I've never heard much about Orthodoxy but you make it so easy to understand and not to mention fun. I may be a Protestant but I would like to visit an Orthodox church one day, it looks beyond beautiful and captivating.
This is a wonderful time to visit a community and experience the services firsthand. If you live in the United States, you can find a parish near you by using this link: www.assemblyofbishops.org/directories/parishes God bless you!
This program should be in every Sunday school. I wish I had it when I was young. Fantastic production and excellent writing. I wish I could purchase every show and give as a gift for my young family members
The Antiochian church I attend is very humble and small compared to this church. Much smaller than the Greek Orthodox church in Daytona Beach. I love it and look forward to seeing it grow. It is about forty miles, one way, from where I live, but it is very worth the time it takes to get there. I'm so happy to be in the Orthodox Church. God bless you all!
Now I know when I was searching for the Lord Jesus. That when I attended the Greek Orthodox Church it was overwhelming. Now I wish someone took the time to explain it to me. I do you remember going to the church and we went into a room in the other side of the church that was teaching in English..
I love your videos, thank you very much. I went into an Orthodox church for the first time for divine liturgy today. It was very overwhelming the first time but because I watched your videos I understood what to do with the candles and the venerations. The liturgy was two hours, but it did not seem that long at all. Time and space seemed to be suspended. For the first time I understood what it meant when they say that the church is Jesus’ bride. And what it meant to give your life to God. The words I can describe the liturgy was holy holy holy! When I walked out of the church into my real life I felt as if I were back on planet earth and the church was somehow in some divine suspension between heaven and earth or maybe both all at once. Thank you to the Orthodox Church. I truly hope that everyone experiences the love of Christ and the love of each other as I was shown in this church. Coming out of the church I was given five cards to give gifts of kindness to five people during the Lenten season. On each card it said have a blessed day, and it gave some ideas on some good things you can do for others. I truly felt that was the light of Christ in our lives.
In the Ukrainian Orthodox tradition, the church is also referred to as a "temple'" (chram) partly because the structure of the Byzantine church is based on the temple in Jerusalem: Court of the Gentiles = narthex; Court of the Israelites = nave & the Holy of Holies = sanctuary. Great video, thanks.
I'm actually going into the Coptic Orthodox church but was suggested this channel by TH-cam, I like your content, both Eastern and Oriental aren't that different I'm noticing from the Roman Catholicism I was raised with.
@@stevenchristoforou1667 Yes,in fact I have. It was years ago that an ESL student of mine took me to her church. She was from Slovakia and her father had been an Orthodox Priest who had actually stood between communist rifles and his congregation (Decades ago of course!). I was raised in a Protestant family and am very interested in comparative religion.
Great video again, thank you! Would it be possible to have a video explaining the various parts of the liturgy? It would be great to understand the differences between Matins, the divine liturgy and all the sections/parts within them.
Thank God! We hope to have a full series on Orthodox worship (Liturgy, Matins, Vespers, Hours, etc.) sometime in the next couple years. We're going to first do a more thorough introduction to Orthodoxy, which we hope to have ready by the Spring of 2019. Pray for us!
I love the way you explains about church .as you know the t holy place is sanctuary but the Bible say take shoe off because the place you stand is holy. My question is why you walk in to sanctuary wearing your shoe.please explain to me.thank you God bless you
That's my church I saw the thumbnail I was like that looks like my my church clicked on the video and sure enough it's my church and my priest was in the video
@@stevenchristoforou1667 There's a Greek Orthodox church about six miles away that I would like to visit someday; it's in Northridge, California. I live in the San Fernando Valley. I'm Hispanic and was born into a Catholic household--and like many Hispanics have some Greek and Italian in my DNA. Some time ago when I watched a video of Mount Athos--I somewhat connected to the Greek chants.
Thank you for all your wonderfully explained videos! One suggestion: perhaps have some Orthodox chant in the background instead of the presents music. It's not a huge deal, but I think it would enhance the ethos of the channel. Thanks again!
