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Our Faith
Introduction
Articles that help give an introduction to the Orthodox Christian faith.
The Orthodox Church: An Introduction
An ever-growing number of persons from various backgrounds are becoming interested in the Orthodox Church. These individuals are discovering the ancient faith and rich traditions of the Orthodox Church. They have been attracted by its mystical vision of God and His Kingdom, by the beauty of her worship, by the purity of her Christian faith, and by her continuity with the past. These are only some of the treasures of the Church which has a history reaching back to the time of the Apostles.
Teachings of the Orthodox Church
The Orthodox Church throughout the ages has maintained a continuity of faith and love with the apostolic community which was founded by Christ and sustained by the Holy Spirit. Orthodoxy believes that she has preserved and taught the historic Christian Faith, free from error and distortion, from the time of the Apostles. She also believes that there is nothing in the body of her teachings which is contrary to truth or which inhibits real union with God. The air of antiquity and timelessness which often characterizes Eastern Christianity is an expression of her desire to remain loyal to the authentic Christian Faith.
The Fundamental Teachings of the Eastern Orthodox Church
A concise presentation of some fundamental teachings of Faith, Worship, Norms of Living and Principles of Administration of the Eastern Orthodox Church.
The Basic Sources of the Teachings of the Eastern Orthodox Church
Includes: Importance of Orthodox Christian's Knowledge of Sources; Accurate Sources of the Orthodox Church (listed in chronological order, with short explanation); Contemporary Importance of Primary and Secondary Sources.
The Church
The life of the Orthodox Church perpetuates and fulfills the ministry of Jesus Christ. The close association between Christ and His Church is reflected in the images from the Scriptures which declare that Christ is the Head and the Church is His Body; and that Christ is the Bridegroom and the Church is His bride. These images express the reality that the Church does not exist independently from Christ.
Introduction: What Is The Greek Orthodox Church?
Volumes have been written on the inexhaustible treasures of our Greek Orthodox heritage. It is not the purpose of this guidebook to instruct its readers in Orthodox theology of Church history. However, it is important to understand that everything we do is based upon the premise that the Orthodox Faith is founded upon the teachings of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, now and always.
A Dictionary of Orthodox Terminology - Part 1
A 'dictionary' listing and providing a brief definition of many terms one may come across in reading about Orthodoxy.
The Religious Quest as a Preparation for Christianity
The human being as part of the creation is not self-sufficient and autonomous for it owes its origins and existence to that Being whom we commonly call God. The human quest for identity and understanding of its place in the world, for creative self realization in history are realized in truths extant in and revealed by the Creator.
The Feast of Epiphany: The Feast of Lights
A Concise presentation of the Feast of Epiphany in its Biblical and historical background along with excerpts from the service of the sanctification of the waters as it is celebrated in the Eastern Orthodox Church
Holy Week in the Eastern Orthodox Church
Holy Week in the Eastern Orthodox Church institutes the sanctity of the whole calendar year of the Church. Its center of commemorations and inspiration is Easter wherein the glorified Resurrection of Jesus Christ is celebrated. Every Sunday is dedicated in the Eastern Orthodox Church to the Resurrection of the Lord. One hundred days also are dedicated to Easter, 50 before it for preparation, and another 50 after it for commemorating the glorification of the Lord. Easter is considered the 'Feast of Feasts'.
A Dictionary of Orthodox Terminology - Part 2
A 'dictionary' listing and providing a brief definition of many terms one may come across in reading about Orthodoxy.
Suffering and the Crucified Christ
Suffering is an inescapable aspect of human life in the present world. Suffering, affliction and tragic experiences disclose the vulnerable nature of human life; it enables us to recognize our limitations as human beings and our dependence upon others and upon God for sustenance in life.
Recent Articles
Human Dignity in Orthodox Theology
The notion of human dignity is foundational in the imagination of many desperate people and peoples around the world that dream for greater justice and freedom in their personal and communal space. Respect of human dignity and recognition of human rights demand the development of a culture of peace and justice.
Becoming Human Through Relationships
New advances in physical and human science, a more sophisticated and reflective understanding of how human identities are formed and the experiences of living in a modern pluralistic society invite us to rethink what it means to be a human person.
The American Religious Landscape and the Orthodox Churches
How has the North American context and experience influenced the lives, faith commitments and practices of the Orthodox churches? What is the mixture and balance of beliefs and practices in being Orthodox in this country? Reflecting on these questions could lead us to a new appreciation of the identity(ies) of the Orthodox church as evolves in this country.
Peace, Economic Injustice and the Orthodox Church
The peacemaking vocation of the church is a dynamic process of a never-ending personal and communal transformation that reflects the human and fallible struggle to participate in God’s Trinitarian life. St. Nicholas Cabasilas epigrammatically summarizes the Orthodox view on peacemaking: “Christians, as disciples of Christ, who made all things for peace, are to be 'craftsmen of peace.' ..."
Suffering and the Crucified Christ
Suffering is an inescapable aspect of human life in the present world. Suffering, affliction and tragic experiences disclose the vulnerable nature of human life; it enables us to recognize our limitations as human beings and our dependence upon others and upon God for sustenance in life.
Peace and Peacemaking as an Interfaith and Ecumenical Vocation: An Orthodox View
For Orthodoxy, peace is inextricably related to the notion of justice and freedom that God has granted to all human beings through Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit as a gift and vocation. The peaceable witness of the Church in situations of war cannot be limited only to its ethical judgment. She won’t prevent wars. Peace requires much more than a military action or passive pacifism. The Christian gospel invites the faithful to a continuous spiritual struggle and public actions that leads, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, towards greater justice and peace.
Human Dignity in a Global World
In late modernity we have become increasingly aware of the intrinsic ambivalence that shapes personal and communal identities. The binary distinctions that enabled us to structure and shape personal and communal identities by establishing ideological, religious, ethnic and communal boundaries cannot be sustained any longer in the compressed space of the global world.
