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Every Monday, on a facebook group, I have a post called "Ask an Orthodox Priest". The following are questions that members have asked.

 

CLICK FOR QUICK REFERENCE TO QUESTIONS

 

15/5/2017

QUESTION 1

How does our church explain dreams. My mother in law died last year & lately I keep seeing her in my dreams. Should I pay attention to what advise is coming through or should I ignore it?
SEE ANSWER ►►►

15/5/2017

QUESTION

2

Why is it against the orthodox faith to be cremated? Always been told we must be buried but without a explanation.   

SEE ANSWER ►►►

15/5/2017

QUESTION

3

Are we allowed holy communion if we haven't had a confession before with a priest?

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15/5/2017

QUESTION

4

Kalimera Pater. I would like to know where the Church stands on an English Atheist marrying a Greek Orthodox woman in the Greek orthodox Church, wait for it, the Groom is willing to get baptised in the Orthodox church but is insisting his best friend be his best man who is also English but who is also willing to get baptised in our church. ?????

SEE ANSWER ►►►

15/5/2017

QUESTION

5

There was a discussion recently about Catholics not accepted in our church, why is is that in our prayer it mentions In one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of age to come. Amen?

SEE ANSWER ►►►

15/5/2017

QUESTION

6

Good Morning Father, the most important question that should be asked is "what makes a good christian"?

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15/5/2017

QUESTION

7

Hi can I ask , if our bodies are just a vessel while on earth, why does our religion not allow cremation?

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15/5/2017

QUESTION

8

Good morning father. I read and understood the answer in the question off cremation. But why is it in Greece we bury are loved one's and then after 3 years we dig then up..   why can't the church stop this. Are they not orthodox?

SEE ANSWER ►►►

15/5/2017

QUESTION

9

I would also like to know, once a person is married in a Orthodox Church and wishes to get divorced, what's the way to do this .?

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15/5/2017

QUESTION

10

Can you please explain how the Orthodox Church views itself in comparison to other churches? Thank you  

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15/5/2017

QUESTION

11

I am a father to 2 amazing boys and the love I have for them is unconditional there is nothing that would make me want to reject them so my question is God is our father but yet you hear if you sin continuously you will go to hell, why would our father do such a thing  

SEE ANSWER ►►►

15/5/2017

QUESTION

12

Morning father I do have a question for you and need an honest answer. I am very spiritual and I believe & know that I work with angels. I do spiritual readings and have helped many people in my 6 years of developing. I know that the church is against this and many people have said that it's not our faith. But what I don't quite understand is that I work with the energies of the universe, and when we pray and come to church are we not all speaking to energies the universe. So why is it different?

SEE ANSWER ►►►

15/5/2017

QUESTION

13

Morning Father, hope you are well. A couple of silly questions really. Why are the services in Church conducted in Ancient Greek? Also why do priests have to have a long beard? 

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15/5/2017

QUESTION

14

Good morning father, can you tell me if getting married a second time in the Greek Orthodox Church is allowed or not as I have heard different things from different people?

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15/5/2017

QUESTION

15

Father I have another question relating to marriage. I was married & divorced in the Greek church & then remarried to my Italian husband also in the Greek church. There was a debate a few weeks ago where some said that you are still tied to a marriage in the eyes of the Greek church!!! I believe this not to be true but would like to to confirm this. Thank you 

SEE ANSWER ►►►

15/5/2017

QUESTION

16

Morning pater, is it true that our church only marries the same person up to 3 times? And what's the max age gap between the couple our church marries them? 

SEE ANSWER ►►►

15/5/2017

QUESTION

17

Can I ask you what is the rule of going to church after having a baby. My daughter in law is due any day. How long must we wait to take baby to church? And is it 40 days before mum can go?  Thank you
SEE ANSWER ►►►

15/5/2017

QUESTION

18

Why do we do our cross the other way round to the Catholics? 

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15/5/2017

QUESTION

19

My question to you father is this. We lost my nephew 7 years ago and have been told by so many people that it's bad that we cry at his grave that we are not allowing him to rest because we still mourn him. Can you explain this to me please what is it about tears that don't allow our loved ones to rest and move on to another dimension???
SEE ANSWER ►►►

15/5/2017

QUESTION

20

Why are all four gospel accounts of the resurrection completely different from one another?

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15/5/2017

QUESTION

21

Why is Luke's genealogy of Christ different from Matthew's?

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15/5/2017

QUESTION

22

Can A catholic married to an orthodox in the Greek church christen in an Orthodox Church?  

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15/5/2017

QUESTION

23

Why does god take young children and why are some born with disabilities....has it got to do with the sins of there parents or has it got to do with something else?
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15/5/2017

QUESTION

24

I have a question Father Christopher if you could answer as and when.. is having tattoos a sin? Thank you  

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15/5/2017

QUESTION

25

My question which may sound simple but why cant we all celebrate Easter together. I know its down to lunar movement but Christmas all Christians come together. The most sacred time is Easter how wonderful to pray together as one body. The power of prayer is amazing. To alleviate stresses of work and be able to unite with others is worth considering. 
SEE ANSWER ►►►

15/5/2017

QUESTION

26

Why do you think the catholic church and the orthodox church are not looking to unite in these turbulent times - after all the difference between the two are minimal - in fact the Orthodox churches accept Roman Catholics for marriage?  

SEE ANSWER ►►►

22/5/2017

QUESTION

27

Why is it we have to pay for all the services carried out. i.e Christenings, marriage, death, certain types of blessings etc., candles are priced, basket tray at every service etc., if this is gods house why do we have to pay for his services? Why should we have to pay to pray?

SEE ANSWER ►►►

22/5/2017

QUESTION

28

Why is it allowed in Greece to get married or Christen a child outside the church in the church garden but it is not allowed in Cyprus? Is it not the same rules? 

SEE ANSWER ►►►

22/5/2017

QUESTION

29

Father l have a question , where does the church stand with homosexuality . The reason l ask is l am in Sydney & I asked a father of one of our church's here to please light a candle for a friend of mine that had pass , he was orthodox and I couldn't go to church at the time due to my health to light it myself . The father's responds was no he wouldn't light the candle or say a prayer because my friend was gay , that shock me . I thought that was very wrong as what l understand Christ accepted every one , I would like to hear what your thought is , thank you.
SEE ANSWER ►►►

22/5/2017

QUESTION

30

Have the rules on women on their menses changed?

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22/5/2017

QUESTION

31

Good evening father Christopher, when I was about 15/16, my friend invited me to go to Catholic Church service. I had never been so I went. The service was nice and when she went to get holy communion she said I should go. So I did. I thought I wasn't doing anything wrong. It was just that one time. Is this forbidden by our church

SEE ANSWER ►►►

22/5/2017

QUESTION

32

What is the Church's standing on having children out of marriage? My partner is non orthodox...although my daughter has been christened orthodox?

SEE ANSWER ►►►

22/5/2017

QUESTION

33

Last week you answered a question about second and third marriages can you clarify for me what is different in the ceremony from a 1st marriage

SEE ANSWER ►►►

22/5/2017

QUESTION

34

Father, over the last few days there were several debates on religion and politics mixing, what is our churches stance on this subject, and do you think its right that the church should take sides.

SEE ANSWER ►►►

22/5/2017

QUESTION

35

What kind of sin's would prevent me from Holy Communion

SEE ANSWER ►►►

22/5/2017

QUESTION

36

When we say your going to heaven or hell what does it really mean? Where does are soul go ?

SEE ANSWER ►►►

22/5/2017

QUESTION

37

What language does the Russian Orthodox use in their services?

SEE ANSWER ►►►

22/5/2017

QUESTION

38

I have recently been asked to be godmother to a young lady who was baptised as a baby in the Greek Orthodox church in Greece. She has no contact with her godparents and would like me (a close family friend) to be her godmother. Is this acceptable?

SEE ANSWER ►►►

22/5/2017

QUESTION

39

Pater this might be a silly question but what opinion does our church have about people having plastic surgery on there body and not for real problems but just to look better example bigger lips,breast implants and more and also about tattoos?

SEE ANSWER ►►►

22/5/2017

QUESTION

40

It's my understanding that the "church" inc the Greek Orthodox is very rich in financial terms , how does this sit with religious practice & it is my view that all religion should be run on a " not for profit" basis and all money gained given back to the needy ( after costs deducted ) why is there so much outward riches shown by those in control?

SEE ANSWER ►►►

22/5/2017

QUESTION

41

My husband and I got married in a Greek Orthodox Church in 1983. He is baptised in a Catholic Church but desperately would like to convert to our church, we would like to know how this can be done.

SEE ANSWER ►►►

29/5/2017

QUESTION

42

The Orthodox Church refers to itself as the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge that anyone who is not orthodox is not part of the Church, but are non Orthodox 'Christians'? Or are they followers of Christ intellectually?

SEE ANSWER ►►►

29/5/2017

QUESTION

43

Are we Christians ? Then why all the hate, it is wrong to hate anyone ask your priest?

SEE ANSWER ►►►

29/5/2017

QUESTION

44

Morning Pater, I wanted to go back to the first week when someone asked about organ donation and you said that our religion doesn't allow it as our body has to leave as it arrived (sorry I am paraphrasing as I don't remember the correct wording) but my question is if my child needed an organ donation should I not help my child? I would do everything in my power to help my child so what does that mean for me? Will I not be classed as a 'good' Greek Orthodox?

SEE ANSWER ►►►

29/5/2017

QUESTION

45

Is it true that you can not transfer to Orthodox from another faith or belief ?

SEE ANSWER ►►►

29/5/2017

QUESTION

46

When you christen a child! They say to buy the clothes in sets of ones or threes or fives! Why in odd numbers?? Why can't we buy the clothes in even numbers.

SEE ANSWER ►►►

29/5/2017

QUESTION

47

If you commit suicide, why can't you have a proper funeral?

SEE ANSWER ►►►

29/5/2017

QUESTION

48 

Is it necessary to attend Church every week?

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29/5/2017

QUESTION

49 

Can an Orthodox go to an Old Calendarist church? And visa versa.
SEE ANSWER ►►►

29/5/2017

QUESTION

50 

Can we metalavoume without having confession first? Also if we have not fasted but our hearts and soul really need the communion ...will it be ok to walk and take it?

SEE ANSWER ►►►

29/5/2017

QUESTION

51

Pater, is it possible to pray too much?

SEE ANSWER ►►►

5/6/2017

QUESTION

52

Do animals go to heaven?

SEE ANSWER ►►►

5/6/2017

QUESTION

53

Good afternoon Father. Someone yesterday posted about waking up from his op and found an icon of St. Ephrem by his bed someone had left. I had a similar experience I told him about I will copy and paste it below. My question is do you believe the saints come to us in forms of people for what ever reason it may be at times?  When I was in Cyprus 2 years ago I got bitten by a mosquito my leg got infected made me really ill as I'm allergic to them . I ended up in hospital 2 days before my birthday for a week. On my birthday 17th July I woke up to this old lady all in black nudging me saying to me marina ksibna (wake up). I thought it odd her knowing my middle name didn't know who she was I said to her thelis kati?? She just looked into my eyes scary she was and gave me some leaflets and said thkievaseda and walked away. I put them down and went back to sleep. Later on I picked them up as I was bored and read them. They was the story of ayia marina she left a little oikona of Ayia marina too. And my birthday falls on ay. Marinas day. Just was all so odd that day so day the nurses kept calling me marina my middle name.. Spooked me right out that day who the old woman was!!!

SEE ANSWER ►►►

5/6/2017

QUESTION

54

A question that I asked you directly once, but a common one that I'm sure others would find interesting: Do we have have to go to church often to be 'good Christians'?

SEE ANSWER ►►►

5/6/2017

QUESTION

55

Hi Father I was christened as a baby in Greek Orthodox Church , Is it ok to get baptised as an adult In another Christian church?

SEE ANSWER ►►►

5/6/2017

QUESTION

56

Wondering why All Orthodox Churches fly the Greek flag and not they Greek and Cypriots flags (even in Cyprus). For that matter, is it not the Eastern Orthodox church? So why fly any flags at all?

SEE ANSWER ►►►

5/6/2017

QUESTION

57

Hi father, I am baptising my little girl in Cyprus in September, one if the godparents will not be coming to Cyprus. Is it possible to have a 'blessing' in a orthodox church in London when we get home?

SEE ANSWER ►►►

12/6/2017

QUESTION

58

Father, how do you feel about people who go to church to ask for forgiveness whilst breaking every bit of our teachings

SEE ANSWER ►►► 

12/6/2017

QUESTION

59

Good morning Father, how does our faith sit with witchcraft, I keep hearing "ekamasou mayes" so bring a priest to bless your home and rid all the evil

SEE ANSWER ►►► 

12/6/2017

QUESTION

60 

Hello Father, how does the church feel about the use of a clairvoyance? Thanks in advance

SEE ANSWER ►►► 

12/6/2017

QUESTION

61 

Hello father, is it true you have to be Married to become a priest?

SEE ANSWER ►►► 

12/6/2017

QUESTION

62 

Is divorce considered a sin Father?

SEE ANSWER ►►► 

12/6/2017

QUESTION

63

When fasting, why are we not supposed to have olive oil seeing as it's not meat; fish or dairy?

SEE ANSWER ►►► 

12/6/2017

QUESTION

64

Why do modern protestant churches refuse to give any honour to Mary, the Mother of Jesus? Can their stance of calling her just an ordinary Jewish girl be justified by the Bible which they claim is the only Christian authority?

SEE ANSWER ►►► 

19/6/2017

QUESTION

65

I have a question to ask of you in light of the tragic events that have been unfolding in the UK How do we as people deal with retribution after all it's says an eye for an eye a tooth for a tooth but on the otherhand it's says that we should also turn the other cheek we are only human beings with raw feelings

SEE ANSWER ►►► 

19/6/2017

QUESTION

66

I have another question if somebody in their own eyes does not sin buts sins in the eyes of others where does that leave us as we are told not to judge

SEE ANSWER ►►► 

19/6/2017

QUESTION

67

May I ask , when we were little , our dear priest used to bless our house every year , but this doesn't seem to happen anymore. Is it just not done anymore ?

SEE ANSWER ►►► 

19/6/2017

QUESTION

68

Is it possible for priests to do a blessing of the wedding rings as like a wedding renewal if you would like to call it?

SEE ANSWER ►►► 

19/6/2017

QUESTION

69

Hello Father l would like to ask you a question . We are Greek Orthodox my daughter married a lovely Spanish man they married in orthodox & Catholic churches when my daughter had her daughter's we christened them both orthodox & Catholic , yesterday my youngest grandchild had her 1st holy communion in the Catholic Church . I thought it was wrong as she does take her children to the Greek church for communion many times . I told her it was wrong the first time she did it Am l right

SEE ANSWER ►►► 

26/6/2017

QUESTION

70

I would like to know more about the Greek Orthodox faith please and how it differs from the Church of England (Protestant) . My father was Greek Orthodox but no Orthodox churches in North Wales but he was able to receive Holy Communion. Efharisto.

SEE ANSWER ►►► 

26/6/2017

QUESTION

71 

Hello I will like to know when we pass is our soul the same age of Death? If we all meet again? A 90 year old Soul wont be able to party like a 20 year old Soul . How would a Soul of a newborn have any recollection of his/her experiences family etc? Can u have Souvla in afterlife?    

SEE ANSWER ►►► 

26/6/2017

QUESTION

72

I think as mortal beings the understanding of the soul could be beyond us; for example does an embryo take on a soul from inception or does the baby need to be delivered to the outside world? Will parents get to bond with souls of stillborn children? Would I know who my ancient ancestors are in the afterlife?

SEE ANSWER ►►► 

26/6/2017

QUESTION

73

Does our faith accept the marriage between a Greek Orthodox and a muslim in a registry office without either changing their religious status ?

SEE ANSWER ►►► 

26/6/2017

QUESTION

74

Father on subject of non Orthodox attendees in the church we recently had a case of an Anglican lady had driven 2 hours to fetch her Orthodox converted daughter to our church to venerate a holy relic which hosted for a morning ; the mother remained in her car despite my assurance she was most welcome to enter, I did tell her she would only be barred from taking communion as a non Orthodox, was this the correct advice?  One more thing it a priest 's discretion to baptise a child whose parents have given a name

SEE ANSWER ►►► 

26/6/2017

QUESTION

75

Pater, does the Greek Orthodox Church believe in free will or predestination? Is our path chosen or do we choose it?