@@eduardovalentin9416 Even if chants were royalty free, we still wouldn't reduce prayers to background music like that. Prayer is prayer. Not background noise.
I am Greek Orthodox and I was taught in Sunday School that women are not allowed in the sanctuary. However, I did learn through a cousin of mine who married a guy who is Coptic Orthodox that if you are a nun, and you have a purpose behind the alter, you are allowed in. I didn't know though that they are allowed in our faith. I also get the Orthodox Observer and I've seen a lot of articles you have in there. I am so happy I found your channel.
You should check Serbian and Russian Orthodox churches, they look a little bit different than Greek, there are no benches inside, walls are different, etc. 😊😊☦️❤️☦️
Dear brother when you pray it is to the right not the left because we have come back to the way that jesus chris came and disappeared , i am orthodox from eritrea
Great question! People often use the terms interchangeably, but that's not accurate. The "Beautiful Gate/Doors" are in the icon screen which separates the sanctuary and nave (the central part of the Church). The "Royal Doors" separate the nave from the narthext (the first part of the Church one enters. At one time, only the emperor walked through the Royal Doors.
Excellent video brother. But I've a question. If entrance to the sanctuary is granted only to the deacons and priests then does it mean that Deification or Theosis is reserved only for the clergy and not for the rest of the church? So how does the common believer attain theosis; which is the ultimate goal of his spiritual life, if he is not allowed to enter the sanctuary?
The sanctuary isn't limited to deacons and presbyters. It's limited to people who have a liturgical role to play (that can include the laity). It's a place of reverence, not somewhere we pop into lightly. Entering into the sanctuary isn't connected to theosis.
@@zachariajohnson5639 The 3 parts of the church building represent the 3 stages of the spiritual life. Just as we move through the building towards the Sanctuary, we're supposed to move in our lives closer to Theosis. That's all. It's a sort of image or symbol.
@@legslane6925 oh, gotcha. That depends. Most of the time, there's a mood of peace. Sometimes, there will be a mood of pain or grief (especially during Holy Week, when we celebrate the Cross and Christ's death). Sometimes, there's will be joy (especially on Pascha). And, of course, much depends on what we're prepared to experience. If I'm honest, I sometimes feel bored or distracted. So even when joy is right in front of me, my attention is elsewhere. Because it's not just about the mood of the service: it's also about my inner mood. God bless you!
It's a question of style. Some have them, some don't. Though I think pews originated in the Protestant tradition, and many Orthodox parishes have adopted the practice. Personally, I prefer churches with no pews.
I have become curious about the orthodox church and have been watching a few videos and reading bits and pieces of articles about the orthodox church and being myself an evangelical, the orthodox church services seem a bit confusing to me. The services appear to be beautiful and reverant, yet ritual in another sense. It even seems to me that the service is scripted. Orthodox services seem to have some of the same elements I would expect in a Catholic Church. Correct me if I'm mistaken.
I'm not sure why "scripted" is a bad thing. The Psalms were prayers of the Temple, and continue to be prayers of Christians today. Just because they're already written isn't a problem, is it? Maybe I'm misunderstanding your question. If so, please forgive me. Help me understand.
@@stevenchristoforou1667 I don't see anything wrong with using selected Psalms in prayer or worship. The thing that I have evidenced however is that when people only ever rely on scripted prayer then they never really learn to have personal prayers from their heart that apply to the personal needs which the believer is currently dealing with. Romans 8:26-27 deals with that . . . We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
@@BT3701 fair point. But when we ignore the structure and guidance that the Church offers, we can easily fall into self-directed silliness (while believing we're guided by the Spirit). It's no accident that the world is full of so many different "versions" of Christianity. People don't even agree that Jesus is the divine Son of God.
