Questions about Orthodoxy

~Anastasia~ · Nov 2, 2017

Senkaku said:
oops, haha, sorry sis. probably should have asked first >_<. I like the approach of having a confessor, I can see the benefit of it. it reminds me of "confess your sins to one another", I feel like it also helps to build a strong bond within the church.

No problem

It does certainly develop a bond of trust with your Confessor. Over years it is something to know you can confess anything to a person, and they still love you, accept you, and pray for you. I'm in a bit of a unique situation (tied my prayer life in knots many years ago so my priest advised me to get guidance) but I also have a spiritual father who has many spiritual children. He prays for me, I pray for him, and when any of his other children have a particular need he will sometimes mention it so that I can pray for them too. Even if I've never met them, there is still a relationship that develops there where we are more conscious of all being part of one another, and pray for each other. I hope that makes sense. But you're right.

~Anastasia~ · Nov 2, 2017

Senkaku said:
Concerning chanting, what is the Orthodox position in relation to Jesus teaching us "not to use many words". I do like the chants and find them to be powerful and practical phrases, but not sure how this works with this verse. Are chants considered not prayer maybe? (Matthew 6:7,8)

I will defer to someone else to answer this better than I could. But our chants are largely hymns of praise. And instructional.

christianforumsuser · Nov 2, 2017

I just need to be clear if you're asking for opinions of official worldly men for tradition and not hear to learn anything new...As you yourself are official aren't you...in which case if you follow God you could decide if you want to hear what I say on the Word. In other words I don't know the views of your Orthodox, I am an official Orthodox.
As far as I'm aware, using many words was bad because they didn't focus on the real meaning, just the form of copying their tradition. I don't know who to ask about worldly culture, as everyone seems to follow something different, so maybe ask the highest leader or lowest.
But I can assume I'm in the wrong place to find out anything clear. Good luck

~Anastasia~ · Nov 2, 2017

christianforumsuser said:
I just need to be clear if you're asking for opinions of official worldly men for tradition and not hear to learn anything new...As you yourself are official aren't you...in which case if you follow God you could decide if you want to hear what I say on the Word. In other words I don't know the views of your Orthodox, I am an official Orthodox.
As far as I'm aware, using many words was bad because they didn't focus on the real meaning, just the form of copying their tradition. I don't know who to ask about worldly culture, as everyone seems to follow something different, so maybe ask the highest leader or lowest.
But I can assume I'm in the wrong place to find out anything clear. Good luck

If you have questions, please do feel free to start a thread and ask, and we will do our best to help.

ArmyMatt · Nov 2, 2017

Senkaku said:
Concerning chanting, what is the Orthodox position in relation to Jesus teaching us "not to use many words". I do like the chants and find them to be powerful and practical phrases, but not sure how this works with this verse. Are chants considered not prayer maybe? (Matthew 6:7,8)

it's because chanting is not vain repetition. repetition is fine when it is Godly. Christ and the Apostles used repetitive prayers in the Temple and the synagogues, and repetitive prayers are seen in heaven, and Christ Himself gave us the Lord's Prayer which He commanded us to repeat.

so the key is vain repetition

ArmyMatt · Nov 2, 2017

christianforumsuser said:
I just need to be clear if you're asking for opinions of official worldly men for tradition and not hear to learn anything new...As you yourself are official aren't you...in which case if you follow God you could decide if you want to hear what I say on the Word. In other words I don't know the views of your Orthodox, I am an official Orthodox.
As far as I'm aware, using many words was bad because they didn't focus on the real meaning, just the form of copying their tradition. I don't know who to ask about worldly culture, as everyone seems to follow something different, so maybe ask the highest leader or lowest.
But I can assume I'm in the wrong place to find out anything clear. Good luck

when we say Orthodox, we mean those who are in communion with the canonical Orthodox Church.

Senkaku · Nov 2, 2017

@ArmyMatt @~Anastasia~ I see, that makes sense to me.

peregrinus2017 · Nov 2, 2017

I am not yet Orthodox, but I have been using an Orthodox prayer book mornings and evenings in my prayers. In many ways using the same prayers every day has revitalised my prayer life. Repeating the same prayer is like revisiting a passage in the bible, it continues to gain depth and meaning, until it becomes part of you. Granted I haven't been doing this for more than a couple months, and I may still be enamoured with the newness of it all, but I definitely find value in it.