SEE ANSWER ►►► 

26/6/2017

QUESTION

76

I have a number of friends who do not believe in any sort of religion at all but all are good people so what happens to their souls ? Do they go to Heaven?

SEE ANSWER ►►► 

26/6/2017

QUESTION

77

Hi, I have a bit of a strange question which I've thought about a lot in my 36 years, My christening certificate says andrea but my birth certificate says nicola..... this has always confused me, is this a common thing or am I alone in this, when I pass will I be andrea or nicola in heaven?

SEE ANSWER ►►► 

26/6/2017

QUESTION

78

What happens to unbaptized children who die. do they go to hell?

SEE ANSWER ►►► 

26/6/2017

QUESTION

79

Can a child be christened in a Church of England ceremony and blessed in the Greek Orthodox Church?

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26/6/2017

QUESTION

80

Did Jesus have siblings because I read in the bible something about siblings and their names are also mentioned?

SEE ANSWER ►►► 

3/7/2017

QUESTION

81 

I feel like sometimes we look at the answers in a Bible without really trying to make sense of something eg. "It's in the Bible, it must be correct". Can't the Bible be wrong? Just so many theories. I am a religious person and believe in higher power /God but I don't believe all answers are in Bible, etc

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3/7/2017

QUESTION

82 

I have a question for you that came up this morning how many unknown saints are venerated in the Orthodox Church?

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3/7/2017

QUESTION

83 

Good morning Father, if a Greek orthodox dies and the family are very poor and they cannot afford to bury them, would the church help with the costs not only for the service but for the burial as well

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3/7/2017

QUESTION

84 

Good morning. My question is aman taxtis se ayious (make a vow to a saint)  and to a certain Church does the time scale matter in when to get there to light the lambatha? For example etaxtka stin ayia marina (I msde a vow to St. Marina) it doesn't matter how long it takes me to get there does it?? As long as I do? I always go to the same church a little tiny one in the old town of Limassol when I go to Cyprus

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3/7/2017

QUESTION

85 

Why aren't dinosaurs in the bible?

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3/7/2017

QUESTION

86

Is it true that if children who die aren't baptized orthodox will not be allowed an orthodox service and that they are the devils children?

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3/7/2017

QUESTION

87

To be forgiven must one go to confession or can one pray to God privately? I read a book years ago I think by Francopolous entitled our orthodox faith which insisted we must go to confession to be forgiven. Another priest said we only need to confess our serious sins at confession. The Lord's prayer asks our Heavenly Father to forgive us our trespassers. Therefore, what is our Church's position concerning confession and forgiveness?

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3/7/2017

QUESTION

88

Good afternoon Father. When I die I would like to be cremated is this a sin in our faith and is it allowed.

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3/7/2017

QUESTION

89

Greek orthodox believe in the Amadi or evil eye. What's the right way to remove this please? I do incense or gabniso the house

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3/7/2017

QUESTION

90

I was told that going to other churches to pray in is against our orthodox church. Personally I disagree as I believe a church is a church and if a that time I was in need to go and sit quiet and pray in a church surely this shouldn't matter if the church wasn't an Christian orthodox church?

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3/7/2017

QUESTION

91

Hi Father, apologies if this sounds a bit strange but how does the church view egg/sperm donation? Thanks in advance

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10/7/2017

QUESTION

92

Afternoon father, I have a question, if someone is too sick to go anywhere would the church forgive them for not attending church? Also what should we do if someone in Church hurts us emotionally. Also why do non-believers seem to want to share their 'wisdom' with me of all people.

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10/7/2017

QUESTION

93

Father what should we do about the Catholics and Pappists who say we aren't the true church because we are post schismatic.

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10/7/2017

QUESTION

94

Hi father, I hope you are well ! My question is this .... what are views on the prophecies of Saint Paisios?

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10/7/2017

QUESTION

95

Father, I have a question which may seem a little silly. As I understand, Satan was once an angel who rebelled against God. My questions are simply, how can an angel rebel against God knowing that He is all powerful? Also when we speak about rebellion, was it a rebellion to somehow depose God who is all powerful?

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10/7/2017

QUESTION

96

Why does the Greek church teach people to pray to Mary and the saints this is not biblical?

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17/7/2017

QUESTION

97

Father is it compulsory to do confession so as to take holy communion?

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17/7/2017

QUESTION

98

I know this isn't really a religious question, but why do you think that Greek Cypriots are so hot headed and passionate, also some can be quite disrespectful, most of us have been bought up in Christian homes and are aware of gods ways even if they do not study the bible ,as a man of god what do you think?

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17/7/2017

QUESTION

99 

How do you think we can help each other to be humble and encourage each other in self development and education?

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17/7/2017

QUESTION

100

This week a young boy passed after a long battle with cancer. Are children at peace when they pass? Thank you

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17/7/2017

QUESTION

101

Pater I have a question which may have been answered before. I believe our religion doesn't allow us to be cremated, is there anyway our church would allow it if it was someone's wishes?

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17/7/2017

QUESTION

102

Hi, Father how are you? I have a question. The gospels teach us that God provides for all our needs if we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. If that is the case, why is there so much poverty and unemployment in the world? If someone is poor but a believer will God eventually lead them out of that situation?

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17/7/2017

QUESTION

103

My question is everything has changed so much since I was a young lady. So what does the Church say about sex before marriage or living together without marriage and having children before marriage?

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17/7/2017

QUESTION

104

Hi, Father, does the church help the poor in Cyprus?

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17/7/2017

QUESTION

105

I have visited many of our holy sites in Cyprus, and paid respects to various remains and relics of saints. But on visiting Ayios Yiannis lambadistis in the mountains and touching the part of skull I had the strangest and most wonderful feeling. Now when I visit there, and the small church hidden by the tree behind the monastery I get the most amazing sensations. Is there an explanation? I feel a connection that I have yet to feel anywhere else.

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17/7/2017

QUESTION

106

Hi Father Can you explain during the fast why we are permitted to eat shellfish but olive oil is not allowed whilst olives are allowed?

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24/7/2017

QUESTION

107

Have you ever had the communion spilt on the floor and you had to sip it up? It's happened a couple of times to our priest here.

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24/7/2017

QUESTION

108

Why do Jehovah's witnesses refuse to read any Greek orthodox books but they try and force us to read theirs?

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24/7/2017

QUESTION

109

Yia sou bader why do a lot of our Christian orthodox seen to convert to born again mish or Pentecostal why? What are the main points to make them sell their faith in this way?

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24/7/2017

QUESTION

110

Hi, Father, I have a question. The gospels were apparently written quite some time after the time Christ lived on Earth. There are also some scholars who claim that the book of Mark was written first and copied by the writers of the synoptic gospels. My questions are were the gospels written by Matthew, Mark and Luke and John respectively and how accurate are the gospels as a record of Christ's life and teaching?

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24/7/2017

QUESTION

111

I have a question it has been years and years since Na medalavo because I'm allergic to alcohol and I can't take the holy communion. Is there anything else I can do in its place that would have the same meaning??

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24/7/2017

QUESTION

112

One of our group members yesterday wanted to know how many and what were the names of the Greek orthodox archangels. She may not be on line today so thought I would ask for her??

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24/7/2017

QUESTION

113

I would like to know whether Moses was an actual person and whether he did in fact write the first few books of the bible? Also did the exodus actually occur since there are no historical records of it?

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24/7/2017

QUESTION

114

Hello Pater. I would like to ask a question concerning funerals. All the funerals I have been to in Cyprus have had the coffin lid removed and placed on the side. Is this necessary? I found this quite traumatizing, especially seeing my own mum buried like this, I thought that this is the way it's done by all priests. But recently a relative of mine attended a funeral which took place in Nicosia and she said they never took the lid off. Also is it necessary for the burial plot to be filled in in sight of the relatives, as this is not done in English funerals. It is done after the relatives leave. The soil is covered usually with artificial grass whereas ours is left there for the relatives to use to cover the grave. Again this was not done at this one funeral in Nicosia, the relatives threw in handfuls of soil on top of the closed lid and the plot was filled in after most of the relatives departed. By the way the person who died was not disfigured in any way so that the coffin would have to be kept closed. Is there a wrong or right way or is it left to the discretion of the priest? This question has bothered me for a while as I think it's unnecessarily barbaric on top of the grief people suffer at a time like this.

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24/7/2017

QUESTION

115

Just wanted to ask something that has always puzzled me. In our bible god states clearly that we should not pray to anyone but him neither worship idols. Then why do we pray to the saints and kiss the eikones? Isn't that worshipping and putting our faith in someone other than god ?

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24/7/2017

QUESTION

116

I have one more question if I may? In the second part of the last information you sent me it talks about god appearing in the flesh and I am assuming it is talking about Jesus, but if Jesus is god in the flesh then who was he praying to on the cross? If he was praying to god then he can not be god in the flesh. Sorry for all the questions I have just never had answers that made sense to me before I asked these questions before and was told I shouldn't question God. Thank you

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24/7/2017

QUESTION

117

Hello father my name is Mary and birth certificate is Mary when we christened my granddaughter her middle name is Mary but the priest would not do this only would use the name Maria does it matter yes it hurt me nobody knows me as Maria why not use the name Mary still religious so if I got buried in the Greek orthodox what would I be as nobody ever calls me Maria please can you reply many thanks

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24/7/2017

QUESTION

118

My question is also about names at christenings. Why do some priests accept certain names and others do not. As an example my goddaughter is called Isabella. The priest that took the baptism refused to christen her that and chose Elizabeth instead saying there was no Ayia Isabella. However her yiayia (my auntie) is called Aglaia and my mum her sister is called Xanthi. Now there is no ayia for either of those names and they have both been baptised with those names. Please can you explain why some are allowed non ayia or biblical names and others not. Thank you

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24/7/2017

QUESTION

119

Father i have question for you regarding absentee godparents is it permissible to have that child christened once again or is this not necessary how would an individual take up the said role without a blessing of sorts?

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24/7/2017

QUESTION

120

Thank you I have one further question it has been said on many occasions by the parents of the child that the role of godparent ceases at the point the child enters into adulthood

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31/7/2017

QUESTION

121

Dear Father. How about we start with last night's question about sharing the communion spoon being unhygienic and that people avoid communion for this reason?

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31/7/2017

QUESTION

122

Good morning farther can you please explain why other Christian churches have moved on and now use a little plastic cup with the bread wafer enclosed, is this ok ? Is something that could be introduced into the Greek Orthodox Church, as it seems more hygienic.

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31/7/2017

QUESTION

123

Pader morning can I ask I was married in a registry office in the eyes of the church am I married been married 41 years thank you

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31/7/2017

QUESTION

124

Why do we have to have a civil wedding before a Church wedding.

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31/7/2017

QUESTION

125

I heard During a christening the priest saying we believe in the Catholic church. I cant remember the exact wording, I have also heard somone say we are the Catholic church but not roman catholic, can you clarify for me please father?

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31/7/2017

QUESTION

126

Dear father is it true that u can only Christen a child in the orthodox church if you are orthodox ?

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31/7/2017

QUESTION

127

With respect I would like to ask when and how exactly was Jesus made into a deity? Historically speaking for a long time after his death he was considered a great teacher and prophet but nothing more.

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31/7/2017

QUESTION

128

My mother who is 89years old is upset that my daughter (Greek orthodox) had her son christened in a Methodist church. She says we have left the child avafdisdon (unbaptized). Should I encourage her to go to a Greek church? The boy is 5 now.

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31/7/2017

QUESTION

129

My grandson was premature and christened in hospital. He is now 7 years old. On another post someone said because he wasn't immersed in water he wasn't christened. Is that right Father. Thank you for your time.

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31/7/2017

QUESTION

130

 I recently saw a clip of a Muslim cleric explaining why they don't put Jesus above any other disciple (sp) as like Muhammed he was sent here to spread the word of God and as we are all of God's children he is no different from the others. My question is why do we follow Jesus over any of the other disciples (sp)? If I'm honest what he said made sense to me and I've been wondering ever since? Please forgive my ignorance. Although baptised I know very little of the whys and where's of our religion.

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31/7/2017

QUESTION

131

Hi Father, many charismatic churches speak in tongues. When I was younger I visited a few such churches and found that many members whilst praying find themselves in a trance like state and start speaking in other languages. An Orthodox priest I met told me that is is demonic deception and he added that this is one of the ways Satan enters such churches. What is the view of the Orthodox church on such practices? Are they demonic deception?

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31/7/2017

QUESTION

132

I married a catholic in an Orthodox church. A few weeks later we went back and the priest refused to give her communion. Is that correct? Must you be baptised as a Greek Orthodox in order to receive communion?

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31/7/2017

QUESTION

133

Are we allowed to pray to deceased persons who have not or not yet been canonized as Saints? A priest of the orthodox church once told me to pray to Seraphim Rose for a problem I have. As far as I know we can only pray to Saints. If we could pray to anyone,we might as well pray to our deceased friends and family. What does the church teach?

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31/7/2017

QUESTION

134

Let me ask you something, when the priest who is laden in gold asks us for money for a new roof whilst he drives off in a new Mercedes-Benz, ? Jesus wore rags and loved us all and the priest counts the cash!!!

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31/7/2017

QUESTION

135

A few years back in a christening my son ran off and went behind the priest in the church. I went to get him and everyone around me stopped me and said no, Only boys.  Could you please tell me about this. Thank you.

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31/7/2017

QUESTION

136

I have a question, well my partner does.. why do they cut baby's hair at christening cos my baby will be getting christened in a Greek church but my partner is refusing for her hair to be touched .. he's Caribbean ????

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29/8/2017

QUESTION

137

Hi father can you explain how the church views sex before marriage also is there any difference with a second marriage?

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29/8/2017

QUESTION

138

Πάτερ, will non-believers truly be tormented in Hell for all eternity? The Christian doctrine of Hell has always been very problematic for me.

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29/8/2017

QUESTION

139

I'm a believer but really can't take going to church, I used to be the devil himself when younger and done some terrible things in my life but realised everything I done came back to me worse. For the last 10 or so years I've tried to live a decent life and help others if I can and be a good father and husband am I stuffed for when I die or is there hope for me yet?

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29/8/2017

QUESTION

140

Father, our Lord Jesus Christ taught us we must trust and defer to our rulers, but if these rulers commit horrific acts (as was the case in Nazi Germany) or can cause a nuclear war, as with now the USA and North Korea, are we meant to shut up and put up, or stand up against them? When is it right to oppose our rulers?

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29/8/2017

QUESTION

141

When we die I believe are bodies are just matter to rot and be eaten by worms etc hence why I prefer to be burnt, I do not believe there is a greater being I believe that is for those that want to believe, as I stated before where's santa where's the tooth fairy and where's the ghosts? Give me proof and I will believe.

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29/8/2017

QUESTION

142

Hi Father, a question about marriage. Is there a point of getting married when one person is a believer in the faith and the other isn't? Both are christened Greek Orthodox. Thanks. By the way, I think you are awesome!

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29/8/2017

QUESTION

143

Hi Father I have a question about the old testament and if we are still bound by the Laws, or are we exempt from them because of our Lord

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29/8/2017

QUESTION

144

Morning Father Christopher, my question is during the 40 days mourning period, is there any religious connection or just custom for the men not to shave?

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29/8/2017

QUESTION

145

Father, good day!!! Why is God so violent and vengeful in the old testament yet in the new testament He is so loving. In the old testament He commits genocide, wipes out the earth with a flood yet in the new testament He appears so different?

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29/8/2017

QUESTION

146

Is it true that they found ancient Egyptian remains of chariots in the red sea? Does Orthodoxy recognize this as the actual remains of the Egyptians who were drowned during the Red sea crossing?

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1/9/2017

QUESTION

147

 Should women approach for Holy Communion while on their menses?   SEE ANSWER ►►► 

1/9/2017

QUESTION

148

Why if women should not go to Church when they have their monthly, do girls go with lipstick & short skirts? Should this be allowed?

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4/9/2017

QUESTION

149

I have a question which I hope you may answer. I have been looking for a Bible in Greek for many years now. Unfortunately all the Bookshops I have visited from Athens to Crete only offer την Καινή Διαθήκη. Some actually look surprised when I request the old Testament. There is no obvious reason for this.

