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Orthodox Christian Church - Full name is One Holy Apostolic Catholic (NOT Roman-Catholic) Orthodox Church. Orthodox Church is oldest Christian Church who's first bishops were Christ's Apostles. All Orthodox bishops have unbreakable line of succession with Christ's Apostles.
- Catholic means universal.
The leader of Orthodox Church is Patriarch, then goes metropolitan, then goes archbishop and then bishop. Patriarch is first among equal and has no power over other bishops unlike pope. Patriarch is first among equals, but his authority is great, and bishops submit to his wisdom. Orthodox bishops are monastics, but Orthodox priests and deacons are allowed to get married, in fact, Orthodox priest must be married to be ordained in to priest.
There are many Orthodox Churches in the world with their Patriarch as leader, but they are all connected in to one Orthodox Church.
Orthodox Churches are
1. Ecumenical (Universal) Patriarchate of Constantinople (today Istanbul, Turkey), the New Rome. (Patriarch of Constantinople is first among equal of all Patriarchs.) Constantinople's Patriarchate was established by Christ's Apostle, 2000 years ago.
2. Patriarchate of Antioch and all East. (2000 years old), also found by Apostle.
3. Patriarchate of Alexandria and all Africa (2000 years old), also found by Apostle.
4. Patriarchate of Jerusalem and all Palestine (2000 years old), also found by Apostle.
5. Patriarchate of Rome (In year of 1054 Rome broke away from Orthodox Church and created Roman-Catholic Church, which changed it's dogma, teachings and ways of worship to such level, that it doesn't look Orthodox anymore. also found by Apostle.
6. Georgian Patriarchate (1600 years old)
7. Bulgarian Patriarchate (1100 years old)
8. Serbian Patriarchate (800 years old)
9. Romanian Patriarchate (700 years old)
10. Patriarchate of Moscow and all Russia (500 years old)
Orthodox Church can be found world wide, in 20th century was formed Japanese Orthodox Church, American Orthodox Church, and many others, but these national Churches are not led by Patriarch, but by arch-bishop or metropolitan, because Orthodoxy hasn't taken majority in those nations.
Orthodox Church cherishes way of teaching, chanting, worship and everything for 2000 years of unchanged ways. Orthodox Church claims that Orthodox Church is the one that Christ mentioned on the Last (Secret) Supper. And it seems it has right to claim, because first Patriarchs of Orthodox Church are Christ's Apostles.
Some useful links.
The goal of Christianity - Fr. Seraphim Cardoza - YouTube This is father Seraphim Cardoza, an American, who was Protestant pastor, but converted to Orthodoxy, and now serves as Orthodox priest in USA. Very interesting man to listen.
Orthodox Church - Divine Liturgy. - YouTube This is interesting video that explains a bit about Orthodox Christian worship, the Divine Liturgy, which was established 2000 years ago by Apostle Paul, but was finally perfected 1700 years ago, and never changed since then.
Serbian Orthodox Patriarch Pavle - the meaning of life - time. - YouTube This is video translated in English, short video, shows Serbian Patriarch Pavle (Paul) 1914-2009, explaining the meaning of life - time. Patriarch Pavle is one of latest saints of our era. He led very modest and holy life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNNeQTN-uy8 Orthodox Chanting in English. Orthodox Christians don't use instruments in performing music. Following holy tradition, and believe that only voice given by God can create most beautiful hymns in celebrating Lord.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-EfW7gYzns Very ancient chanting from Orthodox Christian Arabs in Palestine. Some Arabic Orthodox chants are same as in era of
Apostles.
Very interesting BBC documentary about Holy Mountain Athos. It is mountain filled with monasteries where Orthodox Monks lead aposlute way of Orthodox monasticism. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxATVCWNQNw
Orthodox Christians do practice "praying" to the saints. But it is not praying to the saints, but asking of a saint to pray to God for you, because of saint's authority. Orthodox Christians also ask the help from great arch-angels or their patron saint if they fall in to life-threatening danger. Many confess miracles after such cry for help. The most respected saint in Orthodoxy is Virgin Mary, or in Orthodoxy known as All Holy Theotokos (Mother of God) Maria. This is famous chanting to honor Theotokos. It is sang in same way all across world in all kinds of languages. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IomxvOTf-So
Orthodox Church never tried to enforce Latin or Greek or Hebrew Language, Orrthodox Church believes faith should be lectured in Native languages, so everyone could understand.
Orthodox Christians practice Holy Communion, which is ending of Divine Liturgy.
Orthodox Christians believe in 7 mysteries of the Church, such as confession, holy communion, baptism, marriage, priesthood, holy myyrh and others. The 8th one is holy ritual of funeral.
Orthodox Christians summon priest to confess their sins before death, believing confessing through priest, they confess their sins to the Lord, before Rome legalized Christianity in 4th century, Orthodox Christians used to confess their sins not only to their priest, but to entire community, but after Roman Emperor became Christian, many became Christians just to follow emperor, they were not worthy to hear sins of true Christians, so since then, Orthodox Christians confess their sins only to their spiritual father, the priest in private.
Orthodox Christians follow the teachings of Holy Scripture and Holy Tradition. Holy Tradition is inspired saints who perfected the Orthodox Church and 7 ecumenical councils, which stopped heresies of first milenia and brought laws and dogma, to be followed, dogma which saved Orthodox Church to be the only unchanged Church for 2000 years.
Orthodox Church believes that the prayers of the living can help the passed away ones, and even save the passed away one, if those prayers did "unlock" Lord's mercy. That is why Orthodox Church practices 40 days of un-ending praying to those who passed away recently. On 40th day, the soul of the dead one, is leaving earth and is going on a journy with it's angel the protector through the horrors of gates, should the soul wait Ressurrection with angels, or devils, if the soul was sinful in the earthy life.
Orthodox Church doesn't believ in purgatory, it is novatary of the Roman-Catholic Church. Orthodox Church believes that, if someone dies before Ressurrection, pretty much everyone by now, the soul of the dead one will spend time in spiritual world, separated from it's body. If the soul was good, soul will rejoice and awaiy Christ's return with angels, and will enjoy in spiritual wealth. If the soul was bad in earthly life, soul will await judgment day in fear, guarded by devils. Such soul can be saved by the prayers of the Church and still living siblings, and by angels taken away from devils and brought to the side of light.
Orthodox Theology is most advanced and richest in the world, there is much more to discover, for those who wish to learn, they can google it.
I hope for those who didn't know, that they learned something.
I enjoyed your post, Sneza. I really wish we could have more threads where members of different churches could just explain their beliefs without having everybody jump in and start explaining why those beliefs are wrong. Another forum I post on does have a section where no debate is allowed, and where people may go for the sole purpose of learning about beliefs other than their own, from people who actually have those beliefs. I wish it were like that here on City-Data.
I enjoyed your post, Sneza. I really wish we could have more threads where members of different churches could just explain their beliefs without having everybody jump in and start explaining why those beliefs are wrong. Another forum I post on does have a section where no debate is allowed, and where people may go for the sole purpose of learning about beliefs other than their own, from people who actually have those beliefs. I wish it were like that here on City-Data.
Thank you, i am glad you enjoyed it.
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