@@stevenchristoforou1667 While Scripture states that the Church is the pillar and ground of truth (1 Tim 3:15), the Church is only considered to be that pillar when the authority of Scripture is placed above any Church authority. When a Church places itself in authority above Scripture then the Church is no longer the pillar and ground of truth.
@@stevenchristoforou1667 Hahaha, good one. Usually we do stand during services, and for those who can't pews are placed on the sides of the church. I was very confused with those pews that look like you had entered the Roman chatolic church.
very interesting...as a Catholic it all seems so familiar to me...you guys don"t seem to make a huge deal of the Blessed Sacrament (communion) like the Cathoics do...can you comment on that?
Peter Krauss Orthodox and Roman churches are basically the same :3 But Orthodox is not that common. How did I found this, reading a book about how this churches are catholic but divided? I am Roman Catholic but I will feel attracted and feel awesome to go to an Orthodox Church!! Hopefully some day I will attend an Orthodox Church. I like it. 🎀🙏🏻🕊🕊
I'm going to push back on the idea that they're basically the same. For more, I'd suggest this podcast. www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/orthodoxyheterodoxy Fr Andrew has 4 episodes on Orthodoxy and Catholicism, back in December 2015. Here are the specific episodes: www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/orthodoxyheterodoxy/rome_part_1a www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/orthodoxyheterodoxy/rome_part_1b www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/orthodoxyheterodoxy/rome_part_2a www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/orthodoxyheterodoxy/rome_part_2b
I never responded to your initial question, forgive me! Holy Communion is the core of what we do and who we are. We assemble as the Body of Christ, to become the Body of Christ, by receiving the Body of Christ. You may be thinking of Eucharistic Adoration, a practice which isn't found in the Orthodox tradition. That probably develop from different theological methods, and different understandings of salvation. Eucharistic Adoration is consistent with a Beatific Vision model of salvation, looking upon the Lord from a distance. Orthodox theology sees the Eucharist as meant to be consumed; though a little Communion is held in reserve for emergencies, the goal is to eat and be filled at the Lord's Table. And I think this is consistent with a more visceral, existential, participatory view of salvation, literal union and communion rather than gazing from afar. This is a pretty simplified, paragraph-long version, of course. Forgive me if I glossed over any important points.
That's a complicated question. There are several jurisdictions in the United States; each of them is presided over by an Archbishop or Metropolitan. None of these jurisdictions are fully independent; they're all still connected to the Patriarchates overseas.
Iconography is not art. Icons are “written”; not “drawn”. Iconography is a language. It speaks to us. Jesus the Christ is the WORD of God. The Bible is a book describing the word of God. It is written text. Just like Iconography is written. The word “iconography” is derived from the Greek words “eikon” meaning “image” and “graphos” meaning “to write.” The icon image is a visual symbol of the invisible. Icons express in images the spiritual realities that are inexpressible in words and inaccessible to our rational mind. Iconography is an important theological truth. A theological principal the concept of the incarnation. The truth that the invisible God, took on flesh and became visible in his creation. That changes the way we deal with the physical. Our gift of site has been given to us to honor and glorify God. Iconography is a supreme gift designed to stir up a love and devotion for who is depicted in the iconography. It is a physical, beautiful reminder of love devotion and affection; a remembrance. Orthodox iconography calls us to proper honor and veneration. We, ourselves, are living icons of God as we are made in God’s image. Iconography played a very important role in the early days of the Church as the literacy level was extremely low. The entire Gospel is written out on the walls of Orthodox churches in “images”. Icons have been with the Church since the Apostles. St. Luke who authored Luke and Acts was also an iconographer. Icons became dogma at the seventh Ecumenical Council.
A few icons wich we can venerate... Then they say that are using images the dont worship them...i like some orthodoxian things but otheers are so unbiblical
Yes, because worship and veneration are different things. For more (and why icons are Biblical): Be the Bee #53 | Venerating Icons th-cam.com/video/o8iFOgppS6Y/w-d-xo.html
@@stevenchristoforou1667 That's a Western innovation and not Orthodox. Any benches or pews should only be along the walls for the elderly and infirm. Those pews scar the glory of the temple like that.
