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How Old Is The Orthodox Faith
E-Mail | Unknown | Rev. Dr. Miltiades Efthimiou

Posted on 06/18/2007 12:22:11 PM PDT by TexConfederate1861

If you are a Lutheran, your religion was founded by Martin Luther, an ex-monk of the Catholic Church, in the year 1517.

If you belong to the Church of England, your religion was founded by King Henry VIII in the year 1534 because the Pope would not grant him a divorce with the right to re-marry.

If you are a Presbyterian, your religion was founded by John Knox in Scotland in the year 1560.

If you are a Congregationalist, your religion was originated by Robert Brown in Holland in 1582.

If you are Protestant Episcopalian, your religion was an offshoot of the Church of England, founded by Samuel Senbury in the American colonies in the 17th century.

If you are a Baptist, you owe the tenets of your religion to John Smyth, who launched it in Amsterdam in 1606.

If you are of the Dutch Reformed Church, you recognize Mic helis Jones as founder because he originated your religion in New York in 1628.

If you are a Methodist, your religion was founded by John and Charles Wesley in England in 1774.

If you are a Mormon (Latter Day Saints), Joseph Smith started your religion in Palmyra, New York, in 1829.

If you worship with the Salvation Army, your sect began with William Booth in London in 1865.

If you are Christian Scientist, you look to 1879 as the year in which your religion was born and to Mary Baker Eddy as its founder.

If you belong to one of the religious organizations known as "Church of the Nazarene, Pentecostal Gospel," "Holiness Church," or "Jehovah's Witnesses," your religion is one of the hundreds of new sects founded by men within the past hundred years.

If you are Roman Catholic, your church shared the same rich apostolic and doctrinal heritage as the Orthodox Church for the first thousand years of its history, since during the first millennium they were one and the same Church. Lamentably, in 1054, the Pope of Rome broke away from the other four Apostolic Patriarchates (which include Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem), by tampering with the Original Creed of the Church, and considering himself to be infallible. Thus your church is 1,000 years old.

If you are Orthodox Christian, your religion was founded in the year 33 by Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It has not changed since that time. Our church is now almost 2,000 years old. And it is for this reason, that Orthodoxy, the Church of the Apostles and the Fathers is considered the true "one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church."

This is the greatest legacy that we can pass on to the young people of the new millennium.


TOPICS: Catholic; Mainline Protestant; Orthodox Christian
KEYWORDS: orthodox; protestant; romancatholic
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To: kawaii
there is tons of evidence that the earliest Christians celebrated the 8th day, the day of the ressurection AS WELL as the sabbath day which is why in Christian nations like Russia Saturday is Subbota (sabbath day!) and sunday is voskresenie (The Lord’s day)

75 posted on 06/19/2007 6:11:22 AM MDT by kawaii

I believe the origin is the early falling away:

Council of Laodicea circa 364 CE ordered that religious observances were to be conducted on Sunday, not Saturday. Sunday became the new Sabbath. They ruled: "Christians shall not Judaize and be idle on Saturday, but shall work on that day."


81 posted on 06/19/2007 6:27:57 AM PDT by Uri’el-2012 (you shall know that I, YHvH, your Savior, and your Redeemer, am the Elohim of Ya'aqob. Isaiah 60:16)
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To: kawaii
there is tons of evidence that the earliest Christians celebrated the 8th day, the day of the ressurection AS WELL as the sabbath day which is why in Christian nations like Russia Saturday is Subbota (sabbath day!) and sunday is voskresenie (The Lord’s day)

We still rest every 7 days, except that it's not the Jewish 7th day, but the day when our Lord resurrected. Voskreseniye, the Russian word for Sunday, means Resurrection. The word Subbota is simply taken from Hebrew and has no other meaning.

Other Slavic languages call Sunday nedelya (a compound word meaning no-work day), a term which the Russians used up to a certain point in their history since they also call Monday, like all other Slavs ponedel'nik (after-no-work day).

It would be wholly UN-Christian for Christians to celebrate the Jewish Sabbath as the Lord's Day, and ignore the day of His Resurrection, the very meaning of our faith.

82 posted on 06/19/2007 7:40:28 AM PDT by kosta50 (Eastern Orthodoxy is pure Christianity)
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To: kawaii
The council of Laodocea was a local council with no authority to impose anything on the whole Church. In fact, it consisted of only 30 clergy. It was the (Ecumenical, general, All-Church) Council of Chalcedon (5th century) that officially recognized Sunday as the obligate day of religious devotion.
83 posted on 06/19/2007 7:43:36 AM PDT by kosta50 (Eastern Orthodoxy is pure Christianity)
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To: bobjam
the 1066 until 1582, the English people struggled against Roman control (Henry II, the Magna Carta, Edward I, the Acts of Praemenire, the Hundred Years War, the Acts of Restraint in Appeals and Supremacy, the Elizabethan Settlement and the Spanish Armada).