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4/9/2017

QUESTION

150

Good morning Pater.... just wondered what the general opinion is from a priests point of view is regarding people not going to church often but still have their Christian beliefs. I have experienced through the years guilt trips given by certain priests, and if anything, it repels me even more. In my mind it is the opposite of unconditional love. I do love the serenity I feel when going to church and also the community side of it but I don't go as regular as others might. Is there a measure of someone's decency or faith or of someone's heart based on visits to church? I see a lot of hypocrisy when I know that some regular churchgoers are far from decent. I am not having a go at anyone. I am just curious. Thank you

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4/9/2017

QUESTION

151

Kalimera Pater, I would like to ask a question which has been troubling me for some years with our local priest.  What it is over the Easter Period he never puts a Black sheet to cover the Icons.  Is this the norm for a Greek Priest.  When asked about it the reply was each Priest is different.  In your opinion what do you think

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4/9/2017

QUESTION

152

I'm told over and over all the time that to have holy communion I must go na ximoloitho (confession) I tried can't don't feel comfortable I do all the fasting is that right ?

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4/9/2017

QUESTION

153

Just got back from a lovely trip around Greece. Last Wednesday I went into a Church in Crete and despite the fact that the paintings on the ceiling were breathtaking in all their artistry - the one thing that struck me is that every person depicted including our Lord and Saviour Jesus - looked depressingly sad and morose. Quite sad really when there is so much joy to be had in the knowledge of His Resurrection...

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4/9/2017

QUESTION

154

Good afternoon father...i have a question why do we have 40 days inside with are new born baby...why do we do this what for??? Thank you in advance 

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4/9/2017

QUESTION

155

Father what are the disciplines of the Orthodox Church?

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4/9/2017

QUESTION

156

Father after seeing another young life taken by cancer how and why does God allow good ppl who do no wrong to suffer and even die from these diseases yet there are evil killers and rapists walking free. As someone who is suffering with cancer I think about this often, through everything I have faith in God that he only tests the ones he believes can handle it to show them they are strong yet I still question how he can let this happen and I hate that I question him

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11/9/2017

QUESTION

157

Good morning father. Next year I will become nouna to a lovely young lady of 27. She is going to do the required lessons in the UK. If all's well I will baptize her here in Cyprus and she will marry in our church the following week. The father in our church at Lymbia is fine with it so long as she gets the required documents and all is sorted before the day. Is there anything required from me that is different from when you baptize baby? I know she will wear a long white gown for the christening.

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11/9/2017

QUESTION

158

Does the church allow organ donations?

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11/9/2017

QUESTION

159

Hi Father  Obvious lying is a sin and Christ once described Satan as the father of lies. My question is what if someone lies for a so called good cause?For example what if I lie to save someone who is innocent or myself? And if I had to speak the truth, that could endanger an innocent person?

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11/9/2017

QUESTION

160

How should we spread the gospel in the modern world?

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11/9/2017

QUESTION

161

Hi Father, thank you for your post about organ donation as I wondered if this was something the Church would approve of too. As many others in the UK, I recently followed the case of baby Charlie Gard at Great Ormond Street hospital and the doctor's recommendations that his life support be switched off which conflicted with his family's wishes. I like many others had my own point of view but thank god have never been in this situation. I just wondered what a priest would advise in this situation if the parents had sought advice. If the doctors are advising from a medical point of view to do something to stop the suffering, what would the Church advise? Were Charlie's parents right for fighting for their son's life or wrong because he was suffering? Many thanks

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11/9/2017

QUESTION

162

I often like to kabnise (incense) my home but I would like to know the correct words of what to say.  Is there a prayer to say during lighting the coal and olive leaves, and when walking around my home and blessing the family.  Thank you

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11/9/2017

QUESTION

163

Does the Greek orthodox church approve of gay marriage?

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11/9/2017

QUESTION

164

One more question....in the Greek marriage ceremony the priest says...i yini na fovide don andra .....and everyone encourages the man to tread on the lady's foot How is that interpreted ?

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11/9/2017

QUESTION

165

Hi father, can you please explain how the church looks at palliative care ... Which includes operating on patients purely as palliative care, also these operations are life threatening with no better quality of life as an outcome but to merely extended the patients suffering ?

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11/9/2017

QUESTION

166

Pater it was nice to meet you and attend your service on Saturday past, one question , if someone has fasted to take holy communion is on medication and needs to take water in the morning with medication is this allowed?

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11/9/2017

QUESTION

167

Hi Father, do we need to fast on Saturday if taking holy communion on Sunday? I read online as long as you don't have anything to eat beforehand and no water you can have communion but don't you need to fast the day/week before? Many thanks

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11/9/2017

QUESTION

168

Is it OK to choose not kiss the Priest's hand?

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18/9/2017

QUESTION

169

I have a question which has always been a bit of a mystery to me. Pater. Why can't 2 brothers marry 2 sisters?? They are not blood related so why won't our church allow this?

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18/9/2017

QUESTION

170

Good Morning Pater, my question is about christenings....i am due to have my baby in a couple of weeks ( if he doesn't decide to come early lol), and I of course am already thinking about christening him and who the godparents will be etc....the only problem is I have never agreed or felt comfortable with the huge cost that the godparents incur for the privilege of being asked to be a nouna or a dada....What with the buying three of everything etc! Is it possible to speak privately with the priests at my church and possibly modify the service so that it's just a straight forward christening without all of the extra traditional stuff that I just feel uncomfortable with? Or will I just be shot down? Thanks in advance

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18/9/2017

QUESTION

171

Can I ask!! It's a Christening question. Is it true that when a person christens a baby boy they can only christen boys and girls can only christen girls? If you see what I mean? For example, if I christen a girl, I can only christen girls

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18/9/2017

QUESTION

172

What if somebody was Christian and they wanted to marry somebody from Islam. In which ways could this happen traditionally without changing anybodys religion? Obviously a legal wedding is an option.

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18/9/2017

QUESTION

173

Jesus was baptised at the age of 33 why do we baptise babies who have no understanding about God?

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18/9/2017

QUESTION

174

Pater if we consider the Baptismal service it is evident that the individual being Baptised into Christ renounces Satan as they now live for Jesus. My understanding from Scripture is that we are called to Repent and follows Christ Jesus..... A babe cannot Repent.....

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18/9/2017

QUESTION

175

Is it true that if a older child is being christened and says No to the baptism then the priest can't perform it?

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18/9/2017

QUESTION

176

Hi father I have a question , when I felt the need to make a wax candle of a body part for a person that was taken unwell I took it and them to church to have a prayer read by the priest from the church I grew up in.  I want to ask this question The priest was reading his prayer in English ... he asked for this young person To be forgiven for their sins ... therefore making this youngster feel that they had been given this illness because of their sins ... they could not understand this ...all this did was distance the youngster from going back to church, as they felt they had been told by our religion that they were struck by this illness because of their sins .  How can I explain it to them?

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18/9/2017

QUESTION

177

Hello father My question is this, I noticed that women seem to be blessed a lot when they are doing the 40days blessing for baby, but dad don't get anything, the poor fellas Why is that?

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18/9/2017

QUESTION

178

Hello could you please explain the importance of fanouropitta and why we make it?

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18/9/2017

QUESTION

179

Please explain the bread that is taken to church? Also what is the best way to put names of family for prayer? What is prosphora?

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25/9/2017

QUESTION

180

Good morning pater. In order to attract the younger generation will the Orthodox Church translate the bible into modern Greek in order to fully understand the words and meanings?

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25/9/2017

QUESTION

181

I heard that if a Greek orthodox marries a Muslim the oil they were baptized with leaves them forever and they will be rejected from heaven

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25/9/2017

QUESTION

182

Christ mentioned that anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.What does this mean exactly?

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25/9/2017

QUESTION

183

What do you think of the Old Calendarist?

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25/9/2017

QUESTION

184

Father, is suicide an unforgivable sin according to the orthodox church?

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2/10/2017

QUESTION

185

Morning pater. My other half had a thought the other day. I answered him but he doesn't believe me..so he was baptised with a nouna and dada but they have since become Jehovah's witnesses. His question is where does that mean his baptism still stands? Does he need to get new Godparents? I think no but could you clarify?

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2/10/2017

QUESTION

186

Good morning pater I'm hoping you can help me. I was married to an Italian man. We married in the Greek church and our children were christened in the Catholic church. (basically I wanted to marry in the Greek church and he agreed as long as I agreed to christening the children in his Catholic church) . So my question is can my children marry in the Greek church. I ask as some say yes some say no. It is the Greek church they want to marry in. Thank you

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2/10/2017

QUESTION

187

Why do we make the sign of the cross when the priest says Christiana ta teli tis zwhs imon at Sunday morning mass? What does it mean Father and why do we cross ourselves?

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2/10/2017

QUESTION

188

Pater what is the difference between veneration of the saints and angels, and worshipping?

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2/10/2017

QUESTION

189

Pater I actually have a question this week yay go me... anyways can a child be christened if a parent is a single parent and the child born out of wedlock as it were?

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2/10/2017

QUESTION

190

Good Afternoon Pater, I have a question which has been puzzling me, how can I get salvation? I understand that this is by the grace of God through Jesus, and by this alone. But does that mean that I can do and be whatever I want as I have no input into the matter and just hope that Jesus likes me? Or do I have to commit to some form of works, but then, have I not eliminated Jesus and God from the process? If I do good stuff throughout my life then I am my own saviour? The Catholics, I believe, think anything goes as long as you confess all the time, do bad stuff and then confess and then do more bad stuff etc... isn't this reducing Christ to a mere Notary? Very confused Pater and would love to understand this?

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2/10/2017

QUESTION

191

I've seen a few weddings where the priest dances with the couple never seen that before and the sickening part is they dance better than me lol

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2/10/2017

QUESTION

192

Pader can you tell me what you think of the New Thinking getting rid of BC AD.

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9/10/2017

QUESTION

193

Morning, I wanted to ask about holy communion I have a 9month old and when going to church he normal is the youngest there, the last few times I have been, there are about a good 7 people (adult) in the queue before him or push in front of him . Is this right? Have days gone when children go first then the elders? As I found this quite upsetting and don't no if I should say something to our priest about this

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9/10/2017

QUESTION

194

Kalimera sas, I like to ask the Greek Orthodox Church views on cremation? thank you

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9/10/2017

QUESTION

195

Good Morning pater, my question is how was it acceptable that Solomon had a Harem and also Lot who was spared and went on to commit incest? Thank you

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9/10/2017

QUESTION

196

Is it true that the wood in which Jesus was crucified came from a tree that was from three different woods and was considered shameful because it was from Lot and was given to him by Abraham who was left them by the angles or is that just a myth?

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9/10/2017

QUESTION

197

Is the shroud of Turin recognized as genuine by the orthodox church?

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9/10/2017

QUESTION

198

Were Adam and Eve actual persons or are they symbolic of humanity?

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9/10/2017

QUESTION

199

Was the flood in Noah's time an international or regional flood? I mean was it worldwide or just in a specific area? if it was worldwide how did all the species of animals get into the ark?

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9/10/2017

QUESTION

200

Why do we make Kollyva .....when did this tradition start?

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9/10/2017

QUESTION

201

Father, how did people come to be divided into different races?

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9/10/2017

QUESTION

202

Why does the church believe in bodily resurrection? I mean, after death, the body decomposes...

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16/10/2017

QUESTION

203

Good day pater, could I ask you if two people divorce,what to do with the Stephana?

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16/10/2017

QUESTION

204

Is it true pater than when a person takes his/her life the church won’t bury the person?

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23/10/2017

QUESTION

205

Hi Father, Can I start by asking about the Wednesday and Friday fast throughout the year... can we have olive oil on these days? Can we have other oils if not e.g. sunflower oil? I know olive oil is not allowed during the Christmas and Lent fasts but what about throughout the year? Many thanks

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23/10/2017

QUESTION

206

In a recent post you said priests in England are uneducated. If this is the case then how are they allowed to become priests? What do you have to do to become a priest? 

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23/10/2017

QUESTION

207

Good afternoon father, my question is how do the priests call down the holy Spirit and how come we don't learn about the Ecumenical council?

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23/10/2017

QUESTION

208

Good morning Father, I would like to know if it's possible to have a blessing in our church for a 1 year child rather to the whole baptising process. The father is  Greek Orthodox and the mother is from Italy. Many thanks

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23/10/2017

QUESTION

209

Kalimera, I want your honest opinion based on your thoughts and of the churches, when a man/woman reaches a stage in there life where they feel that the walls are closing in on them because of certain events in their lives that are irreversible do they follow there heart or there faith

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23/10/2017

QUESTION

210

Hi, Father  How does someone go about becoming a priest in the Greek orthodox Church?

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23/10/2017

QUESTION

211

Father in your opinion has Iconography changed compared to the Byzantine era?

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30/10/2017

QUESTION

212

Father what is the proclamation of Anathema's? And when is it celebrated?

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30/10/2017

QUESTION

213

My nearest church is 30 odd miles away in Leicester as a member of that church I use to pay a yearly subscription of £100 per year it's now gone up to £120 per year yesterday the church had one of its many functions were people can buy food cooked on the premises and giving the fact the church rents out it car park during the week and also expects people to contribute some money if we have a cup of tea or snack which the volunteers sometimes provide,the question I would like to ask you Father Klito is how do feel about this 'buisiness ' approach to running a church can it go too far?

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30/10/2017

QUESTION

214

Got a question for you Pater... Well its a question I was asked but tbh didn't know the answer too!!! We are taught that when people die, they can still watch over us & know when we pray for them etc... But then we're taught that after saranda meres they fall asleep until the parousia...  Never thought about that until I was asked n now I'm intrigued to know how that works...

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30/10/2017

QUESTION

215

Was the book of Job an actual story? I remember that someone said it was folklore.

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30/10/2017

QUESTION

216

What will happen to Earth after the final judgement? Will there be a new heaven and earth?

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30/10/2017

QUESTION

217

Should we celebrate Halloween or is it demonic?

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30/10/2017

QUESTION

218

A question to our forum priest, Can people of other faiths, be buried in a Cyprus Orthodox cemetery? ie UK expats, Protestants/Catholics etc.

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6/11/2017

QUESTION

219

I was told that after a baby is christened then you shouldn't kiss the baby for a period of time? I'm asking because I have just seen some family photos of a christening.. were the family are kissing the baby...is there a rule on this, many thanks

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6/11/2017

QUESTION

220

Can u please tell me what services are held over the Christmas period at church please? We always go at Easter time and I wanted to know what happens during Christmas-thanks in advance 

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6/11/2017

QUESTION

221

Why can only Greek orthodox be your best man.

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6/11/2017

QUESTION

222

Why can't we be cremated.

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6/11/2017

QUESTION

223

What's the Orthodox church's opinion on self pleasure?

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6/11/2017

QUESTION

224

Should a Christian teenager want to be Christened as a Greek Orthodox, what are the procedures?

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6/11/2017

QUESTION

225

Good evening father I hope you are well , wanted to ask my father passed away on the 6th January and we do his memorial in the last Sunday before Christmas- as Christmas eve is on Sunday are we still able to do it on the 24th this year?

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6/11/2017

QUESTION

226

Hi, Father, correct me if I'm wrong but from my understanding of our church's teaching about sacraments, baptism is a rite or passage into the life of Christ. This is wherein we die and are born again. Yet baptism by itself does not save us. We have to live a life of repentance nourished by the body and blood of Christ. We are required to become sanctified or divinized through the grace of God. In contrast to the charismatic churches we are not saved once but are in a process of being saved. Even the thief who died next to Christ and asked Him to remember him in His kingdom was told he would be with Christ in paradise but was not deemed a Saint. My question is, no disrespect intended, how was it possible for the Orthodox church to proclaim St Constantine a Saint since he was only baptized on his death bed?

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6/11/2017

QUESTION

227

Good Morning Father I hope you're well. I'd like to ask if God is male as Adam was made in their image I assumed he would be and seen as we call God Father and Son. Thank you

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6/11/2017

QUESTION

228

Will all the non Orthodox such as the roman Catholics, protestants, other Christian  groups and non Christians such as Muslims and Hindus automatically be sent to hell? Also does God listen to the prayers of the non Orthodox Christians and to Muslims and Hindus?

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6/11/2017

QUESTION

229

Growing up in a Greek home, we were taught that burning incense in one's home wards of evil. Is the devil actual scared of incense and does burning incense protect one from the evil eye?

