| Subject | Date Asked |
|
| greek orthodox/roman catholic | 11/21/2009 |
Q: my boyfriend and his family want our son to be baptized as a Greek orthodox like he was but i was ...
A: Jay, You do indeed have a dilemma. You have several of them. Your message is short on details, so ...
|
| Christians and killing | 11/17/2009 |
Q: My questions arise from a conflict I have in resolving the idea of a Christian killing another human ...
A: Daniel, Remember that God is the Author of life. Death, as the end of life, is always contrary to ...
|
| marriage | 11/13/2009 |
Q: Father Anatole, My Fiance is Catholic and we will be married in the Catholic church; my home town ...
A: Stephen, First, I am NOT "Father" anything. I am an unordained Orthodox Christian. Second, where ...
|
| Mary's Sinlessness | 11/12/2009 |
Q: One of the greatest hurdles for a Protestant moving to Orthodoxy are the various traditions ...
A: Damiel, I have a Godson who loved everything about Orthodoxy except for the iconography. He ...
|
| Laity in the Orthodox Church | 11/10/2009 |
Q: I am curious about the role of the laity in the Orthodox church. When I was a Roman Catholic the ...
A: Anil, Unlike Rome, which attempted to maintain unity by enforcing a common language of worship ...
|
| Marriage | 11/2/2009 |
Q: On 7/23/08 you answered a question by Harmony about marriage. In your response to her question you ...
A: Daniel, Please forgive me. I erred in not making it clear that my answer was based on the current ...
|
| History of Eastern Church | 11/1/2009 |
Q: With my retirement, I have developed a sincere interest in the history of the early so called ...
A: Michael, Although Orthodox history does have its bloodier moments, it doesn't even approach the ...
|
| Theotokos | 10/31/2009 |
Q: I have converted (or reverted) to Orthodoxy from a Protestant tradition. I understand the concept of ...
A: Daniel, Exactly! Acquiring the mind of Christ, learning to see things from God's perspective, is ...
|
| Are all saved? | 10/30/2009 |
Q: I noticed a number of questions that you responded to regarding salvation. From what you say in your ...
A: Daniel, You may have seen this before. If so, please forgive me for repeating myself. In the ...
|
| Theotokos | 10/30/2009 |
Q: I have converted (or reverted) to Orthodoxy from a Protestant tradition. I understand the concept of ...
A: Daniel, First, welcome home! Second, remember the first rule of Orthodox liturgics: If it's worth ...
|
| An orthdox view on marriage | 10/28/2009 |
Q: I am soon to be married. In prepartion for this I am reading "Preserve them oh Lord" by Fr. Mack. In ...
A: Al, I am not familiar with Fr Mack's writings. The importance of marriage in the Orthodox Church ...
|
| The Reformation | 10/26/2009 |
Q: The celebration of the Reformation will be celebrated this coming weekend. Depending on which branch ...
A: Al, Forget the theology for a moment. Just do the arithmetic. After the split, Rome was on one ...
|
| examples in OT that Jesus was coming | 10/26/2009 |
Q: Alex, Please can you give me several examples in the old Testament regarding the coming of the Lord ...
A: Tim, Moses parting the Red Sea is taken as a prefigurement of Christ. The burning bush is taken as ...
|
| The Reformation | 10/25/2009 |
Q: The celebration of the Reformation will be celebrated this coming weekend. Depending on which branch ...
A: Al, Why didn't the Reformation spread over to the Orthodox churches? Because we we didn't need it. ...
|
| The See of St. Peter | 10/21/2009 |
Q: I am in complete agreement. Perhaps the wording of my previous question was unclear. I suppose what ...
A: Katherina, <<Why was the Roman Church given primacy of honour in the early church?>> Because Rome ...
|
| The See of St. Peter | 10/20/2009 |
Q: I am an Orthodox Christian. I have a question regarding why Catholics and Orthodox have such varied ...
A: Katherina, We are not separated from Rome. Rome separates itself from us. And here is how they ...
|
| music | 10/15/2009 |
Q: this may seem like an odd question. How significant is music (modern and old) in religion both now ...
A: Tim, Music has always been an indispensable part of corporate worship, and this is true of every ...
|
| marriage | 10/13/2009 |
Q: From an orthodox perspective does Matt.19:6 teach that God brings two specific people together for ...
A: Arlangole, Matt.19 [3] The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it ...
|
| Entry | 10/6/2009 |
Q: I am a Christian. The more I study Orthodoxy I believe you have the true communion and most of your ...
A: Paul, I did answer your question - but not in the way you wanted to hear. No one will force you to ...
|
| Entry | 10/5/2009 |
Q: I am a Christian. The more I study Orthodoxy I believe you have the true communion and most of your ...
A: Paul, The Feast of the Assumption of the Theotokos is a major feast on the Orthodox liturgical ...
|
| salvation | 9/26/2009 |
Q: First of all I should point out that I am not a Christian, I am a convert (revert) to Islam from a ...
A: Having declared that you have no intention of converting to Christianity, I fail to see why I should ...
|
| Question About Infant Baptism | 9/21/2009 |
Q: I need some clarification about Orthodox baptism of infants. I was baptized as a Roman Catholic, and ...
A: Amanda, The church of Rome departed from the Apostolic Faith over a thousand years ago. What ...
|
| Question About Infant Baptism | 9/19/2009 |
Q: I need some clarification about Orthodox baptism of infants. I was baptized as a Roman Catholic, and ...
A: Amanda, The Orthodox Church has been Baptizing naked babies by full immersion (that's what ...
|
| cross | 9/16/2009 |
Q: The orthodox recently celebrated the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. How does the church deal with ...
A: Al, Even the Fathers have an off day now and then. If St John Chrysostom was speaking literally of ...
|
| complicated question about a divorce | 9/13/2009 |
Q: I am catholic and god married to a Greek Orthodox woman. Our life together was unhappy. After nearly ...
A: George, If your wife commits adultery, you have two choices. 1) Forgive her, and do what you can ...
|
| Any hope for marriage | 9/13/2009 |
Q: I'm a baptized Orthodox who is currently married by civic ceremony to a unbaptized man who holds no ...
A: Olga, Orthodoxy does not permit marriage between an Orthodox Christian and a non-Christian. Nor ...
|
| complicated question about a divorce | 9/13/2009 |
Q: I am catholic and god married to a Greek Orthodox woman. Our life together was unhappy. After nearly ...
A: George, My deepest condolences on the failure of your marriage. The Orthodox Church does not grant ...
|
| Eternal Happiness | 9/5/2009 |
Q: Can you tell me what is Eternal Happiness? Can you give me a diagram of how the process works?
A: Henry, In the first chapter of Genesis, in verses 26 and 27, we learn that God created mankind in ...
|
| Syriac Orthodoxy vs. Non-denonminational | 9/2/2009 |
Q: What are the differences between of a non-denominational church as to a Syriac Orthodox Church? ...
A: Nicole, If by "non-denominational" you mean some single congregation Protestant sect, then there ...
|
| Ignosticism | 8/31/2009 |
Q: How do you answer to Ignosticism or the theological noncognitivist position? It's the position not ...
A: Jonathan, People who are determined to not believe will not be swayed by any evidence or argument. ...
|
| 40 days after death | 8/29/2009 |
Q: Please can you explain the significance of the 40 day memorial service after someones death? ...
A: Tim, We have almost no clue what happens after we die. We pray for our departed because we love ...
|
| 40 days after death | 8/29/2009 |
Q: Please can you explain the significance of the 40 day memorial service after someones death?
A: Tim, In the Scriptures, 40 is used as a symbolic number. It is the number which represents a long ...
|
| Greek Black orthodox komboskini Cross necklace with blue bead what does it mean/represent? | 8/14/2009 |
Q: I have a greek orthodox Black komboskini Cross necklace with blue bead what does it mean/represent? ...
A: Kylie. It represents the cross - that thing they nailed Jesus to. It's knotted because un-knotted ...
|
| greek/armenian wedding and baptism | 8/11/2009 |
Q: My husband is greek orthodox and i am Armenian orthodox(gregorian). We got married in the Armenian ...
A: Stapanie, Technically, the Armenians are not in Communion with the Orthodox. But the situation is ...
|
| communion | 8/11/2009 |
Q: Why would it be wrong for an orthodox christian to take communion from another christian church such ...
A: Al, The Mystery (Sacrament) of Communion within the Orthodox Church is not a mere memorial. It is ...
|
| Funeral Rites | 8/6/2009 |
Q: My Bulgarian step father passed away and we are preparing for a 40 day remembrance service at the ...
A: Maria, My deepest condolences. May his memory be eternal. I believe Russians and other Slavs call ...
|
| main difference between christianity with the church of england & greek orthodox | 7/31/2009 |
Q: please could you tell me the main differences between greek orthodox & the church of england. i have ...
A: Gemma, You raise several interesting and important questions. Let's' take them one at a time. << ...
|
| 1 Tim | 7/29/2009 |
Q: I have been reading First Timothy and have a few questions ... I will simply refer to the passages ...
A: Rami, First of all, the verses you site need to be understood in the contest of the time, place, ...
|
| Ten Commandments | 7/28/2009 |
Q: I have been doing some research on the ten commandments and it appears that the ten commandments are ...
A: Nick, Liturgically, the Orthodox still start the day at sunset and end it the following sunset. ...
|
| Ten Commandments | 7/27/2009 |
Q: I have been doing some research on the ten commandments and it appears that the ten commandments are ...
A: Nick, Orthodoxy sees the Old Testament as a prophesy pointing toward the New Testament. We see the ...
|
| Which Saints? | 7/25/2009 |
Q: I was wondering if you would be able to tell which Saints are depicted on this cross. ...
A: Michael, In the center is the icon of the Theotokos, calling all to faith in her Son, Jesus, the ...
|
| destination baptism | 7/24/2009 |
Q: I have a question about a "destination" baptism. I am having my second child and we are considering ...
A: Laura, You never converted to Greek Orthodoxy. You converted to ORTHODOXY! Jesus wasn't Greek. ...
|
| Eastern Orthodox Church | 7/22/2009 |
Q: Why did the One Christian Church divide into Eastern and Catholic Churches
A: Hasani, Have you ever heard of the "Filioque?" If so, do you know it's history and impact? The ...
|
| Canon Prayers | 7/22/2009 |
Q: Sir, I am aware of prayers such as canons for the sick and departed (as well as those to Christ and ...
A: Christopher, Perhaps I need to know what you mean by the term "lost"? Do you mean lost ...
|
| Canon Prayers | 7/21/2009 |
Q: Sir, I am aware of prayers such as canons for the sick and departed (as well as those to Christ and ...
A: Christopher, Orthodoxy does indeed have a wealth of prayers, many composed by Saints and ...
|
| Godparents | 7/20/2009 |
Q: I am Greek Orthodox and a friend of mine who is a Christian but not Greek Orthodox has asked me to ...
A: Alexia, This is a bad idea for several reasons. 1) As an Orthodox Christian, you would risk ...
|
| Greeks and worship | 7/17/2009 |
Q: Upon becoming an Orthodox Christian, i found out that the Greeks in Greece have a very low church ...
