revelation › god revealed himself to us › however, inner being of god is unknown and...
TRANSCRIPT
Main Beliefs
Revelation› God revealed Himself to us› However, Inner Being of God is unknown
and unapproachable Incarnation of Jesus
› Fully divine and fully human Tradition
› Keep things the same as original Christianity
Main Beliefs
Authority of Scripture› Holy Scripture and Holy Tradition are equal in value
Holy Spirit› Precedes from Father› One essence with Father› Given by Christ as a gift to the Church
Trinity› Three distinct, divine persons without
overlap
http://www.hellenic-art.com/chalice/200005.jpg
Main Beliefs
Mary› Has supreme grace, should be highly honored› Reject Immaculate Conception
Predestination› God has knowledge of our future› We have free will
Salvation› Gradual, lifelong process
Eschatology › Go to Heaven or Hell
http://www.greek-icons.org/virgin-mary/images/glikophiloussa.jpg
Main Beliefs
Greek Orthodox attach great importance to the bible and the conclusions of the Seven Ecumenical Councils
View on sin, grace and salvation› Humans were given freedom, they misused
it and now deserve punishment› Grace -> results in forgiveness and freedom
from bondage of punishment› Salvation – process of reestablishing man’s
communion with God
Worship Life
Major Holidays› Easter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=178cEI65fjE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RF3lB9pHag&feature=related
› Christmas Receive salvation through worship Anointing with oil
› For those in need of healing
Worship Life Eucharist
› Receive bread and wine from community chalice
› Supposed to fast before receiving
http://www.stgeorgegreenville.org/Images/Communion.jpghttp://02varvara.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/aleksandr-krasotkin-first-comm
union-1.jpg
Worship Life
Sacraments› Baptism› Chrismation
Confirmation Occurs at the same time as baptism and
communion› Confession› Marriage› Holy Orders› Anointing of the Sick
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Worship Life
Divine Liturgy› Conducted in Greek and English (in America)› Celebrated once a day› Eucharist usually Sunday mornings› Liturgy of the Catechumens
“Little Entrance” Gospel from sanctuary into nave
Epistle lesson, Gospel, sermon› Liturgy of the Faithful
“Grand Entrance” Eucharist
› Many prayers and hymns› Use Nicene Creed
Devotions Practitioners can pray to different icons
for special intercessions -Patron Saints
The majority of Greek Orthodox followers have icons in their home
http://www.greece.org/romiosini/christ_patocrator.gif
http://www.iconsexplained.com/iec/lib3/03432_last_supper_zad_jabbour_695x460.jpg
Devotions
Fasting - essential part of Orthodox life.› Ascetic fasting - four fasting periods of the
liturgical calendar refrain from large quantities of food and abstain from certain foods.
Fasting is a means and not an end in the spiritual struggle of its faithful.
One usually fasts according to the guidelines set up by the Church, but one should also seek the guidance of a spiritual father
Devotions
Many people wear crosses and evil eyes on a daily basis› Evil eyes to protect them from the Devil› Crosses to remind them of presence of God
Community and Social Involvement
Department of Philanthropy› primary task: to further develop and
coordinate the philanthropic work of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
› not just concerned with fund-raising, hopes to promote philanthropy
› coordinates outreach to people with special needs
› monitors the development on the federal, state, and city levels, regarding faith-based funding of charitable programs
Community and Social Involvement
Department of Philanthropy › Primarily works with the Ladies
Philoptochos Society (“friends of the poor”).
› nationally chartered organization assisting the needy and the poor on an international, national, and local level
http://www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/philanthropy/Ethiopia%20IOCC.jpg
Community and Social Involvement
Many parishes have Sunday School programs Many also have Greek school programs Social groups
› Different group for each age Church aims to keep all people
involved with their religion and culture
http://www.holytrinity-holycross.org/images/GOYALOGO.jpg
Bibliography
Rouvelas, Marilyn and George . A Guide to Greek Traditions and Customs in America. Boston: Twayne Publishers, 2002. Print.
"Distinctive Orthodox Beliefs." Religion Facts. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 May 2010. <http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/denominations/orthodoxy.htm>.
Fairchild, Mary. "Eastern Orthodox Church Beliefs and Practices." Christianity . N.p.,n.d. Web. 1 May 2010. <http://christianity.about.com/od/easternorthodoxy/a/orthodoxbeliefs.htm>.
Mastrantonis , Rev. George . "The Fundamental Teachings of the Eastern Orthodox Church." n. pag. Web. 4 May 2010. <http://www.goarch.org/ourfaith/ourfaith7063>.