No, all of those events that you listed are the royalty/nobilty struggling against other countries, indirectly with the Pope at the most. The people of England were loyal Catholics, even at the time of Henry VIII. Why do you think there was a Rising of the North?

84 posted on 06/19/2007 7:50:13 AM PDT by Pyro7480 ("Jesu, Jesu, Jesu, esto mihi Jesus" -St. Ralph Sherwin's last words at Tyburn)
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To: XeniaSt
This is the Decree from the first Pontiff of the Roman church to all the world.

Emperor Constantine, Emperor of the Roman Empire

He had issued an Edict making Sunday the day of rest

In 321 CE, while a Pagan sun-worshiper, the Emperor Constantine
declared that Sunday was to be a day of rest throughout the Roman Empire:

"On the venerable day of the Sun let the magistrates and people residing in cities rest,
and let all workshops be closed. In the country however persons engaged in agriculture
may freely and lawfully continue their pursuits because it often happens that another day
is not suitable for gain-sowing or vine planting; lest by neglecting the proper moment
for such operations the bounty of heaven should be lost."
b'shem Yah'shua

85 posted on 06/19/2007 7:54:47 AM PDT by Uri’el-2012 (you shall know that I, YHvH, your Savior, and your Redeemer, am the Elohim of Ya'aqob. Isaiah 60:16)
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To: kawaii
The L-rd, Yah'shua, rose on the Feast of First Fruits.

See Leviticus 23:10-14

The Feast of First Fruits is the day following the Shabbat
during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

It is merely epiphenomenal that is the first day of the week.

b'shem Yah'shua

86 posted on 06/19/2007 8:13:12 AM PDT by Uri’el-2012 (you shall know that I, YHvH, your Savior, and your Redeemer, am the Elohim of Ya'aqob. Isaiah 60:16)
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To: XeniaSt

Indeed Christians worship the Lord on the 8th day, the day of the resurections however the council you mention, which is a local council not binding on the whole church, is notable in that it commanded the gospels be read on Saturdays.


87 posted on 06/19/2007 8:24:19 AM PDT by kawaii (Orthodox Christianity -- Proclaiming the Truth Since 33 A.D.)
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To: XeniaSt

Contantine was never a Pontiff, and the Bishop of Rome at the time was Pope Silvester I, Christians were already resting on the Lord’s day, the mystical 8th day long before said edict.


88 posted on 06/19/2007 8:28:10 AM PDT by kawaii (Orthodox Christianity -- Proclaiming the Truth Since 33 A.D.)
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To: kosta50

subbota is taken from the hebrew for sabbath day (though it’s derived from the greek work which was derived from the hebrew if i recall).

Saturday is still the day we have vespers and prepare for the celebration of the resurection on the 8th day.


89 posted on 06/19/2007 8:32:18 AM PDT by kawaii (Orthodox Christianity -- Proclaiming the Truth Since 33 A.D.)
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To: kawaii
XS>Constantine as the first Pontiff of the Roman church condemned Passover where Yah'shua celebrated with bread and wine and replaced it with the pagan Easter.

The Roman Office of the Pontifex Maximus began in 712 BC

Later all Roman Emperors held the title Pontifex Maximus.

Emperor Constantine held the title from 306 to 337 AD

Constantine convened the Nicene Council in 325 AD and issued this edict:

ON THE KEEPING OF EASTER.

From the Letter of the Emperor to all those not present at the Council.
(Found in Eusebius, Vita Const., Lib. iii., 18-20.)

