30/1/2006
QUESTION 1 |
Many allege that during the Annunciation,
the Mother of God conceived Christ after smelling a lily which was
offered to her by the Archangel. This fact is not found in any of
the Gospels, but is depicted in Icons. Moreover, the lily is
strongly regarded as a symbol of virginity. Is this fact true or is
this an innovation?
SEE ANSWER ►►► |
30/1/2006
QUESTION
2 |
According to the sacred canons of our
Church, Clerics are not allowed to take secular or political
positions. But in contemporary history we have examples of clerics
(Archbishop Macarius of Cyprus, Damascenos of Athens ect.) who it is
clear have violated these canons. Was this permissible?
SEE ANSWER ►►► |
6/2/2006
QUESTION
3 |
I
came across your wonderful website and noticed that you have a
Sister Mariam at your Church as a Deaconess. Is she a properly
Ordained Deaconess as St. Nectarius had in Aegina? I have heard that
the Church of Greece has been thinking of reinstating this Order to
the Church just as she had in Ancient times.
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
12/3/2006
QUESTION
4 |
In Turin of Italy, the Roman Catholic
Church safeguards a sheet which is considered by her priests as the
sheet that Joseph wrapped the Body of our Lord after it was taken
down from the Cross. What is the Orthodox view on the authenticity
of the Shroud?
SEE ANSWER ►►► |
24/3/2006
QUESTION
5 |
From various historical sources, we are
informed that Constantine the Great was guilty of many murders and
other grave crimes. Was his recognition as a Saint by the Church
correct?
SEE ANSWER ►►► |
8/4/2006
QUESTION
6 |
The holy light of Jerusalem does not reach every church of the Orthodox
world. What is the origin of the light which is distributed by the priests
who have not received the holy light and how can it be considered as
consecrated?
SEE ANSWER ►►► |
20/4/2006
QUESTION
7 |
Why do people call
the Holy Saturday Morning service as the First Resurrection and the
Midnight service as the Second Resurrection? Are there two Resurrections?
SEE ANSWER ►►► |
30/4/2006
QUESTION
8 |
In St. Chrysostom's Easter Sermon we read: "Ye who have fasted and ye who
have not, rejoice this day." Some Christians believe that St. Chrysostom
allows us to receive the Holy Communion on Easter without any preparatory
fasting. Is this interpretation correct or does the Holy Father mean something
else?
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
13/5/2006 -
25/9/2006
QUESTION
9 |
Should the faithful kneel during the consecration of the Precious
Gifts? Some say that it is permitted to kneel everyday except on
Sundays while others say that it is completely forbidden. What
ultimately is correct?
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
26/6/2006
QUESTION
10 |
We
maintain a list of Greek Orthodox namedays in Greek and English. We
have visited your site... some of the names that you include have troubled us since
they are not included in the Orthodox synaxarium. You have included names that are not canonised by the
Orthodox hierarchy and thus your list is invalid. Could you please
enlighten us.
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
13/11/2006
QUESTION
11 |
According to a local custom, Christians who live in Macedonia walk on
burning coals on the feast of St. Constantine in order to honour him. Some
people claim that this custom has idolatrous roots and therefore it is not
acceptable. Is it permitted by our faith or not?
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
11/1/2007
QUESTION
12 |
It
is claimed that the human race was reproduced through incest between
Adam and Eve's children. Is that true according to the scriptures?
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
15/3/2007
QUESTION
13 |
In the General
Epistle of St. James, we read that Christians are not allowed to take
oaths. In spite of this, the Church performs oaths in her services which
are also included in her Liturgical books. How can something like this be
justified?
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
24/4/2007
QUESTION
14 |
Some priests who took an active part in the wars of 1918 and 1940
kept on
performing the Divine Liturgy and other holy services despite the
fact they
had killed enemy soldiers. How could this be acceptable?
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
11/5/2007
QUESTION
15 |
Christ preached the people to have love for
all men and to forgive each other. God in the Old Testament
proclaims “an eye for an eye”. Is this not a contradiction?
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
10/6/2007
QUESTION
16 |
For what reason did Judas receive the 30
pieces of silver to betray Christ? As Christ had developed an
extensive social activity, it was impossible for the Scribes and the
Pharisees not to recognize him so as to arrest him.
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
2/9/2007
QUESTION
17 |
Many
Christians show a special devotion to the bread and wine used in
their diet (they avoid disposing them etc.) because they see them in
some way as being “blessed” because of the Mystical Supper. Others
pay special reverence or anoint the oil from vigil lamps which are
lit in front of Icons or on the Holy Table. Lastly, some believe
that the flow of blood after partaking of the Holy Gifts results in
a desecration or loss of the Lord’s Blood which they see as flowing
in our veins after having Holy Communion.
Which of all these is true and which an exaggeration or rejectable?
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
3/11/2007
QUESTION
18 |
The Sacraments of the
Western Churches are seen by the Orthodox Church as non valid except
that of baptism. In the case where people return to the Orthodox
Church, they are received only though the Mystery of Holy Chrism.
But on what does the difference between the sacraments rest? Either
Divine Grace acts on all or does not accomplish any.
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
19/6/2008
QUESTION
19 |
According to our faith the sins that are confessed to a priest are
considered as non-existent and the person that has committed them is
fully forgiven. Despite of that, certain sins prevent someone from
becoming a priest. Why does this happen even after absolution?
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
23/6/2008
QUESTION
20 |
According to the Holy Canons of our Church, archimandrites are not
allowed to bless a wedding. Why is this prohibition imposed?
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
23/6/2008
QUESTION
21 |
According to the Holy
Canons of our Church the Christian Pascha cannot be celebrated on
the day on which the Jewish Pascha (Passover) is celebrated. Why is
this?
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
13/9/2008
QUESTION
22 |
In which way and according to what
criteria was the separation of the canonical from the apocryphal
text done by the fathers? If the apocryphal gospels are not
canonical, why did the Church rely on them to formulate certain
feasts of the Mother of God such as the Dormition and Entry?
SEE
ANSWER ►►►
|
6/12/2008
QUESTION
23 |
When I baptize
Greek children, the "tradition" that the Greeks request is one where
the Godparents cover the child with oil after the priest has
anointed the child. They speak of having "baptized the child." (even
though it is the priest himself that immerses the child). I do not
see this practice stated in the rubrics in your euchologion, but it
is found in the bilingual "Priest's Service Book" (Mikron
Euchologion) printed in Greek and English by Fr Evagoras
Constantinides. The whole body anointing by the Godparents is not
found in Antiochian, Romanian or Russian practice. So, my questions
are as follows: Do you do this in the Church of Cyprus? What is the
significance/meaning of this? Is it not theologically incorrect for
a layperson to say "he/she baptized so and so" (I do realize they
can do this in an emergency)? Do you know when and where this
practice first started?
SEE ANSWER ►►► |
6/12/2008
QUESTION
24 |
What is the proper Greek word or phrase to say to a person when they
ask for the blessing from a priest? We have these wonderful "Ya'
Ya's" who speak no english but come with their children and
grandchildren. I would love to respond to them, properly, in Greek.
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
18/5/2009
QUESTION
25 |
The Orthodox Icon of
our Lord’s Resurrection has the inscription “Descent into Hades”.
