Transcription
Introduction toOrthodox ChristianityA Three Session Classfor Inquirers
Class PurposeProvide a basic introduction to OrthodoxChristianityDiocese of the Midwest - Orthodox Church in America2
Questions We Will Answer What is the Orthodox Church?Where does it come from – and why have so manynever heard of it?How is it similar to and different from ChristianChurches with which you may be more familiar? What do people find here? Your specific questions.
Overview Welcome!Coffee and soft drinks afterwards We love questions ask them anytime The restrooms are located Session OutlineIntroduction to OrthodoxChristianitySession 1 - Who We AreSession 2 - What We BelieveSession 3 - How We Live
Orthodox ChristianityWho We AreSession 1
Orthodox Christian Church IS NOT an institution or organizationIS a Living Organism –the people of GodAs the people of God we:Gather together in his name Share a common faith in love of God Affirm truth & fullness of their faith belief & experience Proclaim the Good News of Christ in word and deed
An Orthodox Christian A person who lives according to the image of JesusChrist and affirms the fullness of truth he revealsOrthodoxChristianTrue or correctcompletedoctrineBeliefteachingdoctrineJesus Christin whom ourfaith isrootedOne whostrives to liveas Christ did
Jesus Christ DID NOT Come to establish a religion, belief system or codeof ethics.DID Give us a model for living based on loving God with our very being Others as we love ourselves On this, Jesus Christ says, everything else hinges
Orthodox Christian ChurchOrigins Traces its origins to Jesus Christ and the apostlesBorn on day of Pentecost 50 days after Christ’s resurrectionwhen the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles Apostles went throughout the worldproclaiming the Good News of the Risen Christ to all who would listen Subsequently spread to every corner of the worldPlanted in North America by Orthodox missionaries Alaska, 1794
Orthodox Church Today Throughout the world In North America 300,000,000 Orthodox Christians2,000,000 Orthodox Christians2800 parishes, missions institutions andmonasteriesThe Church continues to invite people to Come and see the fullness of the faithEmbrace it as their own
Orthodox ChristiansAttempt to serve God by:WorshipPublic “liturgy” & private prayerDiocese of the Midwest - Orthodox Church in America11
Orthodox ChristiansAttempt to serve God by:FellowshipBy interacting with others in thefaith community and beyondDiocese of the Midwest - Orthodox Church in America12
Orthodox ChristiansAttempt to serve God by:DiscipleshipFasting, almsgiving and reaching out to others,especially those in spiritual and material needDiocese of the Midwest - Orthodox Church in America13
Orthodox ChristiansAttempt to serve God by:StewardshipWisely managing the gifts of time, talent andtreasure with which God has blessed us.
Next WeekSession 2 – What We Believe
Questions?
Orthodox ChristianityWhat We BelieveSession 2
Topics ScriptureTraditionTrinityThe ChurchSalvationDiocese of the Midwest - Orthodox Church in America18
Holy ScriptureThe inspired word of God and the writtenrecord of His revelation to humanityDiocese of the Midwest - Orthodox Church in America19
Holy Scripture Old Testament Records the manner in which God preparedthe world for the coming of His Son, JesusChrist.New Testament Completes and fulfills God’s revelation by proclaiming Jesus Christ as Lord, God andSavior;as the very Word of GodWho came to live in the midst of His people;and as the perfect, final and completerevelation of God to the world
Holy TraditionThat which is passed on or given over within the Church, fromthe time of Jesus Christ and the apostles until the present day Is the ongoing life of God’s Peoplethat which God’s People have believed, lived, experienced,celebrated and shared at all times and in all places.the living link that unites God’s people in a common faith,life & experience.Includes all that is essential to God’s revelation and necessary forour salvation
Holy TraditionConsists of Holy ScripturePrayer & liturgical worshipAccepted creeds & acts of the early Church’scouncilsWritings of the Holy FathersLives of the saintsArtistic and musical expression of the Church
Holy TrinityThe one God is three separate anddistinct PersonsFather, Son and Holy Spirit Each Person of the Trinity Shares fully and equally in the divinenature and will ANDIs infinite, perfect, all knowing, everexisting and eternally the same ANDIs perfectly united to the otherPersons of the Trinity in love.
Holy Trinity (cont’d)God the Father The source of all thingsMaker of Heaven and EarthAnd of all things visible and invisibleSummarized in Nicene Creed, professedunchanged since 4th century
Holy Trinity (cont’d)God the Son, Jesus Christ Sent by the Father into the world for our salvationBegotten of the Father before all agesTook on human nature & became man while not forsakingdivine natureCrucified for us under Pontius Pilateand on the third day He arose againHe shall come again in glory to judge the living and the deadJesus Christ is our Savior,who leads humanity into God’s kingdom
Holy Trinity (cont’d)God the Holy Spirit The Lord, the Giver of LifeProceeds from the FatherIs worshipped and glorified with the Father andthe SonThe Holy Spirit fills us, sustains us andstrengthens us in living a Christ-like life
The ChurchThe Church is ONEBecause HOLY CATHOLIC APOSTOLIC It is one body with one Head, Jesus ChristIt cannot be divided or separated because Christcannot be divided or separatedIt does not posses numerous branches that,while similar, are not the samethe Holy Spirit dwells in God’s people as theyrespond to His call to salvation and eternal lifethe Church is whole, complete, lacking innothing & universalIt maintains and continues in the apostles’teaching, mission, ministry and experience
Salvation The process by which we prepare to enjoyeternal life with God.Ends our separation from God, enabling us tobegin a new life in accordance with His will.