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6/11/2017

QUESTION

230

In the gospel of John ,where Christ admonishes His enemies, He describes Satan as the father of lies. What happens when we lie for a so called good purpose where our aim is for example to prevent harm from coming to another person or to put it differently to save an innocent life? Also,is it a sin to lie where we have to put up with meddling relations or other people who want to put their noses in our personal lives?

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13/11/2017

QUESTION

231

Pater mou, I would like to know about what The Orthodox Church believes the blessing of our passed loved ones at memorials should be done or not. Should a priest bless at the cemetery on the day every year as he did at 40 days, 3, 6, 9 & 12 months as well of course as the mnimosino & kolifa in church?

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13/11/2017

QUESTION

232

Good morning Pater ,last week I asked you if the church did mnimosina on Christmas Eve as we have always held his mnimo on the last Sunday before Christmas because my father died on the 3rd January. You suggested we hold it on the 31st as it was closer to his passing . I have asked my local priest and two others and here in North London they only do memorials before Christmas and after phota .we originally thought my yiayia was confused with the Easter period but it seems that they will not do it here in the UK on 31st ?? What are your thoughts this? Thank you

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13/11/2017

QUESTION

233

Was the scourging of Christ as brutal as that depicted in Mel Gibson's film " the passion of the Christ"?

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20/11/2017

QUESTION

234

How come the Greek Orthodox style of chanting is different from each church? 

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20/11/2017

QUESTION

235

Why are there springs of holy water from each monastery / church?

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20/11/2017

QUESTION

236

Morning pater, this may have been asked before but why are we so strict on who we allow to be God parents. I am God father to Catholic children. But I wasn't technically allowed to have them as my daughters. I understand our faiths differ but we all believe in the same God. I feel that as orthodox we are not moving with the times in certain aspects.

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20/11/2017

QUESTION

237

Good morning Fr. Christopher, I just wanted to ask something that I think I saw asked before on this forum but can't remember when. You can refer me to the date and I will search it if you prefer. My question is: My late gran told me once that, as an adult, we cannot take Holy Communion unless we confess our sins first. Sounds feasible and logical. Is this true?

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20/11/2017

QUESTION

238

In the bible when disciples ask Jesus about confession, Jesus said we can confess to God in prayer our sins. Does the Orthodox church believe this or do we have to confess to our Priest. I used to work in a Christian broadcasting company where they also confessed in Prayer and not to a Priest thanks

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20/11/2017

QUESTION

239

Morning when I kabniso I’m confused on what I’m supposed to say

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20/11/2017

QUESTION

240

What is the Church's teaching about choosing a life partner? Does God will who should come into our lives?

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20/11/2017

QUESTION

241

Is it anti-Christian for a gay to marry in our church?

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20/11/2017

QUESTION

242

Hi, Father  if a homosexual has a sex change, can they marry in the Orthodox church to a person of the opposite sex?

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20/11/2017

QUESTION

243

On Saturday, St. John the Evangelist church had their Christmas market. I was one of those who had a stall selling vintage China etc. A fellow Greek Cypriot told me that I should not consider having a stall in the church itself in the future as it's 'amartia'. Why is it that for example the Church of England is never heard saying it's a sin to do this and a sin to do that like the Orthodox church. God isn't angry with its people for not believing in such things.

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20/11/2017

QUESTION

244

How does the Greek Orthodox Church view the American Evangelist movement and it's pastors? Does our Church have any thoughts or policies on the matter?

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20/11/2017

QUESTION

245

On recently losing my father and trying to act on his wishes, I need some input. He was a Protestant and a non believer, and was quite clear on his wishes as to his ‘disposal’. Problem is many friends and family are of Orthodox faith and are insistent on a service of some sort. I am at a loss, as it is for the living and not for the deceased’s benefit.  Any guidance you can offer that I may repeat to them please?

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20/11/2017

QUESTION

246

Good evening Pater, i have had a problem with my 3 year old daughter since she was a baby. She never want Holy Communion. She cries & pulls away. We have held her down a few times & the priest has been patient with her to open her mouth or should I say force her mouth open. It's very traumatic for her & me! A couple of priest have just said don't force her & we've just walked by without communion. Do you have any tips on this as she is petrified now whenever we walk up to the priest......

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20/11/2017

QUESTION

247

What are the heresies within the early church concerning the Triune God?

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27/11/2017

QUESTION

248

Why does our church not allow us to Christen our children any name we choose? I was told it had to be from the bible. Is this correct?

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27/11/2017

QUESTION

249

Why is there old calendarists and new calendarists, do we believe in the same thing or is the theology different?

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27/11/2017

QUESTION

250

What does the church really think of Cypriots marrying non Cypriots?  marrying out of culture?

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27/11/2017

QUESTION

251

Hello Father. Hope you are well. I was just wondering why our church doesn't do more to help the local community and those less fortunate. I go to a local playgroup at a church and the church does so much for the local community. They arrange a regular food bank, homework club, free advice to those who are struggling, collections for disasters around the world, a playgroup and much more that I can't even remember. The church clearly has limited funds and the priest really does work hard to make the little money last. The community are all connected to the church in some way. I think it's amazing. Why can't we do the same? We need to reach out to people more than ever as times are tough. What do you think Father?

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4/12/2017

QUESTION

252

 Good morning father. I have a question. If a child is baptized in to the Greek Orthodox Church as a baby and then 5-7 year later, the child's parents have the child baptized in the Catholic Church, with different godparents, can that child still have communion in the Greek Church? Are the child's original godparents no longer godparents? Is the child considered Orthodox or Catholic? The parents wanted to take the child to a Catholic school and then baptized the child with new godparents, without the original godparents knowledge. This is not the fault of the child. The decision was made by the parents. Thank you

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4/12/2017

QUESTION

253

 Good evening Pater. I hope you are well and in good health. My question to you is this.  20 years ago the Priest who buried my mother visited me and asked me if I wanted a reading and a blessing of my home to which I said of course I would. He took ordinary tap water from my kitchen went into the garden cut some laurels and proceeded with the blessing around the house. After he had finished dispensing his blessing there was some "holy water" left over and he told me to put it in a bottle and use it whenever. Which I did and still have that same holy water today 20 years later. In July this year I went to Apostolos Andreas Monastery and as is our custom I brought a bottle of holy water from the church. Recently when using this holy water I noticed that it's turning algae green at the bottom of the bottle. Is there an explanation for this? The 20 year old agiasmo is as clear today and yet the one from Apostolos Andreas is turning green? I look forward to your answer Pater and thank you in advance if you can explain this to me.

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4/12/2017

QUESTION

254

 When you have time, would you please advise me if I give my child a non-orthodox, non-Greek name can it still be christened in our church under that name? Or must it be a Greek orthodox first name? Thank you

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4/12/2017

QUESTION

255

 Good evening hope you are well pater i have a question when in Cyprus 2 years ago my cousin suggested a baraglisy for my grandchild who has been diagnosed with autism and did not speak .....what exactly is a baraglisy ? This took place in 'banayia dis ylossas' he is now 5and half and can talk .....how often should this take place ?

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11/12/2017

QUESTION

256

Father why if I christened my brothers son my brother cannot christen my children? I didnt end up letting my brother christen my daughter because I wanted to christen their son because of it.

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11/12/2017

QUESTION

257

My question to you father is, how long were Mary and Joseph together before she became pregnant with Jesus and why weren't they married?

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11/12/2017

QUESTION

258

If Adam and Eve had two children Kane & Abel what happened next how did they continue to reproduce?

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9/1/2018

QUESTION

259

Why is it the whole world cannot share the same Easter?

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9/1/2018

QUESTION

260

Is it a sin to love? 

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9/1/2018

QUESTION

261

Is Orthodoxy the original Christianity, and what year was the split with the Catholic?

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9/1/2018

QUESTION

262

Why do we live in such a hard and cruel world?

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9/1/2018

QUESTION

263

Pater, when someone purposefully hurts you & makes you suffer do they get punished?

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9/1/2018

QUESTION

264

When someone hurts you why do we have to wait till the after life? We won't know what's happened to them we need to see now.  

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9/1/2018

QUESTION

265

Father, why do we do koliva for memorials etc?

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9/1/2018

QUESTION

266

As Greek Orthodox can we believe in reincarnation?

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9/1/2018

QUESTION

267

Why is it that we cannot cremate? I know many of people who say they would rather be cremated now then buried (probably due to the cost) and my dad asked that he be cremated before he died and made me promise I would - I did promise but when the time came I couldn’t do it - which I now feel bad I went against his wishes

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9/1/2018

QUESTION

268

If somebody goes to have the holy communion and it fall out of their mouth what does it mean? And can you be forgiven?

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15/1/2018

QUESTION

269

Good afternoon pater Christopher. Why are women penalized when they lose an unborn baby without choice?

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15/1/2018

QUESTION

270

Pater is it right for women to wear trouser to church?

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15/1/2018

QUESTION

271

Hi pader, do you think ,there should be more of the liturgy in English as most people and the younger generation do not understand what is going on. Its a shame because the liturgy is so beautiful; a lot of the time I do not understand what is going on! You the chanters, the priest going in and out of the icon stand? People not knowing when to stand, sit down or when to make the sign of the cross? All very confusing.

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15/1/2018

QUESTION

272

Pater m there is this one women that does horrible things to my family (you wouldn’t believe) yet she is always in church on her hands and knees je kinona. How can someone with so much faith do these things?

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15/1/2018

QUESTION

273

Good day pater....I've found my mum's gabnistiri (censer).....what should I get to burn in it? And what is a good prayer to say for my family?

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15/1/2018

QUESTION

274

Hello pater. Here's my question. My friends daughter has become engaged to a lovely German man. He is a Catholic and does not want to change religion but they want to get married in our orthodox church here in Cyprus. Is this possible?

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15/1/2018

QUESTION

275

Pater, is it a sin not to dissolve a Greek Orthodox marriage? Even though you know you'll never get married again in the Greek church?

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15/1/2018

QUESTION

276

Hello Pater, My beautiful daughter asked me a question whether her son is allowed to be baptised in the Greek Orthodox church . Reason for asking: she is a single young mother.

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15/1/2018

QUESTION

277

If you're unable to attend a service due to personal health problems are we not looked at as bad people?

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15/1/2018

QUESTION

278

I want to say since I lost my mother it bothers me why do we have to lose our loved ones and in so much pain that last moments stay with us and I am suffering bringing those moments in my head ... I go to church but I find that my faith is not strong enough this is a sin but that's how i feel ..I just don't understand life and why we are here and suffer all different ways and then die

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22/1/2018

QUESTION

279

Does the Church believe in the evil eye and can the amatopetra protect us from it?

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22/1/2018

QUESTION

280

I have a question pater m I have just come back from a funeral and I was wondering when they put the body in the earth why do they open the coffin? They dont do it in the UK.

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22/1/2018

QUESTION

281

Is it true that christian priests and their followers destroyed temples and sculptures all over the Greek and Roman world to hide the fact that pre christian people were just as happy and creative worshipping their gods, and that the judeo christian god is a nasty jealous vindictive god that has changed nothing except for instilling fear and the murder of millions of non- believers.

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22/1/2018

QUESTION

282

I have been attending my local church for many many years with the same priest. Recently a new priest has come to help our priest. A few sundays ago we took our grandson for his third communion after being baptised. The new priest asked if we had feed him. We said yes, then he can not have communion. We asked why? He is a baby.  Over the past few weeks at communion time young children and babies are been refused communion. Yesterday before communion was started we was told if your child has eaten please do not bring them for communion. I have never heard of this before. Have we been wrong to give our children communion when they were young?

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29/1/2018

QUESTION

283

Is Jesus Christ really present in the Eucharist?

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29/1/2018

QUESTION

284

Why is cremation not allowed in our faith?

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29/1/2018

QUESTION

285

For how many years should the yearly Mnemosino be observed  I read in a Greek book that it’s only got 5 years (can’t remember which book)  Thanks

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5/2/2018

QUESTION

286

Pater have you ever regretted becoming a Priest?

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5/2/2018

QUESTION

287

Do you think we should have Confession before lent begins or whilst we are in lent?

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5/2/2018

QUESTION

288

I know we the Greek Orthodox says  when one door closes another opens. I keep asking to my self God why me.

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5/2/2018

QUESTION

289

Pater this might sound funny to some people but to my daughter its not she would like me to ask you if animals have a soul when they die do they go up in heaven. thank you

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26/2/2018

QUESTION

290

Pater how can I tell if a bible I bought is real or fake because the one I bought doesn't have a cross on the front?

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26/2/2018

QUESTION

291

Pater, I have quite a few medical issues for which I take various medication. I am fasting but not a strict fast due to these medical conditions. That is to say that I have stopped consuming meat but I'm still eating dairy products as well as fish. I will however stop these about ten days before Easter. Can I still go for confession and take holy communion?

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26/2/2018

QUESTION

292

Are foods like squid, octopus, prawns and cuttlefish considered as fasting foods?

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26/2/2018

QUESTION

293

During fasting what are the oil rules? What is the rule re olive oil and olives?

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26/2/2018

QUESTION

294

Which day/ Sunday is fish permitted during the Easter fast ? I think the 25th March is a day it’s permitted.

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26/2/2018

QUESTION

295

A question regarding holy communion. With the way viruses get spread etc, it does concern me that one spoon is used for all.

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5/3/2018

QUESTION

296

Not really religion related but what made you decide to be a priest Pater?

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5/3/2018

QUESTION

297

What does our religion say about organ donation?  Is it against our religion to donate our organs when we have passed away?

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5/3/2018

QUESTION

298

Morning Father my question to you is Jesus had brothers James, Joses, Simon and Judas the idea of the perpetual virginity of Mary is in contradiction to the plain meaning of the bible? What are your thoughts on this

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5/3/2018

QUESTION

299

Hello Father. This may sound a very simple question that is commonly known.  But is there a certain pray that should be said when lighting your candle? Thank you.

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5/3/2018

QUESTION

300

Father last question what is the meaning of Life

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12/3/2018

QUESTION

301

Good morning pater I have a question, next week its my fathers mnimosino my mum does the kolifa and the church service in the UK and I do the trisagio here in Cyprus since his wish was to be buried in Cyprus, do I have to make kolifa too or do I have to do something else for him? Oh and also can you tell me what I have to do for the year one since they are all coming over here for that thank you and have a nice day.

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12/3/2018

QUESTION

302

Morning pater My question is about loyalty and friendship. I find it hard to forgive people who Stab me in the back. Is this a bad thing?? Should I be more forgiving??

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12/3/2018

QUESTION

303

Good morning pater I got married in Cyprus 10 years ago we are planning to renew our wedding vowels can u help me do I need to do.

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12/3/2018

QUESTION

304

My question is more to do with church order and the correct way to place icons in a church. Specifically my question relates to the sanctuary. I have been a priest for about 3 months now and so part of my job is to slowly try and re-order our church and de-clutter it. In our sanctuary, icons are everywhere. A few weeks ago, it occurred to me that the female saints depicted in the icons which we have in our sanctuary, would never have entered the sanctuary in their lives on earth and that it was possibly (probably) incorrect to have them in the sanctuary. From experience, the iconography I have seen in the iero is typically of the liturgists of the church and various other hierarchs - i.e. all men. To my knowledge, the only woman who is consistently placed inside the sanctuary is the Mother of God, and we know that in her life on earth she actually entered the holy of holies. I asked my spiritual father this same question and he understood exactly where I was coming from but wasn't sure what the answer was. The saints are after all alive in Christ. We know from St Paul that there is no longer Jew nor Greek, male nor female but all are one in Christ - yet on earth and in the Church, the maleness of Christ is an intergral part of the incarnation. Male and female still exist. So I suppose my direct question is, if panagia is the only woman who has a place in the sanctuary, is it incorrect to have icons of female saints in the sanctuary?

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12/3/2018

QUESTION

305

Good afternoon pater, my dad passed away on the 21st April which falls on a Saturday this year! Do I do his mnimosino on Sunday 15th? My mum used to do it but she passed away 6 months ago so it falls to me to sort it out! 

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12/3/2018

QUESTION

306

Can you explain the word tama plz

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19/3/2018

QUESTION

307

Please may I ask why we pray to a saint to help us and not to Christ? Can someone point me in the biblical direction please? Thank you, I am genuinely interested.

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19/3/2018

QUESTION

308

Why was I was told off for making a Fanouropitta by a church person? Is it because they see it as more a myth/old wives tale?