Hermit76 · Nov 2, 2017

peregrinus2017 said:
I am not yet Orthodox, but I have been using an Orthodox prayer book mornings and evenings in my prayers. In many ways using the same prayers every day has revitalised my prayer life. Repeating the same prayer is like revisiting a passage in the bible, it continues to gain depth and meaning, until it becomes part of you. Granted I haven't been doing this for more than a couple months, and I may still be enamoured with the newness of it all, but I definitely find value in it.

It does have that same tendency, in my experience, to become normal. However, it is not normal like watching the same episode of I Love Lucy over and over. It is normal like breathing is normal. It becomes a vital part of your life.
My Priest, Father Stephen Freeman, warned me that I would get "bored" in Orthodoxy. I didn't understand what he meant at first. Now, months later, I know exactly what he means. The flashiness and the "wow this is changing my life rapidly" morphs into a constant day in and day out. That in itself isn't what surprises me. I have become bored in every church I have ever spent any amount of time worshiping in. The surprise is how much I am ok with being bored. It is though I am at the end of seeking truth. My thirst is quenched and I find that I love water rather than the packaged and marketed pop that just left me dehydrated (metaphorically speaking). And yes, a large part of this is my icon corner and prayers.

test · Nov 3, 2017

Senkaku said:
hey there, I was hoping to understand Orthodoxy better by starting a thread to ask questions to the Orthodox community. I'm looking more for those who are a little more seasoned in their walk but I'll take whatever comes.

My first question is this, what is the Orthodox position on the gift of prophecy and prophets? are they still active? if so, how does that operate in an Orthodox setting?

It is John the baptist was last of the prophets.

ArmyMatt · Nov 3, 2017

test said:
It is John the baptist was last of the prophets.

in a formal sense yes (unless you count Christ, Who is the Prophet of Whom Moses spoke), but that role has been transfigured.

technically, through Christ all Christians are called to be prophets.

Senkaku · Nov 3, 2017

test said:
It is John the baptist was last of the prophets.

Please stay on topic, this thread is for answers strictly from those from an orthodox background. Please respect the thread.

Anhelyna · Nov 3, 2017

Hi test - welcome to TAW

Are you from Wales by any chance ?

I can probably put you in contact with other posters from Wales who would be able to help you

test · Nov 3, 2017

Senkaku said:
Please stay on topic, this thread is for answers strictly from those from an orthodox background. Please respect the thread.

I converted to orthodox.

Senkaku · Nov 3, 2017

test said:
I converted to orthodox.

well, your faith status says protestant.

test · Nov 3, 2017

Senkaku said:
well, your faith status says protestant.

I can't change it. My account is old.

Senkaku · Nov 3, 2017

test said:
I can't change it. My account is old.

cool

Senkaku · Nov 3, 2017

I wanted to ask about communion. What do Orthodox use for the body and blood?

Hermit76 · Nov 3, 2017

Senkaku said:
I wanted to ask about communion. What do Orthodox use for the body and blood?

The short answer is leavened bread and wine, but it is much more involved than getting a loaf of Rainbow Bread and a bottle of Boones (neither of which we would use). Understanding what happens in the altar during Liturgy is very important. Perhaps some of the members can suggest some good resources. Seems like I remember a very good video on the Eucharist. Anyone?

E.C. · Nov 3, 2017

Senkaku said:
I wanted to ask about communion. What do Orthodox use for the body and blood?

Welcome to TAW!

We use sanctified bread and wine. The bread is leavened unlike the "crakers" of the Roman Catholic Church and the wine is usually watered down a bit.

Questions about Orthodoxy

† Handmaid of God †

† Handmaid of God †

Well-Known Member

† Handmaid of God †

Regular Member

Regular Member

Shatter the Illusion

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Newbie

Regular Member

Shatter the Illusion

Handmaid of God

Newbie

Shatter the Illusion

Newbie

Shatter the Illusion

Shatter the Illusion

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Similar threads

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency