Greek OrthodoxyNicole Anastassopoulos

Morgan DunlowJoe Kerner

Bridget Maloy

Main Beliefs

Revelation› God revealed Himself to us› However, Inner Being of God is unknown

and unapproachable Incarnation of Jesus

› Fully divine and fully human Tradition

› Keep things the same as original Christianity

Main Beliefs

Authority of Scripture› Holy Scripture and Holy Tradition are equal in value

Holy Spirit› Precedes from Father› One essence with Father› Given by Christ as a gift to the Church

Trinity› Three distinct, divine persons without

overlap

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Main Beliefs

Mary› Has supreme grace, should be highly honored› Reject Immaculate Conception

Predestination› God has knowledge of our future› We have free will

Salvation› Gradual, lifelong process

Eschatology › Go to Heaven or Hell

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Main Beliefs

Greek Orthodox attach great importance to the bible and the conclusions of the Seven Ecumenical Councils

View on sin, grace and salvation› Humans were given freedom, they misused

it and now deserve punishment› Grace -> results in forgiveness and freedom

from bondage of punishment› Salvation – process of reestablishing man’s

communion with God

Worship Life

Major Holidays› Easter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=178cEI65fjE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RF3lB9pHag&feature=related

› Christmas Receive salvation through worship Anointing with oil

› For those in need of healing

Worship Life Eucharist

› Receive bread and wine from community chalice

› Supposed to fast before receiving

http://www.stgeorgegreenville.org/Images/Communion.jpghttp://02varvara.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/aleksandr-krasotkin-first-comm

union-1.jpg

Worship Life

Sacraments› Baptism› Chrismation

Confirmation Occurs at the same time as baptism and

communion› Confession› Marriage› Holy Orders› Anointing of the Sick

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Worship Life

Divine Liturgy› Conducted in Greek and English (in America)› Celebrated once a day› Eucharist usually Sunday mornings› Liturgy of the Catechumens

“Little Entrance” Gospel from sanctuary into nave

Epistle lesson, Gospel, sermon› Liturgy of the Faithful

“Grand Entrance” Eucharist

› Many prayers and hymns› Use Nicene Creed

Devotions Practitioners can pray to different icons

for special intercessions        -Patron Saints

The majority of Greek Orthodox followers have icons in their home

http://www.greece.org/romiosini/christ_patocrator.gif

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Devotions

Fasting - essential part of Orthodox life.› Ascetic fasting - four fasting periods of the

liturgical calendar refrain from large quantities of food and abstain from certain foods.

Fasting is a means and not an end in the spiritual struggle of its faithful.

One usually fasts according to the guidelines set up by the Church, but one should also seek the guidance of a spiritual father

Devotions

Many people wear crosses and evil eyes on a daily basis› Evil eyes to protect them from the Devil› Crosses to remind them of presence of God

Community and Social Involvement

Department of Philanthropy› primary task: to further develop and

coordinate the philanthropic work of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

› not just concerned with fund-raising, hopes to promote philanthropy

› coordinates outreach to people with special needs

› monitors  the development on the federal, state, and city levels, regarding faith-based funding of charitable programs

Community and Social Involvement

Department of Philanthropy › Primarily works with the Ladies

Philoptochos Society (“friends of the poor”).

› nationally chartered organization assisting the needy and the poor on an international, national, and local level

http://www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/philanthropy/Ethiopia%20IOCC.jpg

Community and Social Involvement

Many parishes have Sunday School programs Many also have Greek school programs Social groups

› Different group for each age Church aims to keep all people

involved with their religion and culture

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Bibliography

Rouvelas, Marilyn and George . A Guide to Greek Traditions and Customs in America. Boston: Twayne Publishers, 2002. Print.

 "Distinctive Orthodox Beliefs." Religion Facts. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 May 2010. <http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/denominations/orthodoxy.htm>.

Fairchild, Mary. "Eastern Orthodox Church Beliefs and Practices." Christianity . N.p.,n.d. Web. 1 May 2010. <http://christianity.about.com/od/easternorthodoxy/a/orthodoxbeliefs.htm>.

Mastrantonis , Rev. George . "The Fundamental Teachings of the Eastern Orthodox Church." n. pag. Web. 4 May 2010. <http://www.goarch.org/ourfaith/ourfaith7063>.