How do you define a true Orthodox Church?

[joasia]

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

Thank you Nadir. Everything went well considering I don't know the area. It was a truly blessed trip.

[StephenS]

Dear Nadir,

I have read with interest both your questions and the answers of good hearted folk who have tried to respond helpfully.

The question I believe does not have an easy answer, or rather it is easier to identify those who have fallen away. For example involvement in inter-denominational prayer or organisations, or inter-Faith prayer and dialogue. And the following of the so-called New Calendar.

When it comes to those who appear to adhere to the True Faith things become, as I am sure you are too aware, much less clear. Even confusing.

What may I, who finds the question as difficult as you, suggest: prayer, take your time and look hard at Orthodoxy from its' beginnings until the present day. Our Saviour gave us His Church and promised us that even the gates of Hell would not prevail against it. Therefore the must be bishops who confess the True Faith despite the great apostasy that surrounds us. Pray that God in His mercy will guide your steps and ultimately unite you with one of these True Shepherds.

Please accept my apologies for the inadequacy of my response and best wishes for your spiritual journey.

Stephen

[Priest Antonios]

Pray that God in His mercy will guide your steps and ultimately unite you with one of these True Shepherds.

Amen.

[NadirGP]

Dear Nadir,

I have read with interest both your questions and the answers of good hearted folk who have tried to respond helpfully.

The question I believe does not have an easy answer, or rather it is easier to identify those who have fallen away. For example involvement in inter-denominational prayer or organisations, or inter-Faith prayer and dialogue. And the following of the so-called New Calendar.

When it comes to those who appear to adhere to the True Faith things become, as I am sure you are too aware, much less clear. Even confusing.

What may I, who finds the question as difficult as you, suggest: prayer, take your time and look hard at Orthodoxy from its' beginnings until the present day. Our Saviour gave us His Church and promised us that even the gates of Hell would not prevail against it. Therefore the must be bishops who confess the True Faith despite the great apostasy that surrounds us. Pray that God in His mercy will guide your steps and ultimately unite you with one of these True Shepherds.

Please accept my apologies for the inadequacy of my response and best wishes for your spiritual journey.

Stephen

Dear Stephen,

Your words are warm as they are friendly, and I truly appreciate them; for they express your true Christian sentiments for your fellows in Jesus Christ. Yes, prayer is the only recourse for everything, in particular, when most of the time, we feel to be surrounded from all the side by not too so spiritual people and daily unpleasantness. Thanks a lot, anyway, for your advice.

Nadir

[Maria]

Dear Nadir,

I have read with interest both your questions and the answers of good hearted folk who have tried to respond helpfully.

The question I believe does not have an easy answer, or rather it is easier to identify those who have fallen away. For example involvement in inter-denominational prayer or organisations, or inter-Faith prayer and dialogue. And the following of the so-called New Calendar.

When it comes to those who appear to adhere to the True Faith things become, as I am sure you are too aware, much less clear. Even confusing.

What may I, who finds the question as difficult as you, suggest: prayer, take your time and look hard at Orthodoxy from its' beginnings until the present day. Our Saviour gave us His Church and promised us that even the gates of Hell would not prevail against it. Therefore the must be bishops who confess the True Faith despite the great apostasy that surrounds us. Pray that God in His mercy will guide your steps and ultimately unite you with one of these True Shepherds.

Please accept my apologies for the inadequacy of my response and best wishes for your spiritual journey.

Stephen

Dear Stephen,

Your words are warm as they are friendly, and I truly appreciate them; for they express your true Christian sentiments for your fellows in Jesus Christ. Yes, prayer is the only recourse for everything, in particular, when most of the time, we feel to be surrounded from all the side by not too so spiritual people and daily unpleasantness. Thanks a lot, anyway, for your advice.

Nadir

Nadir, I am glad that you have found comfort with Stephen's words.

Please know that I am praying for you. We live in very challenging times.
Symeon has a signature that those who persevere in these times may well be the greatest of our saints.

[NadirGP]

Dear Nadir,

I have read with interest both your questions and the answers of good hearted folk who have tried to respond helpfully.

The question I believe does not have an easy answer, or rather it is easier to identify those who have fallen away. For example involvement in inter-denominational prayer or organisations, or inter-Faith prayer and dialogue. And the following of the so-called New Calendar.

When it comes to those who appear to adhere to the True Faith things become, as I am sure you are too aware, much less clear. Even confusing.

What may I, who finds the question as difficult as you, suggest: prayer, take your time and look hard at Orthodoxy from its' beginnings until the present day. Our Saviour gave us His Church and promised us that even the gates of Hell would not prevail against it. Therefore the must be bishops who confess the True Faith despite the great apostasy that surrounds us. Pray that God in His mercy will guide your steps and ultimately unite you with one of these True Shepherds.

Please accept my apologies for the inadequacy of my response and best wishes for your spiritual journey.

Stephen

Dear Stephen,

Your words are warm as they are friendly, and I truly appreciate them; for they express your true Christian sentiments for your fellows in Jesus Christ. Yes, prayer is the only recourse for everything, in particular, when most of the time, we feel to be surrounded from all the side by not too so spiritual people and daily unpleasantness. Thanks a lot, anyway, for your advice.

Nadir

Nadir, I am glad that you have found comfort with Stephen's words.

Please know that I am praying for you. We live in very challenging times.
Symeon has a signature that those who persevere in these times may well be the greatest of our saints.

Maria,
I truly value your concern for my spiritual welfare. Moreover, I have never doubted that those who persevere (for the love of God and His truth) in these times may be the greatest of saints.

Nadir

"No one could tell me where my soul may be; I sought for God, but God eluded me; I sought my brother out and found all three - my soul, my God and all humanity".

[NadirGP]

I do not recall telling this Orthodox forum about receiving the holy sacraments from the Church I was born into; today it has became a real problem. I explain.
Some of you are expecting me to become an Orthodox, in order to save my soul – and the sooner the better; Fair enough, that is a normal expectation from good Christians who have the salvation of souls as their ultimate purpose in their life on earth.

However, when one like me, who lives hundreds miles away from any church – remember I live in Australia and the only churches close by are Protestant or Novus Ordo types. So where should I go to receive the sacraments? To Newcastle – 200 km from here – or to Sydney – about 300 km? Because in those cities there are Orthodox churches.

But then again, which Orthodox Church there [in Sydney, Brisbane or wherever], is the true Orthodox Church? You know too well, this is also your problem where you are in the USA – which church is the true Orthodox Church there?

Maranatha,

The lowest point, Nadir