How is this inscription justified as Christ did not descend into
Hades during his Resurrection but is coming out of it. Some Icon
painters use the inscription “The Resurrection”.
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
24/6/2009
QUESTION
26 |
We know even from the ancient document
found at Saint Catherine’s in the late 1800's, bound at the end of a
Bible in Greek, Διδαχή των Αποστόλων - the "Didache" that baptism
was to be performed in “LIVING WATER”, which naturally includes a
river or stream, but also a lake such as the “Sea of Galilee”. A
layman from Russia has objected to baptism in the Mediterranean
“because it contains salt” [his words]. Please let me know if in
Cyprus there have been instances of baptism in the sea. If not, do
you know of any “Canon” which bans baptizing in the sea since the
seas are all “salt water bodies”, unlike a lake.
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
24/6/2009
QUESTION
27 |
Is it “forbidden” by any canon or “custom”
to baptize a second infant or adult in the SAME water in the
baptismal tank in the church immediately after an infant has been
baptized and there are families expecting to have their infants
baptized? It is true that one must EMPTY out the water, and put in
FRESH WATER, and bless it, for a second baptism? I have never
encountered such objections until a fellow from Russia told me that
a priest is not allowed to baptize a SECOND person in the SAME
water, but must perform such a “second” baptism on the following
day!
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
2/7/2009
QUESTION
28 |
...My mother has for many years had
psychological problems. About six months ago a friend of a friend
came to our house and spoke to us about magic (witchcraft) having
been done on certain items and parts of the house. My mother
sprinkled Holy water on the items and they turned black. At certain
times my mother would find pins with cotton and other such items but
we didn’t pay them any attention. The person who told us about the
magic told us to take my mother to St. Paraskeva, to a certain
church, so that the Priest could read a prayer over her. This we
did. The moment the priest was reading over my mother she began to
say; “why most holy Lady and my Christ are they doing this to me,
what have I done to them?” and she was crying. After the reading of
the prayers, I asked her what happened and she told me that she saw
certain of our relatives holding in their hands human effigies and
stabbing them with pins, she also saw their faces... There are
4-5 people who are doing these things, when we see them we say the
Jesus prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me.
There are times when we are forced to meet them. My mother fears for
us that maybe they would try to harm us. I ask for your help...
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
4/7/2009
QUESTION
29 |
I have visited your
website many times and consider it a great source of information and
an archive of Church Scriptures/Rubrics. Though, I have a question
regarding the practices of our Orthodox Faith.
Are all unmarried clergy (ie. archimandrites, bishops) required to
receive a new name at their first ordination (that of deacon)?
I always thought a new name was given, but I have discovered that
this is not the case for some clergy/hierarchs.
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
24/8/2009
QUESTION
30 |
While it goes back a few years, I remember
seeing the Church of Cyprus a number of times condemning the wrong
teachings of freemasonry. Has anything changed in this regard?
Although all my life was spent in the Greek Archdiocese of America,
as is sadly the case with a number of other clergy in the GOAA, my
family was abandoned by the hierarchy in large part because of this
very issue...
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
11/10/2009
QUESTION
31 |
Some
people claim that certain professions (e.g. actor, singer, lawyer
etc.) are not compatible with Christian life and spirituality. Is
this view acceptable or not?
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
13/12/2009
QUESTION
32 |
In
your Ecclesiastical Calendar for December, please correct the days
of fasting. The eating of fish ends on the 17th of the month. You
have continued this until the Eve of Christmas which is a day that
not even oil is allowed.
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
16/12/2009
QUESTION
33 |
Since you write icons, please let me ask if you know or have read
why behind our Lord in the icon of His Ascension, we see at the
bottom, 2 semi circles, and behind Him, 5 concentric circles, each
in a different colour, or 4 plus a black centre. In two places I
found that these circles represent the Seven Heavens, because of the
statement of the Apostle Saint Paul in his epistle to the Ephesians
4:10 that Our Lord has “ascended up far above all the heavens.”
[Does this word “all” not suggest more than only “three”?]
Furthermore, that the All-Holy Trinity dwells in an inaccesible
abode, precisely above all the “Seven Heavens”. I do not see how
this could be attributed to Gnostic heretics. At one time, I assumed
the term “7 heavens” was alien to Orthodoxy but I have found it in
St. Irenaeus “Against the Heresies" Book 2, ch. 30:7”.
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
16/12/2009
QUESTION
34 |
I want to ask you about
the identity of the “Son of Man” in Daniel 7:13 which contrary to
what we see in liturgical texts where we read with the “Son of Man”
is brought Before the Ancient of days, and that this Ancient of days
is Christ our Lord, therefore not God the Father. Against this, we
see that none other than a very competent person, disciple of Saint
Polycarp, namely according to Saint Irenaeus in 4 instances
explicitly declares our Lord Himself is this Son of Man, and that
God the Father is the “Ancient of days” before whom our Lord, is
brought, advancing on clouds, and so does Saint Justin Martyr in 2
places in his Dialogue with Trypho a Jew, state that the Son of man
is Christ our Lord.
The Russian Church in Exile published an official statement
declaring that the Son of man is not our Lord, because they have
declared that the Ancient of days is Christ himself, and not the
Father. I wonder if at times, certain prelates choose to believe
they are doctrinally, dogmatically infallible with their own pious
persuasion and perhaps ignorance of Holy Scripture, in addition to
disregarding what we see left in the writings of Saint Justin the
Martyr, and Saint Irenaeus, whom I view as far more credible than
Russian prelates, notwithstanding their position in “authority”.
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
26/3/2010
QUESTION
35 |
I was wondering if You
could briefly explain the ranking of priests in our Church. I am a
little confused with the titles (or ranks) of Presbyter (Πρεσβύτερος),
Oeconomos (Οικονόμος) and Protopresbyter (Πρωτοπρεσβύτερος). I
originally understood that the Epigonation was worn by Oeconomos and
Protopresbyter (plus Archimandrite) priests only, and that they
alone could be confessors. Yet I know of Presbyters who wear the
epigonation and are confessors. And of Archimandrites, of who wear
the epigonation, yet are still not confessors. Does not the
epigonation have a connection to the rank of confessor? Do these
ranks among the priests determine what a priest can and cannot do (ie.
wear a pectoral cross, hear confession)?
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
26/3/2010
QUESTION
36 |
Why
is it that in the Divine Liturgy, the Orthodox Church uses leavened
bread for Holy Communion. The Roman Catholics state that they use
unleavened bread in their ‘Eucharist’ because Jesus used this type
of bread at the Last Supper (as did the Jews of Moses's time during
Pesar) as it was the only permitted form of bread during Passover.
Why is it then that our Church uses leavened bread in the Eucharist?
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
16/4/2010
QUESTION
37 |
I
see many icons in Orthodox Churches either for veneration of the
faithful or for purchase. What I notice with some (if not many) of
these icons is that they have clearly been printed from a computer
or a printing machine, and have then (usually) been glued onto a
wooden plaque. I had always assumed that icons must be written by an
iconographer (with paints) and, after the recommended ‘churching’ of
forty days, they are made holy and genuine. Therefore, are these
printed versions proper/holy icons?