A: Michelle, The answer to your question is as shameful as it is simple. The Orthodox in Greece (and ...
|
| Godparents | 7/14/2009 |
Q: My wife and I are both Greek Orthodox and expecting our second child. It is very important to us ...
A: Marios, First, congratulations on expected birth of your second child! Second, in my experience it ...
|
| theology/dogma | 7/12/2009 |
Q: I have been told that the 15 separate but equal patriarchs have the exact same theology. Since I ...
A: Margaret, All Orthodox jurisdictions recite the same Nicene Creed. All serve the same liturgy. ...
|
| question | 7/8/2009 |
Q: What does the Church believe about other Church which are not part of the orthodox faith but have ...
A: Raul, There are a couple of Orthodox parishes somewhat closer to you than San Antonio. Here is the ...
|
| question | 7/7/2009 |
Q: What does the Church believe about other Church which are not part of the orthodox faith but have ...
A: Raul, Orthodoxy is still very young in this country I assume you're in the USA.) There are, ...
|
| question | 7/7/2009 |
Q: What does the Church believe about other Church which are not part of the orthodox faith but have ...
A: Raul, When non-Orthodox churches teach Orthodox doctrine, we rejoice that they have preserved some ...
|
| newborn baptism | 7/7/2009 |
Q: I'll be godfather to a friends newborn baby. What exactly do I need to buy for the baptism?
A: John, Congratulations! It is a great honor, and a greater responsibility, to assume the task of ...
|
| baptism | 7/5/2009 |
Q: does an adult need a godparent already a christian?
A: Katie, I just answered your first and more detailed question. But if this portion of my answer was ...
|
| baptism | 7/5/2009 |
Q: I would like to become married in a church in Sveti Vlas in Bulgaria. We have been told that it is ...
A: Katie, If I understand you correctly, your only interest in Orthodoxy is your desire to hold your ...
|
| question | 7/5/2009 |
Q: Exactly what relationship does the Church have with non orthodox Members it sounds like its no ...
A: Raul, <<Exactly what relationship does the Church have with non orthodox Members it sounds like its ...
|
| Online Seminarys | 6/30/2009 |
Q: Brother in Christ do you know any good online orthodox Seminarys? And does your Church allow ...
A: Raul, Orthodoxy ordains married men to the offices of Deacon and Priest. But men who are already ...
|
| Gnomic Will vs. Essential Will | 6/28/2009 |
Q: I was confused as to one aspect of this topic. The Sixth Ecumenical Council declared that in the ...
A: Christopher, Christ has two essential wills because he is the Hypostasis (Person) of two essences ...
|
| Trading on Sunday | 6/15/2009 |
Q: I run a small shop working 6 days a week. On Sunday i do not work, however my part time employee, ...
A: Tim, First, the Sabbath is from sunset Friday till sunset Saturday. No part of Sunday is the ...
|
| defiled hands | 6/10/2009 |
Q: If a priest is living in habitual sin,does God still answer his prayers in consecrating the ...
A: Al, I've already answered your question, but perhaps I did not make myself perfectly clear. We ...
|
| defiled hands | 6/9/2009 |
Q: If a priest is living in habitual sin,does God still answer his prayers in consecrating the ...
A: Al, Who among us does not sin? The idea that a Priest or Bishop who is a sinner is unworthy and ...
|
| batisam | 6/8/2009 |
Q: I was baptised in a prodasint churchas as child 63 years ago.I have not attended and have not ...
A: Darrell, As the Nicene Creed says, we believe in one Baptism. If you have been baptized in the ...
|
| Non-Christian baptism into Greek Orthodox | 6/8/2009 |
Q: I was brought up as not Christian nor following any religion, although I am not an Atheist. I now ...
A: Angela, The only reason to be baptized is to become a follower of Christ. The Orthodox Church ...
|
| Difference in churches | 6/8/2009 |
Q: What is the difference in a Coptic Orthodox Church and Eastern Orthodox Church? ANSWER: Tammy, ...
A: Tammy, Relations between the Orthodox and the Copts are very close and cooperative, and have been ...
|
| organ donors | 6/6/2009 |
Q: Alex, what does our faith tell us regarding organ and blood donation while alive / dead?
A: Tim, Several yars ago I wrotean editorial piece on the orthodox view of organ donation. My Bishop ...
|
| Difference in churches | 6/5/2009 |
Q: What is the difference in a Coptic Orthodox Church and Eastern Orthodox Church?
A: Tammy, Strictly speaking, the Copts believe that Jesus has one nature, a blend of divine and human ...
|
| Orthodox | 5/24/2009 |
Q: Fr Anthonny
A: Christ is risen! Fr Anthony, Orthodoxy is not a big proponent of standardized educational ...
|
| other planets | 5/22/2009 |
Q: My question is, what does our faith tell us about the creation of other planets and why there's no ...
A: Christos anesti! Tim, Do you remember the Scriptural account of the encounter of the Theotokos ...
|
| other planets | 5/21/2009 |
Q: My question is, what does our faith tell us about the creation of other planets and why there's no ...
A: Christ is risen! Tim, Orthodoxy spends very little time speculating about questions which don't ...
|
| angels | 5/17/2009 |
Q: In one of my orthodox sources I notice angels sometimes are called guardian angels. Why would they ...
A: Christ is risen! Al, "Angel" means "messenger." Throughout the Scriptures, Angels serve as ...
|
| armenian Gregorians | 5/12/2009 |
Q: My husband is an Armenian Gregorian. As far as im aware he shares the same religion as me(orthodox). ...
A: Christ is risen! Margarita, Technically, Armenians are monophysites. Their church teaches that ...
|
| Chiliasm and the Fathers. | 5/11/2009 |
Q: I have been reading the Fathers and I notice that the majority of Ante-Nicene Fathers believe in ...
A: Christ is risen! Ray, The first generation of Christians also believed that Christ would return in ...
|
| NIETSZCHE AND THE WORSHIP OF GOD | 5/10/2009 |
Q: The philosopher Nietszche said that he could not believe in a God who wants to be praised all the ...
A: Christ is risen! Mike, God did not create us because He was lonely, or because there is anything ...
|
| baptism | 5/7/2009 |
Q: The questions below are being asked as result of a nasty feud between me and a woman called Kay. We ...
A: Christ is risen! Margirita, 1) While the Orthodox church does not marry Orthodox Christians to ...
|
| Canon law on marriage | 5/4/2009 |
Q: Is marriage between first cousins once removed forbidden by canon law?
A: Christ is risen! Basil, Cousin: The child of one's uncle or aunt. Children of brothers or ...
|
| Armenian Baptism | 5/4/2009 |
Q: I was baptized, confirmed & married in the Armenian Apostolic Church, when I die, will I be able to ...
A: Janet, I suspect there is some information missing from your question. Therefore my answer will ...
|
| greek orthodox baptism gift | 4/28/2009 |
Q: I am interested in finding out saint info. My friend's baby's name is Asher and I wanted to get a ...
A: Christ is risen! Marissa, An icon of the child's patron Saint would be most appropriate as a ...
|
| The Eucharist | 4/27/2009 |
Q: I was told by a Protestant that the Early Church Fahers was agaisnt eating actual body and blood of ...
A: Christ is risen! Ray, I never tire of the stories Protestants invent to dismiss the Gospel. I ...
|
| Differences | 4/26/2009 |
Q: Christ is Risen!! I am contacting you in hopes to help me understand the religion in which my ...
A: Christ is risen! Erin, I understand your experience. Having been born to Orthodox parents, and ...
|
| Theosis | 4/25/2009 |
Q: Could you please explain how the Resurrection and Theosis can both be accepted as Truth? ANSWER: ...
A: Matt, Christ saved the whole cosmos, and mankind in particular, from enslavement to death and sin. ...
|
| Theosis | 4/24/2009 |
Q: Could you please explain how the Resurrection and Theosis can both be accepted as Truth?
A: Christ is risen! Matt, You have asked an interesting question! In the Scriptures the word ...
|
| Orthodox and Lutherans | 4/10/2009 |
Q: I was curious if you thought there might be some hope of union between Lutherans and the Eastern ...
A: Brad, I am sorry to say that the majority of Lutherans have done more than drift a bit. They have ...
|
| wedding music | 4/9/2009 |
Q: What are the titles of the hymns that are usually sung at an orthodox wedding? Also what is ...
A: Al, Normally, Orthodox services are sung or chanted, except for the sermon. This applies to ...
|
| Orthodox Wedding | 4/9/2009 |
Q: I was wondering if in an orthodox wedding the bride and groom must meet outside the church and enter ...
A: The traditional Orthodox wedding rite has the bride and groom exchange rings in the narthex, at the ...
|
| Eastern Orthodox Wedding | 4/8/2009 |
Q: My fiance and I have begun to plan our wedding. I have made the decision to convert to Serbian ...
A: Stressed, First, congratulations on your upcoming wedding! My God bless your union with all good ...
|
| baptism and marriage | 4/6/2009 |
Q: I am greek orthodox and all the people in this question are as well. I would like to ask you a ...
A: Panagiotis, No matter what I say, PLEAS check it out with your own Priest! That said, although ...
|
| Eastern Orthodox to marry a Baptist | 3/15/2009 |
Q: A Bulgarian friend (Eastern Orthodox) is about to marry a bride from Romania (Baptist). The idea is ...
A: Rossen, Orthodox Christians, though they may marry non-Orthodox Christians, must be married by an ...
|
| statues in the church | 3/8/2009 |
Q: Orthodox churches have icons. Is the catholic church almost violating old testment commandments of ...
A: Al, There are no specific canons of iconography which prohibit statues as icons. In fact, there ...
|
| Prodigal Daughter wants to return with Husband | 3/7/2009 |
Q: Can a Greek Orthodox who converted to another religion in order to get married come back to the ...
A: Effie, Though it is not clear from your question, I am going to assume that you are the prodigal ...
|
| what role does God play in my life? | 3/3/2009 |
Q: According to Orthodox Christianity what role does God play in my life? For instance, should I assume ...
A: Jonathan, This is a most complex question, and holds the potential for much error and confusion. ...
|
| Baptising a non orthodox child | 2/28/2009 |
Q: I am greek orthodox, and married a husband who baptised to my religion. His niece is having a baby, ...
A: Artemis, No, it is not ok for you to be the Godmother to a non-Orthodox child. 1) A Godparent's ...
|
| Wheat Allergy and Communion | 2/27/2009 |
Q: I am allergic to wheat. If I were to take Holy Communion every week it would slowly get worst. What ...
A: Mike, The first thing to do is talk to your Priest. There are several alternatives he might ...
|
| Orthadox Baptizim | 2/19/2009 |
Q: I am going to be baptized Greek Orthodox as an adult. Can you tell me what the tradition is for me ...
A: G, By custom, your Godmother provides the cross and chain you will wear after you are baptized and ...
|
| book of corinthians | 2/17/2009 |
Q: From an orthodox perspective, the rebellious group in the corinthian church that paul consistently ...
A: Al, No book or epistle in the New Testament is addressed to anyone outside of the Church. That St ...
|
| The End Times | 2/16/2009 |
Q: I am Armenian Orthodox. They believe that Jesus Christ Our Lord will come in 2015. I of course don't ...
A: David, I am so sorry that your mother and sister have been deluded by Protestants. Pray for them. ...
|
| Conversion | 2/7/2009 |
Q: I have a friend who was baptised in a non-denominational church. However, she told me that she ...
