sign in sign up
<<
Home , Antidoron, Church of Christ, Church service, Greek Orthodox Church, Orthros

“The Orthodox is not only for one nation, one civilization, one continent. It is like God Himself, for all and for every place.” Patriarch Ignatius IV

North Texas Orthodox Missions 13555 Hillcrest Rd. Dallas, TX 75240

Orthodox hank you for your interest in the ica, they would form church communi- T Orthodox Christian Church. The ties which were administered from the word 'ortho' means straight, or true; and ‘old country’. The thousands of Ameri- the word 'dox' means . Ortho- can born converts who have joined the dox therefore means true worship. Or- Orthodox Church have added to the thodox worship is authentic, timeless, ethnic diversity. and sacramental . The worship service follows an order established and Ancient Unity experienced in the era. There is absolute unity in terms of faith, worship, and doctrine; and we also Many people are surprised to learn that maintain those important ethnic and churches mentioned in the New Testa- administrative links to our Old World The Orthodox Church sometimes ment, (like those in Jerusalem, Antioch, sponsors. The Greek Orthodox Church displays the Cross as ‘budded’ and Thessalonica) are still in existence - is the largest American archdiocese, cross. The rounded ‘buds’ on the and they are Orthodox! The Orthodox and it was of course founded by Ortho- top, bottom, and both sides of the Church has not strayed from the apos- dox from and the Cross indicate eternal life. The tolic foundation, but has remained true surrounding areas. The Archdiocese of letters IC and XC form an abbre- to what was taught and practiced from Antioch (where the disciples were first viation, in Greek, for the name the beginning. There is an unbroken called Christians) also has a large con- above all names : Christ. continuity of faith, worship, and doc- tingent in the U.S.; and it was estab- trine established by Jesus Christ, and lished by immigrants from the Middle still present today. East; such as , , and Jor-

Organization dan. The Orthodox Church of America There is only one Orthodox Church, (OCA) has its roots in Eastern Europe which is administratively organized and Russia; and it is the first group to The into several jurisdictions. This is why function in United States as a locally you will find Greek Orthodox, or Rus- administered jurisdiction. sian Orthodox, and others. The faith, Come and See! worship, and doctrine is the same; the This pamphlet is meant to help you only thing that is different is the lan- gain an introductory understanding of guage and the administration. There are Faith the Orthodox faith. The best way to indigenous Orthodox churches from understand is to visit a Japan to Norway, and from Alaska to church service. The Orthodox Church is Alexandria. In most countries, there is friendly, warm, courteous, and respect- only one Orthodox administration; but ful of those from different beliefs and because the United States is a nation of For backgrounds. A list of Orthodox par- immigrants, the situation here is a little ishes along with the service schedule is different. As Orthodox immigrants found on page 11. We hope you can from around the world came to Amer- visit us soon. All North Texas Orthodox Missions My Journey to Orthodoxy …….3 Contact Information: Ortho FAQ …….5 Phone: 800-753-1926 You Can Always Come Home …….5 Web Site: www.ntom.org Historic Roots …….6 Ages Email: [email protected] Learning More …….7 Address: 13555 Hillcrest Road A 20 Year Quest …….8 Dallas, TX 75240 How We Came to Orthodoxy ...…..9 Visiting an Orthodox Church ...….10

Church Directory ...….11

2

Church Directory

Falling Asleep of the St. Barbara's Orthodox Church St. Nicholas Ever-Virgin Mary O.C.A. Greek Orthodox Church 6525 Dan Danciger Rd. 617 N. 17th Street, O.C.A. Fort Worth, TX 76133 Waco, TX 76707 3801 Glade Rd., Fr. Basil Zebrun Fr. Theodore Tsitsilianos Colleyville, TX 76043 817-294-0325 254-754-6519 Fr. Dumitru Paun Sunday Divine 10:00 AM Call for service schedule 817-858-0801 Sunday 9:15 AM Sunday 10:30 AM

St. Benedict Antiochian St. Holy Apostles Orthodox Chapel Orthodox Church Tyler, TX 75702 Orthodox Church O.C.A. 3808 Old Seymour Road 181 Preston Rd. Fr. Daniel Keller Wichita Falls 76309 Denison, TX 75020 972-216-9625 Fr. James Rooney Fr. Michael Storozuk Saturday 10:00 AM 940-692-3392 903-327-8188/469-688-7644 Sunday Matins 9:15 am Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Sunday Divine Liturgy 9:30 AM High Mass 10:00 am Church St. Peter Antiochian 3804 Old Seymour Road, Constantine and Helen Wichita Falls, TX 76309 Orthodox Church Antiochian Orthodox Church 7601 Bellaire Drive South Fr. Nektarios Morrow 3755 Walnut Hill Rd Fort Worth, TX 76132 940-692-0860 Dallas, TX 75229 Fr. Anthony Miller Sunday Orthros 9:15 AM. Fr. Antony Elbahou Fr. Michael Moore Sunday Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM 214-350-2104 817-263-5554 Holy Transfiguration Hispanic Sunday Orthros 9:00 AM Sunday: Mass 8:30 AM Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM Sunday High Mass 10:45 AM Orthodox Mission, O.C.A. 628 N. Tyler, St. Demetrios St. Sava Orthodox Church, OCA Dallas, TX 75208 Greek Orthodox Church 1614 Mollimar Dr. Fr. Ephraim Najera-Fuentes 2020 NW 21st St. Plano, TX 75075 214-942-4304 Fort Worth, TX 76106 Fr. Seraphim Hipsh Sunday Divine Liturgy 10:00 a.m. Fr. Michael Stearns 972-612-3881 817-626-5578 Sunday Divine Liturgy 9:30 AM Holy Sunday Orthros 9:00 AM. Greek Orthodox Church Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM St. Seraphim Orthodox Cathedral 13555 Hillcrest Road O.C.A. Dallas, TX 75240 St. John the Baptist 4208 Wycliff Ave. Fr. Anthony Savas, Fr. Nicholas Kati- Greek Orthodox Church Dallas, TX 75219 nas, Fr. Hohnholt 303 Cullum Drive His Eminence DMITRI 972-991-1166 Euless, TX 76040 Fr. John Anderson Sunday Orthros 9:00 AM. Fr. Luke Kontgas 214-528-3741 Sunday Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM 817-283-2291 Sunday Hours 9:00 AM Sunday Orthros 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy 9:30 AM Our Lady of Walsingham Sunday Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM Antiochian Orthodox Church Three Hierarchs 4321 North Beltline Rd., St. , O.C.A. Suite #400, Orthodox Church, O.C.A. 909 Balleywood Rd. Mesquite, TX 75150 2026 W. Oak St. Irving, TX 75060 Fr. Daniel Keller Denton, TX 76201 Fr. Milan Zbiljich 972-216-9625 Fr. Justin Frederick 972-953-1365 Sunday Divine Liturgy 10:30 AM 940-565-6753 Call for service schedule Divine Liturgy Sunday 9:00 AM