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
31/5/2010
QUESTION
38 |
This
may sound strange, however I have heard that in the Jewish tradition
especially those who lived in the time of Jesus, they would pay
professional mourners to mourn over their dead. When Jesus performed
resurrections there would be mourners that would weep over the dead
and it is clearly stated in the miracle of Jairus’ Daughter that
there were mourners there. Therefore would you be able to tell me
where this tradition arose from, and what benefit is there-if there
is one- in hiring mourners to attend the dead. Also is the miracle
of Jairus’s Daughter the confirmation of the promise given to the
prophet Ezekiel that God will one day open the graves and raise all
the dead (Ezk 37:1-14)?
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
14/6/2010
QUESTION
39 |
With regards to the G.O.A. of America, I have
seen many things connected to this Archdiocese that are quite
unique/unfamiliar. The trends amongst the clergy are different to
those typical of Greek clergy (in Greece and the diaspora). Also,
the churches look different in many ways: very simple (if any)
templons; the use of musical instruments and of male/female choirs
(singing in a non-Byzantine way). In other words, the Greek Church
established in the U.S.A. seems extremely westernized and I cannot
understand why. Are any of these things a breach of Canon Law? Why
are they permitted and are unique only to the G.O.A. of America?
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
7/7/2010
QUESTION
40 |
I
have read on Wikipedia that the Archbishop of Cyprus is bestowed
several unique honours. An example of this is the pastoral staff his
Beatitude uses. It is different from others given that it lacks the
double serpents and in place has a round ball with the cross on top.
Given the lack of authenticity Wikipedia's articles contain, I was
wondering if you could explain these honours or privileges (and any
others) that are bestowed upon the Primate of the Cypriot Church.
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
7/7/2010
QUESTION
41 |
I
have noticed that the Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria, currently
His Beatitude Theodoros, wears something unique when fully vested
for the Divine Liturgy. It is a vestment that is almost identical to
the epitrakhelion. It is worn over the sakkos, and (usually) has
icons sown of various Apostles and Saints. Can this be seen as a
second epitrakhelion being worn, or is it simply an Alexandrian
tradition that the one (and only) epitrakhelion be worn over the
sakkos?
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
21/7/2010
QUESTION
42 |
Which is greater, is it compassion or the law? In the New Testament
Jesus says we must be compassionate, but at the same time pious Jews
were determined to live by the law in order to find accusation in
His Judgment, least He slip. If we take the adulterous woman, Jesus
says, he who has not sinned may throw the first stone at her,
keeping this statement in mind- (it was the "clean" Jews who asked)
for He preached about having compassion towards others, yet they
wanted to cause him to "fault" by saying that she should be stoned,
because that is what the law required. therefore can it be said that
compassion and love for they neighbour is more important than living
in the law. In Paul’s letter to the Romans he says; He who does not
know God will be judged by his conscience. Therefore is following
your conscience sometimes better? For the Lord gave us a law
engraved not on a table of stone but a table of flesh. However is it
fitting to follow the law to its very letter, as pious Jews once
done?
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
21/7/2010
QUESTION
43 |
I
was curious if you had any idea why the Kypria (Cypriot) Menaia
differs so radically from the Church of Greece Menaia for the
feastday of Saint Luke the Apostle (Oct. 18)? It is interesting to
me that I have not been able to find any other phylada (pamphlet)
that shows a Liti for that feast, except in the Kypria Menaia. In
addition they have an alternate Apolytikion that I have not seen
elsewhere. Strangely enough, at my parish, they were using a
completely different Apolytikion for St. Luke, which I have since
learned comes from Slavic texts. This has caused certain problems,
since that particular Apolytikion does not have a Greek version!
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
28/9/2010
QUESTION
44 |
In
the Ἡμερολόγιον of our
Archdiocese, there is a section dedicated to wedding guidelines. It
states, “Ἐπιτρέπονται κατ' οἰκονομίαν
γάμοι Ὀρθοδόξων μετά ἑτεροδόξων Χριστιανῶν...” What is this
οἰκονομία that we have in our
religion? What is its meaning and purpose in the Church?
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
28/9/2010
QUESTION
45 |
On
Holy Saturday, as he makes his way towards the Holy Sepulchre, the
Patriarch of Jerusalem is accompanied by four to six distinct men in
uniform. These men wear green jackets and red, Ottoman-style hats.
They also follow the Patriarch and his delegation during litanies
and processions. I was wondering if you could please explain who
these men are and what their connection is to the Church in
Jerusalem.
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
16/11/2010
QUESTION
46 |
Our
local Churches here often conduct memorial services (μνημόσυνα)
during the Divine Liturgy on Sundays. To be more specific, these
memorial services are conducted after the singing of
«τό ὄνομα Κυρίου
εὐλογημένον ἀπό τοῦ νῦν...» (Blessed is
the Name of the Lord from this time forth and for evermore) and
before the Dismissal. I have heard of the memorial services being
conducted after the Gospel reading in the local Antiochian Churches.
Also, I have noticed that memorial services do not seem to be
conducted on Sundays in Cathedrals like those of the Annunciation in
Athens and of St George in the Phanar.
I am a little confused with the different practices.Therefore I ask,
when should memorial services be conducted (κατά τήν τάξιν) on a
Sunday? As the Divine Liturgy is about life, Christ's conquering of
death, should a memorial service be conducted after the
«Δι' εὐχῶν» (By the prayers of
our holy fathers…) and begin immediately next with the
«Εὐλογητός ὁ Θεός
ἡμῶν πάντοτε...» (Blessed is our God…)?
What is the local custom of the Churches in Limassol?
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
8/1/2011
QUESTION
47 |
I
have a question about the praxis in the orthodox church. Is the Talk
-Omilía a part of the Divine Leitourgy, or it is not a regular
component of it?
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
27/1/2011
QUESTION
48 |
I
had not looked at your English translation of Proskomide until
now... I did not yet have a complete English translation for me to
see the tiny differences between the established Greek text... I
noticed the English translation I received from America, and where
the translator, in English, uses the word “Prosphoron”. I wrote to
one of the priests stating that only in one Greek-English dictionary
I have did I find, in Greek, “Prosphoron”, in addition to “Prosphora”.
In the Hieratikon and/or Leitourgikon, only “Prosphora” is found in
the Greek text. This afternoon, I found “Prosphoron” in your English
translation - which you know I greatly admire, so I wanted to ask
you to tell me if this is used in Demotic Greek? Until now I had
never before seen “Prosphoron” but only “Prosphora” in English
translations... The Greek-English dictionary of Divry and Collins
Pocket Greek, both have prosphoron. Is this neuter form found in
other books ?
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
8/3/2011
QUESTION
49 |
Is it true that
monks only eat fish, or are they permitted to eat meats (i.e. red
meat, poultry) too?
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
8/3/2011
QUESTION
50 |
What is the
difference between the terms Ιερουσαλήμ and Ιεροσόλυμα?
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
8/3/2011
QUESTION
51 |
Is
there a limit on the number of εγκόλπια hierarchs are permitted to
wear? I at first thought the Primates of the Orthodox Churches are
permitted three, Metropolitans two, Bishops one...but have seen
otherwise.
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
26/6/2011
QUESTION
52 |
In
the case of a wedding between an Orthodox Christian and a heterodox,
during the Service, is the crowning part (The servant of God N. is
crowned to the servant of God N.) omitted?