A: Tamara, If your friend's Bishop accepted her previous baptism and Trinitarian and valid, then it is ...
|
| paranormal phenomena | 2/3/2009 |
Q: Please could you tell me what the Orthodox Church's understanding is of paranormal phenomena such as ...
A: David, It is the opinion of most Orthodox, and of our spiritual leaders especially, that most of ...
|
| Iconostasis Tiers | 2/2/2009 |
Q: Which prophets are customarily depicted and in what order are they arranged on the Prophets' Tier - ...
A: John, Although certain features of the Iconostasis have become standardized over the centuries, ...
|
| Marriage godparents | 2/2/2009 |
Q: My fiance and I are both Eastern Christian Orthodox and are getting married. Of our godparents, I ...
A: Ida, Congratulations on you upcoming wedding! I pray God that He may fill your lives with many ...
|
| Marriage | 1/28/2009 |
Q: I am a Greek Orthodox girl. My fiance has never been baptized before. We plan to get married in ...
A: Georgia, These are questions you need to be discussing with your Priest, and the sooner the better. ...
|
| Marian apparitions | 1/26/2009 |
Q: What has been the orthodox church's view on the Bernadate story Marian apparition,especially if I am ...
A: Al, First of all, I am not "Fr" Alex. I am an unordained layman. Second, I am not aware of any ...
|
| Marian apparitions | 1/23/2009 |
Q: What has been the orthodox church's view on the Bernadate story Marian apparition,especially if I am ...
A: Al, We Orthodoxy do our best to keep our noses out of heterodox apparitions. But if the apparition ...
|
| Eastern Orthodox Receiving Communion at Roman Catholic Wedding | 1/8/2009 |
Q: I was baptized in the Orthodox Church. Can I take communion as part of my wedding Mass in the Roman ...
A: Jeff, No, as an Orthodox Christian you may not receive Communion or any other Sacrament - including ...
|
| primacy of peter | 1/7/2009 |
Q: if phillip was the first called then how can catholics say that peter is the miin apostle?
A: Ted, I hope you realize that you are asking this question of someone who is NOT Roman Catholic. ...
|
| Christus Victor | 1/6/2009 |
Q: I recently read Christus Victor by Gustav Aulen, The River of Fire, along with The Meaning of ...
A: Benjamin, In the Western sense that the Father redirected His anger at humanity toward His only ...
|
| non-orthodox godparents | 1/2/2009 |
Q: I have read your response to Nada's question with respect to the disallowal of non-orthodox ...
A: Marija, I'm a little confused. You said... <<My daughter's husband has, sadly, never been ...
|
| Infant death | 12/28/2008 |
Q: The Greek Orthodox daughter of a friend just lost twins that she had carried for 6 months. There ...
A: Victoria, Either flowers or a donation to charity would be equally appropriate. If you choose to ...
|
| children born into orthodox-muslim parents | 12/8/2008 |
Q: I am a Christian Orthodox woman who happened to fall in love with a wonderful, respectful, ...
A: E, According to Orthodox Canon Law, and according to the Scriptures themselves, marriage between ...
|
| Sex, Virginity, and No Marriage | 12/4/2008 |
Q: I'm an Orthodox Male, 19 Years old, and was wondering. I'm currently involved in a premarital sexual ...
A: Stephan, There is no way to recover virginity. Once it's gone, it's gone forever. However, having ...
|
| canon law and age of future bride and groom | 11/30/2008 |
Q: Is there any guidance in canon law pertaining to age differences between two Orthodox Christians who ...
A: Seraphim. There are limits on how closely the bride and groom can be related, but no limits on how ...
|
| conversion | 11/25/2008 |
Q: I am an evangelical exploring orthodoxy for about two years.I have a deep desire to convert. My ...
A: Alfred, Believe it or not, I have a friend at my parish who married a wonderful Chinese girl. They ...
|
| Separation of Jesus from God while on the cross | 11/20/2008 |
Q: Alex, While at Bible Study this evening, we were reading and discussing Mark 14 - 16. When we came ...
A: Jana, I agree that Christ was quoting the opening lines of Psalm 22. Though this psalm begins with ...
|
| Church attendance | 11/16/2008 |
Q: I'm 15 and being raised by 2 Southern Baptists, but I'd like to become Orthodox-and I have a ...
A: Bradley, By Bishop, now 85, and his sister were raised by Baptist parents. And it was right at ...
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| orthodox marriage/catholic baptism | 11/15/2008 |
Q: I want to have a Greek orthodox wedding since that is how I was raised but my significant other is ...
A: Maria, If you do not baptize your children into the Orthodox Church, you will automatically ...
|
| changing godparents after baptism | 11/11/2008 |
Q: I recently had a falling out with my daughter's godparents, whose child I have also baptised (we ...
A: Joanne, It's bad enough when ties of love are severed between strangers. It is tragic when a ...
|
| Eastern Othodox theological practices | 11/8/2008 |
Q: 1. how many Patriarchs/Metropolians in the Eastern Othodox Church are there? 2. is the theology ...
A: Margaret, There are about 15 autocephalous Orthodox jurisdictions (those who elect and consecrate ...
|
| Godparent | 11/5/2008 |
Q: I am Greek Orthodox and I have baptized a boy. I was now asked to be a Godmother to a baby girl. ...
A: Angie, You've answered your own question. If you are Godmother to a boy and also Godmother to a ...
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| baptism | 11/4/2008 |
Q: my boyfriend and i have been talking very seriously about marriage, children etc but i have a myriad ...
A: Victoria, I think you need to find another man to marry. 1) As an Orthodox Christian, you are ...
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| Orthodox Godmother | 10/31/2008 |
Q: My friends who have a baby are going to baptize him in a Catholic church. I am Eastern Orthodox. Can ...
A: If your intent is to steer that child into the Orthodox Church, and if the parents support this ...
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| Orthodox Godmother | 10/30/2008 |
Q: My friends who have a baby are going to baptize him in a Catholic church. I am Eastern Orthodox. Can ...
A: Larissa, As the Godmother, can you bring up that child to believe that the Church of Rome is the ...
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| Eastern Orthodox Wedding | 10/27/2008 |
Q: My fiance and I are starting to plan our wedding. He is Serbian Orthodox and I was baptized in a ...
A: Melissa, First, allow me to congratulate you on your decision to convert to Orthodoxy! I hope you ...
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| Baptism | 10/15/2008 |
Q: What is the importance or meaning behind not cutting a child's hair before they are baptized?
A: Jenna, The custom of not cutting a child's hair before he is baptized is just that - it's a custom, ...
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| christening an infant | 10/14/2008 |
Q: my son is 13 months old and will be christened next weekend in Russian orthodox church in Germany. I ...
A: Mila, Sorry, but your sister is too closely related to be your childs Godmother. She can't be the ...
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| Godfather | 10/13/2008 |
Q: I'm Roman Catholic for many years. My husband is Eastern Orthodox (Serbian Orthodox)and we would ...
A: Aneta, I will answer your questions as correctly, truthfully, and honestly as I can. But I must ...
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| excommunication | 10/8/2008 |
Q: how does one know if they are excommunicated from the church? do you receive a letter verifying ...
A: Angela, Is the Priest a problem because he won't talk to you? Or is he a problem because you don't ...
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| excommunication | 10/7/2008 |
Q: how does one know if they are excommunicated from the church? do you receive a letter verifying ...
A: Angela, The Church does not excommunicate people. People excommunicate themselves. On occasion, ...
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| Orthodoxy and Purgatory | 9/18/2008 |
Q: What is the Orthodox position of the Roman Catholic doctrine of purgatory? Do we believe this? If ...
A: Cyril, The Orthodox Church has never taught anything resembling "purgatory." No Ecumenical Council ...
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| Bias Bible translations. | 9/12/2008 |
Q: Is there an English Bible that translates correctly? For example in Acts 13 when it says they were ...
A: Michael, The best I could suggest is the newly published Orthodox Study Bible. The problem is that ...
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| Beliver baptism | 9/8/2008 |
Q: Say someone is baptized as an infant, but as they grow, they do not keep the faith and maybe even ...
A: Michael, I'd say you're on your way to understanding salvation and theosis from the Orthodox ...
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| Beliver baptism | 9/8/2008 |
Q: Say someone is baptized as an infant, but as they grow, they do not keep the faith and maybe even ...
A: Michael, In the Scriptures the word "salvation" is used in two distinct yet inseparable meanings. ...
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| Beliver baptism | 9/7/2008 |
Q: Say someone is baptized as an infant, but as they grow, they do not keep the faith and maybe even ...
A: Michael, The way of Christ is never smooth and simple. We struggle to grow in the faith day by day ...
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| Question on Greek Orthodox Church | 9/2/2008 |
Q: I have recently come across a reference to the "International Episcopal Greek Orthodox Commission" ...
A: Everard, I know that all Greek Orthodox parishes outside of Greece have been placed under the ...
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| Jewish woman | 9/2/2008 |
Q: Do you know of any Jewish women who have converted? I want to marry an Egyptian coptic but need ...
A: Karen, Well, there was this girl named Miriam. But that was a long time ago. Seriously, I have ...
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| God command of killing | 8/25/2008 |
Q: An Atheist asked me if your God Jesus is love and love us then why He command Saul to killed every ...
A: Nick, Is there a pebble anywhere in the universe which God did no create and does not own? I have ...
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| Attending a Greek Orthodox Service For the First Time | 8/22/2008 |
Q: I will be attending my first Greek Orthodox church service this Sunday. I am, of course, an ...
A: Timothy, 1) Bring a live chicken so that when everyone else bites the head off theirs, you won't ...
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| Matthew 12 | 8/21/2008 |
Q: In the twelfth chapter of Matthew, did Jesus disrespect Mary by refusing to speak with her? If so, ...
A: Alex, Christ, being God-the-Son, cannot sin. To sin is to act contrary to God's will. God cannot ...
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| Throne and Lamb | 8/21/2008 |
Q: according to Eastern Orthodox Who is sit on the Throne in Revelation 4:10 and who is the lamb in ...
A: Nick, <<Who is sit[ting] on the Throne in Revelation 4:10>> Jesus, of course. The four beasts, ...
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| Gree orthodox Christening for a baby girl | 8/21/2008 |
Q: My husband and I have been invited to the christening of his very close cousins daughter. Her ...
A: Anita, The girl's Godmother will provide the Baptismal cross for her Goddaughter. I would say an ...
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| Forgiveness | 8/19/2008 |
Q: What does it mean for a person's sins to be forgiven? Does it mean that God is no longer angry at ...
A: Alex, We confess our sin to Christ. In Apostolic times Christians confessed their sin before the ...
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| Forgiveness | 8/18/2008 |
Q: What does it mean for a person's sins to be forgiven? Does it mean that God is no longer angry at ...
A: Alex, He meant that the bread we offer truly becomes Christ's body and the wine we offer truly ...
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| Forgiveness | 8/16/2008 |
Q: What does it mean for a person's sins to be forgiven? Does it mean that God is no longer angry at ...
A: Alex, Before I can comment on what it means for our sins to be forgiven, I have to explain how ...