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19/3/2018

QUESTION

309

I can never nistepsi and take the Holy communion because I'm allergic to alcohol. Is there a way round that??

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19/3/2018

QUESTION

310

Afternoon Father, my boy wants to do the final 2 weeks of fasting and he wants to do the full thing as in cut everything out, I'm trying to put him off because the thought of him going to bed hungry is killing me, I've tried telling him to just cut out meat for now but he's as stubborn as me, am I being to over protective or should I let him go for it?

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19/3/2018

QUESTION

311

Good afternoon Pater, My question is a bit absurd even by my standards...  Recently I've noticed a lot of people from our community believing in this flat earth theory that's all over the internet that claims the earth is flat with the earth n moon revolving around the earth...  Personally I think its nonsense because the earth is a globe & we live in a solar-centric system... The reason I'm asking you this question is because these people who believe this flat earth nonsense keep claiming its the position of the Church & the Bible...

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19/3/2018

QUESTION

312

Pater can I ask how true is it..that you can take holy wine after 12 o'clock midnight on Christ's Resurrection day .without confession

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26/3/2018

QUESTION

313

Father, when do you do the proskomidi on Holy Saturday evening?

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26/3/2018

QUESTION

314

What is the meaning behind the dyed eggs for Easter and the cracking of the eggs against each other?

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26/3/2018

QUESTION

315

Why is it said father that a woman cannot take communion when on her monthly period?

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26/3/2018

QUESTION

316

Why are women not allowed to kiss the icons when on the monthly. Before women during these days were forbidden to even enter the church.

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26/3/2018

QUESTION

317

Why weren’t the Greek turned to muslins allowed back in our church after the ottomans left ?

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16/4/2018

QUESTION

318

Hello Pater, what is the procedure for a grown up man, who has not been baptized before, to be christened into our Church, so he can then be married in our Church? many thanks.

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16/4/2018

QUESTION

319

Morning Pater, why won't the church marry anybody for the 4th time apparently the church will only marry someone 3 times

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16/4/2018

QUESTION

320

Good morning pater, can I please ask can I christen my niece if my sister christened my daughter? My mum says you can't christen eachOthers as it's like returning the Mira but I thought you could

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16/4/2018

QUESTION

321

Morning Pater, I have a very silly question. There is a point in the usual Sunday church service where everyone bows down and some kneel to the floor. What does this part of the service represent? I always give my thanks during this part for all my blessings but I don’t know the significance and if I should be doing something different?

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23/4/2018

QUESTION

322

I have a question regarding Judas and Pontius Pilate Father. Given that Jesus had to have been betrayed and had to be crucified in order to save mankind, are these characters in the Passion story villains?

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23/4/2018

QUESTION

323

Good afternoon Pater i have a question....why do Greek orthodox kiss icons in church?

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30/4/2018

QUESTION

324

When we finally pass and meet our creator will we be sectioned off in our religious groups i.e. orthodox, Catholic, church of England etc if this is not the case basically we could join any church and still all meet up eventually

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7/5/2018

QUESTION

325

Good afternoon pater...my question is why is it people don't bury loved ones (Greece) and they put them in tombs little houses...isn't in our region supposed to be in earth

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7/5/2018

QUESTION

326

I had a list of names to be read by the priest today at my mums 4 years memorial, well I forgot the list at home so when the priest was reading the names I mentioned them past loved ones inside me, was this Ok? 

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7/5/2018

QUESTION

327

I'm not a believer but my dad was upset I had my son cremated. I thought the bible says ashes to ashes dust to dust

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7/5/2018

QUESTION

328

Death to me is final there is nothing after, how can a person die at 18yrs and if I die at 90yrs old are we resurrected at these ages?

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7/5/2018

QUESTION

329

I have a question for you can you explain what the eye in the picture represents?

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7/5/2018

QUESTION

330

Should (or are) people who give up our Orthodox faith and, for example, become born again Christians or otherwise, be allowed to re-enter our church?

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7/5/2018

QUESTION

331

Pater, my mother and father separated some sixty years ago and were finally devorced. My father married the woman he left my mother for. My mother remaind married to her faith and in the Lord Jesus Christ.  They have both passed now, my mother never spoke to him again although I believe that they still loved each other. Will they be with each other again and how will it work out with his other wife, she has not passed yet.

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7/5/2018

QUESTION

332

Can you explain what Born again Christian means?

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7/5/2018

QUESTION

333

May I please ask you. Do we have to have confession before Communion?

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7/5/2018

QUESTION

334

Morning Pater, quick question What is the purpose of death? I mean everyone wants to go to heaven but most of us fear death and nobody wants to die

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7/5/2018

QUESTION

335

I take you have heard of Lilith, according to Jewish folklore, from the satirical book Alphabet of Sirach onwards, Lilith appears as Adam's first wife, who was created at the same time and from the same dirt as Adam however if you read Genesis 1:27. 'So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him male and female created he them.', however in Genesis 2.22 'And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.' What is the Orthodox teachings on this as I am confused to say the least?

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7/5/2018

QUESTION

336

Hello pater would it be possible for a greek orthodox priest to attend my daughter's civil ceremony and give a blessing if the groom hasn't been christened?

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7/5/2018

QUESTION

337

I would like to know why we keep a light burning in the tomb they are buried in. My parents have been dead 9years and 6 years and I still go every week but out of Curiosity I would like to know why we do it thanks

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14/5/2018

QUESTION

338

Jesus prophesied that men of his generation would not  pass away without witnessing his second coming and  the falling of stars why did he not fulfil his prophecy? (Mark 9:1, 13:30)

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14/5/2018

QUESTION

339

At the first council of Nicaea in 325AD, the council failed to agree a date for that of easter that could unify the church, as was Emperor Constantine intention, my question is when was this date/formula set and at which council?

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14/5/2018

QUESTION

340

How is this possible for one to live so long or has this been lost in translation should a year be a full moon?  “And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth: And the days of Adam after he had begotten Seth were eight hundred years: and he begat sons and daughters: And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.”

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21/5/2018

QUESTION

341

Do you believe in exorcism?

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21/5/2018

QUESTION

342

Good morning pater. My husband is baptized Catholic and we married in an orthodox church I have been told that he cannot be buried in our cemetery. Can I be buried in his; we live in Cyprus ?

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21/5/2018

QUESTION

343

Can music (tasteful) be played in church as the coffin is being carried in and then when everyone consoles the family? There is a reason for this specific question

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28/5/2018

QUESTION

344

Today in Cyprus we celebrate the festival of Kataklysmos perhaps you could enlighten us?

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28/5/2018

QUESTION

345

How is it that the bible explains the earth to be 6,000 to 8,000 years old when we know that dinosaur bones are at least 65 million years old?

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28/5/2018

QUESTION

346

Good afternoon Father. Both my parents are buried in the St. Nicolas graveyard. I visit monthly. Many of the graves and the graveyard itself is very neglected. Yesterday I complained of the weeds and the general untidiness and was told it's our responsibility.

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4/6/2018

QUESTION

347

Kalimera pater what i would like to know is this month its my fathers one year mnimosino do i have to do xrisokolifa or the usual kolifa and why do they do xrisokolifa? Have a nice day and a good week...

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4/6/2018

QUESTION

348

What does our Church say about the meaning of dreams? Either nightmares or good dreams? Does God or those loved ones that have passed communicate with us through our dreams? Thank you

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4/6/2018

QUESTION

349

Pater one of my Daughters is getting married next year in Corfu , Greece (my hubbys from Corfu ) can you tell me please is there any difference in the actual wedding ceremony from the Cypriot one?

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4/6/2018

QUESTION

350

I have a few question to ask about the creation of man when God made Adam and Eve who by what the Bible says was the first man and woman on earth if we all came from them then that means there children slept with each other and I know that is a sin in God’s eyes and mankind’s so what is the true story there?

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4/6/2018

QUESTION

351

Which is the correct the old testament or the new?

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11/6/2018

QUESTION

352

Can you tell us what the Greek Οrthodox stance is on Dogs, I was told here in Cyprus that the orthodox church does not believe or recognises that dogs have a soul which I was quite upset about

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11/6/2018

QUESTION

353

I read in one of your posts about Jesus not being our buddy as some so called Christian groups portray. What does it mean then when we hear God wants a relationship with us?

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11/6/2018

QUESTION

354

I was wondering in the orthodox religion, Which ayion do you ask for healing?

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11/6/2018

QUESTION

355

Kalimera father  What purpose does hell serve?

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11/6/2018

QUESTION

356

Good morning father, my dad who has sadly died now was orthodox and had a orthodox burial in the UK. My mother is English and happy to say is still with us and wants to be buried with dad but she is not orthodox as she was christened church of England but since being married to my dad has always followed the orthodox faith bringing her children up (me) as orthodox. My question is what does she have to do ? Does she have to be baptised orthodox she is 78 now 

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11/6/2018

QUESTION

357

I have a question pater it's not about our faith but more advise. If someone has a cross that belonged to someone who died who you know carried a lot of sorrow and grief and died wearing that cross. Would a priest think it odd if the said person would ask to have this cross blessed?? Or is it not something that would be heard of blessing a cross???

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11/6/2018

QUESTION

358

Hello Pater. My mum always told me off for wearing a cross with an 'ammado pedra' on a chain round my neck. she says that both together is not good. Is she right?

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11/6/2018

QUESTION

359

My first pregnancy ended at 12 weeks. ..I had a miscarriage. After 40 days it was custom for me to go to my church and I stood outside while the priest read a passage to me. In this passage the word 'murderer' was said. I was grieving already and to hear this just broke me down even more. 27 years have passed and I went on to have 4 healthy and beautiful children but I still don't know why to this day I am a 'murderer'.....for a long time I blamed myself. Thank you for listening.

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11/6/2018

QUESTION

360

Hello Pater, if one person christens an adult, a female then can that same adult then christen a male. Can they then marry siblings. Even though they are not blood related

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11/6/2018

QUESTION

361

Hello Pater, is there a right and wrong way to pray? Should we be praying for the higher good for all rather than things we personally would like? Thank you

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11/6/2018

QUESTION

362

Hi Pater Can you please explain the trinity ?

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11/6/2018

QUESTION

363

Hello Pater  Does God watch our every move ??

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11/6/2018

QUESTION

364

Dear Pater If a person who is baptised as orthodox then later on in life for some reason or another is baptised but this time as a born again Christian, But doesn’t really follow anything but the orthodox way..... what does it make him now

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11/6/2018

QUESTION

365

What does our church say about communicating with the dead?

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18/6/2018

QUESTION

366

My question to you this morning is God says you can only divorce through sexual immorality now does that mean even fantasizing about another women and also if a man beats his wife does our church accept that she should stay with him because hes not committing any sexual immorality towards her

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18/6/2018

QUESTION

367

A friend of mine went to her first Greek Orthodox christening today and was asking me why the mother couldn’t comfort the child... I couldn’t answer her question. Anyone know the reason why the mother can’t go near the child during the service?

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18/6/2018

QUESTION

368

Where did the cross come from ?

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18/6/2018

QUESTION

369

Hello Pater, should we always offer some money to the poor that beg on the streets or should we give the money to a charity instead?

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18/6/2018

QUESTION

370

Hello father hope you’re well.  My question is We are told not to worry about food, clothes etc as God knows what we need and provides even for the birds. Why then is there famine?( not that I’m questioning God)

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18/6/2018

QUESTION

371

Pater this one has been bugging me since I've moved to Greece what is του κάνανε magic..totally scary. For example when I first opened my hair salon. I found carnation flowers and nails stuck to my door, I was told to pee on them...  

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18/6/2018

QUESTION

372

I want to learn about St. Kyprianos

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25/6/2018

QUESTION

373

Why won't the Greek churches marry 2 brothers and 2 sisters? They are not blood related so what's the issue??

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25/6/2018

QUESTION

374

Good morning Pater, can you tell me the faiths stance on cremation

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25/6/2018

QUESTION

375

If Jesus died on the cross and spent three days in hell to pay for the sins of the world, then why would we have to go to hell ourselves and pay for them again?

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25/6/2018

QUESTION

376

Hello father...I have a question “Should you always say sorry in an argument/disagreement...even if you think you are right?”

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25/6/2018

QUESTION

377

I was told by an orthodox priest that its not OK to receive communion at an English Christian Church. Why is that if that's the only church I'm able to get to?

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25/6/2018

QUESTION

378

I've split with my children's father but would like to get them christened... My son has various health issues and wouldn't cope being put in the holy water would an alternative be possible for him. Further do all God parents have to be Greek orthodox?

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25/6/2018

QUESTION

379

Hi,Father Christopher. Is it ok for an Orthodox Christian to go visit a Hindu temple?

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25/6/2018

QUESTION

380

Good evening Father. All my life I have heard different explanations depending on who I asked. So here goes.. What is the churches position on menstruation/periods.?. Some people have said, go to church stand at the back, don't kiss the icons and definitely don't have communion. Others have said no don't go to church full stop.

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2/7/2018

QUESTION

381

My question is how do we know that the Holy Spirit existed with God and the Word and not after the resurrection? Thank you

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2/7/2018

QUESTION

382

Kalimera Father my question to you is How should a Greek Orthodox respond to an unanswered prayer?

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2/7/2018

QUESTION

383

Does the Greek church believe in the harpazo or rapture Will the good Christians be taken of the planet for the marriage of the lamb To avoid Gods wrath?

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2/7/2018

QUESTION

384

Good morning Pater...  What is your view on the idea of setting a universal fixed date for Easter/Pascha which has been proposed and has much support in all denominations...  The closest Sunday to the 25th March seems to be the date that keeps coming up...  I know the method for determining the date each year for both east n west and about the Julian & Gregorian calendars...  Putting that aside, what is your view on the fixed date proposal...

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2/7/2018

QUESTION

385

What is the churches view on capital punishment???

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2/7/2018

QUESTION

386

Hi, Father I have a question regarding marriage. St Paul teaches that it is better for one to marry than be consumed with lust and that neither spouse is master of their own body. Yet, there are Church fathers who say that married couples should only have sexual relations to have children. All forms of contraception appears to be forbidden and are tantamount to murder. What does the Church teach about sexual relations between married couples?

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2/7/2018

QUESTION

387

When people commit suicide why won't the orthodox church do a funeral service as they obviously had mental health problems.

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2/7/2018

QUESTION

388

I have a question Pater, what do the ingredients in kolifa represent?

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2/7/2018

QUESTION

389

Are we allowed to go to old calendar churches?

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2/7/2018

QUESTION

390

Hi, Father, apparently the first person to enter paradise was the thief on the cross whom Christ told that he would be with him in paradise. Yet at the transfiguration of Christ, we read that Moses and Elijah appeared with Christ. We also read that Satan disputed with Michael the archangel over the soul of Moses. Therefore were people saved in the Old Testament before the penitent thief or robber on the cross?

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9/7/2018

QUESTION

391

I have a question Pater , If someone wants to take holy communion but needs to take medication before, is this allowed ?

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9/7/2018

QUESTION

392

Hi, Father Christopher. In the book of Genesis we read that the first couple were both naked yet not ashamed. We read further on that they had children once they were expelled from Eden. If the fall had not occurred, would the first couple have reproduced? Since prior to the fall they lived together in innocence, doesn't that mean that they would not have reproduced? A further question is that since God made them capable of reproduction then doesn't that mean that He foresaw the fall and yet still decided to create them in any event?

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9/7/2018

QUESTION

393

Hello Pater, I was wondering if you believe only orthodox Christians go to heaven or other Christians too? Thank you, God bless

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9/7/2018

QUESTION

394

If the church forbids freemasonry, secret societies, making oaths and war, how does it explain its connection with the group 'Philiki Etairia' which was masonic and actively initiating people with oaths to join the secret societies in the revolution movements from 1821 right up to the struggle of 1955-59... I'm not saying any if this was wrong in any way, I'm just asking...

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9/7/2018

QUESTION

395

Is there an Orthodox equivalent of the 'Just War Doctrine', in writing or just in theory, which would be compatible with the church’s historical involvement in all our wars..  Personally I agree with the 'Just War Doctrine' because unfortunately sometimes we have no alternative but to fight if invaded or under oppression...

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9/7/2018

QUESTION

396

My father in law died in Greece. His 40 days falls on the 22/7. But was told we have to do it the week before. Why? Can I do him another one on the 22 July. I live in London.