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
26/6/2011
QUESTION
53 |
Must all people wishing to enter the Holy Orthodox Church through
baptism be baptised with a name of a Saint or derived from a holy
event or anything similar (e.g. Ευαγγελισμός - Εvangelos/Εvangelia
and Σωτήρ - Sotiris/Sotira)? I thought this was the case, and
personally prefer it, yet I know of an infant baptised into the Holy
Orthodox Church with the name Bella Mia.
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
26/6/2011
QUESTION
54 |
Why do Deacons rearrange their orarion (like that of a subdeacon)
when they commune the honourable Body and Blood of Christ during the
Divine Liturgy?
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
2/9/2011
QUESTION
55 |
During a συλλείτουργο (co-celebration) of priests, for example, does
only the presiding priest perform the καιρός (i.e. "O Lord, send
Thine hand from Thy holy habitation above..." )? And in the case of
a Bishop presiding the Divine Liturgy, do the priests not perform
the καιρός, leaving it to the Bishop to perform?
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
9/9/2011
QUESTION
56 |
Some weeks ago I read a book on baptism and I noticed that the
exorcism that precedes baptism is referred to as “exorcism of the
catechumens”. Since their target is the demons and the demons are
the “exorcised” entities is it correct from a theological point of
view to state that these prayers constitute the “exorcism of the
catechumens”?
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
17/9/2011
QUESTION
57 |
In
cases of imminent death of a Christian is a priest who has not been
granted the authority to hear confessions allowed to hear their
confession and read the prayer of absolution?
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
22/9/2011
QUESTION
58 |
Some people claim that celibate priests are not capable of giving
advice on issues regarding family and relationships since they do
not have relavant personal experience. Could that be true?
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
23/9/2011
QUESTION
59 |
The absolution of our sins in mainly granted through the sacrament
of penance but other sacraments and sacramentals are also considered
as means of forgiveness and absolution since this request appears
quite often in their texts. What is the right approach towards the
absolution granted through the sacrament of penance compared to
other sacraments or services?
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
26/9/2011
QUESTION
60 |
What is the purpose of the gynaeceum that we see in Christian
churches? Couldn’t the separation of women from the rest of the
community be considered an act of discrimination? Is this the reason
why women were allowed to stand at the left side of the church in
recent times?
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
27/9/2011
QUESTION
61 |
Are Christians allowed to befriend atheists, heretics or people who
follow other doctrines/religions? Are they allowed to associate with
them even if they propagandize their beliefs?
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
29/9/2011
QUESTION
62 |
In
Greek-speaking areas Pure Monday (Clean/Green Monday) is usually
celebrated with joyful festivities that include dancing and wine
consumption. In what terms could this festive atmosphere be
compatible with the spiritual character of Lent? Should all these
customs be abolished in the long run?
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
5/10/2011
QUESTION
63 |
Some people claim that a deceased person's soul visits the places
they have lived when they were alive. This supposedly happens for 40
days after their death. Is it true?
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
5/10/2011
QUESTION
64 |
There is this person that lives in Odessa Ukraine he talks like he
had a direct phone line to God. He has a University and teaches the
revolution of the mined. I have seen his kind here in the States
before and the bottom line is dollars. He states that Jesus the
whole story is a Church lie. He states Jesus lived in Odessa died by
fire and is buried there. Now I have heard some things in my life
but, never this. I believe first he is a crack pot and an alarmist
when it comes to world matters. As far as Religion goes what he
talks about is like he came from another world.
Could you please tell me if you have ever heard of a story like this
before or is this some new kind of movement?
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
12/12/2011
QUESTION
65 |
I
wanted your opinion with a matter that is very important to me. It's
about same-sex relations. I wanted to ask why does the church hate
and discriminate the gay community, if Jesus' message was to love
everyone?! Why does the Church - who preaches this message,
discriminate against homosexuals? I also would like to know your own
honest opinion about the subject.
SEE
ANSWER ►►► |
12/1/2012
QUESTION
66 |
Is
it possible for the sacrament of holy unction or other prayers to be
read without the direct consent of the patient (e.g. in cases of
comma or brain-dead patients etc.), given the fact that the holy
grace acts upon the man only through his own free will and choice?
SEE
ANSWER
►►► |
12/2/2012
QUESTION
67 |
During his ordination, as he processes around the holy Altar while
Dance, Isaiah is sung, a cleric kisses the epigonation of the
presiding bishop. What is the significance of the epigonation in
this case?
SEE
ANSWER
►►► |
12/2/2012
QUESTION
68 |
Having watched the Divine Liturgy broadcast online through RIK
(Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation) many times, I have noticed that
immediately after saying By the prayers of our holy Fathers..., the
priest closes the Royal Gate and the faithful exit the Temple. Is
antidoron not distributed by the priest in Cyprus?
SEE
ANSWER
►►► |
14/3/2012
QUESTION
69 |
I
would like some clarification regarding the Divine Liturgy of St.
Basil, conducted on the Sundays of Great Lent. Is the οπισθάμβωνος
ευχή of the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil as follows: Ο ευλογών τους
ευλογούντας...? According to the texts on Υour website, it is
another prayer, but during the past two Sundays, the priests at our
churches here in Melbourne, along with those conducting the Divine
Liturgy of St. Basil in Athens (broadcast via ΕΡΤ), have been using
Ο ευλογών τους ευλογούντας... Is this justified, or are they simply
making a careless mistake?
SEE
ANSWER
►►► |
18/3/2012
QUESTION
70 |
I
would like to ask for your advice on a problem I have been facing
lately. I never had many friends but I consider those I have really
valuable. One of those valuable friends is a 22 year-old guy that I
met in college... I respect and love him like my brothers... The
problem that I am trying to deal with is the fact that an aspect of
his life is quite different to what I would consider moral.
Specifically, he leads a life full of sexual pleasures, having
countless girlfriends and considering sex as one of his major needs
that he cannot live without. Although I have tried to talk to him,
nothing seems to work...
Could I just ignore this parameter of his life and focus on those
elements in his character that have attracted my respect and
love?... Could I still be friends with someone who willingly does
something I consider cheap and dirty?... Your own view on the
situation and how I can handle it would be really important to me.
SEE
ANSWER
►►► |
3/5/2012
QUESTION
71 |
Why did most of the Jews not accept Christ as the Messiah as they
had waited many many years for him to come, what were the reasons
they turned against him?
SEE ANSWER ►►► |
3/5/2012
QUESTION
72 |
Why after Christ wasn't any of the Jewish religion followed e.g.
circumcision, the Jewish Passover and other requirements of the Law?
SEE ANSWER ►►► |
26/6/2012
QUESTION
73 |
Recently I have been asked to become a sub-deacon and I am a little
unsure of the duties required of me and my allowances and
restrictions.
Also is a sub-deacon allowed to administer Holy Communion if given a
blessing?
SEE ANSWER ►►► |
27/6/2012
QUESTION
74 |
As
you know, the holy myrrh was sanctified this year during holy week
at the Ecumenical Patriarchate. I discovered that this myrrh is used
during the mystery of chrismation, but I must ask: is this its only
purpose? I was under the impression that the pleasant fragrance that
is sprinkled on the congregation during major feast days, and on the
epitaphios during the evening service on holy Friday was called
myrrh.
SEE ANSWER ►►► |
3/7/2012
QUESTION
75 |
I
did not find anyone asking you about the mystery of confession.
