Orthodox Baptism refers to the sacrament of initiation into the Eastern Orthodox Church. It involves the individual being fully immersed in water three times to symbolize death and rebirth, followed by anointment with chrism oil and receiving Holy Communion. Orthodox Baptism is considered essential for salvation and the entrance into the life of the Church.

The Orthodox Church is considered the oldest branch of Christianity, tracing its roots back to the early Christian community established by the apostles. The Protestant movement originated in the 16th century as a response to perceived corruption within the Catholic Church at the time. Catholicism, which encompasses the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest branch of Christianity and has its origins in the early centuries of Christianity.

Hi! I'm taking Greek! I toke my 10th (I think) class on Monday! Well, in Greek you spell God Θεός, "Theos", that's how you say it "THEOS"!

Oh! By the way! capitalize God, it's disrespectful if you do not!

The Armenian Catholic Church is an Eastern Catholic Church in communion with the Pope in Rome. What that means is that a member of a local Catholic Church and a member of the Armenian Catholic Church are essentially the same. The Apostle Peter is considered to be the first Pope and founder of Roman Catholicism. Tradition tells us that the Eastern churches were formed by others of Jesus's Apostles after his death and resurrection. It is interesting to note that many of the Eastern churches have been in and out of communion with Rome, and that most if not all of the Eastern churches (19+ from different parts of the world) have counterpart churches with virtually the same traditions which are not in communion with Rome. Roman Catholics can attend Masses and take Communion in Eastern Catholic Churches and vice versa, but the liturgies (order of the Mass) will be very different.

No, it is considered a sub-group. "Eastern Orthodox" is a broad term used to edscribe the group of chruches that split with the Roman Catholics in the 11th century

Well if we think about it - every village in Greece has a chuch, most towns have 2-5 and cities have maybe 20-50...And the Greek islands have 50+ each...

I guess it depends on how much islands and villages there are, i would say 5,000 as a minimum...

There are various paths/belief systems within paganism that believe in the existence of the Greek gods. One such path is known as Hellenismos, a religion that is attempting to reconstruct the ancient Greek faith.

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How does one "join" the Greek Orthodox Church? The answer is that first, you must attend the Greek Orthodox (or any) Christian church to become a member of that church. The Greek Orthodox Church is an organization, not just the one church on the corner. As a whole, it has specific beliefs that one must agree with:

*You must believe that the Holy Bible is the word of God

*You must believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah and Savior Sent by God, and is God's Holy Son

*You must believe that the Holy Spirit was sent by Jesus to comfort mankind in the absence of Jesus Christ

*You must believe that God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are One, Indivisible God - a Trinity

*You must be willing to be baptized according to the Greek Orthodox Church's proceedures

*You must be willing to take communion

*You must be willing to make a confession of your sins to a Priest of the Orthodox Church

*You must be willing to turn away (repent) from your sins and attempt to change your lifestyle

Once you are willing to do these things, then you make an appointment with your Priest and tell him that you want to join the Greek Orthodox Church - your priest will make arrangements for your education in Christianity per the Greek Orthodox Church, and help you to arrange to do the things listed above that you need to do, and then do these things to or for you, so that you become a member of the Greek Orthodox Church. Really, to become a member, you must work with your Priest to arrange it, as in any church.

Most churches have some proceedures that people go through to join up. Usually these things are arranged by a group of volunteers or office workers who operate under the direction of the Head Minister or Priest. They "know" what to do, how to arrange things, and so on. Usually, before any church will permit you to join, they want to ensure that you understand and agree with what they teach and how they teach it. After you know what the beliefs are and you agree with them, then these people will assist you in the rest of your journey in membership. It also may depend on whether you are already a Christian, or if you are a convert from a different religion.

The Bottom Line at the Greek Orthodox or any other Church? Attend first, then make an appointment with the Priest or minister for instructions about what to do next. You will be gently guided through the rest of the process.