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| Doctrine of Original Sin | 8/13/2008 |
Q: Augustine developed the doctrine of Original Sin which was adopted by the Western church. Has ...
A: Lance, No. Orthodoxy has never fallen for Augustine's version of original sin. Orthodoxy believes ...
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| Convert | 8/10/2008 |
Q: I have attended several Orthodox Churches and have read and embrassed the teachings of Orthodoxy and ...
A: Rudy, As you may have noticed, Orthodoxy does not use a high pressure sales pitch. If you want to ...
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| Eastern Orthodox theology | 8/7/2008 |
Q: I would like to convert to Eastern Orthodoxy, mainly because I agree with the Church's view of ...
A: Alex, You've asked some excellent questions. Unfortunately, each one could generate a few volumes ...
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| Conversion | 7/31/2008 |
Q: How would I convert to Orthodoxy?
A: Alex, The best way is to find a local Orthodox parish and begin attending. The following parish ...
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| Icon | 7/27/2008 |
Q: Please follow the link to some pictures of a greek Icon, it was made in greece in 1923. There is a ...
A: Cindi, Since I don't read Greek, the only thing I can read on the back of the icon is the date, ...
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| conversion/marriage | 7/23/2008 |
Q: I am reading on history of Christianity, as told by catholic and protestant authors. I have not read ...
A: Pedro, For an overview of Christian history, theology, and worship, I would highly recommend two ...
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| Communion | 7/19/2008 |
Q: I read your answer regarding who may receive communion in the Orthodox church. My question is did ...
A: Sarah, It seems your true colors are emerging! You say, "The Catholics and Methodists recite the ...
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| Communion | 7/18/2008 |
Q: I read your answer regarding who may receive communion in the Orthodox church. My question is did ...
A: Sarah, You say, "I feel that if any baptized Christian desires the body and blood of Jesus, who is ...
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| Orthodoxy and Catholicism | 7/7/2008 |
Q: Christ Is Risen! I have a several question. 1) How do The Orthodox Church see the Roman Catholic ...
A: Ramon, I have not studied these two councils. Normally when we refer to the Ecumenical councils we ...
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| Orthodoxy and Catholicism | 7/7/2008 |
Q: Christ Is Risen! I have a several question. 1) How do The Orthodox Church see the Roman Catholic ...
A: He is risen indeed! Ramon, While some would argue that Rome is merely in schism, I would say that ...
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| Orthodox conversion | 7/4/2008 |
Q: My fiance is Greek (orthodox), and we want to start our life together in a traditional orthodox ...
A: Harmony, Your kind words are totally undeserved. I have had good teachers. I owe them a great ...
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| Orthodox conversion | 7/3/2008 |
Q: My fiance is Greek (orthodox), and we want to start our life together in a traditional orthodox ...
A: Harmony, I have mostly good news and a little bad news for you. So let's take it a statement at a ...
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| marrying into a serbian family | 6/10/2008 |
Q: i don't go to church and i am not christened. my partner is Serbian. is there away around getting ...
A: Amanda, First, I would never advise a person to be baptized if doing so runs contrary to their own ...
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| Several doctrinal questions. | 6/4/2008 |
Q: I have several questions about the Eastern Orthodox Church (going to covert soon): 1) Does the ...
A: Ramon, Despite the Christ's command to baptize in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the ...
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| Several doctrinal questions. | 6/3/2008 |
Q: I have several questions about the Eastern Orthodox Church (going to covert soon): 1) Does the ...
A: Ramon, Christ is risen! 1) Does the Eastern Orthodox Church accept the Evangelical doctrine of ...
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| What Orthodox Church is right for us? | 6/2/2008 |
Q: My girlfriend and I plan on getting married in an Orthodox Church. I moved away from my hometown ...
A: Andrew, Christ is risen! Being am member of the OCA myself, I recommend the OCA. But all Orthodox ...
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| christening both in orthodox and catholic church | 5/31/2008 |
Q: I am a Greek Orthodox Christian and my husband is a Roman Catholic. We are expecting our first child ...
A: Christos anesti! Percy, No, there is no way to have your child christened in both churches. Your ...
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| regarding baptism | 5/21/2008 |
Q: my daughter will be baptized in the following weeks. she is 23 years old. i never had her baptized ...
A: Mary, Christ is risen! First, never be afraid to approach your Priest with this question or any ...
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| godmother | 5/15/2008 |
Q: Russian orthodox godmother be a relative like a Aunty
A: Paul, Christ is risen! The original 2nd century reason for a Godparent was to educate an inquirer ...
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| divorce and communion | 5/11/2008 |
Q: I recently went through Catechism only to be told just before Easter that I would need an annulment ...
A: Wanda, The spine-twisting legalistic machinations of the Roman Catholic church have both amused and ...
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| Women in The Church | 5/10/2008 |
Q: I was raised in the Russian Orthodox Church. I am now a Junior in college and have a few questions ...
A: Ashley, Christ is risen! Orthodoxy teaches that men and women are equal, but not identical. We ...
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| Jealousy | 5/10/2008 |
Q: How could God be love if he is jealous, since jealousy is inconsistent with love (I Corinthians ...
A: Alex, Good question. I have no idea. All that comes to mind is that in the Old Testament, God was ...
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| baptising | 5/2/2008 |
Q: I just asked my Godmother's daughter (my God-sister) to baptise her child. I was told by someone ...
A: Stella, One of the secondary wet wonderful effects of the ancient custom of Godparents and ...
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| i wanna to ask | 4/28/2008 |
Q: we see that there r three main denomination in christianity orthodox and catholic and protestant so ...
A: Cyril, Copts are Monophysites. You believe Christ has one nature, a fusion of divine and human ...
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| Orthodox vs. Catholic Communion | 4/26/2008 |
Q: Is it right for a young boy who has been Baptiste in an Serbian Orthodox Church to be taken to a ...
A: Zlatko, NO! An Orthodox Christian may only receive Communion in the Orthodox Church - and nowhere ...
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| Baptism in two churches | 4/26/2008 |
Q: .. My sister is Catholic and will be marrying a Greek Orthodox man. They will be getting married ...
A: Jill, The moment your sister's Orthodox fiance participates in any Sacrament of any non-Orthodox ...
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| What name Christ manfiested? | 4/25/2008 |
Q: I would appreciate very much if you throw some light on the following: I have manifested thy name ...
A: Farooq, In old movies, when a policeman was chasing a criminal he would shout, Stop in the name of ...
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| why still separated | 4/22/2008 |
Q: i wanna to ask as a orthodox coptic beliver why we still 2 not one orthodox family? i wanna to ...
A: Cyril, You have asked an excellent question. The split between the Orthodox and the Coptic, ...
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| Christ | 4/16/2008 |
Q: When Christ died on the cross did only his human nature die or was God actually dead? If so, how can ...
A: Alex, Nature, be it Divine Nature, human nature, or potato nature, doesn't do anything. Only a ...
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| Ethiopian Lectionary | 4/16/2008 |
Q: I am doing research on Ethiopian Epiphany (Timkat). Can you tell me what Scriptures are read in the ...
A: Patrick, Technically, Ethiopians are Monophysite, not Orthodox, though the theological difference ...
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| Serbian Orthdox Christening | 4/15/2008 |
Q: We will be christening our twins in May at home in England into the Serbian Orthodox faith to which ...
A: Nikola! Congratulations on having twins! Ask your Priest if he has a copy of the Priest's Service ...
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| Life in the universe | 4/8/2008 |
Q: I would like to know what position the Orthodox Church takes on the possible existence of life ...
A: David, As the Nicene Creed says, "I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and ...
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| Clear and easily understandable | 4/7/2008 |
Q: I need a source, a website, a book, anything that i can learn more about the Greek Orthodox ...
A: There are several excellent web sites where you can learn about Orthodoxy. Among the best are: ...
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| Dating Christian Greek Orthodox | 4/5/2008 |
Q: With no plans or thoughts of marriage any time soon--I am Jewish to be exact a Reform Jew. I am ...
A: Forest. "Dating" is such a vague term, and covers a wide range of activities. If you spend the ...
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| Day of worship | 3/17/2008 |
Q: Sir, Is it true that the Eastern Orthodox Church Worshiped on Saturday instead of Sunday the first ...
A: Steve, Since the earliest days of the Church we have worshiped EVERY day of the week. There are ...
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| Divorce | 3/15/2008 |
Q: 1)What are the (extreme)cases that the Coptic Orthodox Church allow divorce?Could you please list ...
A: Nancy, 1) As I am not a Coptic Christian, I cannot speak for them. However, I would surmise that ...
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| Orthodox Christian response to Holocaust | 3/14/2008 |
Q: I have a friend who would like to become an Orthodox Christian, but he can not accept a personal God ...
A: Jonathan, According to the 1st chapter of Genesis, we were created to be living icons of God. To ...
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| Godparent selection | 3/10/2008 |
Q: Can we select a couple to be the godparents of our child if we are the godparents to their child?
A: Paul, Assuming all involved are practicing Orthodox Christians, I see only problem. If the ...
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| evil spirit in house | 2/24/2008 |
Q: I just attended an Eastern European (Greek orthodox) funereal where the husband of the deceased ...
A: Caroline, While Orthodoxy absolutely believes in the existence of evil powers, Satan and his ...
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| term "Orthodox" | 2/20/2008 |
Q: Can you tell me when we first see the term "Orthodox" used in association with our Church.
A: Gavrilo, The term "orthodox," meaning "correct belief" or "true worship," began to be used as early ...
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| rev | 1/26/2008 |
Q: Why did God reveal what he revealed in Revelation if He didn't want us to really look into it? Why ...
A: Van, The Church learned early that which is still true today. Every would-be cult leader ...
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| Conversion debate | 1/21/2008 |
Q: My boyfriend who wants to marry me is Greek Eastern Orthodox. I have been raised a strict and ...
A: Shelly, No I am NOT saying that as a Roman Catholic you are going to hell. I wouldn't say that ...
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| Conversion debate | 1/20/2008 |
Q: My boyfriend who wants to marry me is Greek Eastern Orthodox. I have been raised a strict and ...
A: Shelly, First, let me plainly admit that I am no fan of Roman Catholicism. I know my history and ...
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| Marriage between Greek Orthodox and Maronite Christian | 1/13/2008 |
Q: I am Greek orthodox and my Fiance is Christian Maronite. Can we get, married in a Greek Orthoodox ...
A: Con, As an Orthodox Christian you are required to partake of Orthodox Sacraments and of none other. ...
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| Christ's Death | 1/8/2008 |
Q: In the Bible Christ's death is portrayed as both an atonement for sin and as a ransom. I can ...
A: Alex, Though the Scriptures use both the image of atonement and or ransom, they use other images as ...
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| national Jurisdiction | 1/6/2008 |
Q: Iknow that Greece, Serbia, Russia etc. All have national Orthodox Churches, with only 1 Hiararchy, ...
A: Brad, We already have an autocephalous Orthodox Church in America. Politics and finances are ...
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| Israel and Church | 1/5/2008 |
Q: Please, tell me, how Eastern Orthodox Church tradition interprets Old Testament passages about ...
A: Anatoliy, Orthodoxy understands Israel to be those who are faithful to God, those who hear God's ...