@@brotherbrovet1881 The good news is that you're not a bishop. So you don't need to worry about where (and which) other Christians sit during the services. It's fine to have your own private opinion about aesthetics. I'd prefer if we didn't have pews, either. They're unnecessarily restrictive of movement. But it's not appropriate (or true) to say pews are "not Orthodox."
@@stevenchristoforou1667 pews were invented by Protestants who'd have to listen to 3 and 4hr sermons... they're not Orthodox. Just like masks during Liturgy and single use Communion Spoons aren't Orthodox. Thankfully I've managed to convince every parish I've ever been in that had pews...to correct the error.
Pray for me brothers and sisters, I've decided to convert to Orthodoxy.
God bless your next steps!
Welcome home brother+++
I've never heard much about Orthodoxy but you make it so easy to understand and not to mention fun. I may be a Protestant but I would like to visit an Orthodox church one day, it looks beyond beautiful and captivating.
We'd love for you to visit! You can use this link to find a community near you:
www.assemblyofbishops.org/directories/parishes
God bless you!
Stunning church.
I like how this guy knows too much about the christian faith! God bless his heart! I wish I could meet people like this! 🙏🏻
no
Does he believe in the Christ as well as he knows?
@@Unicysis He serves at the church so I think so
@@Unicysis you're probably just some mad prot lmao
I love it! I’m not Orthodox. But, I am very interested in checking out services. Everything is so beautiful, and looks really interesting.
This is a wonderful time to visit a community and experience the services firsthand.
If you live in the United States, you can find a parish near you by using this link:
www.assemblyofbishops.org/directories/parishes
God bless you!
I love all your videos. Your forgiveness video and this one left me speechless. Steve, you are doing good work spreading the word of God. Be the Bee!
Thank you for the kind encouragement!
Greetings from Romania ! Good work brother !
Pray for us!
Doamne miluieste ☦️❤️
This program should be in every Sunday school. I wish I had it when I was young. Fantastic production and excellent writing. I wish I could purchase every show and give as a gift for my young family members
The Antiochian church I attend is very humble and small compared to this church. Much smaller than the Greek Orthodox church in Daytona Beach. I love it and look forward to seeing it grow. It is about forty miles, one way, from where I live, but it is very worth the time it takes to get there. I'm so happy to be in the Orthodox Church. God bless you all!
God bless you as well!
Great video! This will be super useful to explain our churches to Protestant friends and students.
Now I know when I was searching for the Lord Jesus. That when I attended the Greek Orthodox Church it was overwhelming. Now I wish someone took the time to explain it to me. I do you remember going to the church and we went into a room in the other side of the church that was teaching in English..
Thank you for your amazing videos
Thanks!
Beautifully broken down and simply yet profoundly explained thank you and God bless. Χριστός Ανέστη ☦️
I love your videos, thank you very much. I went into an Orthodox church for the first time for divine liturgy today. It was very overwhelming the first time but because I watched your videos I understood what to do with the candles and the venerations. The liturgy was two hours, but it did not seem that long at all. Time and space seemed to be suspended. For the first time I understood what it meant when they say that the church is Jesus’ bride. And what it meant to give your life to God. The words I can describe the liturgy was holy holy holy! When I walked out of the church into my real life I felt as if I were back on planet earth and the church was somehow in some divine suspension between heaven and earth or maybe both all at once. Thank you to the Orthodox Church. I truly hope that everyone experiences the love of Christ and the love of each other as I was shown in this church. Coming out of the church I was given five cards to give gifts of kindness to five people during the Lenten season. On each card it said have a blessed day, and it gave some ideas on some good things you can do for others. I truly felt that was the light of Christ in our lives.
Glory to God! This is so wonderful to hear!
Steven Christoforou I wish you were my spiritual father lol or that I could find someone like you.