SalvationFor those who Love GodSpending eternity in Hispresence is Hate God or,Are indifferent to Him or,Refuse to place their faith inHim ParadiseHeavenA “fire that purifies”TormentA “fire that burns”
Salvation Is ultimately attained through an active faith Free to accept or rejectBy accepting faith we commit ourselves to: Living our faithPutting it into actionRecognizing God’s presence in others – even theleast of the brothers
Next WeekSession 3 – How We Live
Questions?
Orthodox ChristianityHow We LiveSession 3Service to GodService to Others
How We LiveOffering service to others is rooted in servicewe offer to God in prayer and worshipService to GodPrivate PrayerPublic WorshipSacramentsService toOthersFellowshipDiscipleshipStewardship
Service to GodPrivate prayer is essential We communicate and commune with Godpersonally To discern God’s will for our livesTo obtain the means to live his willTo praise and thank him for the blessings He hasgiven usTo bring our burdens before Him while asking forstrength to live our faith even in times of adversity
Service to GodAbove all God’s people are a worshipping peopleLiturgical Worship is the public proclamation of God as Lordthe common action, or liturgy, of God’speople
Service to GodThe Divine Liturgy (Eucharist) is: The central act of worshipDuring which we: Proclaim God’s word as revealed in scriptureAnd respond in Thanksgiving through the reception ofHoly Communion – the body and blood of Jesus ChristDiocese of the Midwest - Orthodox Church in America37
Service to GodSacramentsOur Sacraments bring God’s presence into our lives as we:Baptism & Become members of Christ’s BodyChrismationHoly Communion Proclaim Christ’s death, Resurrection and SecondComingConfession Be forgiven by & reconciled with God and HisPeopleMarriage Share His love and the commitments it entailsOrdination Dedicate our lives and our work to Him inspecialized serviceHoly Unction Receive His healing grace
Service to GodSacramentsBaptism & ChrismationBecome members of Christ’s BodyDiocese of the Midwest - Orthodox Church in America39
Service to GodSacramentsHoly CommunionProclaim Christ’s Death, Resurrectionand Second ComingDiocese of the Midwest - Orthodox Church in America40
Service to GodSacramentsConfessionBe forgiven by & reconciled withGod and his people.Diocese of the Midwest - Orthodox Church in America41
Service to GodSacramentsMarriageShare His love anditinentailsDiocesetheof the commitmentsMidwest - Orthodox ChurchAmerica42
Service to GodSacramentsOrdinationDedicate our livesand our work to Himin specialized serviceDiocese of the Midwest - Orthodox Church in America43
Service to GodSacramentsHoly UnctionReceive his healing grace“ unto the healing of soul and body.”Diocese of the Midwest - Orthodox Church in America44
Service to OthersOne cannot be a Christian independent of othersVolunteer and child at Hogar Rafael Ayau OrphanageGuatemala City, Guatemala
Service to OthersFellowship The Church is God’s people who: Are united in a common faith, life andjourney to the kingdom of GodShare their common union in theChristian communityThe roots of fellowship are: Mutual love & respectHospitalityAcknowledgement that, while we belong to Christ,we also are members of one anotherDiocese of the Midwest - Orthodox Church in America46
Service to Others (cont’d)DiscipleshipA disciple is more than a follower rather a co-worker with Christ bringing the Good News ofsalvation to all who listen and receive it. Discipleship includes: Strengthening our faith Living out our faith Reading, studying, discussingIn words and actionsSharing our faith with others Especially those who have yet to hear thefullness of the Good News of Jesus Christ
Service to Others (cont’d)Stewardship wisely managing the countlessgifts bestowed by God. TimeTalentTreasure
SummaryWhat Do People Find Here?1.Doctrinal integrity andcontinuity with the originalapostolic "deposit" that doesnot shift with the times orwith prevailing fads.Church of Holy SepulchreJerusalemDiocese of the Midwest - Orthodox Church in America49
SummaryWhat Do People Find Here?2.An emphasis on the experience andatmosphere of worship in which weacknowledge the holiness and majesty of God.Diocese of the Midwest - Orthodox Church in America50
SummaryWhat Do People Find Here?3. An over-all Christian "world view" that ismeant to be lived out as a "way of life."Diocese of the Midwest - Orthodox Church in America51
Thank You For Your Timeand Your Attention!Diocese of the MidwestOrthodox Church in America
Orthodox Church Today Throughout the world 300,000,000 Orthodox Christians In North America 2,000,000 Orthodox Christians 2800 parishes, missions institutions and monast
