How do you define a true Orthodox Church?

[arcmode]

Please refer to her in her proper name, at least in showing respect to her.

I don't think we should expect anyone from another tradition to conform to ours in writing their posts.

[NadirGP]

[...continued from my last post]

The Ultimate Authority IS Jesus Christ. But what you're asking about is administrative authority, a governing person or body that oversees these important matters. Like the Pope right? The problem with making one human the "ultimate authority" is that you place the foundation of your church on the shoulders of sinful men. What should happen if his shoulders are weak? What should happen if he is utterly terrible and betrays the faith in favor of pleasing other men? The church will crumble.

Our administrative authority comes from our synods, our collections of bishops who guide the churches (the Church) on the path to salvation. They do not do this of their own accord but, if they be truly Orthodox, by adhering and enforcing the Canons established by the Holy Fathers over 1,000 years ago. This is how it has always been. For a Scriptural reference to this, read Acts 15, wherein the administrative function of the synod, or council, is established.

maximus,
I think, I missed completely the third post of yours.
Thank you again for this was the answer I was expecting from this forum.
Nadir

[jgress]

Thank you for sharing. I had my own situation with coming to Orthodoxy. It is not easy when the other family members don't understand.

You wrote:

In Christ and His Holy Mother Miriam

Miriam is not the proper name for Christians, especially Orthodox. We call her Maria or in the West Mary. Miriam is the Jewish name and we do not follow Jewish culture. Please refer to her in her proper name, at least in showing respect to her. We also refer to her as the Mother of God. A familiar name is Theotokos. I've never heard any Christian call her Miriam.

Ethiopians call her Mariam. And yes we do follow Jewish culture in many ways: we use the word "Amin" in prayer; we start liturgical observances on the evening before the feast; we follow the Ten Commandments and several other laws of the Old Testament (though not all of them); many Christian names (including Mary) have Hebrew roots. I could go on.

[jgress]

There used to be a community of Hebrew-speaking Christians in Syria and Palestine, called the "Nazarenes". Several Church Fathers refer to them and obviously considered them Orthodox. Unfortunately, this community vanished from history, probably due to Islam.

[joasia]

Thank you for sharing. I had my own situation with coming to Orthodoxy. It is not easy when the other family members don't understand.

You wrote:

In Christ and His Holy Mother Miriam

Miriam is not the proper name for Christians, especially Orthodox. We call her Maria or in the West Mary. Miriam is the Jewish name and we do not follow Jewish culture. Please refer to her in her proper name, at least in showing respect to her. We also refer to her as the Mother of God. A familiar name is Theotokos. I've never heard any Christian call her Miriam.

Ethiopians call her Mariam. And yes we do follow Jewish culture in many ways: we use the word "Amin" in prayer; we start liturgical observances on the evening before the feast; we follow the Ten Commandments and several other laws of the Old Testament (though not all of them); many Christian names (including Mary) have Hebrew roots. I could go on.

I stand corrected. Sorry Nadir. I was thinking of other cultural factors. But, what Jonathan wrote is obviously accurate. Although I see them as God's Law (which is meant to be kept in the fulfillment of the Promise) and not their man's laws (which they make for themselves).

As an aside, I'm off to California today. And with the prayers of the Theotokos and St. John, I will be able to stand before him on Wednesday. I will light a candle for everyone here.

[Priest Antonios]

As an aside, I'm off to California today. And with the prayers of the Theotokos and St. John, I will be able to stand before him on Wednesday. I will light a candle for everyone here.

Enjoy your trip and thank you!

-Antonios

[NadirGP]

joasia wrote:
I stand corrected. Sorry Nadir. I was thinking of other cultural factors. But, what Jonathan wrote is obviously accurate. Although I see them as God's Law (which is meant to be kept in the fulfillment of the Promise) and not their man's laws (which they make for themselves).
As an aside, I'm off to California today. And with the prayers of the Theotokos and St. John, I will be able to stand before him on Wednesday. I will light a candle for everyone here.

Thanks and have a safety journey.
Nadir

Code: Select all

                                    [i][b]When your heart speaks take good notes[/b].[/i]