@@mujerdivina1590 The Church is blessed with a ton of real spiritual fathers, far better than me in every way!
In the Ukrainian Orthodox tradition, the church is also referred to as a "temple'" (chram) partly because the structure of the Byzantine church is based on the temple in Jerusalem: Court of the Gentiles = narthex; Court of the Israelites = nave & the Holy of Holies = sanctuary. Great video, thanks.
amazing.
Amen Glory be to God.....
God Bless you all from Chicago USA.
How can god bless me if hes not real
@@legslane6925 What makes you say that?
Our Coptic (Egyptian ) Church have the same looks and symbols
Thank you for a great video. That sure is a beautiful church.
Glory to God!
Awesome beautiful Church ! Thank you for the video !
another awesome video about orthodoxy, brother Steve! Congrats!
Pray for us!
GOD IS NOT REAL
@@legslane6925 Why do you say that?
(Or shout it, I suppose, with all caps.)
Muito bonito mesmo Deus abençoe sempre amém
Wow beautyful
We need to make our own network
Excellent video!
Thanks!
Love the candle analogy.
Wow so much planning and organisation goes into the structure and planning of the church building. I didnt realise. Very interesting
Oh yes, there's a lot of wisdom there!
I'm actually going into the Coptic Orthodox church but was suggested this channel by TH-cam, I like your content, both Eastern and Oriental aren't that different I'm noticing from the Roman Catholicism I was raised with.
May God bless you! I hope your continued exploration of the Orthodox Church is fruitful.
@@stevenchristoforou1667
And may He bless you as well! I Just hit the Subscribe button, I like your videos!
Very interesting. Thank you so much for sharing.
Thanks for watching! Have you ever visited an Orthodox parish in person?
@@stevenchristoforou1667 Yes,in fact I have. It was years ago that an ESL student of mine took me to her church. She was from Slovakia and her father had been an Orthodox Priest who had actually stood between communist rifles and his congregation (Decades ago of course!). I was raised in a Protestant family and am very interested in comparative religion.
@@conorolaf1762 Wow, that priest sounds very courageous!
I hope you'll have a chance to visit an Orthodox community again soon!
Love your videos; I miss going to Liturgy. I purchased a legacy icons incense burner I hope to use until then.
Good video, beautiful church
Great video again, thank you!
Would it be possible to have a video explaining the various parts of the liturgy? It would be great to understand the differences between Matins, the divine liturgy and all the sections/parts within them.
Thank God!
We hope to have a full series on Orthodox worship (Liturgy, Matins, Vespers, Hours, etc.) sometime in the next couple years.
We're going to first do a more thorough introduction to Orthodoxy, which we hope to have ready by the Spring of 2019.
Pray for us!
Meu Deus que lindo maravilhoso que Deus abençoe todos
I love the way you explains about church .as you know the t holy place is sanctuary but the Bible say take shoe off because the place you stand is holy. My question is why you walk in to sanctuary wearing your shoe.please explain to me.thank you God bless you
Какой красивый храм!
Steve, let us worship. 🤝🏽 People, just pray for somebody. 😉🧖
I don't understand. Am I not letting people worship?
I heard someone say that the church is the womb where we go through the "gestation period," and where saints are produced.
Thanks so much! Great videos! :)
Much appreciated!
+Steven Christoforou Ελληνικα μιλάτε; :))
Μάλιστα!
+Steven Christoforou τέλειο!!! τα βιντεακια ειναι καταπληκτικα....
That's my church I saw the thumbnail I was like that looks like my my church clicked on the video and sure enough it's my church and my priest was in the video
Thank you for the video
Thanks for watching, God bless you!
Wonderful. - anamaria in calif
Steve, I see the light of God in you! Maybe one day I might be able to enter an orthodox church--I get anxious just thinking about it.
It's ok to feel anxious!
Take it slow. Have you visited a parish near you yet?
