Why is there only 7 ecumenical councils according to the Orthodox? What about...
The first Seven Ecumenical Councils are recognized as authentic and trustworthy witnesse to the Truth of the Gospel by both the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches. They took place in the...
View ArticleWhat does it mean that ‘Christ descended into Hell?’
This is misunderstood and misleading expression. The King James Bible translated the Greek work ‘Hades’ by ‘Hell’ – and also translated Gehenna (the Lake of Fire) as ‘Hell’ which is very confusing....
View ArticleAre not icons images or idols that are forbidden by the ten commandments? Why...
This answer will have 2 parts with input by 2 contributors: Reply Part #1 Obviously, Orthodox Christians do not think that commandment to abstain from idols and idolatry (10 commandments and 3 John for...
View ArticleDo you pray to the saints? Why do you not pray to God only? Isn’t that idolatry?
The verb “to pray” is problematic here because of the way people use and understand this verb (not unlike “to worship”). According to a standard definition...
View ArticleWhat is the difference between Chrismation and Confirmation?
The mystery of anointing or laying hands to invoke the Holy Spirit after baptism is called Chrismation in Eastern Tradition and Confirmation in Roman Catholicism and other Western traditions. It is...
View ArticleDo the Orthodox recognize Western saints such as Saint Therese of Lisieux?
Orthodox Christians recognizes that people like Saint Therese, or Saint Ignatius, or Saint Angela are saints of the Roman Catholic Church. However, they are not seen as as Orthodox saints. When the...
View ArticleWhy does the Orthodox Church allow divorce and more than one marriage? Do...
Orthodox canon law (and therefore Orthodox Churches) do not allow or recognize divorce as such. What actually happens is that in some cases of divorce that has taken place (in spite of every effort by...
View ArticleThank you, and I have a follow-up to my last question. In the case of the...
In your question, it would be best to use the precise expression ‘Roman Catholic Church’ instead of ‘Catholic Church’ since we Orthodox apply this expression to ourselves! The question of when a...
View ArticleWhile I am aware of the proof texts, what are the theological reasons to be...
This is an important question which can only be answered on a clear foundation. For Orthodox Christians, the authority is (1) the words of Jesus Christ (2) the apostolic teaching (3) the consistent...
View ArticleWhat books are in Eastern Orthodox Bibles in both OT and NT? Are they the...
The New Testament canon is the same for Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholics and Protestants. The first official listing of these was by Saint Athanasius in his Festal Letter as Archbishop of Alexandria...
View Article