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| baptism | 12/12/2007 |
Q: I'am greek orthodox, my husband is catholic. WE attend the greek orthodox church. WE have been ...
A: Natasha, Unfortunately you are not Orthodox. The Orthodox Church does not recognize civil ...
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| Church Order | 12/8/2007 |
Q: Could you help me understand the power struggle that occurred between Rome and Constantinople that ...
A: John, Beneth the politics the schism of Rome away from Orthodoxy has a theological basis. Have you ...
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| Mary/OCA | 12/6/2007 |
Q: I am a Protestant/Baptist interested int the Orthodox church, 1 have some questions though. 1) The ...
A: Bradley, Not sinning while living in this fallen and deformed universe is no easy task. But it is ...
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| Mary/OCA | 12/6/2007 |
Q: I am a Protestant/Baptist interested int the Orthodox church, 1 have some questions though. 1) The ...
A: Bradley, Thank you for asking two excellent questions! 1) The Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary ...
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| What is the process to convert to Coptic Orthodox? | 11/8/2007 |
Q: Wondered if you could help? I am Roman Catholic baptised In Lebanon but live in the UK im half ...
A: Hollie I am not Coptic, but if they follow the same process my church dies, you will be expected to ...
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| Patron saint | 11/7/2007 |
Q: Who would the patron saint be for a person named "Glenn"? Thanks!
A: Adriana, Based solely on the coincidence of the initial letters of the two names, may I suggest the ...
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| reciprocal godparents | 11/5/2007 |
Q: My sister who is recently divorced, is Greek orthodox, her 2nd born has been baptized by our 1st ...
A: Orthodoxy does not recognized civil marriages. Nor do we allow Orthodox Christians to marry in a ...
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| difference between Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox | 10/28/2007 |
Q: I was wondering... what is the difference between Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodox? I know ...
A: Aja, Both Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism share the same ancient roots. Both have a hierarchical ...
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| catechism and baptism and chrismation | 10/26/2007 |
Q: can a priest reject inquirers after they delay an invitation to catechism..... ANSWER: Larry, Your ...
A: Larry, Since the 2nd century (possibly even the end of the 1st) The Orthodox Church has insisted ...
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| Eastern Orthodox vs. Roman Catholics | 10/23/2007 |
Q: What are some similarities between these two, and what led to the schism?
A: Yung Jun-Sing, Both Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism share the same ancient roots. Both have a ...
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| kuma for serbian orthodox baptism | 10/18/2007 |
Q: Do the kumovi have to be of Seriban Orthodox faith? My first option would be my sister but I read ...
A: Nada, I'm a little confused. Are you planning to baptize your child into Christianity or into ...
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| how does an anglican become orthodox? | 10/18/2007 |
Q: I have worshipped God in the Anglican Church all my life. I have recently come across your website ...
A: Melanie, You have asked an interesting question! In the Scriptures the word "salvation" is used in ...
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| School project on Greek Orthodox | 9/26/2007 |
Q: My daughter is doing a school project on the Greeks and we have discovered that Greek Orthodox ...
A: Emma, The Greeks have some unusual customs, but this one is unknown to me. It is an Orthodox ...
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| Understanding service in a greek spoken church | 9/9/2007 |
Q: I was raised Catholic but became Orthodox Christian When I married my Husband. I have attended many ...
A: Spring, How sadly ironic. Throughout history, Orthodoxy has served in the language of the people ...
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| I am muslim question on marriage | 9/3/2007 |
Q: i am researching islam andchristianity if i marry a women woh is muslim as i am but i convert to ...
A: Nick, No, there is absolutely no requirement that you divorce your wife just because you have ...
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| eastern orthodoxy | 8/28/2007 |
Q: I have two questions.1) How you interpret John's 6:63<The spirit gives life, the flesh counts for ...
A: Peters, 1) "Spirit" as opposed to "flesh" as used in this passage and others refers to the ...
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| Question about God Parents. | 8/20/2007 |
Q: I would like to ask if there is any way a Catholic person can baptize our daughter. My husband is ...
A: Cindy. An Orthodox Godparent's job is to raise his Godchild in the Orthodox Faith. How can someone ...
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| What is required of a Catholic to convert to Greek Orthodox | 8/14/2007 |
Q: I am Catholic and my boyfriend is Greek Orthodox. We are wanting to get married, and the subject of ...
A: Annessa, Much as I love the Orthodox Church and believe it to be truly the Church Christ founded, ...
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| eastern orthodox for an american? | 7/29/2007 |
Q: I am a 34 yr old white female raised in the Roman catholic church. I am interested in Eastern ...
A: Connie, Good news: In the early and middle part of the 20th century, large numbers of Orthodox ...
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| Selecting Godparents | 7/19/2007 |
Q: When I first found out that I was pregnant with our second child, my husband and I agreed on a ...
A: Toni, The same couple can stand as Godparents to as many of your children as you want. Since the ...
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| Same Godparent | 6/20/2007 |
Q: Can my second daugther have the same Godmother as my first daughter (no Godfather) in the Greek ...
A: Danielle, Since two sisters can obviously have the same mother I see no reason why they can't have ...
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| relation between greek and armenian orthodox | 6/18/2007 |
Q: what is the relationship between the greek orthodox and armenian church?are they any close in to ...
A: The Church of Armenia is technically Monophysite, believing that Christ has one nature, a blend of ...
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| FAMILY TRADITION | 6/17/2007 |
Q: I AM CONFUSED. MY HUSBANDS FAMILY (SINGLE MOTHER) WAS NOT A FAITHFUL PRACTICING ORTHADOX GREEK. ...
A: JAX, I love Greeks, I really do! But so many of them are utterly ignorant of the Tradition of ...
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| Greek Orthodox Baptism | 6/16/2007 |
Q: I am going to a Greek Orthodox Baptism in a few hours time but was informed by a person last night ...
A: Melanie, I hope this is in time! A dress or skirt would be more traditional, but dressy slacks ...
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| Being a Godparent in another tradition | 5/26/2007 |
Q: As a Greek Orthodox Christian, may I act as the sponsor or "Godparent" of a child in the Lutheran ...
A: Nicholas, 1) The job of a Godparent is to raise his Godchild in the true faith. How can you, an ...
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| Ethiopian Orthodox Vs Greek Orthodox | 5/25/2007 |
Q: I was brought up in an Ethiopian Orthodox home. I am planning on getting married in 6/08 and called ...
A: Meron, First let me congratulate you on your upcoming wedding! I wish you and your intended the ...
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| Question | 5/21/2007 |
Q: How does the sacrament of confession differ between Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholicism?
A: Mark, Roman Catholicism treats sin as a crime that must be punished. Orthodoxy treats sin as a ...
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| Personal relationship with God | 5/17/2007 |
Q: Do Orthodox believers think in a personal relationship with God ?
A: Madeline, The relationship Orthodox Christians have with God is always personal - but never ...
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| Orthodox/Coptic iconography | 5/15/2007 |
Q: I am a beginning Orthodox iconographer. I am working on an Icon of St. Anthony the Great (of Egypt). ...
A: George, Unfortunately, I am not familiar with the arrangement of crosses you describe. You should ...
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| The Trinity | 5/9/2007 |
Q: What is the best way to explain the Trinity to someone who is not familiar with this concept? As ...
A: Rose, There IS NO WAY to explain the Trinity simply! 1) As a theological term, "Person" is not a ...
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| To eat and drink the blood of Christ | 5/8/2007 |
Q: To eat the body and drink the blood of Christ? What did Jesus meant with theese words? I read John's ...
A: Pete, <<I'm still puzzled,I study and compare the two paragraphs John's 6:47 and John's 6:54.>> ...
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| baptism | 4/28/2007 |
Q: I am a single mother of two boys in which I would like to have baptised in the Greek Orthodox church ...
A: Trinidy, The Godparents are the ones who swear to bring your boys in the Orthodox faith. How can ...
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| family | 4/25/2007 |
Q: Can you tell me how many children does the Orthodox believe say that we should have? I 'am an ...
A: Madeline, You should have as many children as you can love and raise and educate well. As long as ...
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| Revelation | 4/25/2007 |
Q: What does the Orthodox Church believe about the end of the world ? I know that the orthodox don't ...
A: Madeline, Of all tech books in the New Testament, there is only one that is forbidden to be read ...
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| Messianic Judaism | 4/15/2007 |
Q: As an Orthodox Christian I have been taught that the Orthodox church was the first or original ...
A: Steve, If you have not done so already, please read the book by Timothy Ware called THE ORTHODOX ...
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| Baptism in the Greek Orthodox Church | 4/12/2007 |
Q: Alex- I wrote you on February 1, 2007 about baptizing our son, who was conceived out of wedlock, in ...
A: Kathleen, Until your union is blessed by the Orthodox Church by the rite of marriage, your husband ...
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| 40 day | 4/7/2007 |
Q: What is the exact purpose of taking a new baby to church before they are 40 days old? Also, what ...
A: Kelly, The Church recognizes that after giving birth both mother and baby need a rest and some time ...
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| Orthodox Ministries for PWSSA (Persons with Same Sex Attraction) | 4/7/2007 |
Q: I am a Roman Catholic contemplating converting to Orthodoxy and, as well, a person wirh same sex ...
A: Joseph, First, I know of no such specific ministry. But the day after we establish one I'd like ...
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| Baby Names | 4/6/2007 |
Q: As a Greek Orthodox Christian I wanted to know if I am limited to Saint Names when choosing a name ...
A: Mary, Any Saint's name is acceptable, whether the righteous Saint lived before of after Christ. ...
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| Differences | 4/5/2007 |
Q: Can you tell me what really separates the Orthodox church and Lutheran church.
A: Rose, Many things separate us. Among them are Trinitarian doctrine, sacramentally, Apostolic ...
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| orthodox baptism | 3/31/2007 |
Q: I am doing an assignment on baptism in different religions and was hoping you could please when the ...
A: The traditional time for Baptism is the Morning of Holy Saturday, the day before Pascha (Easter.) ...
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| baptism | 3/28/2007 |
Q: Why do priests cut the baby's hair at baptism? Thank You
A: Ana, The cutting of the hair symbolizes the first sacrifice we make to God as new members of His ...
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| I need your advice please | 3/26/2007 |
Q: I have a question. I'm 27 years old and I am engaged to a divorced man who is of catholic faith. ...
A: Maria, Thanks for the feedback. Next time instead of asking for my advice just demand my blind ...
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| Baptism | 3/20/2007 |
Q: My husband and I were recently asked to be Godparents. Shortly after we were asked, the same family ...
A: Maria, Local custom on this varies. Technically, the Godparents represent the congregation, the ...
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| Reformed Theology | 3/5/2007 |
Q: How would a personal belief in "eternal security" affect the Divine Liturgy and one's status as a ...
A: Steve, "Eternal security" assumes that once one is saved one is guaranteed go to heaven. Orthodoxy ...
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| Theotokos | 2/21/2007 |
Q: I am a Jordanian Catholic (converted two years ago from Greek Orthodoxy). I love the Virgin Mary ...
A: Omar, Orthodox Christians understand the Theotokos to be our greatest intercessor before Christ. ...
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| Religious Pilgrimages Today | 2/12/2007 |
Q: I am a Greek Orthodox convert of 16 years and feel such love for all the traditions but have not ...