I grew up with this mystery, and took it for granted. Now in
practice, I see it as being taken out of context. From revealing of
thoughts for discipleship in monastic setting, this mystery is now
become the Latin LEGAL sacrament to access communion, a "passport" .
What is the intended meaning of this mystery for an Orthodox
Christian who has not separated himself from the Church through
actions like killing, denying our Saviour, or the like? What would
be the practical application of confession for an Orthodox layman?
SEE ANSWER ►►► |
14/7/2012
QUESTION
76 |
I
had been told recently by a relative that the Holy Communion
administered to the faithful who are ill is not the same as, or is
somehow 'different' to, the Holy Communion administered during the
Divine Liturgy (i.e. Body and Blood of Christ in the Holy Chalice).
I considered this to be absurd, as Holy Communion is surely one (the
same at all times and in all places) just as Christ is one.
Therefore, I ask: since it is typical for Holy Communion to be
consumed entirely by either the deacon or the priest at the
conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, what happens when a priest is
called, for example, at 2:30 a.m. on a Monday to administer Holy
Communion to someone who is on their deathbed? Where does the Holy
Communion come from? Is there always Holy Communion kept in the
tabernacle?
SEE ANSWER ►►► |
3/9/2012
QUESTION
77 |
I
am sorry to disturb you again with a question concerning the making
of catechumens and baptism/myron-anointing. I will soon baptize a
Greek baby.
I usually follow the ritual according to the Russian typikon. A
major difference is that we do not anoint the whole body before
baptism, but only forehead, ears, breast, hands/feet, and we proceed
to baptize.
On your website you have published the complete text, to be found in
official euchologia. However, I have looked at many videos of
baptisms performed by Greek priests, and noticed that the ritual was
consistently shortened, and many prayers were skipped. For example:
after the baptism, chrismation and tonsure followed immediately,
without any prayer (or ablutions, before tonsure) in between.
What is the general practice ? Which prayers are usually skipped in
Greece or Cyprus?
I feel that the complete service is long and it may be very tiresome
for the baby and for the family. Plus, they are Greeks, and may be
expecting a service "à la Grecque" !
SEE ANSWER ►►► |
10/9/2012
QUESTION
78 |
What is the symbolism, if any, of elevating the αέρας above the
officiating high priest as the Creed is recited during the Divine
Liturgy?
SEE ANSWER ►►► |
10/9/2012
QUESTION
79 |
During the consecration of a church's altar, is there any particular
reason for which the officiating high priest wears almost a second
set of vestments (always white and very simple) over his vestments?
Or is it simply for the sake of protecting his vestments from the
waxes, oils, wine, and honey? And are αντιμήνσια used to clean up
the oils, wine, and honey on the altar?
SEE ANSWER ►►► |
12/9/2012
QUESTION
80 |
What is the real meaning of the custom of blessing of kollyva in the
feasts of saints? Some people say that they are offered as some kind
of commemoration of the saint while some others believe that they
are offered for the souls of the deceased who were named after the
saint. There is also the view that kollyva are brought to church for
the sake of those who celebrate the feast. In some villages they are
also blessed in the feasts of the Lord and Virgin Mary. Is this
correct?
SEE ANSWER ►►► |
24/9/2012
QUESTION
81 |
Last Sunday I attended the Divine Liturgy at one of the two churches
I regularly visit. The parish priest was away on holiday overseas,
and so we had a substitute, an elderly priest just ordained to the
priesthood at the start of the year. I assisted him during the
administration of Holy Communion, by holding the red cloth, and must
say that it was agonising, as he was hasty and careless. A two- or
three-year-old boy approached the chalice in his mother's arms. The
boy was restless, moving his head constantly. Nonetheless, the
priest proceeded. Of course, the boy moved his head and some of the
precious Blood of Christ had clearly fallen onto his shirt. I told
the priest, in the hope that he would then consume the precious
Blood, but he claimed that nothing had fallen, having not even
bothered to take a closer look at the boy's shirt. 'It's fine,' he
told me, while the boy's mother smiled it off as if there was no
problem (obviously the Holy Gifts were nothing but 'bread and wine'
to her). Therefore, my question is: What should a priest do in
situations when the most precious Body and Blood of Christ is, in my
opinion, misused? Is he not obliged to consume anything that has
fallen off the spoon, even onto the floor? And when the Blood of
Christ falls onto the red cloth, what becomes of the cloth? Is it
washed in some specific way considering that it may contain the
precious Blood of Christ?
SEE ANSWER ►►► |
29/12/2012
QUESTION
82 |
I
hope you can help me with the next question which I received after I
told my clients, that the Apostle Barnabas was stoned to death in
the year 57, after he came to Cyprus with his nephew Mark. The
question was as followed, where was this written? I thought it was
in the apocrypha. Is this correct and if so, where exactly?
SEE ANSWER ►►► |
31/12/2012
QUESTION
83 |
Is
it possible that the Divine Liturgy may be served twice on the same
day, in the same temple, and on the same altar, but by different
priests?
SEE ANSWER ►►► |
31/12/2012
QUESTION
84 |
Why does the numbering of Sundays according to the Church not follow
a logical order? For example, 20 January 2013 is the 12th Sunday of
Luke, and 27 January 2013 is the 15th Sunday of Luke.
SEE ANSWER ►►► |
3/1/2013
QUESTION
85 |
Thanks for your website on the Hieratikon. I am sorry to trouble you
with requests for info, but I cannot think where else to turn.
The typical translation of the Hieratikon says, as you say "He
plundered Hades when He descended into Hades. He embittered it, when
it tasted of His flesh, and this being foretold by Isaiah when he
cried: Hades said it was embittered, when it encountered Thee
below." Or says "Isaiah, foreseeing this did cry: 'Hell, said he,
was embittered when it encountered Thee in the lower regions."
The Hieratikon stands on its own, and needs no justification of any
sort, and certainly none other than the authority of John
Chrystostom, and the place that this Pascal Homily has been given in
Orthodox liturgy and tradition. (And thanks again for having a page
on it!!) However, I am puzzled by this quotation, St John
Chrystostom's quotation from Isaiah. I have searched and searched --
on Hell, Hades, Sheol, bitter, and various Hebrew words for bitter
-- (in Bible search engines, and places that had the Septuagint on
line as well, and in orthodox discussion loci) and cannot find any
passage that seems to me (I am not a scholar in these things, and
may well be missing the point) to be the passage in Isaiah that St.
John Chrystostom is referring to here. Can you tell me what passage
in Isaiah St. John had in mind, or refer me to a source (preferably
online) that discusses this matter?
SEE ANSWER ►►► |
3/1/2013
QUESTION
86 |
Hello My Wife was born in Russia and her Name in Russian is Ludmila.
She says that 28 September is her Name day and it was always that
day in Russia. Going on the internet, some sites say 16 Sept and
others 18 Sept. We have a Russian Christian Calendar and it says
nothing of her Name Day. Maybe you could help us with this.
SEE ANSWER ►►► |
24/1/2013
QUESTION
87 |
I
have a question regarding the baptism of our baby girl. I am a
Catholic while my husband is an Orthodox. We have been married in
the Orthodox church in Cyprus. Now we have a beautiful baby girl. I
would like to baptize her twice...once in Cyprus and once in Poland,
in that order, where I come from. Is that possible? The main reason
for doing this is my family... they will not be able to attend the
baptism here, which is very important to me.