@@stevenchristoforou1667
There's a Greek Orthodox church about six miles away that I would like to visit someday; it's in Northridge, California. I live in the San Fernando Valley. I'm Hispanic and was born into a Catholic household--and like many Hispanics have some Greek and Italian in my DNA. Some time ago when I watched a video of Mount Athos--I somewhat connected to the Greek chants.
@@c.retana-holguin8318 Go this Sunday! I've heard it's a kind and welcoming community.
@@stevenchristoforou1667 Thank you! I will try. Peace!
Thank you for all your wonderfully explained videos! One suggestion: perhaps have some Orthodox chant in the background instead of the presents music. It's not a huge deal, but I think it would enhance the ethos of the channel. Thanks again!
This is royalty free music. Most other chants out there are recordings that you might have to pay for. I've thought the same thing tho
@@eduardovalentin9416 Even if chants were royalty free, we still wouldn't reduce prayers to background music like that.
Prayer is prayer. Not background noise.
@@stevenchristoforou1667 also very big facts.
I am Greek Orthodox and I was taught in Sunday School that women are not allowed in the sanctuary. However, I did learn through a cousin of mine who married a guy who is Coptic Orthodox that if you are a nun, and you have a purpose behind the alter, you are allowed in. I didn't know though that they are allowed in our faith. I also get the Orthodox Observer and I've seen a lot of articles you have in there. I am so happy I found your channel.
Christ is Risen!
I'm glad you found us, thanks for watching! I pray it's helpful for you.
You should check Serbian and Russian Orthodox churches, they look a little bit different than Greek, there are no benches inside, walls are different, etc. 😊😊☦️❤️☦️
That's true, there are some variations.
Dear brother when you pray it is to the right not the left because we have come back to the way that jesus chris came and disappeared , i am orthodox from eritrea
ፍትሒ ንህዝቢ ኤርትራ thanks for your information
In Serbia we don't have many seats. Only few for old and sick. Rest of us all stand.
Yeah. Personally, I prefer churches like that.
Is the "beautiful gate" the same thing as the "royal doors"?
Great question!
People often use the terms interchangeably, but that's not accurate. The "Beautiful Gate/Doors" are in the icon screen which separates the sanctuary and nave (the central part of the Church). The "Royal Doors" separate the nave from the narthext (the first part of the Church one enters. At one time, only the emperor walked through the Royal Doors.
Excellent video brother. But I've a question. If entrance to the sanctuary is granted only to the deacons and priests then does it mean that Deification or Theosis is reserved only for the clergy and not for the rest of the church?
So how does the common believer attain theosis; which is the ultimate goal of his spiritual life, if he is not allowed to enter the sanctuary?
The sanctuary isn't limited to deacons and presbyters. It's limited to people who have a liturgical role to play (that can include the laity). It's a place of reverence, not somewhere we pop into lightly.
Entering into the sanctuary isn't connected to theosis.
@@stevenchristoforou1667 Oh I see. But I didn't understand how you connected Deification and the Sanctuary.
@@zachariajohnson5639 The 3 parts of the church building represent the 3 stages of the spiritual life. Just as we move through the building towards the Sanctuary, we're supposed to move in our lives closer to Theosis.
That's all. It's a sort of image or symbol.
@@stevenchristoforou1667 Oh okay, I get it now. Thank you brother. May God bless you. Much love.
@@zachariajohnson5639 God bless you! Thanks for asking.
the nave is called catholikon in greek
Wouldn't that mean gathering place?
Can someone help me with my RE homework.
What moods are there in an orthodox church
Happy to help!
What's RE? And what do you mean by "moods?"
@@stevenchristoforou1667 RE is Religious Education and moods as in atmosphere or feelings
hi messi
@@thewhitecrescent5015 hi waluigi
@@legslane6925 oh, gotcha.
That depends. Most of the time, there's a mood of peace. Sometimes, there will be a mood of pain or grief (especially during Holy Week, when we celebrate the Cross and Christ's death). Sometimes, there's will be joy (especially on Pascha).