A: Donna, Have you considered spending some time in a monastery? There are several scattered across ...
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| The 4th Commandment | 2/6/2007 |
Q: First, thanks again for all the time and energy you've volunteered for this site and for all the ...
A: Zander! Congratulations! What a wonderful way to start the Paschal season! Yes, we still ...
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| Baptism in Greek Orthodox Church | 2/1/2007 |
Q: I am Roman Catholic. My significant other is Greek Orthodox. Neither of us is an active member in ...
A: Kathleen. Typically, the Orthodox Church does not baptize children if there is little or no hope of ...
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| Greek Orthodox Baptism | 1/10/2007 |
Q: I should have been more specific in my question. I really want to know if a grandparent of the child ...
A: Maria. The Church sees the Godparent/Godchild relationship as a true blood relationship. Being the ...
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| Theology | 1/7/2007 |
Q: Did God die ion the cross or just the sinless human spirit of Christ? Since Satan brought sin, ...
A: Paul, God the Son, Second Person of the Trinity, experienced human death - His human soul was ...
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| Greek orthodox customs | 1/4/2007 |
Q: My son was married in a Greek Orthodox ceremony in 2006. He is a baptized Catholic. While I found ...
A: Carol, First, congratulations On the impending birth of your grandchild! Second, please forgive ...
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| orthodox/Roman catholic peacesign | 12/16/2006 |
Q: i am doing an assignment on Catholic Sunday worship, but i have to compare it to both orthodox + ...
A: Becky, <<i was wondering do Orthodox have the sign of peace in their divine liturgy? if they do is ...
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| love | 12/15/2006 |
Q: I've been asking about love, we are told to love God, your enemies and yourself, are all these the ...
A: Mark, Christ Himself, in describing His last judgement, said that he who loved the least of his ...
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| Church Service | 12/12/2006 |
Q: What significance is the use of the censor/thurible by the priest in the Eastern Orthodox Church ...
A: Tanya, The use of incense in Orthodox worship goes directly back to the liturgical temple worship ...
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| Baptism | 11/18/2006 |
Q: My daughter was raised Catholic, and has married a Greek. They live in Athens and will have their ...
A: Diana, Congratulations on the new granddaughter! Pascha (Easter) will fall on April 8th in 2007. ...
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| re | 11/18/2006 |
Q: when and how did the orthodox church begin
A: The Orthodox Church began in Jerusalem around 33 AD. The common "birth date" most people cite is ...
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| cross | 10/29/2006 |
Q: why does the orthodox cross consist of three boards while other crosses consist of two boards? ...
A: Tony, The three bar cross is an old Byzantine design which got popular among the Slavs. It is not ...
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| Orthodoxy vs. Roman Catholicism | 10/26/2006 |
Q: I have been split for a very long time about my faith as a Catholic Christian though I am very much ...
A: Christian, If I were a Mongolian considering joining the Roman Catholic Church, should I be ...
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| lighting candels | 10/19/2006 |
Q: my son asked me why do we light candels in church? i tried to explain it to him but i think i am ...
A: Angela, There are two reasons for lighting candles in church. One is theological and the other is ...
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| Chi Goon | 10/17/2006 |
Q: From your experience: is there any difference in goals between Eastern Orthodox and Oriental ...
A: Vic, I am not an expert in non-Christian Oriental religions. Orthodoxy seeks communion with God ...
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| filioque | 10/12/2006 |
Q: please explain the difference the filioque makes between Orthodox and Roman CatholicIs the Nicene ...
A: Sherry, The Nicean Creed (actually the Nicean-Constantinopolitan Creed,) still used by the ...
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| Nicene Creed | 10/12/2006 |
Q: Is the Nicene creed part of the Orthodox religion. I thought that is what differienciated them fron ...
A: Sherry, 1) The Nicene Creed has been a part of Orthodox faith and worship since the 1st Council of ...
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| Ethnic Nationalism and Orthodoxy | 10/10/2006 |
Q: It is much appreciated. I suppose what I am trying to come to terms with is the "Freedom ...
A: Mark, Not having grown up Protestant and being an American only by accident of history, I admit to ...
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| Saints or tyrrants | 10/9/2006 |
Q: As a possibel convert to orthodoxy there are many thingsI have difficulties in understanding or ...
A: Mike, The royal family of Russia were cannonized as "Passion Bearers." This is a category of ...
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| Ethnic Nationalism and Orthodoxy | 10/8/2006 |
Q: My family and I are recent converts to Orthodoxy. We love the faith. But I am now having problems ...
A: Mark, First, Orthodoxy is a very recent arrival to the Americas. The "ethnic problem" in American ...
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| Greek Orthodox Baptism | 10/7/2006 |
Q: I would like to know if my son should wear his baptism outfit or regular clothes for the 2 Sundays ...
A: Colleen, Congratulations on your son's baptism! God grant you both many, many years! If your son ...
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| Conversion from Islam | 10/3/2006 |
Q: My partner is a non-practising muslim and has agreed to convert once we agree to get married. Could ...
A: Joanna, The first thing you both need to do is speak to your Priest. Conversion to Orthodoxy, ...
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| baptism in catholic bysante religion | 9/27/2006 |
Q: 1.) If is mother, father and child catholic bysantine religion and they baptised ther child who can ...
A: Petra, I think I've answered this question, but perhaps not completely. If a child is baptized in ...
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| married to ortodox | 9/27/2006 |
Q: Mother catholic, father serbian ortodox When baby is baptised in ortodox church who can be the ...
A: Petra, Since the Godparent is responsible for the religious education of that child, the Godparent ...
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| Baptism | 9/25/2006 |
Q: My coworker and I are both Greek Orthodox but raised in different areas and backgrounds. She says ...
A: Kleo, This is an old wives' tale with a grain of truth! The Church sees the Godparent-Godchild ...
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| married to ortodox | 9/24/2006 |
Q: I'm czech nationality, catholic. I married to serbian ortodox. Can you please explain me rules if: ...
A: Petra, The Orthodox Church will marry two Christians as long as one of them is Orthodox. The other ...
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| communion | 9/19/2006 |
Q: my son is 5 years old and attended an orthodox church service with a friend where they encouraged ...
A: Cynthia, That should not have happened! Although, like Roman Catholics, the Orthodox do believe in ...
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| divorce | 9/18/2006 |
Q: How does the Eastern Orthodox position on divorce compare with the Catholic one? Also, do the ...
A: Johann, The Orthodox Church maintains the ideal that marriage is a life-long union of one man and ...
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| Grace as Uncreated Divine Energy | 9/12/2006 |
Q: I am doing my docoral thesis on a definition of grace in the writings of Paul. The position I am ...
A: Joesph, I would suggest St Vladimir's Seminary Press as a source of Orthodox publications. My own ...
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| Orthodox religion compared to other religions | 9/3/2006 |
Q: I am in Auburn, Alabama 36830. Also, what are the 'rules' as far as taking communion in other ...
A: Lisa, It's not what you would call just down the street, but I remember there being a Greek ...
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| Orthodox religion compared to other religions | 9/3/2006 |
Q: I was raised in an Ukranian Orthodox church. My daughter was baptised in a Greek Orthodox church. ...
A: Lisa, The first choice, of course, would be any Orthodox church, regardless of ethnic origin. That ...
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| atonement | 8/30/2006 |
Q: i read a recent answer you made regarding the purpose of the atonement as medical rather than penal. ...
A: Tony, You are a catechumen in the OCA, Diocese of the South? Wonderful! When next you get the ...
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| Birth | 8/27/2006 |
Q: I need to find a orthodox prayer during birth or something on those lines. Can you help me?
A: Kyralissa, Here's what I found at http://www.serfes.org/orthodox/womanwithchild.htm ...
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| Israel vs. the Church | 8/17/2006 |
Q: could you help me to better understand the Orthodox Church's understanding of Israel (the nation)? I ...
A: Devin, Excellent question! In essence, the "dispensationalist" view is that God has a special love ...
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| Baptism | 8/15/2006 |
Q: Just wondering if you could clear up a dilemma my husband and I are facing. We were blessed with a ...
A: Steph, Congratulations! May God bless you all with health and joy for many, many years! Now, as ...
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| Beliefs | 8/12/2006 |
Q: Does the Eastern Orthodox religion share the same view regarding the TRINITY as does the Roman ...
A: Brant, At the 1st Ecumenical Council of Nicea in 325 AD, the Patriarchate of Rome was representd by ...
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| Patron Saints | 8/9/2006 |
Q: I grew up evangelical but for the last year have been growing closer and closer to Orthodoxy. (I'd ...
A: Zander, One of my Godsons waited several years just because he wanted the family to make the ...
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| Baptism | 8/6/2006 |
Q: Will I be excommunicated from the church if I participate as a godparent in a Catholic baptism? My ...
A: Maria, For an Orthodox Christian to recieve a sacrament or participate actively in the liturgical ...
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| Evangelicals & Orthodoxy | 8/2/2006 |
Q: Greetings Alex, First, many thanks for providing this service. 1. I feel I am in the midst of a ...
A: Dean, You ask questions which can and have filled books!1. I feel I am in the midst of a spiritual ...
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| Orthodox vs Catholic | 8/1/2006 |
Q: I am Orthodox and my wife is Catholic and we have a 6 month old son. At this point, we are still ...
A: Robert, I am sure that you love your wife and son. I am also sure that when you married you felt ...
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| Greek Baby Custom | 7/27/2006 |
Q: What is the custom of keeping babies inside (with the exception of a Dr's visit) for 40 days?
A: Susan, The purpose is to give Mama a well deserved rest and time to bond with her new baby. You ...
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| BABTISM | 7/27/2006 |
Q: A DEAR FREIND OF MINE HAS JUST ASKED ME TO BE THE GODFATHER TO HIS NEW BORN SON. HE IS ROMAN ...
A: Boz, As Godfather, are you prepared to teach your Godson that the Roman Catholic church is the only ...
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| Am I Orthodox? | 7/23/2006 |
Q: Given all the canonical disputes over jurisdiction going on these days, I had a question concerning ...
A: Danny, Since I am OCA myself, it should not surprise you that I consider you to ba an Orthodox ...
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| What is the meaning of a church's name | 7/23/2006 |
Q: Alex, I have noticed that Orthodox churches are generally named after a saint or after one of the ...
A: Danny, The Orthodox name their temples after Saints and Feasts for the same reason we name out ...
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| Baby Baptism | 7/18/2006 |
Q: Hypothetical: I am a mother and I adopt ten children all at the same time. Being of the ...
A: Justin, Neither baptism nor any other sacrament of the Church is an act of magic. Nor are they ...
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| godparents | 7/13/2006 |
Q: I'm a romaine orthodox and my baby's father is catholic (which he does not practices). I want to ...
A: Tina, While I sympathize with your problem, the facts are plain. Only an Orthodox person can be a ...
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| Marriage in the Orthodox church | 7/7/2006 |
Q: Hey Alex! I have been seeing someone who is Roman Catholic for approximately 2 years, now that the ...
A: Ann, I cannot speak for the Coptic Church. The Orthodox practice is to not re-baptize those who ...
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| Baptism | 7/4/2006 |
Q: May my sister or brother baptize my child as opposed to a close friend? I have been advised that ...