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9/7/2018

QUESTION

397

Why every time I close my eyes and sleep on my back I am awoken by a loud growling sound. Like a lion or tigers growl. Very angry sounding. Heard it when I was awake once too. As a child I had recurrent nightmares of a very tall man all in black on a very tall black horse and I used to say Mary and Jesus in Greek 3 times and i used to defeat it but it often came to me for many years now I'm terrified to sleep on my back because I feel I'm hounded by dark supernatural things. My priest isn't taking me seriously I think

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9/7/2018

QUESTION

398

Does God ever answer prayers?

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9/7/2018

QUESTION

399

Hi I would like to know a little more about been christened in the Greek church and the meaning of some of the rituals . Why is your mum not allowed to kiss you for free days ? Why do you have to wash the babies clothes after 3 days ? Why do they cut the babies hair and when you are christened after a saint does could I know the significance of all these things . Than you very much

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16/7/2018

QUESTION

400

Goodmorning morning, My question is what is Holy water made of

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16/7/2018

QUESTION

401

My first question from a religious point of view and not a scientific one Why does time exist?

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16/7/2018

QUESTION

402

Morning pater can you tell me do I have to go church and pray every week or is it the same to do it at home

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16/7/2018

QUESTION

403

I’ve always believed that our lives are mapped out before we are born basically that we are all given our “death date” or use by date in another way! Lol  What do you think on this

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16/7/2018

QUESTION

404

My question Pater is, what is the best way of learning my faith.. basic birth and death of Christ and his Apostles, I know, I would like to learn more. Thank you.

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16/7/2018

QUESTION

405

Hi, Father Christopher, we are taught that God loves mankind. My question is why won't God forgive the fallen angels and provide a way for them to receive forgiveness? Since notwithstanding God's love for mankind, He loves all His creatures.

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16/7/2018

QUESTION

406

Hi Father, quick question. Does God judge?

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16/7/2018

QUESTION

407

Good afternoon Pater.  We have friends at the Orthodox monastery at Brookwood who are monks. In the last magazine received from them it was stated that two of them had been tonsured and I am trying to find the implication of this? I read that tonsuring involves the shaving of the head (as in the Christmas card pictures of monks!!) and I have never seen an Orthodox father with anything other than a very, very good head of hair/beard etc. so is that explanation correct please? Also what are the implications as regards the Father's standings in the religious community - is it a promotion, does he have a change of life-style because of it or is it something very personal of which an outsider would be unaware ?

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16/7/2018

QUESTION

408

Hello, from a religious perspective this is something I struggle with . Why is it I have had so many premonitions and they all come true? Surely there is an element of our lives that are written? 30 years ago I dreamed my yaiyai was sat in my first ever car . 10 years ago I was out and on spur of moment saw a car i wanted cheap . 2 mins later my yaiyai with my dad turn up out the blue and sat in the same clothing I dreamt her in  I dreamed for many years of a small bus with a P on the front that would drive inside my estate.. many . Years later a small bus p5 would start a service through my estate..the only bus I know who is calling me before I pick up and look at my phone. Every time  I dreamt of M&ms world store in Leicester sq London years b4 it would have been thought about  I saw the terrorist attack in France the day b4 it happened in a dream  Even if I get an unusually large amount of post I dream of it and there it is the next morning . I know it sounds nuts. And I believe in free will. According to the bible. So why is this? I feel so weird

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16/7/2018

QUESTION

409

Good afternoon to you Father, I have been reading Exodus 19:18 I have a question for you do you think that the location of Mount Sinai is in the wrong location ?

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16/7/2018

QUESTION

410

Pater can you tell me that in the afterlife when will we meet our love ones again? Do we have to wait till the end of life on earth when we are all judged by God?

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16/7/2018

QUESTION

411

When Christ had risen Lazarus from the dead, Why did he not ever laugh again or say what he saw ?

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23/7/2018

QUESTION

412

I asked the priest in the church why Ayios Gerasimos body has not decomposed and he told me that he won't as he is a saint. How is that pater? That is why atheist have to believe as it's the power of God.

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23/7/2018

QUESTION

413

Morning, Father, the book of revelations is the only book not read during the Divine Liturgy. I understand that it was not immediately accepted by the Church and only accepted slowly, slowly. Why is it still not read during the Divine Liturgy?

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23/7/2018

QUESTION

414

Good morning pater, It’s my father’s six months mnimossino on Sunday, I just wanted to ask why is it we have a 3 months, six months and nine months mnimossina. I understand after a year and then every year after but why so many in the first year.

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23/7/2018

QUESTION

415

Father what does it mean that there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth?

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23/7/2018

QUESTION

416

My question today, is about juristiction within the church...   Is the Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain only the Archbishop of Greek Orthodox christians living in Great Britain, or is he over all Orthodox churches such as Serb, Russian, Romanian, Bulgarian etc???   If yes, then does the Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain have to be Greek or can an Archbishop be elected from any of those ethnic churches???   Could a Serb, Russian, Romanian, Bulgarian be the Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain?

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23/7/2018

QUESTION

417

Pater when is it the right time to kapinse?

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23/7/2018

QUESTION

418

My question is How should I interpret this verse Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them I’m thinking with a bible and a discussion amongst friends why do I need a church, isn’t God telling us we don’t need to go to church as long as we talk about our faith amongst ourselves

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23/7/2018

QUESTION

419

Why are we not allowed to cross our legs in church? My yiayia always said its not allowed but with no explanation.

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30/7/2018

QUESTION

420

Hi Thaskale, why, if there are any recorded accounts at the time, did the Christian religion split between orthodoxy and Catholicism?

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30/7/2018

QUESTION

421

Are man and woman equal in Orthodox Faith?

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30/7/2018

QUESTION

422

Hi, Father Christopher, If you don't mind, this is a follow up question to my question last week! What was the process used by the Church in order to decide which books would form part of both the Old and New Testament? Regarding your reply to my question last week, many books we today take for granted did not immediately form part of the bible. A classic case in point is the book of revelation. Since this book itself was disputed by many Saints, this would imply that it was not available to the faithful for a long time. Despite the fact that all scripture is given by inspiration of God, wouldn't this suggest that the process used had problems? Further to my first question regarding the process used, is it possible that there are other books which should also have been included but were not? Since as John writes, there were many other things which Christ did and the world itself could not contain all the books which could have been written.

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30/7/2018

QUESTION

423

Morning Father, Why is the Orthodox religion different from other Christianity religions ? Don’t we all follow the same bible?

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30/7/2018

QUESTION

424

If somebody leaves the Orthodox faith for a non-Christian religion, such as Islam, Buddhism, Sikhism etc, and then wants to return to the Orthodox faith, do they have to be baptised again, or what is the procedure for them returning to the faith?

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30/7/2018

QUESTION

425

Hello Pater Christopher. I have a question. According to the Greek Orthodox faith, what happens to non Greek Orthodox people when they die?

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30/7/2018

QUESTION

426

Morning Pater My mum used to say to me that Greek Orthodox could only get buried when we die and could not be cremated . Is that true and why? My brother and I have been having this discussion and sadly our parents are not around to answer the questions

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30/7/2018

QUESTION

427

Morning pater is it wrong for women to wear trousers to church

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30/7/2018

QUESTION

428

Kalimera Pater Jesus had taught that man's prayers are answered. The Garden of Gethsemane? What effect would this  incident have on the faith of his disciples and  followers to see that a prayer had not been answered  contrary to what Jesus had taught?

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30/7/2018

QUESTION

429

Is it wrong to say a white lie to stop a big problem to happen?

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30/7/2018

QUESTION

430

Kalimera Pater. My question is about Judas. He is often vilified in society and the church as the betrayer of Christ. However, I also see him as a key player in the Passion and Resurrection. If he didn’t betray Christ, Christ would have never died for our sins and fulfilled the prophecy. I'm not sure of its authenticity, but going back to a question asked earlier today, there is also a gospel of Judas which claims Judas betrayed Jesus as an act of obedience rather than betrayal. Could I ask your opinion on this?

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30/7/2018

QUESTION

431

Are we prodigal sons or unprofitable servants. How are we both?

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30/7/2018

QUESTION

432

If shepherds were not watching their flock in December then Christ was not born on the 25th of December

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30/7/2018

QUESTION

433

You know what bothers me LET THERE BE LIGHT and yet on the fourth day (I think) created the sun and the moon. The morning came and the night day one?????

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30/7/2018

QUESTION

434

Good afternoon Pater, is it correct that Fanouropita (φανουροπιτα) should not be given to ladies who have been divorced?

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30/7/2018

QUESTION

435

My question is ‘if God knows everything from Α to Ω, then why bother putting us on earth knowing our outcomes, wars, famine etc?’

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30/7/2018

QUESTION

436

Is it wrong to give communion to a non orthodox if they r dying?

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20/8/2018

QUESTION

437

Kalimera thaskale, here’s one for you, why do we have 4 gospels when I believe Mark “wrote “ the first one and is almost indistinguishable from the others apart from the fact the others have a juicier ending, why not just stick with the first one which was far closer historically to Jesus’s time

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20/8/2018

QUESTION

438

Good Morning. I have a question. I was told that it’s “amachtia” to be cremated. Why is that?

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20/8/2018

QUESTION

439

Why is the universe, Earth, and life so imperfect? Why would a god create a world where there is so much… wrong?

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20/8/2018

QUESTION

440

O xristos otan itan sto stavro ipe ston ena klefti opios me akolouthisi pai paradiso. Diladi olos o kosmos pou pistevi se alles thriskies tha pai kolasi??

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20/8/2018

QUESTION

441

Good morning, Father. What is your/the Church’s view on the usefulness of the Book of Enoch?

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20/8/2018

QUESTION

442

Kalimera Pater, my first time posting. My questions today is, why does the church accept the best man & maid of honour at weddings to be orthodox of different countries but godparents must be Greek orthodox?

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20/8/2018

QUESTION

443

May I ask a question .  Easter time we are not suppose to eat olive oil when fasting but can eat olives . So I asked the question why, to so so many and everyone does not know why .  So I read and searched for the answer.  This is what I read you can eat olive oil. The reason in the past you could not eat olive oil was because it was stored in pouches made from animals skin hence the reason why . Many years passed and people only knew they must not eat olive oil but forgot the reason why being the animal skin.  Now in modern times we do not store olive oil in a animal leather pouch so we there for can eat olive oil as we can olives. 

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20/8/2018

QUESTION

444

Hello pater One question: With all what's going on with all the floods fires ebolas are we coming to the end as it Nostradamus says? Your views please

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27/8/2018

QUESTION

445

Kalimera Father i hope you are well, My question to you is can you please explain this to me in layman's terms  Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD” (Leviticus. 19:18).

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27/8/2018

QUESTION

446

Morning. If a lesbian couple (who are married by a registrar) want to christen their child in the Greek Orthodox Church...can they? One of the parents is Greek Orthodox the other is Catholic. thanks

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27/8/2018

QUESTION

447

Morning Pater!! We are wondering if you ask someone to be a godparent to your child can they also ask you to be a godparent to their child? Thanks!

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27/8/2018

QUESTION

448

Goodmorning pater.  Pia I gnomi tis eklisias gia ta panigirgia out of the church.

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27/8/2018

QUESTION

449

Hi, Father, What's the position of the orthodox church regarding extraterrestrial life? A priest once told me that according to Seraphim Rose, it's all demonic. Doesn't the fact that God the Son assumed our nature imply that mankind is the crown of God's creation and that there are no other rational life forms?

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27/8/2018

QUESTION

450

Hello father, hope you are well, I’m sure this has been asked before but I can’t find it in your feed, do we orthodox believe in organ donation?

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27/8/2018

QUESTION

451

Hi Pater I hope you are well . I know a lady who is a Jehovah witness- every time I kabnisi- she gives me a speech about it . What’s the easiest way to explain why we kabnisi and put a stop to her interrogation every time?

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27/8/2018

QUESTION

452

Hi father, recently had a family discussion and all different answers have been thrown about! If a couple is getting married both orthodox in an Orthodox Church, does the best man and maid of honour also have to be orthodox ? Thank you!

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27/8/2018

QUESTION

453

Afternoon Pater. Without offending anyone or suggesting anything, we’ve all seen the issues the Catholic Church is facing with The Pope’s visit to Ireland with regards to the abuse etc. How would the Greek Orthodox Church act or deal with such matters within the faith if there were such problems. I ask only because it’s clear to anyone with some level of intelligence, that the Catholic Church has simply “swept it under the carpet” thinking the problem will just “go away”. And I’ll add, before my friends on here start taking the mickey, and to keep my question a little light hearted, I’ve not been tampered with by anyone of the faith

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27/8/2018

QUESTION

454

Good evening father. I have a lot of icons. Some are damaged. I don't know what to do with them. I would never throw them. But some are beyond saving. How do I deal with this?

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27/8/2018

QUESTION

455

Hi, Father, If memory serves me right, in the book of Romans it's written that we should not give place to wrath: for it is written, vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Does God always repay those who have wronged others? Or should we understand that in the context of the final judgement and not this life?

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3/9/2018

QUESTION

456

If the Apostles, Disciples and the early Christians of the first 3 centuries didn't need or require all the creeds created at the Ecumenical councils in the 4th century, or all the prayers that have been written mostly in the early middle ages up to the 19th century, Why are they deemed so important...  I understand that the creeds were a way of the church clarifying what we believe and to stop all the heretical teachings at the time etc..  But regarding prayer, the list of prayers which were mostly written through the ages from the time of the desert fathers up to recent times weren't around at the time of early Christianity so why are they so mandatory??? Shouldn't they be optional and just the prayers that Jesus  taught such as the Lords prayer be mandatory??? Surely, what Jesus taught his followers was sufficient... Surely the prayers that were used by the early Christians of the first 3 centuries were adequate??? This is not a criticism, just a question I’ve often asked myself...

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3/9/2018

QUESTION

457

Father I have been reading over your posts on the antichrist and his coming along with all of the signs that we should watch for, I have questions for you there must be a religious sect watching out for this person and are you aware of one, as I am quite curios as to what one would do to eliminate said person from the puzzle.

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3/9/2018

QUESTION

458

Good afternoon Pater. I am sure you have posted something on the holy trinity before but I can’t find it. I’m wondering what the difference is between directing prayers to Lord Jesus Christ and to God? Thank you

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3/9/2018

QUESTION

459

Good afternoon Father,  Can someone be a Christian without being Christened and my second question once Christened how can they ever stop being Christians

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3/9/2018

QUESTION

460

Good afternoon pater. I have a question that i was discussing with my husband recently. Supposedly and hopefully, there is life after death. When a person dies, does his soul stay the age he dies whether it is a baby or an 80 year old?

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3/9/2018

QUESTION

461

Hi Fr. Maybe you've had to answer this before but what is the position of the church on tithing

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3/9/2018

QUESTION

462

Pater, hi. What is the orthodox take on the Mary Magdalene scriptures that were found some years ago? The Catholics have now declared she was indeed one of Jesus disciples.

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3/9/2018

QUESTION

463

Hi, Father,  we read in the Acts of the Apostles that Ananias and his wife Sapphira sold a piece of land and brought the proceeds to the Apostles. However, they lied about how much the land was sold and kept back a portion. Both fell down dead. Apparently they lied not to men but to the Holy Spirit. Why did they have to die? They may have lied but at least they brought a portion of the money to the Church. Without sounding judgmental, that's more than what most of us would have done. Why did they die and that was in the New testament era?

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10/9/2018

QUESTION

464

Good day pater i have a question when i was born i was given the name christalla but when i got christened my nouna told the priest to christen me christina these are two different names. What is my name?? All my documents are with the name christalla.

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10/9/2018

QUESTION

465

Good afternoon father I have a question if you don’t mind, is it allowed in our religion for someone to christen a child if that same person has christened their child? Thank you 

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10/9/2018

QUESTION

466

Hi, Father,  I have a question regarding the blessing of newly acquired icons. Some people say an icon should be left in a church for 40 days to be blessed. A monk once told me that they don't need to be left in a church since they are already blessed due to the fact that they have the image of Christ or a Saint. What does the Church teach about the blessing of newly acquired icons?

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10/9/2018

QUESTION

467

Good afternoon Father, does the church believe in katares, i know so many church going people that swear that katares are real and people can actually cast them on other people

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10/9/2018

QUESTION

468

Good after Father. I know that the monks of mount Athos, monks and nuns of the Orthodox faith do not eat meat. Why is this?

