Although we are one of the major religious groups in the world, we often find that we are not well understood by members of other faiths. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions.
Q Are Orthodox People Christians?
A Yes, we are Christian. Many people confuse us with Orthodox Jews, but the similarity of names is purely coincidental. Actually, Orthodox is a Greek word meaning "right worship" and "right faith." Greek Orthodox & Serbian or Russian Orthodox are the same religion. The Orthodox Church is actually a "family" of churches, consisting of many ethnic groups.
Q Don't you have to be 'ethnic' to be Orthodox?
A You don't have to be 'Ethnic' to be Orthodox. Converts are welcome in our parishes, and a large proportion of the services are conducted in English.
Q How large is the Orthodox Church?
A We are the Second largest Christian Church in the world. Our total membership is estimated at 200 million - and rapidly increasing, due to the current religious revival in Eastern Europe. In California, and many other states, we are officially considered the fourth major faith.
Q Are Orthodox Christians Catholic?
A We are Catholic, but not Roman Catholic. Catholic is a Greek word that means "according to the whole." We believe that we profess the Christian Faith in its fulness. The Western Church (headed by Rome) was with us until 1054, when East and West split, primarily over the increasing authority of the Pope.
Q Are Orthodox Christians Evangelical?
A We are Evangelical, but not Protestant. Evangelical comes from the Greek word meaning 'Gospel'. We are very Gospel centered - in fact, a Gospel Book is always kept on our Altar Table. But we are not Protestant, since we have never had a Reformation; our history goes back unbroken to the early Church. Our 'Official Translation' of the Bible is the Original. The Orthodox Church is the only church in Christendom that has read the New Testament in the original language since it was written. Some parts of it were actually written to churches in Greece ( 1 & 2 Corinthians and 1 & 2 Thessalonians).
Q Does the Orthodox Church follow any type of tradition?
A We follow the Traditions of God, not of men. The Bible itself could be described as "Tradition written down." Unwritten Tradition has also been preserved in our Church, from the Apostles themselves. As St. Paul said, "...stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter." ( 2 Thessalonians 2:15) We are Conservative, but not Fundamentalists To properly interpret the Bible you have to take the literal parts literally and the symbolic parts symbolically.
Tradition is our guide for telling which is which. Even the early Christians knew that Genesis and Revelation contain a lot of symbolic language. Orthodox Church Buildings are Christian Temples Like the early Christians, our religious practices are based on Old Testament sources, fulfilled in Christ. These include synagogue worship, ceremonial meals (like the Last Supper), and the ritual of the Temple. Early Christian worship, as described in Revelation, chapters 4 & 5, includes vestments, incense, bowing down in prayer, etc. Our Icons ('holy pictures') are not idols Icon and Idol are both Greek words - with very different meanings. An idol is literally an image of God that is 'dreamed up' by human beings. By contrast, the Bible calls Christ Himself the icon or 'image' of God seven times (example, Colossians 1:15).
Q Are your priests married?
A Married men are ordained to our Priesthood. Ever since New Testament times, most of our priests have been married. (Titus 1:5-6) Priest is just a shortened form of the Greek word Presbyter, meaning 'Elder'. We call them 'father' as a natural term of respect for an elder in the Christian family.
Q Do you have a weekly Sunday Service?
A Our Sunday Services are called the Divine Liturgy. A Liturgy is a service done by a liturgist (leitourgos) - in other words, a priest who leads his people in formal, "liturgical" worship. In New Testament Greek, Christ and St. Paul are each referred to as a leitourgos. (Hebrews 8:1-2 and Romans 15:16) Our Liturgy is analogous to what other churches call the Mass, or Lord's Supper.
Q May I visit your church?
A You are welcome to attend Orthodox Services. Visitors are frequently seen at our churches and they are welcome to come and experience Orthodox worship with us. To receive Holy Communion one must be Orthodox, but at the end of the Liturgy, you may come up with the rest of the congregation to receive blessed bread from the priest in token of Christian fellowship.