Also I would like my baby to have godparents from both sides, my
husbands and mine. Can you please advise if there is a way to
baptize the baby twice? She will be raised in Cyprus in the Orthodox
religion, attending the church here, as this is where we live.
SEE ANSWER ►►► |
5/3/2013
QUESTION
88 |
My
sons ( 7 and 11) are Ιεροπαιδες (altar boys) in our French-Greek
parish in France. They do what they are told to do but if they could
learn a little bit, it would be better I think. The way processions
and other things are done are sometimes different, in different
churches. In our church the Priest doesn't want show them how to do
a day of the week because he has no time and during the liturgy he
doesn't want to be disturbed praying. Well there is an old servant
he's a very kind and very simple person but he is not very really
able to explain...
Have you ever written some kind of manual for altar's boys? Or does
it exist even in Greek (a friend of mine will translate it, I am
sure of it)
SEE ANSWER ►►► |
10/3/2013
QUESTION
89 |
Many contradictory views on Mary Magdalene’s life come to light
lately. It is clear that most of them come from untrustworthy
persons that have nothing to do with the Church. But who was Mary
Magdalene in reality according to the teachings of our Church? Was
she a prostitute that was relieved from a heavy demonic possession
by Christ or was she a righteous person?
SEE ANSWER ►►► |
22/3/2013
QUESTION
90 |
When it is appropriate to do concelebration in vespers. When is it
acceptable to upgrade a service to include an entrance, even if it
isn't originally called for. Sometimes it is very easy to include an
entrance, like a Friday evening, because the dogmatic theotokion
gives plenty of time to do one, even if it isn't supposed to happen.
Is it appropriate for a group of priests to get together and make an
entrance? Must we upgrade to entrance if there are many priests, or
do we instruct them not to participate on certain days? On what days
is it permissible, and on what days is it not permissible?
SEE ANSWER ►►► |
22/11/2014
QUESTION
91 |
I
was just wondering if You would be able to explain why we conduct
the εγκαίνια service of a church and what significance this has.
I ask this because I know of churches which are fully furnished
--with altar, templon, iconography and all-- having been used for
holy services prior to their εγκαίνια. Also, today in Melbourne were
the θυρανοίξια of a newly built church, but not the εγκαίνια, and
services are conducted in this church.
SEE ANSWER ►►► |
1/12/2014
QUESTION
92 |
I
saw this verse in one of your church printouts for 22/11/14 and
wanted you to please explain it to me in simpler terms.
And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the Plough,
and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God.
SEE ANSWER ►►► |
19/2/2015
QUESTION
93 |
From various sources we know that early Christians used to receive
the Holy Communion quite often as it was unjustifiable for someone
to attend the Liturgy without partaking. Recently I had the chance
to read St Chrysostom's writings on Lent and I came across an
extract (P.G. 49: 199) that may at first reading imply that
Christians in Antiochia did not partake during the entire Lent,
which was seen as a preparation period for Paschal
communion.........
I
assume that the true meaning of this passage is not that the
faithful did not partake for such a long period. After all what was
the purpose of the Liturgies performed on the Sundays of the Lent,
if not to receive the holy communion? Could you please help me by
providing the correct interpretation of the holy father's passage?
SEE ANSWER ►►► |
20/2/2015
QUESTION
94 |
Thank you for your comprehensive answer, which helped me understand
the true meaning of Chrysostom’s words. (see question 91) As a
follow up question, I would like to provide two more extracts from
Homily III - Against the Jews: 4.
Why, then, do we fast for forty days?..... and
So if a Jew or pagan ask you why you are fasting, do not tell him
that it is because of the Pascha or because of the mystery of the
cross.... Tell him we fast because of our sins and because we are
going to approach the mysteries.
In the first extract the Holy Father states that the reason why
Lenten fast was established is the fact that many approached the
holy mysteries unprepared. So at first reading there’s a connection
between fasting and communion. The same applies to the second one.
How could we address these two extracts having in mind your previous
reply?
SEE ANSWER ►►► |
25/11/2015
QUESTION
95 |
I
have read several questions on your "Liturgical Questions" section
comparing Greek and Slavic practices. It seems Greeks and Slavs
(specially Russians) developed different theological approaches
concerning the same issues. One these issues is how each of them
comprehend communion. The Russian church tells their faithful
whoever wants to commune on the Sunday Liturgy, must confess their
sins on the eve or before the Liturgy (during the reading of the 1st
and 3rd Hours).
My question concerns the relation between Holy Communion and Holy
Confession. Do the Greeks understand Confession as a requisite to
Communion? Is there a recommendation stating how frequently one
should commune/confess?
SEE ANSWER ►►► |
17/12/2015
QUESTION
96 |
I've read some of your liturgical materials and I noticed you
recommend two answers from the choir after each petition: Kyrie
eleison or Lord have mercy. I'm really curious about that because in
the parish where I serve the clergymen explain that "Kyrie eleison"
has a deep and intricate meaning that surpasses the immediate
translation "Lord have mercy". They say the use of the original
Greek brings a pedagogical opportunity to tell people the full
meaning of this supplication. According to their interpretation,
Kyrie eleison refers to a deep act of offering ourselves to God,
like those loser warlords who surrender to their conquerors. So,
they prefer to not translate it and Kyrie eleison is maintained as
in Greek. Personally I don't feel comfortable with that since the
expression occurs in so many sacred texts (psalm 50, the gospel, the
Jesus prayer) and only during the litanies we decide to keep it in
Greek. It looks a little bit arbitrary. Most orthodox nations
translate "Kyrie eleison". Would they worship less perfectly? From
your perspective, is it correct to avoid the translation of "Kyrie
eleison"? Are there such "untranslatable" expressions in our hymns?
For example, why "Eis polla eti Dhespota" is still sung in greek
everywhere?
SEE ANSWER ►►► |
10/1/2016
QUESTION
97 |
It
seems there are some liturgical practices and objects that have a
jewish origin. For example the curtain and the washing of hands.
Regarding the curtain a friend once told me that historically it
should be divided in two representing the curtain of the Temple that
was torn during the crucifixion. Do you have any thought about that?
What's the meaning of opening and closing the curtain at specific
times? For example, the curtain remains half opened during an
interval of the liturgy of the pre sanctified gifts. What's the
theological meaning for that?
SEE ANSWER ►►► |
20/1/2016
QUESTION
98 |
I
read somewhere that in ancient times people were used to offering
their own goods for the maintenance of the temple and sustainance of
the clergy. I think the 3rd and 4th Apostolic Canons recall this
practice and describe which kind of offerings should be brought to
the church. However some gifts should not be offered on the Holy
Altar where only bread and wine should be offered for the Holy
Eucharist. My first question is: do you have an account on how this
process occurred in the early church? Was this something like the
offering of first fruits, similar to the offering of Abel? The
second one: I believe this practice does not pertain to the Church
anymore because nowadays the faithful are used to contribute
financially, buy candles, prosphora or through the diptychs. So, is
it part of the orthodox practice to make a collection of money
during the Liturgy? Now let's consider a small/missionary parish
where the well functioning of the temple is a responsibility of a
small group of faithful and every faithful is invited to contribute
materially with frankincense, candles, coal, ... for the
accomplishment of the services. My question is: how these offerings
should be received according to the greek practice? Is there a
special service/blessing that makes them proper for liturgical use
or they become sacred by their use? These offerings must be brought
to the Holy Altar? I mean they should be placed (for 40 days) on the
Altar like a new icon? I'm asking all this because I heard of a
strange practice (at least to me) consisting of placing candles,
frankincense, prayer ropes (komboskinis) and every "religious
object" close to the Altar, touching it from behind. In this way
these objects would be sanctified by the presence of the Holy Spirit
after the epiklesis. I my opinion this approach denies the prayer
for the coming of the Holy Spirit which asks the presence of the
Spirit upon the people and the gifts, that is, only bread and wine.