Parish of the Mother's of God Protection c / Aragó, 181, 08011 Barcelona, Spain AND Paroquia Ortodoxa de San Andrés y San Nicolás Virgen del Socorro, 59, 03001 Alicante, Spain Hipodiácono Nicolás, Telephone: 676 929 455, parroquiaortodoxaalicante@msn.com

The primary difference between the Armenian orthodox church (oriental orthodox) and Greek Orthodox church (eastern orthodox) is their views on the nature of christ which is now seen that both churches used different terminology to describe the same thing however here is an extract of the arguemnt made by the coptic orthodox church which belongs to the oriental orthodox family,the main church that took the stance on the issue since the Armenians did not attend as a war was taking place. The Lord Jesus Christ is God Himself, the Incarnate Logos.Who took to Himself a perfect manhood. His Divine nature is one with his human nature yet without mingling, confusion or alteration; a complete Hypostatic Union. Words are inadequate to describe this union. It was said, that without controversy, "Great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, (1 Tim. 3:16).As this union is permanent, never divided nor separated, we say in the liturgy that His Godhead never departed from His manhood for a single moment nor even for a twinkle of an eye. The Divine nature (God the Word) was united with the human nature which He took of the Virgin Mary by the action of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit purified and sanctified the Virgin's womb so that the Child to whom she gave birth would inherit nothing of the original sin; the flesh formed of her blood was united with the Only-Begotten Son. This unity took place from the first moment of the Holy Pregnancy in the Virgin's womb. As a result of the unity of both natures-the Divine and the human-inside the Virgin's womb, one nature was formed out of both: "The One Nature of God the Incarnate Logos" as St. Cyril called it. The Holy Church did not find an expression more reliable, deep and precise than that which was used by St. Cyril the Great, and which St. Athanasius the Apostolic used before him. Both of them were true leaders in the theological field worldwide When the church participated in the dialogue arranged by the Pro Oriente group in Vienna, Austria in September 1971 between the Roman Catholic Church and the ancient Oriental Orthodox Churches concerning the Nature of Christ, the point of discussion was St. Cyril's expression "One Nature of God the Incarnate Logos" (Mia Physis Tou Theou Logou Sesarkwmene).After the schism which took place in the year 451 AD, when the Coptic Orthodox Church rejected the motions of the Council of Chalcedon and its theological struggles, we were called "Monophysites" that is, those who believe in the "One Nature".Sharing our belief are the Syrians, the Armenians, the Ethiopians and the Indians; who were also called "NonChalcedonian" Orthodox Churches.On the other hand, the Chalcedonian Catholic and Greek Churches "The Roman Orthodox" believe in the two natures of Christ; the Protestant Churches also hold this belief. Consequently, these churches are known as "Diophysites" - believers in the two natures of Christ. The Roman - or Chalcedonian - Orthodox Churches include those of Constantinople, Greece, Cyprus, Russia, Romania, Hungary and Serbia as well as the Roman Orthodox Churches of Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, America and the St. Catherine Monastery in the Sinai desert.The term "Monophysites" used for the believers in the One Nature has been intentionally or unintentionally misinterpreted throughout certain periods of history. Consequently, the Coptic and the Syrian Churches in particular were cruelly persecuted because of their belief, especially during the period which started from the Council of Chalcedon held in 451 AD and continued to the conquest of the Arabs in Egypt and Syria (about 641 AD). This misinterpretation continued along history as though we believed in one nature of Christ and denied the other nature. We wonder which of the two natures the Church of Alexandria denies? Is it the Divine nature? Certainly not, for our Church was the most fervent defender against the Arian heresy in the Council of Nicea, held in the year 325 AD, as well as before and after that. Or is it The Lord's human nature that the Church of Alexandria denies? St. Athanasius of Alexandria resolved this entirely in the oldest and greatest book on this subject The Incarnation of the Word, The expression "One Nature" does not indicate the Divine nature alone nor the human nature alone, but it indicates the unity of both natures into One Nature which is "The Nature of the Incarnate Logos". The same applies when we speak about our human nature which comprises two united natures: the soul and the body. Thus, man's nature is not the soul alone nor the body alone, but their union in one nature called human nature. St. Cyril the Great taught us not to talk about two natures after their unity.So we can say that the Divine nature united hypostatically with the human nature within the Virgin's womb, but after this unity we do not ever speak again about two natures of Christ. In fact, the expression "two natures" implies in itself division or separation, and although those who believe in "the two natures" admit unity, the tone of separation was obvious in the Council of Chalcedon - a matter which prompted us to reject the Council and caused the exile of St. Dioscorus of Alexandria. Since the Holy Synods of both the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and all Africa have already accepted the outcome of the official dialogue on Christology between the Orthodox Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches, including the two official agreements: the first on Christology signed in June 1989 in Egypt and the second also on Christology and on the lifting of anathemas and restoration of full communion signed in Geneva 1990, in which it is stated that "In the light of our agreed statement on Christology..., we have now clearly understood that both families have always loyally maintained the same authentic Orthodox Christological faith, and the unbroken continuity of Apostolic tradition". It was agreed to have mutual recognition of the sacrament of Baptism, based on what St Paul wrote, "One Lord, one faith, one baptism" (Eph 4:5) But since up until now we are waiting for the responses of the Holy Synods of some other churches in both families, the restoration of full communion is not yet reached between the two sides of the bi-lateral dialogue. And due to the pastoral consequences and implications caused by mixed Christian marriages between the members of the two Patriarchates of Alexandria, having the majority of their people living in the same countries. Those marriages being difficult to perform in both Churches at the same time or in concelebration. The result is that many sensitivities are created between the two families of the partners of such marriage. Those sensitivities which can extend even after the marriage and may affect the relation between the two communities of churches. For those mentioned reasons, the Holy Synods of both Patriarchates have agreed to accept the sacrament of marriage which is conducted in either Church with the condition that it is conducted for two partners not belonging to the same Patriarchate of the other Church from their origin. Both the Bride and the Groom should carry a valid certificate from his/her own Patriarchate that he/she has a permit of marriage and indicating the details of his/her marriage status up to date. Each of the two Patriarchates shall also accept to perform all of its other sacraments to that new family of Mixed Christian Marriage. It is agreed that the Patriarchate which shall perform the marriage shall be responsible for any marriage problems that may happen concerning this certain marriage, taking into consideration the unified marriage laws signed by the heads of Churches in Egypt in the year 1999. Each Patriarchate shall preserve its right not to give its sacraments to any persons whom she does not find fulfilling its canons according to the Apostolic Tradition. Petros VII Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa Shenouda III Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St Mark . "We believe that our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ, the Incarnate - Logos is perfect in His Divinity and perfect in His Humanity. He made His humanity One with His Divinity without Mixture, nor Mingling, nor Confusion. His Divinity was not separated from His Humanity even for a moment or twinkling of an eye. At the same time, we anathematize the Doctrines of both Nestorius and Eutyches". Signatures. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In a nutshell ,the Greek churches were led from Constantinople,the seat of the newer Eastern Roman Empire and the western chuches from Rome. In time their cultures

