What do think of Eastern Orthodoxy?

[Sola Scriptora]

I used to go to an Orthodox church prior to my conversion, and I can tell you that there was never a more cantankorous bunch of Judaizers! Orthodoxy is a system, just like Catholicism, of salvation BY WORKS. They taught we were to TRY to ATTAIN to be saints, whereas the NT teaches all born again believers ARE saints.

They worship Mary, despite their pitiful denials, as I watched them kneel before statues(excuse me "icons"!) of her and kiss her.

Also, there is NO SUCH OFFICE in the NT as "priest", some ritualistic, sacerdotal thing. All believers are "priests" and our "rituals" are praise and worship unto Him. They call these bogus ministers "father" so and so, in DIRECT DISOBEDIENCE to our Lord Jesus Christ, who said not to call religious leaders by that title.

They also pray to "saints" another idolatrous practice that is a lie and pointless. The outfits their leaders wear fit right in this time of year. They certainly don't dress like NT believers, but like Rabbis and priests of Baal. Jesus said to beware of those that walk in long robes and desire religious titles.

They are known to persecute born again Christians in Europe and Russia, and were in cahoots with the evil Soviet Union while they wre trying to exterminate born again Christians. They don't know the Lord, for you cannot know the Lord if you are trusting in your own righteousness to save you. They do. They stumble, just like the Jews did.

I'm sorry if this sounds harsh, but it isn't, ITS THE TRUTH. Orthodoxy is simply pagan rituals and beliefs clothed in Christian terms. It is a cult, like Catholicism is.

Edited October 30, 2004 by Sola Scriptora

[Guest Genxpastor]

I used to gp to an Orthodox church prior to my conversion, and I can tell you that there was never a more cantankorous bunch of Judaizers!  Orthodoxy is a system, just like Catholicism, of salvation BY WORKS--maybe.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Interesting. What was your conversion like?

[Fr Chuck]

As an Orthodox Bishop, I would say that the world ( esp America) has forgotten we even exist. The protestant faiths because of thier hatred of Rome, rejected so many of the Bibical truths and teachings of the early church because they consider them 'Catholic"

But they were not, since many were adapted by the Eastern Church while both East and West were one church.

Too many Christians today are blind or have been trained to beleive that Tradition of the Church is a bad thing.

The beauty of the Church, its tradition and its faith could mean so much to todays churches if they would merley be open to accept "old" ideas.

+Chuck

[stevehut]

The protestant faiths because of thier hatred of Rome, rejected so many of the Bibical truths and teachings of the early church because they consider them 'Catholic"  But they were not, since many were adapted by the Eastern Church while both East and West were one church.

Well I certainly can't speak for anyone else. But the reason why I am neither Catholic or Orthodox, is not because I hate Rome or anyone/anything else. I chose to be a nondenominational Christian because my own examination of the Scriptures has led me in this direction.

[Work in Progress]

I once took one of those online "which religion suits you?" tests........and was surprised that the number 1 match for me was "Eastern Orthodox". I have been curious about it since then.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The Eastern Church is basically the Catholic Church EXCEPT we don't believe in the Immaculate Conception, Purgortory, an Infallible Pope, forced celibacy for Priests(if you are married before your ordained a priest you stay married but you can't get married after your ordained), we use bread not wafers, our fasting is different as well and the Nicenian Creed was altered by the Catholics in the part where the Holy Spirit comes from. IT was change to include and the Son by the Catholics. There is NO pope. All the Churchs are run by Bishops, Metropolitans, Arch-Bishops and Patriarchs.

I am Greek so I go to a GreekOthodox Church here in SO.CAL. There are Albanian, Ukranian, Arab, Serbian, Bulgarian, Russian, Syrian, Ethiopian, Romanian, Armenian, and Greek churchs the beliefs are the same but the Divine Liturgy is done those respective languages and English. If you are interrested in Orthodoxy try a local yellow pages and attend the Liturgy on a Sunday. Go to different churchs. You may like going to a Syrian or Russian Church. If have ny more question dont hesitate to post.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thank you very much for explaining that.

[Fr Chuck]

One of the more interesting customs I find in many of the very Eastern Orthodox, is that there is no sitting for the entire serivice. Only a few seats allow a wall or two for the sick or elderly. And of course the various icons that can be used and available.

Of course many of the Eastern Orthodox have adapted Western Customs, even in the native lands, and do now have seating. I noticed this in one of the Coptic Orthodox churches.

But before you go, you may wish to check to see which service is in what lanague.

It is wonderful in any, but better if in a language you understand.

Many of the churches, rotate between native tounge and english,

Also the America Orthodox is a growth for those that have lost alot of thier ethinic heritiage but still want an Orthodox faith. And of course for converts to the Orthodox Church that would not really fit in a ethnic church.

And one warning, not everyone using the term Orthodox is really Orthodox, as in Eastern, or Western style.