When the question relative to the sacred festival of Easter arose, it was
universally thought that it would be convenient that all should keep the
feast on one day; for what could be more beautiful and more desirable,
than to see this festival, through which we receive the hope of
immortality, celebrated by all with one accord, and in the same
manner? It was declared to be particularly unworthy for this, the
holiest of all festivals, to follow the custom [the calculation] of the
Jews, who had soiled their hands with the most fearful of crimes, and
whose minds were blinded. In rejecting their custom,(1) we may
transmit to our descendants the legitimate mode of celebrating Easter,
which we have observed from the time of the Saviour's Passion to the
present day[according to the day of the week].
We ought not,
therefore, to have anything in common with the Jews, for the Saviour
has shown us another way; our worship follows a more legitimate and
more convenient course(the order of the days of the week); and
consequently, in unanimously adopting this mode, we desire, dearest
brethren, to separate ourselves from the detestable company of the
Jews, for it is truly shameful for us to hear them boast that without
their direction we could not keep this feast. How can they be in the
right, they who, after the death of the Saviour, have no longer been led
by reason but by wild violence, as their delusion may urge them? They
do not possess the truth in this Easter question; for, in their blindness
and repugnance to all improvements, they frequently celebrate two
passovers in the same year. We could not imitate those who are openly
in error. How, then, could we follow these Jews, who are most
certainly blinded by error? for to celebrate the passover twice in one
year is totally inadmissible. But even if this were not so, it would still
be your duty not to tarnish your soul by communications with such
wicked people[the Jews]. Besides, consider well, that in such an
important matter, and on a subject of such great solemnity, there ought
not to be any division. Our Saviour has left us only one festal day of
our redemption, that is to say, of his holy passion, and he desired[to
establish] only one Catholic Church. Think, then, how unseemly it is,
that on the same day some should be fasting whilst others are seated
at a banquet; and that after Easter, some should be rejoicing at feasts,
whilst others are still observing a strict fast. For this reason, a Divine
Providence wills that this custom should be rectified and regulated in a
uniform way; and everyone, I hope, will agree upon this point. As, on
the one hand, it is our duty not to have anything in common with the
murderers of our Lord; and as, on the other, the custom now followed
by the Churches of the West, of the South, and of
the North, and by some of those of the East, is the most acceptable, it
has appeared good to all; and I have been guarantee for your consent,
that you would accept it with joy, as it is followed at Rome, in Africa,
in all Italy, Egypt, Spain, Gaul, Britain, Libya, in all Achaia, and in the
dioceses of Asia, of Pontus, and Cilicia. You should consider not only
that the number of churches in these provinces make a majority, but
also that it is right to demand what our reason approves, and that we
should have nothing in common with the Jews. To sum up in few
words: By the unanimous judgment of all, it has been decided that the
most holy festival of Easter should be everywhere celebrated on one
and the same day, and it is not seemly that in so holy a thing there
should be any division. As this is the state of the case, accept joyfully
the divine favour, and this truly divine command;
for all which takes
place in assemblies of the bishops ought to be regarded as proceeding
from the will of God. Make known to your brethren what has been
decreed, keep this most holy day according to the prescribed mode; we
can thus celebrate this holy Easter day at the same time, if it is granted
me, as I desire, to unite myself with you; we can rejoice together,
seeing that the divine power has made use of our instrumentality for
destroying the evil designs of the devil
, and thus causing faith, peace,
and unity to flourish amongst us. May God graciously protect you, my
beloved brethren.

from DOCUMENTS FROM THE FIRST COUNCIL OF NICEA [THE FIRST ECUMENICAL COUNCIL] A.D. 325

This is the Decree from the first Pontiff of the Roman church to all the world.

Emperor Constantine, Emperor of the Roman Empire

He had issued an Edict making Sunday the day of rest

In 321 CE, while a Pagan sun-worshiper, the Emperor Constantine
declared that Sunday was to be a day of rest throughout the Roman Empire:

"On the venerable day of the Sun let the magistrates and people residing in cities rest,
and let all workshops be closed. In the country however persons engaged in agriculture
may freely and lawfully continue their pursuits because it often happens that another day
is not suitable for gain-sowing or vine planting; lest by neglecting the proper moment
for such operations the bounty of heaven should be lost."
Council of Laodicea circa 364 CE ordered that religious observances were
to be conducted on Sunday, not Saturday. Sunday became the new Sabbath.

They ruled: "Christians shall not Judaize and be idle on Saturday, but shall work on that day."

b'shem Yah'shua
90 posted on 06/19/2007 8:56:37 AM PDT by Uri’el-2012 (you shall know that I, YHvH, your Savior, and your Redeemer, am the Elohim of Ya'aqob. Isaiah 60:16)
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To: XeniaSt

there was no position of pontiff within the Christian church in Rome in 321, it’s a complete falicy probably intentional. Constantine had precious little to do with the church, save on the request of Hosius of Cordoba offering financial support to bishops and clergy interested in coming to nicea for a gathering of church leadership one which Constantine did not even attend save making a speech during the open ceremonies.


91 posted on 06/19/2007 9:08:13 AM PDT by kawaii (Orthodox Christianity -- Proclaiming the Truth Since 33 A.D.)
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To: XeniaSt

The feast to which is reffered in Eusebius is PASCHA ie PASSOVER not EASTER which is a GERMAN Holiday unheard of in Rome at the time.


