.

 

[Orthodox Andrew]

BTW, just for interest sake, my Mom's Greek, and my Dad's half Irish and half Swedish.

 

[Nikolas222]

my moms jewish, my dad is greek orthodox. I didnt get a choice on what religion i am, though i am happy with the one that was made for me. Andreas gave awesome resources, check them out, they teach a lot.

 

[Filia Mariae]

Do you's believe that Christ paid the full price for our sins? (unlike Catholics that is).

I know I am not an Orthodox, so I hope my Orthodox brothers and sisters will forgive me for temporarily taking this thread off course.

Catholics absolutely believe that Christ paid the full price for our sins.

614 This sacrifice of Christ is unique; it completes and surpasses all other sacrifices. 441 First, it is a gift from God the Father himself, for the Father handed his Son over to sinners in order to reconcile us with himself. At the same time it is the offering of the Son of God made man, who in freedom and love offered his life to his Father through the Holy Spirit in reparation for our disobedience. 442

If anyone has told you that Catholics do not believe Jesus paid the full price, they are either misinformed or not being truthful.

We now return to our regularly scheduled programming....

 

[Rising_Suns]

Do you's believe that Christ paid the full price for our sins? (unlike Catholics that is).

hey,
You may also want to visit the Catholic discussion forums here, because your understanding of Catholic teaching is false. Catholics do indeed believe Jesus paid the full price of our sins.

 

[Kripost]

Γειάσου!
Firstly, what is the beliefs of Greek Orthodoxism. I notice they aren't as big on Mary as Catholics are, yet I heard they are very similar. When Im in Greek Orthodox churches, which is usually a few times a year, I notice a lot of icons of Christ etc, but nothing on Mary. Do you's believe that Christ paid the full price for our sins? (unlike Catholics that is).

I noticed that the Orthodox do venerate Mary, which rivals that of Catholics. During an Orthodox liturgy, She gets more mentioned as compared to a Catholic liturgy; and the Orthodox do not hold back in magnifying Mary in their hymns.

 

[Photini]

I've never seen an Orthodox Church without Icons of the Panagia.
What's the name and location of that church?

 

[Suzannah]

I know I am not an Orthodox, so I hope my Orthodox brothers and sisters will forgive me for temporarily taking this thread off course.

Catholics absolutely believe that Christ paid the full price for our sins.


If anyone has told you that Catholics do not believe Jesus paid the full price, they are either misinformed or not being truthful.

We now return to our regularly scheduled programming....

Thank you Carly! I thought I set it straight in my post but its always good to see you and the other sisters and brothers from OBOB!

Thanks!

 

[Matthias]

I wish people would ask questions before making claims about Orthodoxy and Catholicism which are totally wrong.

 

[Michael G]

Ummm, we don't honor Mary the Theotokus? From the Divine Liturgy:
Priest:
Especially for our most holy, pure, blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever virgin Mary.

People:
It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos, ever blessed, most pure, and mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Word. We magnify you, the true Theotokos.

Also, you must not have seen all of the icons of the Theotokus in our churches?
No, we really do love the Theotokus.

 

[Rising_Suns]

I thought I set it straight in my post but its always good to see you and the other sisters and brothers from OBOB!

Thanks!

woops. didn't see that post of yours suzannah. I must have skimmed over the rest of the thread. Don't mind me.

 

[MDTyKe]

hmm. I had read that somewhere. I apologize if any distress was caused by me saying that about Catholics. Anyway, what is the reason for Purgatory then?

Matt

 

[Oblio]

Anyway, what is the reason for Purgatory then?

This should be asked in OBOB, not here in TAW, thanks