There is one Church in Atlanta, that was called ( I beleiver) African Orthodox, they were not Orthodox, as a matter of fact they were not really even Christian.

They were a black power group formed to teach that all whites are devils and that the black jesus would come to save them from the whites. And any blacks that helped or dealth with the whites would also be doomed.

I walked into that church on a visit, thinking it was a Orthodox church from Africa.

I did not stay too long.

[greekchristian]

1- I hope you understand that during Dark Ages it was a violent time full of fear and xenophobia

2- We live in modern times now and people move to different countries. Those people want to bring with them their beliefs and views of their home nations.

3- That does not mean that they are divided!

1- Again, I am fully aware of the historical development. I have been a student of church history for a long time. This acounts for the origins of the division, but it does not justify the modern continuation of that separation.

2- Yup. Understood. And the New Testament exemplifies the pattern of people of different nations worshipping together.

3- Huh? Of Course it does. In many neighborhoods around here, they have several different national orthodox churches within a 1-5 mile radius. They should be able to worship together, and not separate themselves this way.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Orthodoxy has been persecuted by muslims, catholics and communists. We continue to suffer in muslim countries (Iran, Egypt, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Turkey, Iraq, and Sudan)

Sola Scriptora says that in Russia the Russian Church tries stop allowing American Evangelical Christians from STEALING FLOCK !! That is what it is!! We had suffered for over 80 years under the Communists now that we can openly worship again what happens people come along and try to steal FLOCK! How would you feel if you went through something like this in America???

I personally DON'T agree with what Patriarch Alexei is trying to do what BUT I don't blame him. I believe if there where HONEST dialog between the Russian Church and that group of Christians maybe something could be worked out??

In response to stevehut:

Didn't I just say that they can and DO! worship together! Dude thank you I have tried to explain to you that we are NOT racist! BUT you continue to say this and another guy Sola Scriptora calls my beliefs cantankerous and while you call it racist THANK BOTH OF YOU!!! Remember when both of you are pointing your figures that three are pointing at you!

Edited November 1, 2004 by greekchristian

[stevehut]

1- Orthodoxy has been persecuted by muslims, catholics and communists.

2- the Russian Church tries stop allowing American Evangelical Christians from STEALING FLOCK !!

3- we are NOT racist!

1- This is tragic, I agree.

2- Stealing a flock? I didn't know this was possible. I thought all believers were willing participants in whatever church they attend. Isn't this what Jesus desires, willing followers?

3- Then take the name of your country off your church.

Every college campus has a Black Students' Union. But no one dares start up a White Students Union.

[greekchristian]

1- Orthodoxy has been persecuted by muslims, catholics and communists.

2- the Russian Church tries stop allowing American Evangelical Christians from STEALING FLOCK !!

3- we are NOT racist!

1- This is tragic, I agree.

2- Stealing a flock? I didn't know this was possible. I thought all believers were willing participants in whatever church they attend. Isn't this what Jesus desires, willing followers?

3- Then take the name of your country off your church.

Every college campus has a Black Students' Union. But no one dares start up a White Students Union.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

2- Stealing a flock? I didn't know this was possible. I thought all believers were willing participants in whatever church they attend. Isn't this what Jesus desires, willing followers?

Not when they were Atheist by force of government. Russians were jailed if they were Christians! The Church barly gets back on it feet and here comes a new church! You do the Math

3- Then take the name of your country off your church.

WHY do you care so much about a name? what about Southern Baptist, Lutherains? I done arguing with you! LOOK I am a Christian First, Greek Orthodox Second ok

I didn't come here get insulted and to be accused of racism! I came here seeking Christian Unity, not to be called names. It is OBIVIOUS that you have NEVER been to a Orthodox Church in LA or anywhere else. Because if you went you would see multiethnic people in those churchs just because those churchs have the name of the place their origin is NOT to your liking!

[WayneB]

I didn't come here get insulted and to be accused of racism! I came here seeking Christian Unity, not to be called names.

Bless you greekChristian.

Please remember that those you may exchange posts with do not necessarily reflect the views of the board or the views of the membership in general.

You are very welcome at Worthy Boards and I pray you continue to share your chosen expression of your FAITH in Jesus Christ, our Lord & Savior.

I attend a Southern Baptist church, have membership in a Church of God (Cleveland, TN), was raised in a Roman Catholic church and fellowship with Pentecostals. Interestingly, my son serves as a part-time youth minister for a group of three churches... United Methodist, Presbyterian and Southern Baptist. They may have different doctrines but they are UNIFIED in the core belief in Jesus Christ as Lord & Savior, son of God, God in the flesh, born of a virgin who died for our sin and physically rose from the grave and ascended to the Father where He will one day judge all mankind.

As I told you earlier, our fellowship is with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. [1 John 1:3] You profess Jesus Christ as Lord & Savior, which is enough for me to extend the right hand of Christian fellowship to you.

Bless you,

Wayne