A: Antonia, The custom of Godpatents stems from about the beginning of the 2nd century. Therefore it ...
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| godparents | 6/23/2006 |
Q: im greek orthodox and always wondered why it is kept a secret who my godparnts were. i found out ...
A: Katina, That is the most bizzare thing I have ever heard! Normally, Godparents and their Godchild ...
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| marriage | 6/17/2006 |
Q: Why can't Coptic Orthodox marry Greek Orthodox? We're all Orthodox, aren't we?
A: Konafa, Orthodox Christians believe that Christ has two natures. He has the divine nature He ...
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| choosing a name for my son | 6/10/2006 |
Q: here is my question about baptism. Do I need to choose a Greek name after a Saint to baptize my son ...
A: Christina, It is the Orthodox (not merely Greek) custom to name our children after the Saints of ...
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| Eternal security | 6/2/2006 |
Q: Greetings, On 5/22/2006 you answered some questions on atonement and eternal security. Part of ...
A: WH, Salvation proper is God's sovereign act by which we are rescued from bondage to death and sin. ...
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| Baptism | 5/30/2006 |
Q: I am Jewish and my husbands is Eastern Orthodox (Serbian) and we were married by a Judge. He told me ...
A: Beth, Let me warn you up front that neither you nor your husband are going to like anything about ...
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| atonement & eternal security | 5/22/2006 |
Q: 1.What is the nature & extent of atonement according to Eastern Orthodox view ? 2.Do you believe ...
A: Bob, 1.What is the nature & extent of atonement according to Eastern Orthodox view ? At a ...
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| Icons | 5/16/2006 |
Q: Alex, for your quick and informative response to my initial query. I realize that my first question ...
A: I am so sorry to have overlooked your second question! Please forgive me. It was unintentional. ...
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| the traditions of the Greek Orthodox baptism | 5/16/2006 |
Q: ------------------------- Followup To Your right I don't know why I said Latin I think I was ...
A: OK, Greek make sense! By the way, there is a tradition in Orthodoxy that holiness is passed on by ...
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| Icons | 5/15/2006 |
Q: I am learning more about Orthodox Christianity so I may one day convert. I attended my first ...
A: JB, Christ is risen! The prohibition in the Old Testament does prohibit images of anything in ...
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| the traditions of the Greek Orthodox baptism | 5/15/2006 |
Q: My grand daughter was recently baptised into the Greek Orthodox church. It was very beautiful and ...
A: Debbie, Christ is risen! I really do love Greeks, but they can be a little weird. The only thing ...
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| Holy Communion | 5/1/2006 |
Q: Greetings, Would the Eastern Orthodox consider the reception of Holy Communion on the tongue a ...
A: Christ is risen! That is an excellent question. I wish I had an answer to match. I do know that ...
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| hi | 4/13/2006 |
Q: What differences and relation ships are there between the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and the Coptic ...
A: Yohannes, As far as I know, both the Coptic Church of Egypt and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church are ...
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| The Age of Jesus | 3/31/2006 |
Q: You've been so helpful in the past; I thought you might shed some light on this for me. I've been ...
A: Zander, That is a most interesting speculation, and one I had not heard of before now. 1. Was St. ...
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| Statues | 3/12/2006 |
Q: Well, its the Triumph of Orthodoxy Sunday.... and I had a question pertaining to images. In my ...
A: Samuel, There is no specific prohibition against statuary in Orthodox canon law. In fact, canon ...
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| Historic Premillennialism | 1/16/2006 |
Q: I recieved your answer and was very disappointed at the way you seemed to avoid a real answer. a) I ...
A: Paul, As far as I know, the Orthodox Church does not have a defined doctrine of the exact timing ...
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| Historic Premillennialism | 1/14/2006 |
Q: In studying the Early Church fathers, i.e., those who were either taught by the Apostles themselves ...
A: Paul, There is a difference between Apostolic Tradition and Apostolic opinion. The early Church ...
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| The death on the cross | 1/4/2006 |
Q: What is the significance of the death on the Cross of Christ? Although Orthodoxy tends to shy away ...
A: Samuel, There are two essays which most excellently address your question. The Meaning of His ...
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| Tradition or customs | 1/2/2006 |
Q: Is there a canon law against musical instruments or religious statues in devotional use? I know the ...
A: Samuel, To be honest, I am not sure whether the use of instruments in Orthodox worship is codified ...
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| Crusades | 1/1/2006 |
Q: During the Crusades, when Catholics had control of Jerusalem and/or Constantinople how did it affect ...
A: Samuel, Before the Crusades, the holy sites in Jerusalem were in the hands of Orthodox Christians, ...
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| LXX | 12/29/2005 |
Q: I am currently involved in a group discussion concerning the LXX. The point of debate is that the ...
A: Joel, A very quick search of the internet produces the following link: ...
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| Celtic Christianity | 12/27/2005 |
Q: Where can I go for more information about pre-schism Celtic Christianity? I am particularly ...
A: Samuel, Try searchng the offerings of St Vladimir's Seminary bookstore. There is a link to it ...
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| Music | 12/26/2005 |
Q: Why did instruments never take hold in the Eastern liturgy? I'm also thinking about learning to ...
A: Samuel, According to Orthodox Tradition, the best instrument for praising God is the redeemed and ...
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| Propitiation | 12/12/2005 |
Q: I understand the Eastern "rescue" view of the atonement as opposed to the Western ...
A: Zander, A proper reply to your question would demand a thorough linguistic analysis of the Greek ...
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| Incest | 11/18/2005 |
Q: Why does God permit incest? One of the ten commandments states: "Thou shalt obey thy mother and thy ...
A: God permits incest for the same reason He permits any other sin - because He has given us the ...
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| Is God a Murderer? | 11/17/2005 |
Q: The bible says that if our country calls us to war we should heed the call and go. One of the ten ...
A: Richard, The taking of a human life is never a good thing. But sometimes it is the least evil of ...
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| Death of Jesus Christ | 11/17/2005 |
Q: I fail to see any justice done in the murder of an innocent man (Jesus). How does Jesus' death pay ...
A: Richard, Actually, Orthodoxy rejects the Western view of Christ's death as a legal payment of a ...
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| eucharist bread and wine | 11/6/2005 |
Q: In the Orthodox view, i would like to know the presence of christ in the eucharist. Is the "flesh ...
A: Marlo, When an Orthodox infant, one so young that he cannot swallow any solid food at all, receives ...
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| What about the heterodox | 11/5/2005 |
Q: Alex, I have a question regarding the heterodox. Basically, this stems from when I am praying and ...
A: John, We don't know how God will judge us. But we do know that the God Who is capable of creating ...
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| Prayer | 10/24/2005 |
Q: Alex, I have questions about prayer. I have a prayer book that I have begun using. Prior to that ...
A: John, First, it takes time to develop the ability to pray. No one begins to get in shape by ...
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| Sin and human nature | 10/18/2005 |
Q: Herman, Can you help me on understanding the Orthodox doctrine of sin? In terms of the fallout of ...
A: Herman, You ask... <<Can you help me on understanding the Orthodox doctrine of sin?>> <<In terms ...
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| The RIchness of Orthodoxy | 10/11/2005 |
Q: I have a question that I've been thinking alot about, especially since I spend alot of my time ...
A: John, First, I must compliment you on your clear grasp of Church history. The first few ...
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| Differences between Eastern & Oriental Orthodox | 9/23/2005 |
Q: I have recently been attending an Eastern (Antiochian) Orthodox church. The priest mentioned that he ...
A: Zander, My deepest apologies for failing to answer your question more completely. It was my ...
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| Heaven | 9/21/2005 |
Q: Are the saints in heaven currently? When we pray to saints, do they hear our prayers? Do some people ...
A: John, As to the timing of our passage from this life to heaven, I can only speculate - but prefer ...
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| Orthodoxy for Americans? | 8/22/2005 |
Q: Why is there no Orthodoxy for Americans? I have visited numerous Orthodox churches and they ALL ...
A: Carl, This is the second time you have addressed the same question to me. Neither the content not ...
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| Altar and Baptism | 8/19/2005 |
Q: Mr. Anatole, Currently, I attend a Protestant Church. However, I am reading a book written by a ...
A: Jana, <<As I understand it, the altar has a doorway with the sanctuary behind it in which only ...
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| Salvation | 8/14/2005 |
Q: Will all non-Orthodox/non-Christians be lost/go to Hell after death?
A: Jenny, You ask, "Will all non-Orthodox/non-Christians be lost/go to Hell after death?" I have no ...
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| Why the confusion of language in Orthodoxy in the USA? | 8/4/2005 |
Q: It seems no matter which Orthodox church I go into they don't seem to welcome English speaking ...
A: Carl, Throught the last 20 centuries, Orthodoxy has spread by the the travels of missionary ...
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| Armenian Orthodox Church | 7/4/2005 |
Q: I understand that the first christian kingdom started with the conversion of an Armenian king by a ...
A: Rubin, Historically, the Armenian Church is a direct decendant of the missionary work of one of the ...
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| In the book the Ladder, why does salvation rely so much on works? | 6/8/2005 |
Q: I have read the Ladder through many times and have found it one of the most depressing books. What i ...
A: Carl, Orthodoxy teaches that our salvation - our liberation from the captivity of death and sin - ...
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| Tithing | 5/23/2005 |
Q: Are Orthodox Christians required to tithe, i.e. giving back 10% of income to the Church? What is the ...
A: Danny, Orthodox Christians are expected to support their local parish. The money they contribute ...
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| newborns | 4/30/2005 |
Q: I am married to a Greek orthodox. I frequently ask my husband and his family about the religion and ...
A: Caryn, I love Greeks, I really do! But they tend to confuse the customs of their villiage with the ...
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| Interfaith marriage and baptism | 4/26/2005 |
Q: My daughter is baptized Greek Orthodox and her fiance is Jewish, she (and he is OK with this) would ...
A: Janet, You are not going to like my answer. Unfortunately, there is little I can do to sugarcoat ...
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| Monophysites | 4/3/2005 |
Q: Are the Christian Churches of Egypt, Armenia and Ethiopia considered Orthodox?
A: That is an interesting question. Strictly speaking, these churches are "Monophysite." They preach ...
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| I know that in the Catholic... | 3/2/2005 |
Q: I know that in the Catholic Church there were first monks. Then around the 12 an 13th centuries the ...
A: Orthodoxy has had a strong monastic component since the late 3d century. We have had, and continue ...
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| I know that the Catholic Church... | 3/1/2005 |
Q: I know that the Catholic Church has several monastic and Friar Orders such as the Benedictines, ...
A: Adrienne, Orthodoxy has no "orders" of monasticism. A monastic is a monastic, male or female, ...
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| Koumbari | 2/14/2005 |
Q: A year ago I got married in the Greek Orthodox Church and my best friend became our Koumbara. Our ...
A: Fiona, I don't know of any reason why you cannot stand as Koumbara for your own Koumbara. Though I ...
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| Bible translation | 2/6/2005 |
Q: I know that after the Latin Vulgate was first written, more and more individual books in the Roman ...
A: Adrienne, I'm not sure when Orthodoxy adopted the practice of numbering chapters and verses. I ...