And, of course, much depends on what we're prepared to experience. If I'm honest, I sometimes feel bored or distracted. So even when joy is right in front of me, my attention is elsewhere.
Because it's not just about the mood of the service: it's also about my inner mood.
God bless you!
Hello! Why do you have chairs in your church? We only have chairs on the side for the old and sick.
It's a question of style. Some have them, some don't. Though I think pews originated in the Protestant tradition, and many Orthodox parishes have adopted the practice.
Personally, I prefer churches with no pews.
We have them cause church is 3 hours long and many people have young Children you can sit during most of the mass this is my church
I have become curious about the orthodox church and have been watching a few videos and reading bits and pieces of articles about the orthodox church and being myself an evangelical, the orthodox church services seem a bit confusing to me. The services appear to be beautiful and reverant, yet ritual in another sense. It even seems to me that the service is scripted. Orthodox services seem to have some of the same elements I would expect in a Catholic Church. Correct me if I'm mistaken.
I'm not sure why "scripted" is a bad thing.
The Psalms were prayers of the Temple, and continue to be prayers of Christians today. Just because they're already written isn't a problem, is it?
Maybe I'm misunderstanding your question. If so, please forgive me. Help me understand.
@@stevenchristoforou1667 I don't see anything wrong with using selected Psalms in prayer or worship. The thing that I have evidenced however is that when people only ever rely on scripted prayer then they never really learn to have personal prayers from their heart that apply to the personal needs which the believer is currently dealing with.
Romans 8:26-27 deals with that . . .
We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
@@BT3701 fair point. But when we ignore the structure and guidance that the Church offers, we can easily fall into self-directed silliness (while believing we're guided by the Spirit).
It's no accident that the world is full of so many different "versions" of Christianity. People don't even agree that Jesus is the divine Son of God.
@@stevenchristoforou1667 While Scripture states that the Church is the pillar and ground of truth (1 Tim 3:15), the Church is only considered to be that pillar when the authority of Scripture is placed above any Church authority. When a Church places itself in authority above Scripture then the Church is no longer the pillar and ground of truth.
@@BT3701
"...when the authority of Scripture is placed above any Church authority..."
What is that based on?
In my country there is no orthodox Church. What should I do?
Where are you? You can try contacting the bishop closest to you, or reaching out to the Orthodox Christian Mission Center:
www.ocmc.org/
6:53 where is that at?
I think that was in a monastery in Greece. Our video editor filmed that during a trip, I'm not exactly sure where it is.
Steven Christoforou alright, thank you
Steve, why do you have pews in the church building?
So people can sit down.
@@stevenchristoforou1667 Hahaha, good one. Usually we do stand during services, and for those who can't pews are placed on the sides of the church. I was very confused with those pews that look like you had entered the Roman chatolic church.
@@goranvuksa1220 :-)
Yeah, you're more likely to see pews like this in the churches here in the United States.
very interesting...as a Catholic it all seems so familiar to me...you guys don"t seem to make a huge deal of the Blessed Sacrament (communion) like the Cathoics do...can you comment on that?
Peter Krauss Orthodox and Roman churches are basically the same :3
But Orthodox is not that common. How did I found this, reading a book about how this churches are catholic but divided?
I am Roman Catholic but I will feel attracted and feel awesome to go to an Orthodox Church!! Hopefully some day I will attend an Orthodox Church. I like it. 🎀🙏🏻🕊🕊
Peter Krauss hopefully some day Orthodox and Roman churches will come as ONE in Jesus name, amen! 🙏🏻🕊😇
I'm going to push back on the idea that they're basically the same. For more, I'd suggest this podcast.
www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/orthodoxyheterodoxy
Fr Andrew has 4 episodes on Orthodoxy and Catholicism, back in December 2015. Here are the specific episodes:
www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/orthodoxyheterodoxy/rome_part_1a
www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/orthodoxyheterodoxy/rome_part_1b
www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/orthodoxyheterodoxy/rome_part_2a
www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/orthodoxyheterodoxy/rome_part_2b
dude the presence of Jesus hangs like a cloud in our Blessed Sacrament chapel...i suppose in the end thats what counts.
