Sabbath Day - Orthodox

[Yeshua HaDerekh]

That Sunday is the sabbath is not the most typical answer I have found online from the Orthodox community.

because it is wrong...The Sabbath is NOT Sunday...never was

 

[Hermit76]

You are not going to get a satisfactory answer to your question online. Although others are explaining the Church's teaching very well, this is an issue that you're going to have to wrestle with at a local parish.

 

[Union With Christ]

the Incarnation

Well I definitely believe in the incarnation and on the sabbath day I worship Christ.

But that doesn’t answer my question; I am still asking if Orthodox Christians observe the sabbath day according to the commandment.

 

[Union With Christ]

because it is wrong...The Sabbath is NOT Sunday...never was

But that is the answer that some give; like I said I am receiving various answers.

 

[Union With Christ]

You are not going to get a satisfactory answer to your question online. Although others are explaining the Church's teaching very well, this is an issue that you're going to have to wrestle with at a local parish.

I have taken this question up with my local Priest through email but he has not provided me with a valid answer yet. I am receiving the same avoidance from him that I am receiving here and it seems that he is refusing to give me a straight answer.

 

[Union With Christ]

"Saturday is still the Sabbath. Like the Jews, we can still understand this Seventh Day to be as a day of participation in God's rest after creation and the recognition of the goodness of all of God's works. It is a day that should be spent quietly, with God, in the reading of Scripture and in prayer, or doing Christian works of mercy and love towards our neighbors."
Dr. Paul Meyendorff

http://www.allsaints-stl.org/Is Sunday the Orthodox Christian Sabbath - Web Version 2008.pdf

Well that seems he may be suggesting sabbath keeping. But is this Orthodox doctrine church wide or simply the recommendation of a single parish? The Priest I have contacted isn’t seeming to give this same kind of answer.

 

[Justin-H.S.]

nm.

Like others have said, this is something you'll have to wrestle with God on. I'd ask the Jewish converts to Orthodoxy whether they keep the sabbath or not. As gentiles we don't have a need to, but if you feel compelled to do so go for it, I suppose. Try reaching out to Fr. James Bernstein or a cool guy on YouTube called Brother Augustine and ask them if they still keep the sabbath.

Caught Between Root & Branch by Marcia Segelstein

 

[Union With Christ]

The Priest I have contacted through email seems to be suggesting that Sunday is the day of worship and that the sabbath has passed away with the old covenant. But he seems to be dodging the question a bit and not really willing to give a straight answer. I’ve asked him about the article by Ancient Faith Ministries several times and he is refusing to comment on it.

 

[Justin-H.S.]

Bruh, just keep the sabbath if you insist on keeping it. I don't know what to tell you.

 

[Union With Christ]

Bruh, just keep the sabbath if you insist on keeping it. I don't know what to tell you.

I do keep it and I do intend to continue to do so but that is not the question here.

The question here is whether or not Orthodox Christians keep the sabbath.

 

[Union With Christ]

nm.

Like others have said, this is something you'll have to wrestle with God on. I'd ask the Jewish converts to Orthodoxy whether they keep the sabbath or not. As gentiles we don't have a need to, but if you feel compelled to do so go for it, I suppose. Try reaching out to Fr. James Bernstein or a cool guy on YouTube called Brother Augustine and ask them if they still keep the sabbath.

Caught Between Root & Branch by Marcia Segelstein

I do have connections with a local Messianic congregation and I am also considering attending there but I have a problem with their doctrine because they believe in the Annihilation of the wicked.

I like the music, liturgy, and traditions of the Orthodox Church so it may be a better fit for me. I am just wondering how I will be treated on this issue of the sabbath.

 

[Justin-H.S.]

I do keep it and I do intend to continue to do so but that is not the question here.

The question here is whether or not Orthodox Christians keep the sabbath.

Some do. Some don't. I don't because I go to church on Saturday because we share a priest with another parish and our divine liturgy is held on Saturday.

 

[Justin-H.S.]

I like the music, liturgy, and traditions of the Orthodox Church so it may be a better fit for me. I am just wondering how I will be treated on this issue of the sabbath.

But, are those Messianic Jews Orthodox Christians? If they were, you wouldn't be conflicted the way you are now on this subject.

How will you be treated on this issue? Just don't make a big deal about it and/or use it as a measuring stick for piety. "Keep your eyes on your own plate" as certain saint once said.

 

[Union With Christ]

Some do. Some don't.

That is the answer I was looking for.

My main concern is that I would be out of place as a sabbath keeper.

 

[Union With Christ]

But, are those Messianic Jews Orthodox Christians? If they were, you wouldn't be conflicted the way you are now on this subject.

No, they are a local community of Messianic Gentiles they are not affiliated with the Orthodox Church.

 

[Union With Christ]

How will you be treated on this issue? Just don't make a big deal about it and/or use it as a measuring stick for piety. "Keep your eyes on your own plate" as certain saint once said.

At the church I currently attend I keep this issue to myself so I don’t really expect to make a big splash about it in the Orthodox Church either. But it is nice to know that you are on the same page with your church in doctrine so that is why I am asking.

 

[ArmyMatt]

Well I definitely believe in the incarnation and on the sabbath day I worship Christ.

But that doesn’t answer my question; I am still asking if Orthodox Christians observe the sabbath day according to the commandment.

yes, but that commandment in the light of Christ. I actually did answer your question.

 

[Union With Christ]

yes, but that commandment in the light of Christ. I actually did answer your question.

Yes, I do observe the sabbath with Christ in mind.

I’m going to be honest with you, your short answers really are not very helpful. Could you please try and be more thorough with your responses and give more lengthy replies? I’m having a hard time gathering much information from your replies.

 

[ArmyMatt]

Yes, I do observe the sabbath with Christ in mind.

I’m going to be honest with you, your short answers really are not very helpful. Could you please try and be more thorough with your responses and give more lengthy replies? I’m having a hard time gathering much information from your replies.

I already told you. every Saturday we commemorate when God rested from His works in the Tomb, which was what the Sabbath of the OT pointed to.

 

[Union With Christ]

I already told you. every Saturday we commemorate when God rested from His works in the Tomb, which was what the Sabbath of the OT pointed to.

That actually doesn’t answer my question though. I am asking if Orthodox observe the sabbath according to the commandment?