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| Bible translation | 2/6/2005 |
Q: What did you call your Bibles? "Did you call them the "Received Texts" or something else? Also when ...
A: Adrienne, "Bible" comes from the Greek word "biblia." It's the same root word we find in ...
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| Bible translation | 2/6/2005 |
Q: I know that from 8th century until the 1609 the Latin Vulgate was THE Bible of the Roman Catholic ...
A: Adrienne, Good question! We continued using the "Recieved Texts" of the Church, the same material ...
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| The nature of Sin | 1/20/2005 |
Q: I am currently working on a personal project about the nature of Sin. I am the artist and co-author ...
A: I am sure you already know that the Greek word used for "sin" in the New Testament (and in the ...
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| regarding baptism | 1/17/2005 |
Q: i want my daughter to be baptized. she is 19 years old. what is the procdure for this? i can not ...
A: It is good that you want your daughter to be baptized. I want her to be baptized too! But does ...
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| stuff | 1/4/2005 |
Q: why do you chirstian are the only sect that keeps long beards like jews and muslims do you also ...
A: I have a beard because God created me male. You would do better to ask why some men prefer to shave ...
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| Conversion and ethnicity in Eastern Orthodoxy | 12/10/2004 |
Q: What is the conversion process for Eastern Orthodox churches? Is it similar to the Roman Catholic ...
A: Sacha, We generally don't have anything as organized as the Roman Catholic RCIA program. There may ...
|
| Eastern Orthodox Statistics | 10/4/2004 |
Q: Do you know a website that gives statistics for the various branches of the Eastern Orthodox church ...
A: Charles, Sorry, but I know of no such web site. Estimates of Orthodox Christians in the world ...
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| Baptism | 9/20/2004 |
Q: My child was recently baptized in the Episcopal Church. My wife attends the Episcopal Church while I ...
A: Bill, Assuming that you used to be an Orthodox Christian, and not merely a visitor, you have ...
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| Seeking Orthodox Monastaries | 9/6/2004 |
Q: I am seeking an Orthodox monastary locator on line. I travel alot and would to visit as many as I ...
A: Richard, If you go to www.OCA.org you will find a button to search for a local parish. Select it, ...
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| Marriage of Bishops | 8/19/2004 |
Q: In 1Timothy3:1-8 St Paul states that a bishop must be blameless, the HUSBAND of one WIFE... How can ...
A: Kevin, In the first place, the Scriptures to not determine Church law, they record some aspects of ...
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| Byzantine Catholics | 8/3/2004 |
Q: I would appreciate it very much if you could provide me the answers to my three questions below: ...
A: Honesto, 1. Do Byzantine catholics recognize the 'authority' of the present day pope in Rome ? Of ...
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| Chalcedon | 8/1/2004 |
Q: Can you give me the best meaning of this Council. I have read that this Council, much to the dismay ...
A: Joel, I have no idea how you are reading that into the decisions of Chalcedon! Far from denying ...
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| Liturgy | 7/29/2004 |
Q: When did the early church start using such elaborate ways of worship? By this I mean vestments, ...
A: Lucia, The first Christians were Jews - in intensely liturgical people. Liturgical worship was a ...
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| Orthodoxs & Baptism | 7/28/2004 |
Q: , Im currently doing an assignment on Baptism on the variant of Chritianity - Baptism and i was ...
A: Monica, In the Orthodox Church, people of all ages are baptised - from infants to adults.. Baptism ...
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| Mortal Sin | 7/9/2004 |
Q: My name is Caitlin. I'm Roman Catholic, but I have recently been looking a lot into Orthodoxy, ...
A: Caitlin, I can't answer your question. To answer it, I would have to believe that ... A) It is ...
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| apostolic succession & holy orders | 6/19/2004 |
Q: Like the Orthodox Churches, the Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches also claim apostolic succession ...
A: Chris, Apostolic Succession carries with it conditions, responsibilities, and fruits. Why should I ...
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| interpretation | 6/16/2004 |
Q: i know that the orthodox church is the interpreter of the holy bible. does that mean that there is ...
A: Jerry, No, not at all. Some verses (though we tend not to chop up the Scriptures that way) are a ...
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| orthodox view of afterlife | 6/13/2004 |
Q: what happens to a Christian after death? does s/he goes to heaven and be with God immediately? or in ...
A: Jasmine, Based on 20 centuries of experience of the departed Saints active intervention in the ...
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| holy saturday | 6/8/2004 |
Q: What happened to Jesus and where was his soul/spirit between his cruxifixion and his resurrection? ...
A: Danny, I can think of no better answer to your questions than this sermon preached on Pascha ...
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| rosary | 6/7/2004 |
Q: do orthodox pray the rosary ("hail mary") and why?
A: Danny, The Orthodox do use a version of the prayer called the "Hail Mary." We use it in a slightly ...
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| baptismal traditions | 5/31/2004 |
Q: Is it appropriate to offer to be a godparent to a second child of greek orthodox parents. What is ...
A: Your question is a bit short on details. I assume you are already the Godparent of the couple's ...
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| prayers thru saints | 5/23/2004 |
Q: I have been thinking about this question for a long time but didn't ask those around me 'cos I'm ...
A: Steve, Surely the God Who enabled the Apostles to speak in many different languages on the day of ...
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| Baptism | 5/21/2004 |
Q: I would like to know if a baptized and/or confirmed non-Orthodox Christian wishes to join the ...
A: Derek, Generally, if a person has been baptized in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the ...
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| Communion | 5/21/2004 |
Q: Can non-Orthodox Christians, such as Protestants, Anglicans and Roman Catholics, receive Communion ...
A: Derek, The answer to both questions is a solid "No." In the last half century or so, it has become ...
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| charismatic movement | 5/18/2004 |
Q: What is the Orthodox position on the charismatic movement, i.e. speaking in tongues as a ...
A: Danny, Orthodoxy believes that God bestows His gifts as He pleases and when it suits His purpose. ...
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| Apostles Creed | 5/15/2004 |
Q: 1) Besides the Nicene Creed, do Orthodox churches accept and/or use the so-called Apostles' Creed ...
A: Danny, Of the various creeds in cuse by Christians, only the Nicene Creed is the product of ...
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| Mary's relation to Christ | 4/26/2004 |
Q: What is the Eastern Orthodox position on Mary's relation to Christ? According to Orthodox ...
A: Christ is risen! The One we call Jesus, the Christ, is the eternal God the Son, the Second Person ...
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| Diferences | 4/12/2004 |
Q: First, i want to apologize for any mistakes i make, but i don't have much ease to speak english. ...
A: Christo ha resucitado! Jose, Orthodoxy considers herself to be the very sam Church Jesus founded ...
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| split from the Roman Church | 4/10/2004 |
Q: when and why did the split from the Roman Church take place, and what differentiates them today?
A: Lynne, The way you ask your question makes it sound as thout Orthodoxy split from Roman ...
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| baptism specifics | 3/27/2004 |
Q: I believe that I read that the baptismal candidate, as part of the baptism procedure, turns his back ...
A: Steve, In a properly oriented (no pun intended) Orthodox temple, the Altar is in the eastern end. ...
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| Dostoevsky's Theology | 3/19/2004 |
Q: I am currently writing a very large high school report on Crime and Punishment, and of the many ...
A: Ken, Though I read Crime& Punisment in the original some 30 years ago, I can't claim to be an ...
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| Liturgy | 3/2/2004 |
Q: Do you know of any good resources/books/texts that explain in great detail the meaning of everything ...
A: Doug, Get a copy of the Service Book. That will provide the text of the services. As for ...
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| Explaining Greek Orthodox Baptism | 2/21/2004 |
Q: My husband and I are baptising our daughter in the Orthodox church, I am Orthodox, he is Catholic. ...
A: Katherine, We baptize by full immersion because that's what the word "baptizo" means - to immerse. ...
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| Ethnicity | 12/8/2003 |
Q: What is the ethnic composition of the community? How important is ethnic identity to the life of ...
A: Luke, Interesting question! My own parish (www.StSeraphim.org) is perhaps 30% recently immigrated ...
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| UK Orthodox ministers | 8/13/2003 |
Q: I've been trying for the past few weeks how to go about becoming an Orthodox minister or priest ...
A: David, If you are an Orthodox Christian, and if you feel called to serve the Church in an ordained ...
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| Baptism | 4/25/2003 |
Q: I have a fiend that wants to change his religion to greek orthodox. He is a grown man and I don't ...
A: Xhristos anesti! Catherine, Easy. Talk to your parish Priest. How your friend is recieved into ...
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| When did the Orthodox religion begin | 11/24/2002 |
Q: When and where was the first Orthodox Orthos/Litergy held, when did the Roman Bishop become the ...
A: Francis, <<When and where was the first Orthodox Orthos/Litergy held, when did the Roman Bishop ...
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| Appropriable catholicity as predicated by Rome | 4/30/2002 |
Q: Rome no longer makes a distinction between sacramental validity and sacramental efficacy----between ...
A: George, The Great Schism is rooted in St Augustin's adoption of Neo-Platonic philosophical ...
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| canon versus inspired | 10/31/2001 |
Q: Greetings, I am presently teaching a class on turning points in christian history. While preparing ...
A: Chuck, The question is not so much whether Orthodoxy thinks of the Scriptures as cononical, but ...
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| Eastern Orthodox Mass Vs Latin Rite | 10/20/2001 |
Q: Please Help! I need to know the differences (and similarities) between the Eastern Orthodox mass and ...
A: Kristen, The Orthodox Liturgy and the Roman Catholic Mass are really very similar in content. The ...
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| location of a verse | 10/14/2001 |
Q: I was wondering if you could give me the location of the saying about God gives you no more than you ...
A: John, There's nothing harder to track down than a paraphrased quote! It definately rings a bell, ...
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| Dragons? | 10/3/2001 |
Q: I hope you can help me with my problem. I have been seriously looking into the Orthodox version of ...
A: Susanna, I heartily agree with you. Dragons? Ridiculous! Then again, I don't believe in ...
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| Eastern orthodox vs. Western latin christianity | 9/22/2001 |
Q: What were the similarities and differences among the theologies and practices of Eastern orthodix ...
A: Meg, This is a very broad question! Similarities: Both believe in the reality of the Sacraments. ...
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| Orthodoxy schism | 8/17/2001 |
Q: I am RC looking at American orthodoxy. What exactly is the Fourth Ecumenical Council of Chalcedon ...
A: Anne, The 4th Ecumenical Council condemned the heresy of Eutyches. His error was, in a way, the ...
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| Branches of Orthodox Christianity | 1/12/2001 |
Q: What are the major theological differences between various Eastern Orthodox churches? (i.e Armenian ...
A: Armen, There are no differences in theology between Orthodox churches. The Armenian church differs ...
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| Eastern Orthodoxy re Lutheran justification | 1/8/2001 |
Q: I'm a Lutheran theological student. I'm interested in the Orthodox view of the Lutheran teaching of ...
A: Martin, Your question is a bit complicated because in Orthodoxy the word "Justification" is not ...
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| Orthodox Prayerbook? | 12/5/2000 |
Q: I recently came upon a prayerbook called "Chlib Dusi" at an antique shop. I purchased it. I ...
A: Mark, My first answer was.... ""Bread for the Soul" Sounds like a collection of spiritual ...
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