hi.. is anyone of the eastern orthodox faith? I am Greek orthodox and
would like to know if I am the only one????thanks..

Hello, sorry I'm not but welcome.

I'm not either. But, you are welcome to stay and chat with all of us. It
gets loud sometimes. But it is cool.
Kat

Hi Evan,

I know so little about the Greek Orthodox faith. If it does not
make you uncomfortable, I'm sure there are many here who would like to
learn more.

We are a diverse group here and I'm sure you will find a welcome mat
by many of those who post here.

We have many Christians who have varying views from person to
person. Can you say how the Greek Orthodox varies from the mainstream
Christian faith?

Welcome to JSH

hi.. being raised in a greek family where church was a huge part of
life. To all Greeks.. church is a huge part of their lives.. and food ,
too!!!! We are a faith that has not changed in 2000 years of practice.
Change meaning.. the traditions.. litugy.. dogmas... sacraments. I know
little of the catechism.. yes.. I slept through greek school. my first
husband has a degree in theology.. he is of the same faith... and I have
to say.. an expert. That is the only thing he is smart in.. ok.. I will
be nice. so.. if you ask a question.. I can always ask him if I can't
find it... I DO have a book... everything you wanted to know about the
eastern orthodox church.. ect... very basic and answers many basic
questions. We have traditions that stay the same for 2000 years. we were
centuries ago.. called the Holy Roman Catholic Church..
catholic..meaning universal. There were several schisms.. but the great
schism.. in I may be wrong.. in 1054.. NOT SURE... the East split from
the west.. on a couple of disagreements in the way they... interpret the
Nicene Creed, the infalliablity of the Pope and the issue.. was the
Virgin Mary born with or without original sin. These three issues
..because of disagreement.. caused the split. WE do not believe that the
pope is infalliable, we DO believe the Virgin mary was born with orginal
sin and in the wording of the trinty in the nicene creed is different. I
will have to look it up... if anyone is interested. The orthodox church
has a Partriarch.. not a pope and he follows the rules of the church set
forth from the early church fathers. He lets the faith go on.. he has no
authority to make changes. WE are allowed 3 divorces.. NOT ANNULMENTS
but divorces. Birth control is encouraged. My priest told me when I was
filing for divorce.. and I was feeling bad. he said.. staying in a
marriage where you are not happy is not mandatory to get into heaven...
We believe birth control is important as sex between spouses is not just
to have children but one of the many, important ways to express love.
Our priests may be married before they are ordained.. because they do
marital counseling and duh... they can relate!!! if they want to pursue
being a bishop or archbishop,, then celibacy is the rule. Our church is
filled with beautiful incense.. chanting.. hymns.. and wonderous icons
to venerate. VENERATE.. NOT WORSHIP.. but difference. WE remember those
who died in Christ's name. We ask them to put in a good word for us up
there.. (we all need it). It is no different than humans on earth
meeting for a prayer session for someone sick or in need of other
things. If I think of anything.. more.. which there is more.. I will
continue.. thanks..

THANK YOU FOR SHARING EVANLIA ED

you are quite welcome.

Evan,

Most interesting. So appreciate you sharing. Question, Is it your
faith that has kept to the original calender, for holidays?

Also, do you still follow the rituals of communion, confirmation,
baptism? As far as you know are any you do follow different from other
Christian religions?

Oh and one more, Is the Bible the only reference material used or are
there others? Also, which version of the Bible, or does it matter?

Thank-you again, so very much for your willingness to share

Thanks EvanLia for posting! So many questions for you...

Are the masses spoken in Greek? Modern greek ?

Is the scripture set the same? Are there different books?

Are there different "traditions" in the Greek Orthodox? For example, in
Roman Catholic there are wonderful stories about Peter & Paul performing
'magic acts' when they were executed. I read about some of the
traditions of Andrew - is that part of the Greek Orthodox?

Are there any traditions/rites that would strike us as "wow, thats
different"

-Thanks,
Mike

hi.. in my faith.. an infant is presented to the church after 40 days of
birth as did in the jewish faith .. babies were brought to the temple.
After 40 days... anytime.. the infant has an exorcism.. at the back of
the church.. the Godparents stand with the priest and baby with their
backs to the alter.. and they say prayers and the priest asks the
Godparents to renounce satan and spit in his name. Then, they turn to
face the alter and ask them if they accept Christ as their savior and
bow to him. Then.. the baby is undressed... and annointed with olive
oil.. tradition holds that John the Baptist annointed Christ with olive
oil... the baby is from head to toe annointed.. then he is dunked three
times for the trinty..his hair is cut in the sign of the cross as his
first offerings to Christ.. he is dressed in white..he is chrismated.
The baby and the Godparents led by the Priest then walk around the
"colimbithra" as symbolic of the babies first steps as an Orthodox
christian meaning his first steps are in the path of Christ. The
Colimbithra is the giant baptismal font. sort of like an soft boiled egg
holder. Candles are held by Godparents symbolic that always Christ is
the light of the world. The baby is give Holy Communion as part of the
original sin... according to the faith .. the devil loves nothing more
than an unbaptised baby. The Godparents are now confirmed to be part of
the family and are called.. "koumbaro and Koumbara" and they are bonded
through this family and trust me... we are... it is for life. Then as
all good Greeks do.. we go and eat.. and drink... and eat and dance..
and throw money...and break plates.. those greeks.. we love to eat..
drink and dance.. OPA!!

hi.. also to mikemontana's question.. it is not in modern greek.. the
Liturgy .. not mass. my mom.. being born and raised in Greek.. says..it
can be very hard to follow.. it is more ancient. I like going to an
american orthodox church. You can follow along well...

hi..again.. .. yes..we follow the original calendar. we have PASCHA..
which means passover.. and this is our "easter". We must have PASCHA
after the jewish passover as it actually happened in Christ's time . you
can't have EASTER until the jews have their passover. Pascha and
passover is determined by the venicular exquinox.. ok.. I have to go to
my book...

im greek orthadox too!!!

hi..our church venerates so many saints and martyrs.. all saints have
performed miracles. We have the bible.. and other books. I have to look
that up.. WE have a great bible.. called the Greek Orthodox study bible.
it has the explanations or interpretations off to the side. We have alot
of traditions and rules that many love and want.. especially converts
and many challenge the rules and traditons as man made. I find it
comforting to know.. my faith is there for me.. that I can go and it is
still the same.. predictable as we are creatures of habit and routine.
there is no new rule of the day.. either you believe and love it or try
another faith. That is what I say.. I can't force anyone to love it.
so.. I hope lots of this is informative.. there are web sites ...
further.. to explain and I will continue to try to answer questions.

hi... well... were you converted to the faith? or just married to
someone who was an orthodox? thanks

Evan, thanks, a wealth of information. I know that Greek families are
very close. I think it's the constant interaction they have with each
other - after all if there's ever a reason to celebrate leave it to a
good Greek family to find it. As you said, the food that flows is grand
and among the best I have tasted. You are fortunate to have such a
family.

Again, nice to have you in the posts.

hi.. and thank you.. yes.. we also have great greek festivals at the
church..lollolololol... gyros... baklava... lamb.. roasted potatoes..
with lemon chicken..grapeleaves... feta... I am hungry..lol...