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2/10/2018

QUESTION

469

St Paul said that if a woman prays or prophesies without a head covering, she dishonours her head. Is this rule still applicable since it appears like an anachronism?

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2/10/2018

QUESTION

470

Many of us who grew up outside of Greece or Cyprus went to Christian schools which were not orthodox. I'm sure some of our children still attend such schools. In these schools we sang and prayed with people who were not orthodox. What does the church teach regarding children going to and praying in Christian schools which are not orthodox? It would be disrespectful on the other hand for children not to pray or sing hymns in such schools. Some priests are very strict about orthodox attending non orthodox churches but does that apply to schools?

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2/10/2018

QUESTION

471

Hi pater welcome back my question is when it is the time of month for women are we allowed to go inside the church and kiss the icons

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2/10/2018

QUESTION

472

Hi, Father, Regarding the death of Judas.  Blessed Theophalact in his interpretation of the suicide of Judas in the book of Matthew, states that Judas's aim in committing suicide was to die before Christ in order to eventually hear Christ preaching in Hades and thereafter repent and be saved. Yet Theophalact maintains that Judas survived his suicide attempt and died later. I'm sure this view isn't shared by the Orthodox church. In any event the Orthodox church states it does not judge the soul of any man. Is it possible that Judas may have repented after hearing Christ preach in Hades and may have been saved?

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2/10/2018

QUESTION

473

Hello, Father, I am thinking of moving to Cyprus but my father is buried here, would it be bad of me to move him to Cyprus so I’m close to visit. Thank you.

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2/10/2018

QUESTION

474

Welcome back father, here is my question for you. Luke writes of two angels at Jesus' tomb after the Resurrection (24:1-9). Matthew mentions "an angel" (28:1-8). Is this a contradiction?

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2/10/2018

QUESTION

475

Hello Pater.  Could you pls tell me/us  Why do we light a candle?

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2/10/2018

QUESTION

476

When my mum passed away... I was told that crying wasn't right for the loved ones spirit.. Sorry but I don't know anyone yet not to cry... why is grieving not right please

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2/10/2018

QUESTION

477

Hello Fr. The church says Mary had no other children after Jesus. My orthodox study (and other) bible shows different. MATTHEW 1:25. ........and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn. .....?

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8/10/2018

QUESTION

478

Good morning father. Is it bad to actually pray for yourself? It's something someone said who is very ill.

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8/10/2018

QUESTION

479

Hello, Father,  According to the Orthodox church, one of the ways in which Satan tricks people is by fooling them by believing that he doesn't exist. According to the theologian, Francopolous in his book,on the Orthodox Christian faith, this is a way he leads people into perdition.  Given the above, shouldn't Adam and Eve have been warned that they had a dangerous enemy who was also a liar,indeed the father of lies? Also concerning the creation story,one view put forward was that the fruit of the two trees placed there namely the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and the tree of life were to be eaten by Adam and Eve at some later stage when God deemed fit. Is this a view accepted by the Church?

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8/10/2018

QUESTION

480

Hello Fr. How is it 3 days between crucifixion and resurrection......and is this why Sunday became the Lords day and no need to follow Sabbath??

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8/10/2018

QUESTION

481

Hello Father. Can Greeks be cremated?

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8/10/2018

QUESTION

482

If someone passes away in Cyprus and buried, then years later the husband dies and he get buried in the same place, where does his wife bones go?

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8/10/2018

QUESTION

483

Hi father I have always wandered why all Greek Orthodox priest have long Beards do they all have to have them and why

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8/10/2018

QUESTION

484

Good evening pater, why is there so much evil in the world? Why don’t people just move on?

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8/10/2018

QUESTION

485

Hi, Father,  I remember when I read the brothers karamazov, a few years ago that one of the characters, Alyosha,a novice monk, was disappointed after the saintly elder of the monastery, passed away and his body decomposed naturally and had an awful smell which led to doubts whether he was a saint. I understand it's a work of fiction but does Orthodoxy require in reality that a Saint's body shouldn't decompose and should exude a nice smell?

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16/10/2018

QUESTION

486

Morning Pater could you tell me at what age should we fast our children and should we not give them oil before na metalavoun

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16/10/2018

QUESTION

487

Goodmorning pater my question is γιατί ο κόσμος χάνει την πίστη του..γιατη χάνει την self-respect του..

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16/10/2018

QUESTION

488

Why do bad things happen to good people?

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16/10/2018

QUESTION

489

Good afternoon Father, i hope your well, here is my question  In the beginning, there was only God and he created everything, why would he create angels that had the propensity to defy him?

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16/10/2018

QUESTION

490

Hi, Father  we usually hear in Greek when someone passes away ότι τον ήθελα ο Θεός . My question is the moment of one's death determined by God? This would obviously obviate someone's free will to an extent for example a person who leads an unhealthy lifestyle and dies young or someone who drives recklessly and dies in an accident. However, there are people who are terminally ill and who don't recover despite fervent prayer and others who are healed after praying to the Saints for their intercession. Is life and death in the hands of the Creator?

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16/10/2018

QUESTION

491

Hi, Father,  on the issue of free will! My question may sound slightly silly but God created Lucifer and the fallen angels as holy yet they chose to rebel against God. In the next life will we still have free will and does that mean we may still have the freedom to choose to remain with God or fall away?

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22/10/2018

QUESTION

492

Hello father. I work with a lot of protestant people and they keep criticising Orthodox's worship of our holy mother as they say she was an ordinary human being and this is idolatry. I appreciate that she is the vessel that carried God incarnate to this earth but 

1. Why do we worship her

2. How is this biblical

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22/10/2018

QUESTION

493

If I ask God a question will he hear me even if not in church.. Will he show me?

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22/10/2018

QUESTION

494

Good morning pater over the years I've collected loads of martyries What do I do with them? Is it amartia to bin. Should I take them to church?

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22/10/2018

QUESTION

495

Before there was something, there was nothing. And out of nothing, how did we get something? What existed before the big bang, before creation, and before God?

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22/10/2018

QUESTION

496

Morning Father I have a question for you what is the church view on holding a lit candle in church during liturgy as I was in church the other day and a big fuss was made when people lit candles and held them in the hands.

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22/10/2018

QUESTION

497

Good morning father as we have no proof or understanding of an eternal god, why should we believe.  With the scientific theories we do have proof, and learning all the time. When we don’t know, we say so and don’t make something up. Science is learning always we never get to the end.

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22/10/2018

QUESTION

498

Dear Christopher, earlier this week there was a post about Halloween (Samhain). Some viewed it as a bit of fun - and it probably is if what the Bible says about these kind of practices are not taken into consideration. Others were against it. I just wondered, what is the view on this from the Greek Orthodox point of view?

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22/10/2018

QUESTION

499

Why do we only have kolifa at memorials and not funerals?

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22/10/2018

QUESTION

500

The Groom is English  and will be Baptised into the Orthodox faith so that he may Marry in the Orthodox Church. The Best Man is English, he too is happy to be Baptised so that he may be the Best Man. Is this permitted? Neither have actually ever been baptised before into any faith!

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22/10/2018

QUESTION

501

Father, I think this is the most common question, but yet I don’t know the answer to, if God is real, why is there so many kids and baby’s getting shot in countries like Syria?

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29/10/2018

QUESTION

502

Morning pater can you please tell me if i say a little white lie is it a sin?

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29/10/2018

QUESTION

503

I want to light a candle and thank God , can it be any candle or does it have to be one from the church? Thank you

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29/10/2018

QUESTION

504

Good morning Pater. I've been going to church for many years. But i've stopped going because I don't understand ancient Greek! Our Greek church would attract more people if the priest spoke in modern Greek. Many people that I know have stopped going because they sit there for 2 hours or so not understanding a word the priests are saying. Their children are not growing up with the words of God in their hearts. More and more children are not interested in church or our faith anymore...we need to change with the times....we our becoming consumed with the material world and forgetting our spiritual world. If we're able to understand the words of God and our saviour Jesus Christ we would be able to explain to our children what we learned today whilst we were at church.

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29/10/2018

QUESTION

505

If out of anger you curse someone and use Satan's name in the curse, have we summoned him and will bad things happen to them even though it was said in anger

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29/10/2018

QUESTION

506

Hello Fr I hope you are well. I think you may answered this before. It's on original sin. Is it that the Catholics believe we are guilty of the original sin but orthodox believe we are not but rather the ancestral consequential sin of Adam and Eve. Therefore we come with sin even as babies?....as I think I read somewhere the churches position is one that babies do not have sin.....also where does Mary come into all this. The Catholics believe in Immaculate Mary but what do the orthodox believe in ??.did anything change for her due to carrying Jesus? Thank you

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29/10/2018

QUESTION

507

A subject that may come up in conversations about religion and if it is a sin or against our religion.  IVF?  Bringing children in this world is a blessing.  But if someone is unable to conceive and the only way to do so is having IVF.  So what does someone do?  As it’s catch 22.  Is it best they accept it and just say that’s what God wants or go ahead and have IVF? Maybe even adopt?  I thought I’d bring it up as it maybe a sensitive subject for people to ask ......

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29/10/2018

QUESTION

508

Kalimera pater. I saw this post on another group and left my comment which is below. A lot of people do not have faith. What are you views on this pater?   Several people I know nagatchoun the way the Greek Orthodox Church gives Holy Communion , should we use disposable spoons? Or perhaps give the spoon a rinse between each person? Or maybe use a clean spoon for each person? Or should we continue as we are?   Keep it as it is.  

Even though I nagacho big time, when it comes to the holy communion I never nagacho. The holy communion is blessed and is very sacred and if you believe you can catch something after taking it then you should not take it at all. You should have faith in God. The holy communion is so sacred that whatever is left after a church service the priests have to finish it off as it's not allowed to be poured down a sink or spilt. The holy communion is a healer if you are a believer. It is amagtia to negachas after someone else taking the holy communion.

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29/10/2018

QUESTION

509

Many people have seen ghosts and many people have stated that many homes are haunted. Does the church believe in ghosts?

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29/10/2018

QUESTION

510

What's the church's position on the stories of the Old Testament? Is the story of Adam and Eve considered historical fact? What about Noah and the worldwide flood? I ask because these stories seem to contradict what science has discovered about human origins and the geologic history of the Earth.

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5/11/2018

QUESTION

511

Morning pater my question is, is it only morning you have to gabnise the house or can it be any time and do i have to go outside first then do my house?

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5/11/2018

QUESTION

512

Hi, Father, 2 questions.  Is social media evil? Is obsessive compulsive behaviour and anxiety sins?

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5/11/2018

QUESTION

513

Morning Father. There was a post on the group about someone asking for Holy Water from the Panayia tis Tinou. My family live there and I have been brought up to understand that if you need her help, you need to show your faith by visiting it and that someone giving you holy water from there is not the same. Just curious as to an opinion about this. I would have thought that if you needed help of the Panayia's healing powers, then you are to make the journey yourself. I have seen old women on their hands and knees carrying their ill middle aged children on their backs all the way from Rafina in Athens on a boat and up the hill as a show of their faith.

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5/11/2018

QUESTION

514

Good morning Pater First time I’m asking a question although I do follow your posts, by following them a lot of questions are answered. My question is if someone has an illness that requires treatment to keep them alive if they decide to forego that treatment would it be classed as suicide?

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5/11/2018

QUESTION

515

Hello Pater, I’m a bit confused about Byzantine time. Can you let me know which prayers should he recited during the day and when? Thank you

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5/11/2018

QUESTION

516

Good afternoon pater mou.. Έχουμε καλή εβδομάδα.. My question is why did that lady think I was demonizmenh on my question post. I didn't upset me as I'm close to church in my way. But it was Halloween thing I know the church doesn't believe in Halloween.. Or do they?

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5/11/2018

QUESTION

517

Good afternoon pater. I'm not sure how to put this but here goes. When we take our holy communion why is it that we have to use the spoon that everyone uses? I asked my mum about it and she said that no one has ever got sick because of it... (not sure how you can know that). Don't you think it might be time to change the way we do this. If I'm truthful I have to say I try as much as possible not to touch the spoon.

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5/11/2018

QUESTION

518

Hello Father, hope your well. In the book of Luke chapter 19 verse 27, Jesus says, “But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.” This seems pretty clear that Jesus would have Christians kill all non-believers. How do you explain this?

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7/11/2018

QUESTION

519

If a family member goes to the river Jordan and brings some of the water back to the country and splashed you does that make you a Hadji?

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7/11/2018

QUESTION

520

If someone within your family passes when is the appropriate time to have a mimnosino at the church?

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7/11/2018

QUESTION

521

Good Morning Pater. My question is about free will and right and wrongs according to the teachings of the Church. If we for example don’t fully agree with the rationale behind something in our religion can we exercise our free will but still be a good Orthodox Christian? I know the two contradict each other but I thought God created us to have our own free will? Many thanks

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7/11/2018

QUESTION

522

Morning Father ... my question is this .. I was brought up to believe that if you were taking communion on the Sunday then you must fast the Wednesday and Friday of that week ( as normal ) and also the Saturday... but others have said this is incorrect and that you should never fast any Saturday ( apart from great Saturday and if a special feast falls on that day )

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7/11/2018

QUESTION

523

Pater what does forgiveness really mean

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19/11/2018

QUESTION

524

Good morning father how long do we have to fast to have holy communion. I am asking as I see so many people each week taking it the very young and the old and I think to myself have these people all fasted. I only take holy communion when I fast at Christmas Easter and 15/8

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19/11/2018

QUESTION

525

Hi, Father, according to the synoptic gospels Christ after fasting for 40 days was tempted by Satan and three temptations are mentioned which I won't go into detail. Later at the cross, people taunted Christ telling Him that if He was the Son of God, He should come down from the cross. Their words, if you are the Son of God, echo the words used by Satan. Further in the bible we read that Christ was tempted in all things as we are and yet was and is without sin. From the above, I have two questions.  Did Satan influence the people taunting Christ at the crucifixion to tempt Him ? Secondly, what does the words tempted in all matters like we are, mean? Does that mean He endured every single temptation like we do?

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19/11/2018

QUESTION

526

My question for you is who makes a saint a saint, I hope I'm making sense

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19/11/2018

QUESTION

527

Yesterday in a text I wrote “Ο Ιησούς χριστός α παναγια μου” and someone told me that the way I remarked was blasphemous, is this so? 

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19/11/2018

QUESTION

528

Good afternoon father..we had a house fire and all our important documents were burnt along with mine and my daughter's and sons baptism documents.. can I get replacement ones.. they were all christened in Golders Green??

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3/12/2018

QUESTION

529

Kalimera Father, you must be getting ready for a real busy period at church, and on the subject of Christmas, I have never really attended church during Christmas because of the fact that it’s a pagan holiday, is this bad of me and should i see it as an anniversary instead of a made up date

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3/12/2018

QUESTION

530

Morning pater is it wrong that I don't go church on xmas day is there any thing that I can do at home

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3/12/2018

QUESTION

531

My mother recently died and at her funeral the priest sprinkled olive oil and water and broke a plate. Would you tell me what this means please? (I left home very young and never attended church and know nothing about the Greek Orthodox religion).

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3/12/2018

QUESTION

532

I have been asking friends at work this question. The didn't know the answer but though it was a good one. What does the reference "Mary mother of god" mean? Mary was the mother of Christ. I would like to know this answer if possible to explain.

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3/12/2018

QUESTION

533

Hello, been going to church on Sundays in town road Edmonton arrival 10 15 am and leaving 1 15pm I noticed people getting up and sitting down I’m usually standing most of the time is there a time to sit and stand please explain will be going again Sunday

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10/12/2018

QUESTION

534

Good morning Father. I have noticed that the book of the gospels and the menaia in Church present scripture in a preselected manner in a different chronology yet the scriptures themselves exist in other texts (old testament, new testament etc). I understand that the Church has selected scriptural readings to coincide with the church calendar and the paschalion, but when was liturgical scripture organised in this way?

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10/12/2018

QUESTION

535

Good morning Father, can you tell me who introduced Orthodoxy to Romania please, we have a different opinion on this with a friend, thank you

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10/12/2018

QUESTION

536

Father, why do we hold memorial services?

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10/12/2018

QUESTION

537

Where in the bible does it mention Saints and how they live eternally and have the power to hear our prays and perform miracles?

