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The Orthodox Church

The Orthodox Church. A Brief Overview. Basic Information. There are 2.18 billion Christians (32% of world’s population) Roman Catholics comprise 50.1 % (more than 1 billion) of all Christians Eastern Orthodox comprise 11.9% (26o million)

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The Orthodox Church

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  1. The Orthodox Church A Brief Overview

  2. Basic Information • There are 2.18 billion Christians (32% of world’s population) • Roman Catholics comprise 50.1% (more than 1 billion) of all Christians • Eastern Orthodox comprise 11.9% (26o million) • Together, the Catholics and Orthodox comprise about 62% (1.35 billion) of all Christians • All other Christians are divided among 41,ooo “denominations” or church groups

  3. Basic Information • Historically, Orthodox Churches consist chiefly of Eastern and non-European Christians. • Most Orthodox Christians are found in Russia, Greece, the Middle East and Serbia • Orthodox-related Christians are also in Egypt and Ethiopia • Until around 800 A.D., Orthodox Christians were the largest single religious group in Africa

  4. Basic Information • The word “Orthodox” means “correct worship” • Greek word with 2 parts • Ortho – true or correct • Doxa – glory, worship

  5. Relationship: The Key Theme • The key theme in the Orthodox Church is “relationship” • Relationship with others • Relationship with the world • Relationship with self • These things Orthodoxy shares with other religions • Sometimes known in Eastern religions as “balance” • Most important, however, is relationship with God

  6. The Goal: Theosis • For the Orthodox, relationship with God occurs as one comes closer to God • Our will aligns with His will • Our desires are what He desires • The goal is to be not merely near God, but in God

  7. Theosis (Deification) • The Orthodox Church emphasizes that people are made by God to live in God—and for God to live in them • Theosis: living in an intimate union with God • This requires self-sacrifice—sacrificing desires, appetites, passions • In losing yourself, you become more receptive to God; you become more of who you were made to be

  8. The Importance of Jesus • For the Orthodox, Jesus bridges the gap between God and Man • He is truly divine, the Son of God • He is truly human, the son of the Virgin Mary • To be in relationship with God is to be in Christ, and to have Him literally in you • “In Him we live and move and have our being” • He is in us by the Eucharist; we are in Him by Him loving us into Himself

  9. The Role of the Holy Spirit • The Holy Spirit “introduces” one to Jesus • The Holy Spirit prepares one to receive Jesus in the Sacraments • Especially baptism, chrismation and the eucharist • The Holy Spirit grows and strengthens the relationship • Utilizing the other sacraments and sacramentals

  10. The Importance of Mass • The Orthodox Church teaches that relationship in God begins, grows, and culminates in the Divine Liturgy • Begins – Baptism, Chrismation, Eucharist • All three for infants as well as adults • Grows – Eucharist, Penance/Confession, Prayer, Fasting • Culminates – Marriage or monasticism, Anointing, Funeral

  11. Model: Marriage & Monasticism • Relationships must happen within a community • Not simply the community of the parish • Most significantly, the community of the family • The purpose of marriage and monasticism is identical—to help each other attain salvation • Blessed Karl: “Now we must help each other to go to heaven.” • Sacrifice is the key both to living in relationship

  12. Mary & the Saints • To be truly human means to be the human that God made you to be • The Virgin Mary is the model human • She is the best offering that humanity can give of itself to God • The saints also are models of what it means to be truly human

  13. Drawing it all Together • The Orthodox Church believes • In the Trinity • 3 persons – Father, Son, Holy Spirit • 1 divine essence • Philosophically impossible • A matter of faith • In Jesus Christ • God and human, born of a virgin, crucified, dead three days, rose from the dead, ascended to heaven 40 days later, will come on the Last Day

  14. Drawing it all Together • The Orthodox Church believes • Life in God is both possible and necessary • It completes who we are designed to be • The Liturgy is necessary due to the Sacraments • The sacraments are aids to salvation • The saints are both examples and support • We pray to them and they pray for us • The Church is necessary to maintain relationship • The Church consists of both the living and “departed”

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