Ping!
I’ve been wondering, too, as I have been disenchanted with the RCC of late.
They are similar to the Catholic Church only they believe in immersion baptism even for the babies. For the adults they had what looked like a metal cow drinking trough and for the babies they had like a real deep bowl that they would put the babie buttox first and let the water cover over their head.
Hello
I was born into the Greek Orthodox faith as my ancestors had come from Greece. However, I became a Protestant very early on as did the rest of my family. Generally speaking, the Greek Orthodox faith worships liturgically and makes much of icons. Perhaps it is safe to say that the icons are central to the worship and parishioners place candles in front of them before the service. The faith is trinitarian, and continues to be in dispute with the RC’s over the nature of the trinity however. In the Orthodox church, the The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father, making the Father the masthead of the trinity. In the western Church the holy spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. It is a small difference, but divisive nonetheless. The Orthodox church also does not recognize the Pope nor purgatory. I recall that most of the Greeks I had come into contact with were not regular church goers, that they treated their religion much like reformed Jews treat Judaism. It is something they acknowledge on holidays, at marriages, and when someone dies. Other than that they had no interest or understanding of scripture. They believe in lots of saints and pray to them . They also venerate Mary, who they call Theotokos, the Mother of God. In this way, they are very like the Catholics. I recall once going to a memorial service for a deceased relative, and having to turn three times widdershins and spit at the devil. I am sure the Orthodox Church of America has declined to allow this kind of superstitious practice, but it does crop up in the ethnic Greek Churches I have attended. In NYC, many of the old Greek Orthodox churches are now mostly filled with Russians who have their own superstitions and ways of doing things. I had to go to another memorial service a few years ago, at a Greek church in Brooklyn . Half the church were Russians, the other half Greeks, and they did not look like they got along very well. There were two priests , one Greek,one Russian and the service was in Greek, Russian and English. Greek orthodoxy is interesting because it seems so medieval in practice. It is worth going to an Easter service at midnight. You feel like you are in the year 1200 AD.
how about the Byzantine Catholics- - http://www.byzcath.org
BTW, though I'm a Catholic, I was a kind of friend-of-the-faithful nonofficial fellow-traveler (and choir member) of an O parish (together with my RC one) for a number of years. I have an enduring love for Orthodox liturgy, theology, and spirituality.
I was raised as Christian Orthodox but I’ve been Born Again for over a decade. Anything in particular you’re trying to find out???
Hi,
I have been an Orthodox Christian for the past 12+ years having converted from an evangelical background. I’m now 65.
I’m a member of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) but all of the Orthodox churches teach the same theology. In fact, here in Oregon we have quite a cooperative relationship with many parishes of other jurisdictions (Greek, Antiochian, Serbian, etc.)
I don’t what kinds of questions you would have so I won’t say much in this post except:
1) The Holy Trinity is totally central to our belief.
2) We are thoroughly sacramental.
3) Our beliefs are summarized neatly in the Nicene creed.
4) Not having a history that goes through the struggle that the Western Church had such as the middle ages, scholasticism, reformation, etc., we tend to have a much less legal / courtroom approach to understanding salvation.
5) We do NOT follow the teachings of Augustine on predestination and original sin.
6) Our theology is worship centered rather than being viewed in academic terms (although we do have some excellent seminaries,)
Beyond that, I’d be glad to respond to questions.
Paul (aka Newberger)
And may God bless your journey!
I am fully and fortunately Greek Orthodox..blessed are my ancestors who survived the terrors of Islam, Nazism, and Communism and kept the faith of the the Lord Jesus. And may the memories of thoses who did not survive be even more blessed.
One of my favorite preachers and theologians is this wonderful man - Father Thomas Hopko. I would hope that you could read and hear him. You may consider returning to the flock. Here is the website of St. Vladimir’s where he teaches and where one can learn.
http://old.svots.edu/homepage.html