92 posted on 06/19/2007 9:10:15 AM PDT by kawaii (Orthodox Christianity -- Proclaiming the Truth Since 33 A.D.)
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To: XeniaSt

and yes celebrating the ressurection of our Lord whom the Jews crucified would be rather insulting on the same day the Jews are prentending like God never sent the Messiah.


93 posted on 06/19/2007 9:11:48 AM PDT by kawaii (Orthodox Christianity -- Proclaiming the Truth Since 33 A.D.)
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To: Pyro7480

Henry II struggled with the Roman Church over whether the clergy were subject to civil courts for civil crimes.

The first clause of the Magna Carta affirms the freedom and independance of the Church of England. This was a repudiation of King John’s submission to Pope Innocent III.

Henry III surrounded himself with Italian advisors who looted English estates for the benefit of Rome. The barons and commons revolted and forced Henry III to get rid of them in order to keep his throne.

Edward I abolished the practice of bishops in foreign lands owning English estates for the benefit of their foreign aristocratic patrons. He also established a legal code that accomplished much of what Henry II fought for in terms of the clergy. One could reasonably claim that Edward I did nearly as much to curb the power of foreign bishops in England than Henry VIII.

The Hundred Years War pitted the English against the French, who held the Pope in Avignon.

The Northern Rebellion was one of several attempts to overthrow Elizabeth I. The perpetrators of it and of other conspiracies (some of which were Protestant) were rounded up and executed for treason. Given the half-hearted “Pilgrimage of Grace” snuffed out by Henry VIII, it is safe to say that the English people were not terribly attached to the Pope.


94 posted on 06/19/2007 9:22:54 AM PDT by bobjam
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To: TexConfederate1861

I’m a Christian, so my faith is about 2000 years old.

God’s plan for me goes back even farther than that.


95 posted on 06/19/2007 9:25:53 AM PDT by Larry Lucido (Duncan Hunter 2008)
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To: bobjam
it is safe to say that the English people were not terribly attached to the Pope.

I would say that's a generally overbroad statement.

96 posted on 06/19/2007 9:32:49 AM PDT by Pyro7480 ("Jesu, Jesu, Jesu, esto mihi Jesus" -St. Ralph Sherwin's last words at Tyburn)
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To: bobjam; Pyro7480
it is safe to say that the English people were not terribly attached to the Pope.

From what I understand, Eamon Duffy has done research on the faith of the English people prior to the English Reformation and wrote a book about it titled The Stripping of the Altars. Sadly, I can't say that I've read it.

97 posted on 06/19/2007 9:36:55 AM PDT by GCC Catholic (Pray for your priests and seminarians...)
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To: XeniaSt
This is the Decree from the first Pontiff of the Roman church to all the world.

He was never a Pontiff of the Church, but was the first Pontiff of the Roman State to make Christianity the official state church. His support for the counsel coming together had to do with one of his secular responsibilities, promoting peace within his domains. Forcing a consensus by the ecclesiastical community in a range of areas where there was disagreement & disunity put the ball in their court& yeah, he put his thumb heavy on the scale to push them to make sure their determinations were going to acceptable to him, cuz he was going to have to live with the results.

98 posted on 06/19/2007 9:39:25 AM PDT by GoLightly
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To: kawaii
and yes celebrating the ressurection(sic) of our Lord whom the Jews crucified would be rather insulting on the same day the Jews are prentending(sic) like God never sent the Messiah.

93 posted on 06/19/2007 10:11:48 AM MDT by kawaii

Yah'shua ( which means YHvH is become my salvation )
died for all would accept His blood sacrifice for their salvation.

ergo : Those who wish to receive salvation through His
blood sacrifice are the ones who put Him to death.

And yes you would want to keep holy the day
that has been set out to be kept holy by Yah'shua Himself.

To celebrate on any other day would be following
man's tradition and not obeying the Holy Word of Elohim.

If you reject being part of the blood sacrifice of Yah'shua
then you can not have your sins forgiven by His blood sacrifice.

b'shem Yah'shua
99 posted on 06/19/2007 9:39:34 AM PDT by Uri’el-2012 (you shall know that I, YHvH, your Savior, and your Redeemer, am the Elohim of Ya'aqob. Isaiah 60:16)
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To: GCC Catholic

Thanks! I knew there was book out there, I just couldn’t remember.


100 posted on 06/19/2007 9:53:29 AM PDT by Pyro7480 ("Jesu, Jesu, Jesu, esto mihi Jesus" -St. Ralph Sherwin's last words at Tyburn)
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