The Orthodox Church Today
The Orthodox Church today is not a centralized organization. Its present structure is based partly on ancient Christian tradition, which gives a certain preeminence to the four ancient Patriarchates whose glory goes back to the time of the first Ecumenical councils, and partly on more recent social and political realities. Orthodox Churches throughout the world today are either under the spiritual jurisdiction of the four ancient Patriarchates of Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem, or the Patriarchates of Moscow, Serbia, and Romania, or one of the Autocephalous (self-governing, independent) Churches, such as the Church of Greece, Cyprus, and others. The Orthodox Church is thus a family of self-governing Churches. It is held together, not by a centralized organization, nor by a single prelate wielding absolute power over the whole body, but by the double bond of unity in the Faith and communion in the sacraments.
§ Each Church, while independent, is in full agreement with the rest on all matters of doctrine, and between them all there is full sacramental communion. There is in Orthodoxy no one with an equivalent position to the Pope in the Roman Catholic Church. The Patriarch of Constantinople is known as the Ecumenical Patriarch, and since the schism between east and west he has enjoyed a position of special honor among all the Orthodox communities, but he does not have the right to interfere in the internal affairs of other Churches.
§ Orthodox Churches can be found in all parts of the world from the Congo to Korea, and from Alaska to New Zealand. In the Americas, the Orthodox Church is made up of several jurisdictions: Russian, Carpatho-Russian, Syrian, Serbian, Ukranian, Greek, Albanian, Bulgarian, and other smaller groups, totalling approximately five million communicants.
St.George parish belongs to the Diocese of New Grachanica Metropolitanate, which is part of the Serbian Orthodox Church with central headquarters in Beograd, Serbia.
ABOUT ORTHODOXY
V. Rev. Fr. Rodney Torbic is a wonderful long-time friend and true Orthodox Christian in every sense of the word. Here's what he says about choosing Orthodoxy:
Becoming Orthodox is a matter of individual choice.
No one is coerced to become an Orthodox Christian. Each person embraces the Lord Jesus Christ freely and voluntarily.
Remaining Orthodox is a voluntary decision. Each day the believer decides whether to remain Orthodox or to depart from this identification and unity with Christ.
Babies are commonly baptized as Orthodox Christians. The identity must be reaffirmed and fully embraced during the ensuing days of life when the mind is fully conscious of the meaning of Orthodox Christianity.
Becoming Orthodox is expected to be a joyful and knowledgeable decision. Parents bringing the child for baptism are expected to be knowledgeable about Orthodoxy and making an informed decision.
"Putting on Christ" at Holy Baptism brings a whole new identity. The identity links the person with the Lord Jesus Christ. The identity links the person with Orthodox Christians past and present.
Becoming Orthodox involves embracing a set of beliefs summarized in the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed. Becoming Orthodox involves accepting a way of life in Christ.
Orthodox believers are expected to fast and pray in a certain way and throughout their lives. Orthodox believers are expected to attend the Divine services of the Church.
Orthodox believers are expected to repent and confess sins. Orthodox believers are expected to partake of the Precious Body and Blood of Christ.
If choosing to marry, believers are expected to marry in the Church.
Married couples are expected to be faithful to each other. They are expected to love each other and be forgiving of each other. They are expected to raise their children in the Church.
Becoming Orthodox carries with it the expectation of seeking the salvation of the soul. Becoming Orthodox carries with it the expectation of "seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness."(Mt.6:33)
Becoming Orthodox includes the dominant expectations of seeking continuous unity with Christ, joy in Christ and peace in Christ. Becoming Orthodox includes the expectation of enjoying the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
The fruit of the Holy Spirit includes: "Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;"(Gal.5:22-23) Becoming Orthodox involves looking to the Triune God completely.
Orthodoxy involves living in a way pleasing to God out of a desire to love and please God. Some are faithful Orthodox Christians from infancy. Others come to Orthodoxy later in life. People become serious believers at different ages.