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10/12/2018

QUESTION

538

Hi Father My brother is getting married and he wants his friend to be best man. My brother is Greek orthodox and his friend is Roman Catholic or church of England but the priest at the Engagement who blessed the rings wouldn't have it. I see it as being silly as in our faith we believe in one Lord Jesus and the holy spirit what's the problem?

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7/1/2019

QUESTION

539

Why did God hardened the heart of Pharaoh and refused to let the Israelites to leave Egypt?

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7/1/2019

QUESTION

540

Can an orthodox Christian take communion if they are attending a Church of England service? Thank you

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7/1/2019

QUESTION

541

What are, if any, the implications to the Greek Orthodox Church regarding the recent split of the Ukraine from the Russian Orthodox Church?

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7/1/2019

QUESTION

542

Pater when a priest comes to your house to do a blessing do you have to give him money

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7/1/2019

QUESTION

543

Hello can you please let me know are children allowed to colour or draw during liturgy or must they sit still. Ages 3 and 4

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7/1/2019

QUESTION

544

I have a question why are most people that go to Church are hypocrites no disrespect intended but I’ve seen it and felt it

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15/1/2019

QUESTION

545

Morning pater i had a friend who commented suicide a month ago ,i would like to ask can we put a wooden cross on his grave ,because some people say we can’t because the church don't believe in it and the priest doesn't come to the graveyard

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15/1/2019

QUESTION

546

Hi, Father, I'm interested in your opinion. Ever since the fall of Man, mankind has been divided into various races with their own unique culture and history. There have been the well known negative aspects of the Fall such as death and sin. However, mankind has also made significant advances in many fields such as the unique culture and history of different nations. There has been impressive achievements in the fields of the arts, architecture, sciences, literature, political science, technology, entertainment and music. It may even be said that besides all the many wars of history, mankind has a extraordinary history. My question is , if mankind had not fallen, would man have advanced so significantly as they have today? However, can it not also be said that no matter how advanced we are, without Christ and the gospel, we are still behind regarding what it means to be genuine human beings? Also, had the first humans not have sinned, can it also not be said that the rest of us would not be here since they engaged in sex only after the Fall?

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15/1/2019

QUESTION

547

What exactly is the Church's stance regarding suicide?  Obviously, any person who does it would either be a religious fanatic such as terrorist extremists or someone who has reached such a state of disillusionment that they see no way out. It's not always possible for people who are disillusioned to always keep their focus on Christ and not to lose hope especially when it seems prayer is futile. Very often it's an indictment on society itself, the apathy of people, cruelty and depression that may lead to such an act. Do such people automatically lose their salvation or could they be saved if they weren't in their sound and sober senses? Or should we just leave judgment to God? An interesting case is that of a young girl here in Cyprus who committed suicide last year after she was molested by a priest. In such a case wouldn't it be unfair if she was condemned and all he had to do was repent and confess?

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15/1/2019

QUESTION

548

Is it true that St Savva didn't like women? It's a joke in Cyprus that if someone looks down on women, they are likened to St Savva.

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15/1/2019

QUESTION

549

Do the church keep good records in Cyprus of Orthodox marriages? I sent many emails asking questions but I never had a reply as I was struggling to find information on where my ancestors may have worshipped, been buried, been married etc in Lefkara.

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15/1/2019

QUESTION

550

Pater good afternoon, please tell me , what is the significance of washing the clothes of a newly baptised child after 3 days , and what are the consequences if the God parents are not able to attend the child's home to do this deed .

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15/1/2019

QUESTION

551

There is a church around the corner from me here in the City called St Botolph, he is a saint but do we recognise other saints as equal to our saints, I hope I've worded it right

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21/1/2019

QUESTION

552

I’m in denial I’ve been through all the pains. Love. Μισος.. θυμος πολυ ομος.. neglect. Why.. and know this I can't even go church.. lie I did at my cousins. Funeral I actual wore black for a week.. a lil prayer for our voula. That was last Monday.. and I proskines over the pethameno, my heart hurts giath.. all the Why above apart from our voula passing is to do with my mum.. is there a prayer I can read I’m a mess.. I can’t go cemetery I want to kick the tomb apart.. it’s a family tomb I keep thinking it was wrong according to ashes to ashes dust to dust... mum was just dropped in an empty box cement thing

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21/1/2019

QUESTION

553

Hi Father, how often should we confess and should we arrange this through our local church? Is confession the same thing as just asking to speak to a priest? Thank you.

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28/1/2019

QUESTION

554

Kalimera Pater, for a mnimosino, do you have to have gollifa? Some people say yes and some say no. thank you.

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28/1/2019

QUESTION

555

Before an adult takes holy communion, should they go to confession? thank you.

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28/1/2019

QUESTION

556

What bible should I be reading I want it in English

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28/1/2019

QUESTION

557

What is the proper name for the Orthodox Church? I see so many different varieties that it has me confused

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6/5/2019

QUESTION

558

What is the position of the church on Ancestral sin. I understand we are not guilty of it but we can we be affected by its consequence (curse on the bloodline??) and if so how can we be rid of it. Lets say there was an ancestor who was a murderer, or into witchcraft, freemasonry, etc

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6/5/2019

QUESTION

559

My question is about the Holy Spirit. Can you explain a bit more about it please? Thanks

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6/5/2019

QUESTION

560

My question is what happens to the soul of an unborn baby lost through miscarriage?

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6/5/2019

QUESTION

561

Have you come across stories of children seeing Jesus in the presence of other people who are unable to see him? What might this symbolise?

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6/5/2019

QUESTION

562

What is the best way to ask for forgiveness from god?

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6/5/2019

QUESTION

563

Hi, Father! Since we've come out of the Pascha period I have the following question. Western Christianity teaches that Christ died to appease the wrath of an angry Father. He died in our place and for our sins. Scripture tells us that Christ was a propotation for our sins and made to be sin for us namely He voluntarily took on the consequences of sin except He at no time sinned. The teaching of western Christianity is given expression in the illustrations of Christ on the cross as battered and beaten. In contrast Orthodox iconography shows an almost serene Christ who seems at peace. Please may you explain how we Orthodox should understand the death of Christ? What should we understand by the expression that He died for our sins?

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6/5/2019

QUESTION

564

Do we have any modern day saints that are revered amongst our religious leaders?

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6/5/2019

QUESTION

565

Can you recommend any Christian Orthodox books/online material/videos, aside from the bible, that would be useful supplements to enhance our understanding of our religion

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6/5/2019

QUESTION

566

Can you tell me why the priest smashes a plate on the coffin at a funeral? What exactly is the significance of this? No one I know seems to know the actual reason. I know it’s something Greeks/Cypriots do but why?

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6/5/2019

QUESTION

567

Can u explain how it’s said praying for the departed can help on the second coming as I thought we all have to repent and ask for forgiveness before we die if we get the chance that is and that everyone is accountable for their own sins so how is praying for forgiveness for our lost loved ones help.

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6/5/2019

QUESTION

568

With the threat of terrorism, it's increasingly risky to attend places of worship where we could become defenceless targets. Are we planning on making our Churches safer?

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6/5/2019

QUESTION

569

Hi Pater, My question actually came from my kids and I wasn’t sure of the answer. If the first people on earth were Adam and Eve who were white , where did Black, Indian, Chinese etc people come from?

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15/5/2019

QUESTION

570

Which version of the Bible do you encourage your flock to read?  I know the subject has been discussed before but I can’t remember the conclusion  Thank you, God bless you

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15/5/2019

QUESTION

571

Ok here's my weird but wonderful question, Life and man has evolved so much from when the Bible was written why has god not sent signs and adapted our faith to cater for the world we are living in today

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15/5/2019

QUESTION

572

Good morning Father, is there anywhere in Cyprus I could buy a book which has the liturgy's in both Greek and English? I bought one many years ago in Trooditisas Monastery for the Baptism service but can't seem to find anything else anywhere now. I would have liked one for the Easter services as my Greek is not up to much, it's mostly Cyprus dialect! Thank you.

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15/5/2019

QUESTION

573

Good morning Pater I think we have a problem that you might be a able to help with. I'm a Orthodox, my daughter Protestant, her husband Catholic. They want to christen their little son Orthodox. The Godfather to be is also Orthodox. Is such a christening allowed, or what has to be done? I suppose a thousand different forms to fill up?

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15/5/2019

QUESTION

574

I would like to know what is required for my son in law who is English to get married in our church.

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15/5/2019

QUESTION

575

Hello, I wanted to ask if it is possible to re- baptise my son as his Godparent has never shown any interest and seen him only twice, he is 13 now and has started asking me why she is not interested I feel very sad for him. Thank you

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15/5/2019

QUESTION

576

What are your views. On crying icons.. and statues.. what does are religion say?

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15/5/2019

QUESTION

577

Hello Pater.. my elderly mother, has poor health, she missed Easter church services, but at the time she wanted to fast... Pater, am I wrong, when I tell her she has to eat to take her tablets, its Gods gift for her as an 87 year old, she's collapsed a few times in church...?

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15/5/2019

QUESTION

578

Is it come practice for the Orthodox Church to charge a widow and grieving mother x2 for a double same day funeral ?

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20/5/2019

QUESTION

579

The scriptures teach us that if we have faith as a mustard seed we'll be able to say to a mountain to move and it'll move. We are also taught that whatever things we ask for in prayer, believing we shall receive. We are also presented with many examples of miracles even contemporary ones which God performs through the Saints. We are taught that we sometimes don't receive because we ask wrongly to spend on our passions.  However, we do not always receive what we pray for even when we pray for things we need. My questions are: 1.Should we ask for things in prayer with the faith that God will provide what we ask for? We read in the gospels how Christ many times commended the faith of those who sought miracles and fulfilled their requests.  2. Or should we pray and leave our requests entirely to God's will with the faith that they'll be accomplished if it is His will? 3. We're also taught to have persistence in prayer such as in the parable of the unrighteous judge and the syrophoenican woman who told Christ that even the dogs eat the crumbs which fall from the masters table. Therefore how do we know whether we should persist in prayer or accept that its Gods will for our requests not to be fulfilled?

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20/5/2019

QUESTION

580

I was reading again and got very confused with all the titles we have in our church can you please explain to me in Layman's terms  Patriarch, Metropolitan, Archbishop, Bishop

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20/5/2019

QUESTION

581

What is the stance of the Orthodox church on positive and negative energy?  Some people believe that others exude negativity and others positivity. To add to my question should we Orthodox be negative, positive or realistic when dealing with life in general? Certainly we are taught to not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will take care of itself.We are also told to be of good cheer for Christ has overcome the world.Elsewhere we are taught to cast all our cares upon the Lord for He loves us. In light of the above does positivity, negativity or realism fit into the Church's teaching?Also what about so called positive or negative energy?

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20/5/2019

QUESTION

582

Hello pater can you tell me when Anatasi yourti is cause people tell me it’s when the Christ was risen again is it true

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20/5/2019

QUESTION

583

Good afternoon Pater, what would be the Greek Orthodox stance on leaving my body to medical science? I would like a traditional service, but want to also be able to contribute to the future generations, is this possible? Thank you

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20/5/2019

QUESTION

584

Father Christopher,  Regarding the Theotokos. I mean no disrespect but how was she able to reach such a state of perfection before the resurrection of Christ? It was only after the resurrection of Christ when death was defeated and enabled humanity to live a new life.

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28/5/2019

QUESTION

585

Good morning Pater. Hope you are well ? Is it acceptable that an Orthodox Priest should be called upon to try and resolve marital problems between a very religious couple. Like, going round the house and “telling” them (or one of them) what they are doing wrong in the marriage. To complicate the situation, one of the married couple has confirmed mental issues, the other refuses to seek medical help and faith in God to cure the metal issues, but asks the priest round to “give his piece”. Should the Church get involved ?

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28/5/2019

QUESTION

586

Why can't women be priests?

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28/5/2019

QUESTION

587

I'd like to know if Orthodox Christians believe The Fall is literal, an allegory/metaphor and if a literal interpretation of Genesis is taken, how much blame/fault is given to both Adam and Eve?

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28/5/2019

QUESTION

588

Why did we change from the Old calendar to the New calendar?

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28/5/2019

QUESTION

589

Are all sins offences against God? What sins constitute worse punishment?

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28/5/2019

QUESTION

590

Does our church cremate cos i would like to be cremated when I'm gone 

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28/5/2019

QUESTION

591

Hi, Father. Was the person of Melchizedek a pre incarnate appearance of Christ?  Since Melchizedek was presented as been without parents or beginning or end and only God is eternal.

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28/5/2019

QUESTION

592

What are the Greek orthodox church beliefs on abortion ?

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28/5/2019

QUESTION

593

Do Christians practice what is in the Old Testament?

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3/6/2019

QUESTION

594

Do animals have souls?

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3/6/2019

QUESTION

595

Kalimera Father on this beautiful sunny day does our Church believe that God created some people for destruction?

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3/6/2019

QUESTION

596

Good afternoon pater I’m not a person that goes into religion as I think it’s personal. But why is that people start believing on their sick bed.. but not before

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10/6/2019

QUESTION

597

Goodmorning pater mou... why can't people be happy.. why is it aman aman and if if... can't we do our cross.. if we want and say doxa to theo.... do you believe that social media is the satana of homes..

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10/6/2019

QUESTION

598

Good morning Pater. how forgiving should we be with somebody that has wronged us?

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10/6/2019

QUESTION

599

Do you think its rude if I’m asked if I’m religious.. I don’t usually answer back... I think it’s personal.

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10/6/2019

QUESTION

600

Pater, respect, but you must‘ve been asked about this many times before. I have a huge problem, always have had, but did God create the Universe? Listening to prof. Cox, science overtakes religion in every aspect, and life on earth did not begin with Adam and Eve, and our planet will burn up when the sun implodes. Is this what God created for us? What does the church say? Or, is the church and religion just become a money making industry for the not so strong?

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10/6/2019

QUESTION

601

Is having a tattoo ok in the Greek Orthodox religion

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10/6/2019

QUESTION

602

Hello Fr. In todays reading John (something), Jesus says I must go to the Father who is greater than I. What does this mean as we are supposed to believe that Son and Father are the same

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10/6/2019

QUESTION

603

Good afternoon Pater. What is yours and the Orthodox Church’s position on the Pope changing the wording of the Lords Prayer?

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10/6/2019

QUESTION

604

Good afternoon Father, this weekend is my nephews memorial and we were told by our local church that because its a big yiorti this weekend they are unable to do any memorials, then we ask Panayias in wood green and they said yes of course we are doing all memorials despite of the yiorti, why do orthodox churches have different rules

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10/6/2019

QUESTION

605

Hi Father, the word Almah has me very confused, it has so many meanings i.e virgin, a young woman of childbearing age etc, i read that even young girls who had given birth were still called almah until the child reached a certain age, if the child died the husband would divorce the girl as she couldn't give him a child and so the girl would keep her honour she was still known as an almah (virgin), if this is true all girls were virgins whilst they were pregnant at the time of Jesus's birth

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18/6/2019

QUESTION

606

I had a protestant friend ask if we partake of cannibalism when we take communion as the Orthodox believe in transubstantiation (the bread and wine ACTUALLY becomes the body and blood of Christ) and I wasn't sure what to say. Help!"

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18/6/2019

QUESTION

607

My question for you is after Pentecosti am I right to believe that our church/religion was born, where was the very first church built and where?

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18/6/2019

QUESTION

608

Hello Father. I have a question regarding about god parents. Why is each person baptised and assigned a God parent and can you explain in more depth of why we have a God parent and what is their purpose?

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18/6/2019

QUESTION

609

 I have a question from my 7 year old who is now learning about evolution at school. She wanted to know how the world went on to multiply from Adam and Eve? Did brothers and sisters then have children etc?

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18/6/2019

QUESTION

610

Hi, Father. How should we Orthodox understand the wrath of God?  The book of Romans says we are saved from wrath through Christ. It also speaks of the wrath of God being revealed against all unrighteousness. Wrath implies intense anger yet orthodoxy teaches that God's wrath is His unshakeable love for us spurned. In accordance with orthodoxy, the word wrath isn't suitable for describing God yet it's used in scripture. How should we understand God's wrath?

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18/6/2019

QUESTION

611

Good evening father is it true our Church was from the beginning an old calendar church and for some reason they broke away and our church today does not believe in the paleon imerologio??thank you father

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