The Church, as the Fathers describe it, is a hospital for all of us, who inheriting a fallen nature, are suffering from various spiritual diseases that keep us from being who God wants us to become. The Church provides the place, the means and the doctors to help us heal, overcoming the shortcomings of our fallenness. The fasting, prayer, almsgiving and everything else that the Church brings to our attention are not a purpose in themselves but healing and transforming tools to achieve the likeness of God, the only doctor of our souls and bodies. |
The center of our life is the celebration of holy communion. Whether we call it Byzantine music, or Hellenic ecclesiastical music, it is rooted in Ancient Greek Music. In addition, it is the source of Western European music. Byzantine chant is shared globally over vast geographical regions in the churches of the middle east, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Uniting all of these diverse nations in worship.
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The Church isn't run by a single person. Instead, we come together in councils to keep the Faith and guide the Church through challenges. From the Apostolic Council of Jerusalem (in the Book of Acts) to the recent (2016) Great and Holy Council, this spirit of togetherness opens us to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. And this spirit of cooperation and service can guide us wherever we are, no matter our role in the Church.
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EKOTA Documentary 2018 from HG Productions on Vimeo.
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Click on the "CC" button to see English subtitles
Walking into an Orthodox Church can be pretty overwhelming...For the Remission of Sins, and Unto Life EverlastingThe Eucharist is the center of life in the Orthodox Church because the Church is primarily a eucharistic community. The Eucharist is the completion of all of the Church's other sacraments and the source and the goal of all of the Church's doctrines and institutions.
The Orthodox Church uses leavened bread for, according to the Gospel of Saint John, Last Supper and Passion, took place during the evening, night and day time of Passover Day, therefore leavened bread was eaten in Last Supper. According to the synoptic Gospels, last Supper, Lord's trial and crucifixion took place during next day, the first Day of Unleavened Bread feast, but according to Lev 23:7, any work on that Day was forbidden. Clearly, the synoptic Gospels are in error on the day of Last Supper and Passion. |
Fr Robert's older Bible Study site..To Find Out More About the Orthodox Church |
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