Being a serious Orthodox Christian means being continuously sensitive to the Cross of Christ. Being a serious Orthodox Christian means embracing the Virgin Birth, Death and Resurrection of Christ.
Being a serious Orthodox Christian involves seeking to pray continuously and seeking to refrain from sin completely.
Thankfulness to God is a considered part of being an Orthodox Christian. Being aware of the all- encompassing presence of God and manifestation of God in daily life is part of being an Orthodox Christian.
Orthodox believers are expected to be familiar with the Holy Scriptures. Orthodox believers are expected to honor and know the meaning of holy icons in Orthodox life.
Orthodox believers are expected to seek growth in Christ throughout life. Orthodox believers are expected to respond to crises and suffering in ways manifesting Christ in their lives.
Each moment of the Orthodox life is to be a decision- time for Christ. Each moment of Orthodox life is expected to be appreciated as a gift from God. Each talent and gift from God is best used to the glory of God.
Becoming Orthodox is a conscious choice directed toward the Kingdom of God. Life-long learning in Christ is an expectation. Growth in Christ is an expectation. Faithfulness to Christ is an expectation.
The joy of Christ is paramount in the life of believers. The love of Christ is paramount in the life of believers. The Cross of Christ is central to the faith of believers.
The journey to the Kingdom of God may be or long or short. Individuals choosing to be Orthodox should be prepared for the long journey but also for the shortness of life.
No one knows when Christ will return. No one knows when he or she will take his or her last breath. The Psalmist said: "Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom."(Ps.89/90:10).
During Holy Week believers are reminded of the account of the ten virgins, five wise and five foolish. The five wise virgins were prepared for the Bridegroom.
The Lord Jesus Christ said: "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour."(Mt.25:13)
Individuals make choices on what to do with the remaining time of their lives. A certain amount of individuals choose to be Orthodox Christians. When they make the choice they are set apart. How they live determines their faithfulness to the choice made. How they live determines their faithfulness to Jesus Christ.
Becoming Orthodox is about loving Jesus Christ and living for and with Jesus Christ. Becoming Orthodox is about having the Name of Jesus on the mind, in the heart and on the lips.
Becoming Orthodox is about seeking to be with Christ throughout every moment of every day. Becoming Orthodox is to say with the Holy Apostle Paul: "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me."(Gal.2:20)
Love for Christ is a consuming love. Love for Christ is a burning love. Love for Christ summons the heart, mind and soul of a person. Love for Christ brings joy to the total being.
Love for Christ brings change to a person. Values are different. Actions are different. Thoughts are different. The Holy Apostle Paul said: "Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord."(Phil.3:8)
To live in Christ is to look to Christ for self-worth. To live in Christ is to look to Christ for the lasting values in life. To live in Christ is to seek guidance from Christ in use of talents and resources.
Christ provides strength in times of adversity. Christ provides power in times of weakness. Christ provides eloquence in times of need. When a person has no place to turn and desperation sets in, Christ provides
refuge.
A person will never exhaust Christ when turning to Christ in prayer. A person will never exhaust or weaken Christ when turning to Christ in hope and joyful anticipation.
Christ understands individuals of all ages and all ethnic and national backgrounds. Christ understands all languages. Becoming Orthodox may link a person with a certain ethnic identification.
A certain ethnicity is not required to become Orthodox. Individuals of all races and ethnic backgrounds enjoy the Orthodox life.
The mind is a gift from God. Speech and decision- making powers are gifts from God. Health is a gift from God. Life is a gift from God. What a person does with life can be a person's gift and expression of appreciation to God.
Fullness of life is best experienced with God. Fullness of life comes through frequently partaking of the Precious Body and Blood of Christ. Fullness of life comes through living in peace with God, with family, neighbors and friends.
A Christian may experience enemies. The wise believer will think carefully about the words in Proverbs. Proverbs states: "When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him."(Pr.16:7) Orthodoxy is a way to achieve that peace.
ORTHODOXY
