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The Orthodox Church and the Environmental Movement
A look at the relationship between the Orthodox Church and the Environmental movement. The Church's perspective on the movement to aid the environment.
'Thine of Thine Own': Orthodoxy and Ecology
The relationship between the Orthodox Church and Ecology.
Conflict and Diversity in the Earliest Christian Community
A look at the diversity of the Christian Church in the first century.
The Mission of the Greek Orthodox Parish in America
A history of the Greek Orthodox Church in America.
Worship
Since Worship is so important to Orthodoxy, the best introduction to the Orthodox Church is for the non-Orthodox to attend the Divine Liturgy or the celebration of one of the major Sacraments. At first, the visitor may be overwhelmed by the music and the ceremonies, but it is in Worship that the distinctive flavor, rich traditions, and living faith of Orthodoxy are truly experienced.
Orthodox Worship
The Orthodox Christians inhabit and measure time by a calendar itself touched by the Incarnate Word of God. The recurring rhythms of the year, the months, the weeks, and the days alternating with nights mean much more than the simple passage of time. They also constitute the decisive and supreme moments when the Word of God was incarnate and lived among us, when He was born, died, rose again and ascended into heaven. These acts, upon which our salvation is grounded, occurred once and for all. But in the very rhythm and flow of time they are remembered, celebrated and experienced anew. In every liturgical event we encounter Christ, who once was dead and now lives; who 'is the same yesterday and today and forever' (Heb. 13: 8). In every liturgical event he renders actual both His past saving work and its fulfillment. Amid the flux of time, worship introduces us to the end of time (Matt. 18: 20). He 'who is enthroned on high with the Father is also invisibly with us' (prayer of the Divine Liturgy). He, who is to come again to judge the living and the dead, has never left us 'and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age' (Matt. 28: 20).The Church through her kerygma, the Gospel, and the sacraments call the 'lords of creation' to a union with their Creator. The new world is working itself out, but in the mystery of faith, hidden from the wise of this world (Cor. 1: 19-21, 2: 6-9). Worship in general and the sacraments in particular introduce us to the future age and kingdom. The Risen Christ is made manifest. We participate in the saving acts of His life, so that our life may be continuously renewed and refashioned in the likeness of Him who made us.