By the way, if this practice is correct, can we say things become
holy by conduction, just like thermal conduction? I know the account
about the woman who touched Christ and was healed. This makes me
wonder can I refill my almost empty holy water bottle with "normal"
water and then "make" more holy water?
SEE ANSWER ►►► |
16/2/2016
QUESTION
99 |
Could you explain the relation, if there is any, between women's
headcoverings and the role of women in the Orthodox Church? Both
clergymen (monks or not) and women (nuns or not) use headcoverings.
What's the meaning of these different uses? Is it part of the
Church's mindset to understand maternity as a form of priesthood? In
this perspective can we understand male priesthood as "give birth to
souls to God" and female priesthood as "give birth to souls to the
world"?
SEE ANSWER ►►► |
9/3/2016
QUESTION
100 |
I
am deeply depressed. I lost my father suddenly through an aneurysm 4
months ago. He was only 60yrs old. He didn't take me to the church
neither did he see any grandchildren, I am 33yrs old and I beseeched
God to send me a good man so that I could have a family, but instead
he took away my beloved father while all the girls have their
husbands, children and parents, I am unhappy. I wonder can my father
see me? How can I help him? Please remember him during the Liturgy.
Please reply to my email, I am extremely sad.
SEE ANSWER ►►► |
22/8/2016
QUESTION
101 |
I’m considering buying a small statue of Buddha that I recently came
across online. Of course, the only reason why I want it is to add a
nice, hand-carved item to the decoration of my room. I’m not going
to use it for praying or mediation under any circumstances, as I’m
an Eastern Orthodox, not a Buddhist. However, my mother doesn’t like
the idea because she thinks it would seem as contempt to our own
faith or it could even bring bad luck. What’s your opinion on this?
SEE ANSWER ►►► |
24/8/2016
QUESTION
102 |
The Orthodox Church, in which we live, is missionary and didn't get
its start from a historical Orthodox church, thus we have questions
about some liturgical procedures. Here is the first question:
1 - Vestment of the priest in public or daily Vespers.
We have an indication, which is not confirmed in any Typikon we
found on the internet, that the celebrant use only epitrachelion
throughout the office. But we also have the indication that he
should wear the Phelonion for "Joyous Light ...". What is the
correct practice?
SEE ANSWER ►►► |
25/8/2016
QUESTION
103 |
According to the Slavic tradition, on Sundays the Gospel (of
Resurrection) after being read, is conducted to the middle of the
church, where it is revered, but the Feasts, despite being read in
the middle of the Church, after the reading is reappointed to the
altar without veneration. Next Sunday, we will celebrate the
Dormition of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, but the Gospel read is of
the Feast. In this case should it be venerated in the middle of the
Church like on Sundays, or returned to the Altar as is the use in
the Feasts?
SEE ANSWER ►►► |
26/8/2016
QUESTION
104 |
Among the evening prayers used by the Russian church there is a
special one addressed to the Holy Guardian Angel. My question
concerns the excerpt below:
"O Angel of Christ, my holy guardian and protector of my soul and
body, forgive me all wherein I have sinned this day, and deliver me
from all opposing evil of my enemy lest I anger my God by any sin."
Can an angel forgive sins? (I refer to any sin)
SEE ANSWER ►►► |
21/11/2016
QUESTION
105 |
Recently I received an e mail from a Greek man requesting
information on marriage. I asked that he and his fiancé come and
meet with me. However his fiancé came to meet with me accompanied by
her future mother-in -law who informed me that the young lady wished
to become an Orthodox Christian. On seeking some answers from the
young lady, who happened to be Chinese and in the country on a
student visa, she admitted that she did not even know what a
Christian was... They have stated that they wish the wedding to take
place in early February 2017. This places me in an impossible
situation. I fear that if I do not agree to their timetable they
will have a civil marriage, with the consequent loss of a potential
soul for the Lord. Yet I am also concerned that I would be derelict
in my duty as a priest if I did not prepare her properly to be
received into the church.
SEE ANSWER ►►► |
5/1/2017
QUESTION
106 |
I
would like to know which of the 4 Gospels was written 1st, 2nd, 3rd
and 4th. Just because the gospel of Matthew is the first one in the
New Testament, does that mean it was the first to be completed? How,
where and by whom was it decided that the Gospels should be
structured in a particular order?
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10/1/2017
QUESTION
107 |
Christ the Saviour called Himself the "light of the world" (John
8:12). He enlightens every man who comes into the world. I hear this
towards the end of every liturgy (Christ, the true light, who lights
and sanctifies every man who comes into the world). What exactly is
this lighting/sanctification that Christ bestows on all His
creation? Is it perhaps wisdom, a logical soul, the breath of life,
the Holy Spirit, etc? Does this even mean that the people/souls that
have departed or have been condemned to hell/Gehenna, once had this
enlightenment and sanctification from Christ, when they came into
existence in this world? Is everyone enlightened/sanctified in the
same way or according to the measures that Christ wishes to
enlighten every single person?
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11/1/2017
QUESTION
108 |
In
the Gospel of St. John, at the Lord’s Supper, Christ says, “My
Father is greater than I.” Why then did The Lord Jesus say earlier
in John 10:30 that "I and My Father are one"? When He said 'My
Father is greater than I", did He mean that His human nature and not
His divine nature is inferior/lower to God the Father. Is it fair to
say that Christ as man cannot really be equal to the Father? Despite
that He is Perfect Man, no man, no matter how perfect he may be, can
be God. Obviously Christ did not cease to be God, to remain always
“in the bosom of the Father.” Never did He cease to be Perfect God.
I did a bit of research and found that the real meaning of the above
words of Christ, “My Father is greater than I,” is that He is
greater than I because you see Me now as a human being in the form
of a servant; however, I remain God “in the bosom of the Father,”
but I will return to the Father also as human. At that time, My
human nature will be granted unlimited glory.
I suppose that because the second person of the Holy Trinity
(Christ) became visible to His creation and that the Father (The 1st
person of the Holy Trinity) remained invisible, there is a
difference in Who is greater/superior. But why then does Christ say
that "Whoever has seen Me , has seen the Father also"?
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11/1/2017
QUESTION
109 |
I
read in Chapter 9 verses 5-8 of Ecclesiastes the following:
For the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing,
and they have no more reward, For the memory of them is
forgotten...Were there any funeral/burial services/memorials
conducted back then at the times of the Old Testament Prophets, that
would help the departed souls on their journey to the other world? I
also know that up until the crucifixion and the resurrection and
Christ's descent into Hades, that all souls would go to Hades and
that the first one to inherit Paradise was the Thief on the Cross
that repented. So even if certain types of burial/memorial
services/prayers were offered for the dead, would they be of any
assistance to them despite these facts.