diverged more and more in language, ritual and theological nuance. There is a long

wearisome history of various insults and political rivalry,ecclesiatical and not as well

as doctrinal and scriptural dispute.

This has often grieved thinkers on both sides mindful of the shared tradition.

As late as 1439 in Council in Florence the churches reunited only to resplit shorly

afterward.

The state of aggrieved separation persists.

Generally speaking, you convert to the Eastern Orthodox Church, not Greek Orthodox, unless you live in Greece. In all other countries you convert to the Orthodox Church, as the church is not an ethnic or national body. It is open to people of all nationalities and backgrounds. In most cases, a person begins the process of conversion by speaking with a local Orthodox priest, who gives instructions (or catechism) on the teachings and beliefs of the Orthodox Church. These beliefs and doctrines have continued unchanged for over 2000 years, since the time of Jesus and the Twelve Apostles. There is also plenty of resource material on the Internet, such as by looking up "Orthodox Wiki." This process of catechism could take many months. Once you have learned about the faith and teachings of the church, you would then be ready to be baptized as a member of the Orthodox Church, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (ie. the Holy Trinity). Baptism is by triple immersion in water. At the same time, you would be Chrismated, which means receiving the Holy Oil and the Holy Spirit. Although babies are baptized without clothes, adults are usually baptized while wearing a white gown with a red cross on it.