I never responded to your initial question, forgive me!
Holy Communion is the core of what we do and who we are. We assemble as the Body of Christ, to become the Body of Christ, by receiving the Body of Christ.
You may be thinking of Eucharistic Adoration, a practice which isn't found in the Orthodox tradition. That probably develop from different theological methods, and different understandings of salvation. Eucharistic Adoration is consistent with a Beatific Vision model of salvation, looking upon the Lord from a distance. Orthodox theology sees the Eucharist as meant to be consumed; though a little Communion is held in reserve for emergencies, the goal is to eat and be filled at the Lord's Table. And I think this is consistent with a more visceral, existential, participatory view of salvation, literal union and communion rather than gazing from afar.
This is a pretty simplified, paragraph-long version, of course. Forgive me if I glossed over any important points.
Is the american orthodox church under a Patriarch or a arch Bishop?
That's a complicated question. There are several jurisdictions in the United States; each of them is presided over by an Archbishop or Metropolitan.
None of these jurisdictions are fully independent; they're all still connected to the Patriarchates overseas.
Pews!?
Yeah?
Iconography is not art. Icons are “written”; not “drawn”. Iconography is a language. It speaks to us. Jesus the Christ is the WORD of God. The Bible is a book describing the word of God. It is written text. Just like Iconography is written. The word “iconography” is derived from the Greek words “eikon” meaning “image” and “graphos” meaning “to write.” The icon image is a visual symbol of the invisible. Icons express in images the spiritual realities that are inexpressible in words and inaccessible to our rational mind. Iconography is an important theological truth. A theological principal the concept of the incarnation. The truth that the invisible God, took on flesh and became visible in his creation. That changes the way we deal with the physical. Our gift of site has been given to us to honor and glorify God. Iconography is a supreme gift designed to stir up a love and devotion for who is depicted in the iconography. It is a physical, beautiful reminder of love devotion and affection; a remembrance. Orthodox iconography calls us to proper honor and veneration. We, ourselves, are living icons of God as we are made in God’s image. Iconography played a very important role in the early days of the Church as the literacy level was extremely low. The entire Gospel is written out on the walls of Orthodox churches in “images”.
Icons have been with the Church since the Apostles. St. Luke who authored Luke and Acts was also an iconographer. Icons became dogma at the seventh Ecumenical Council.
A few icons wich we can venerate... Then they say that are using images the dont worship them...i like some orthodoxian things but otheers are so unbiblical
Yes, because worship and veneration are different things.
For more (and why icons are Biblical):
Be the Bee #53 | Venerating Icons
th-cam.com/video/o8iFOgppS6Y/w-d-xo.html
Good God this is confusing
Sorry about that!
Do you have any questions in particular?
Pews?
Orthodox churches don't have pews.
Of course they do!
The one in the video, for example.
@@stevenchristoforou1667
That's a Western innovation and not Orthodox. Any benches or pews should only be along the walls for the elderly and infirm.
Those pews scar the glory of the temple like that.
@@brotherbrovet1881 The good news is that you're not a bishop. So you don't need to worry about where (and which) other Christians sit during the services.
It's fine to have your own private opinion about aesthetics. I'd prefer if we didn't have pews, either. They're unnecessarily restrictive of movement.
But it's not appropriate (or true) to say pews are "not Orthodox."
@@stevenchristoforou1667 pews were invented by Protestants who'd have to listen to 3 and 4hr sermons... they're not Orthodox. Just like masks during Liturgy and single use Communion Spoons aren't Orthodox.
Thankfully I've managed to convince every parish I've ever been in that had pews...to correct the error.