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13/1/2017
QUESTION
110 |
The Lord said, “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe
in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were
hung round his neck and he were thrown into the sea. And if your
hand causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter
life maimed than with two hands to go to Gehenna, to the
unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off;
it is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be
thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out;
it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than
with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna, where their worm does not
die, and the fire is not quenched. For every one will be salted with
fire. Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its saltness, how will
you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one
another.”
In what sense does the Lord Jesus mean to cut these body parts off ?
What is the Orthodox interpretation of the statement: "For every one
will be salted with fire"?
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17/1/2017
QUESTION
111 |
(Mark 9:33-41) Is it known who this man was that was casting out
demons in the name of Jesus". Did Jesus meet this man at an earlier
time? How else could this man have known who Jesus was for him to be
performing exorcisms? Also how do the exorcisms of our times differ
from the exorcisms of Jesus' time? Now we have prayers written by St
Basil, Gregory, Kyprianos, Chrysostom etc. Some of these prayers are
very lengthy. Back when the apostles were performing exorcisms, they
did not have these prayers that were written by the Saints. Would
they just simply say the name of Jesus with faith for the demons to
be cast out?
I remember from the Gospel of Matthew, (chapter 17) that Jesus said:
"This kind is cast out only by prayer and fasting". Was it just
prayer and fasting that was necessary for the exorcism to be
performed successfully? Was there a specific rite, ritual or method
of performing exorcisms that differs to today's exorcisms being
conducted?
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19/1/2017
QUESTION
112 |
(Mark 8:22-26) When the blind man looked up and responded to Jesus
by saying, "I see men; but they look like trees, walking", was this
because his sight was not fully restored yet or did Jesus do this
deliberately to reveal something about mankind at the time? I ask
this because usually Christ is described in the gospels as healing
people instantly whereas in this particular case, He healed the
blind man in stages. The men were described as trees. Is this
symbolic of something? Furthermore, why did Jesus say to the blind
man who had been healed to "not even enter the village"?
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24/2/2017
QUESTION
113 |
On Ezekiel Chapter
28
1)
Are these so called "strangers" & "aliens" other names for demons
that God is speaking of? For all I know, it is only the devil and
his angels that can cast souls into the Pits of Hell.
2) This message by God to Ezekiel is for the Prince of Tyre. Since
this Prince has exalted his heart and says that he is a god, is this
sin categorised as the sin of pride? It seems pride is such a
dangerous sin since the first archangel Lucifer fell like lightning
from heaven and is now known as Satan. (Luke 10:18). Also when the
70 disciples/apostles of Christ that were sent out in groups of 2
had returned with joy saying, "Lord even the demons are subject to
us in Your name", He said to them "Behold, I give you the authority
to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the
enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you." (Luke 10;19). Are
these "scorpions" & "serpents" also symbolic names of demons?
3) What does it mean when it says "you shall die the death of the
uncircumcised "?
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27/2/2017
QUESTION
114 |
Fr
Seraphim Rose in one of his quotes states the following:
"Don't criticize or judge other people - regard everyone else as an
angel, justify their mistakes and weaknesses, and condemn only
yourself as the worst sinner. This is step one in any kind of
spiritual life."
This seems like a very difficult thing to do. I hear people say that
if you are too nice, magnanimous and forgiving in this world, others
will use this to their advantage and you will be stepped on and
crushed and will never prosper. I guess they are right and wrong
simultaneously. What response am I suppose to give them? Also Fr
Seraphim Rose says this is step 1 in living a spiritual life. It
appears that step 1 is one of the hardest steps to accomplish. If we
can't achieve step 1 successfully, how will we be able to move to
steps 2,3,4.....etc? This world is full of pride and it seems
impossible to condemn ourselves and regard ourselves as the worst
sinners on this planet. How are we suppose to see others as holy and
as Angels and only consider ourselves as the worst sinners?
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28/2/2017
QUESTION
115 |
As
we Orthodox Christians know, it is a sin to be jealous or to have
jealousy, to have envy & to be envious......etc. Why is it then that
God in the chapter of Exodus and in the Book of Ezekiel reveals that
He is a jealous God? How are we suppose to interpret this? It
appears there is some irony here. The 2 texts of the Old Testament
below, were the only passages I knew of that describes God's
jealousy. I don't know if there are any additional verses from other
chapters either from the Old or New Testament that also gives an
account of this.
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2/3/2017
QUESTION
116 |
On Revelation chapter
20.
My questions are: Is it
known from the teachings or tradition of the holy fathers and the
church who this angel was that held the key to the bottomless pit
and bound Satan with chains for a thousand years?
Also, when will this happen, before or after the Second Coming of
Christ? And why must a thousand years first pass before Satan is
loosed again?
In other words will he not be able, will the devil not have the
power to do anything for a thousand years? Why so many years? And
what exactly will Christ do when he comes to earth with his martyrs
to reign for this period of a thousand years?
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9/3/2017
QUESTION
117 |
Why it is more difficult to maintain good thoughts than to produce
them?
Why is it so easy for the mind to be distracted by other thoughts
when praying? Is there a spiritual way to train the mind to
concentrate totally on God when praying, so that nothing from the
exterior environment can enter our minds?
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14/3/2017
QUESTION
118 |
During Great Lent, on the Third Hour, we say the troparion: "Blessed
art Thou, O Christ our God, who hast made the fishermen wise by
sending down upon them the Holy Spirit.......". And on the Sixth
Hour we say the troparion : "Thou O Christ God has worked salvation
in the midst of the earth, Thou hast stretched out Thou Most pure
hands upon the Cross..."
Now, these troparia bring to mind the saving events of our Saviour's
sojourning on earth; the Third Hour indicates the descent of the
Holy spirit on the Apostles, likewise the Sixth Hour commemorated
the Crucifixion, how come these troparia were removed from these
canonical hours outside of Lent? When did this happen?
It is interesting that the troparion of the Ninth hour was left
untampered with during Great Lent and outside of it!
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28/3/2017
QUESTION
119 |
In
Exodus 40:2 my English translation of the Septuagint reads:
2 On the first day of the first month, at the new moon, thou shalt
set up the tabernacle of witness, While the King James Version and
most all other English translations read: On the first day of the
first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the
congregation. Most English translations leave out the "at the new
moon" phrase that the Septuagint has.
My question is about the Greek word used for "new moon". When I look
up νουμηνίᾳ in my Greek
lexicon, I have not been able to find the word. Is this the word for
new moon and does it always mean new moon or does it have other
meanings as well?
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29/3/2017
QUESTION
120 |
I
have noticed that on most Orthodox icons of Christ and the Theotokos
(Virgin Mary, the 2 main colours I see on their garments/clothes are
blue and red. Why is this? What do the colours red and blue signify?
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29/3/2017
QUESTION
121 |
I
noticed that most, if not all Greek Orthodox Churches (& other
Orthodox Churches) have icons of St John the Forerunner & Baptist
wearing wings. Why is he depicted with the wings of an angel? Is it
perhaps because he lived a holy, ascetic, humble and angelic life?
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