Some Orthodox Churches today do not baptize people who have already been baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity, however, this is an exception to the rule. The correct practice is to be received by both baptism and christmation, rather than by chrismation on its own. The responsibility for this rests with the local Orthodox bishop in your area.

Yes they do. (it depends on how religious you are)

According to the New Testament, there is no earthly head of the church, and therefore each congregation of the Churches of Christ are autonomous. Therefore, there is no policy-making board, congress or convention to declare an "official" version of the Bible for use in Churches of Christ.

However, most members of the Church of Christ would place confidence in the King James Version, New King James Version, the American Standard Version and the New American Standard Version. Gaining more acceptance in recent years has been the English Standard Version. Most members that I know find some potential problems using versions like the NIV, The Living Bible and versions that simply paraphrase the thought rather than directly translate the Greek and Hebrew words in which the Bible was written.

Some byzantine churches are Orthodox. And some Orthodox churches are byzantine.

Other than that, there's no difference.

There are Roman Catholic churches which follow the byzantine form of worship, since they ceased being Orthodox in the 1400-1700s but retained their liturgical practices. And there are plenty of Orthodox parishes which have never followed byzantine norms for worship (Russian, for example, or in some places, Western Rite, especially when an entire Anglican or Roman Catholic congregation has become Orthodox).

If you hear someone generically refer to "THE Byzantine Church," they are probably referring generically to the Orthodox Church, giving credence to its roots in Greek thought, culture, and language.

Orthodox is made up of two Greek words "ortho" which means correct and "doxa" which means worship or glory.

In a secular sense, 'orthodox' can mean traditional or conforming with accepted standards.

In a spiritual context, the word 'Orthodox' means the correct faith or the correct worship and glory of God.

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The images were known by the earliest church fathers or ante nicene fathers i.e Polycarp, Melito of Sardis and Ignatius of Antioch as idols and they were and still are a damnable heresy. The apostle Paul also made it clear that we 'walk by faith not by sight', and in John 4:23&24 it says that when we worship, we worship in 'Spirit and Truth'.

The veneration of images or any man made object was a pagan practice, alot of the earliest converts to Christianity wished to continue with this practice of image veneration, resulting in division among christians from the beginning.. The same occurred with the veneration/prayer to saints.. The early christians prior to conversion were involved in polytheism this is the worship of many gods. It was the heretical apostate emperor Constantine (at least until just before he died) who suggested that rather these christians continue venerating/worshipping their many gods of who knows what, they should replace them with the veneration of saints. This is supposedly 'dead christians who were holy'.. Despite the above truth, only God knows who a true christian is - none of us are at liberty to decide beyond the shadow of a doubt on the true condition of a mans heart.

So in answer to your question, these images were first known as idols, but over years of debate, they became officially known as icons.. This is what is now known as the 'great victory for orthodoxy'.. Now I must be clear here, but the Eastern Orthodox Church is only called the orthodox church by name.. it is largely inconsistent with the teachings of scripture and the earliest church fathers hence it is not the true orthodox church in the slightest..

The true Church of God is the body of Christ.. It is not a denomination, it is simply the body of Christ.. It consists of those who have been saved by the Grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. These members of the body of Christ acknowledge their corrupt and sinful nature and recognise the wonderful atoning work done by Jesus Christ through the shedding of his blood and death on the cross, and then His triumphant resurrection. As death could not hold Him down.

A priest performs the sacraments (Mysteries) of the Church, and he also does pastoral work, such as visiting the sick, the prisoners, the widows, plus counselling and many many other duties.

Ninety-seven percent are Eastern Orthodox.

There is not a Greek meaning for the name Jessica as it is a Hebrew name. The Hebrew meaning is rich and God beholds.

In the Eastern Orthodox Church, (which includes Greek Orthodox Christians and Russian Orthodox Christians, etc.) Easter eggs are painted red, as this colour represents the blood that Christ shed for our sins during His crucifixion.