11

VISITING AN The pattern of worship is the same as Usually, the front are placed in ORTHODOX CHURCH was described by Justin Martyr in 155 the following order: to the right of the AD. The order of worship in use today central doors is the of Christ; next o begin with, it might help to un- by Orthodox churches throughout the is St. John the Baptist; and the third T derstand that the times posted for world is exactly the same as was used icon is that of the Archangel Gabriel. the schedule of services are approxi- by in 400AD. To the left of the center doors is an icon mate. The main Sunday service is The service is called ‘The Divine Lit- of Mary holding her Son Jesus; next is called the Divine Liturgy; and it is pre- urgy’. The word liturgy translates from an icon depicting the name of the ceded by another hour-long service Greek as ‘the work of the people’. church; the third icon is of the Archan- called Orthros. There is no break be- gel Michael. tween the two—as Orthros ends, the Upon entering an Orthodox Church, Service books are provided—in Eng- Divine Liturgy begins. It might seem you find yourself in an entry room lish!—to help you follow along. If you like you are late, because a service is called the narthex. You will see Ortho- get lost, just ask. There are times during already in progress. Please be assured dox Christians lighting candles, making the service when people stand. Particu- that you are simply entering an ongoing the and kissing icons. larly during the reading of the , experience of worship. Christ, major events in the life of Christ we all stand as an expression of atten- or the Church, the (Virgin tive respect to the words of our Lord. Orthodox worship is different that what Mary), and the Saints are depicted in You will notice the use of candles, is found in other Christian churches. icons. Icons are like windows to which convey the illumination we re- About three-quarters of the service is heaven, which transcend time and ceive from Christ the True Light. We sung; either by the , the , or space, reminding us that we are in com- use incense as a physical expression of the congregation. There’s quite a bit of munion with the saints who have gone prayer (Mal 1:11, Rev. 5:8). And, there movement; and the is not the before us but yet stand with us in heav- are processions, pointing to the spiritual focal point of the service. The atmos- enly worship. (Rev. 4, 5, & 7) reality of a procession towards God. phere is reverent but not rigid. We gather as children in the Father’s house. Next you will enter the nave, the main Holy Communion is offered during the Some aspects of Orthodox worship area used for worship. Most Orthodox Sunday service. Because of the unfortu- may seem strange at first. Be assured Churches in the United States have nate divisions within and that the worship service is based solidly . In some countries, there are no the importance of properly receiving on the . Scripture is woven into pews and worshippers stand during the Communion (1 Cor. 11:29), only bap- Orthodox worship like precious pearls services. As you look forward, you will tized and properly prepared Orthodox on a necklace. see the icon screen, which separates the Christians may receive Holy Commun- area from the nave. ion. At the end of the Liturgy, the faith- ful come forward to receive the a small cube of bread called the “antidoron”; Did you know.... which expresses fellowship. This is • There are nearly 250 million bread of fellowship, not Communion Orthodox Christians world- bread, and it is distributed to all includ- wide. ing visitors.

• There are indigenous Orthodox The weekly services include churches all over the world, in- on Saturdays and the Divine Liturgy on Sundays. Pascha (), is the most cluding : Japan, Ethiopia, Nor- important feast of the Orthodox Calen- way, Kenya, Australia, , dar. The Pascha celebration is an event China, Mexico, Canada ….and of exuberant joy; something like Christ-

Saint Seraphim Orthodox Cathedral Texas! mas and Fourth of July rolled into one.

Dallas Every Sunday is also a celebration of • The first Orthodox church in the Resurrection, like a little Pascha. Alaska was founded in 1794. The first Orthodox church in When you visit an Orthodox church, the continental United States please feel free to observe or participate was established in 1864, in New in as much of the service as you would Orleans. like. You are among friends, so please relax. We respect you, and we leave it • The Sunday church service in to God and His timing whether a person an Orthodox Church includes becomes Orthodox. We pray that your visit will be enjoyable and edifying; to Holy Cross Orthodox Church over two hundred quotes from the glory of God. Wichita Falls the Bible. 10

My Journey to Orthodoxy How could people who were so close to the Apostles, and yet By Steve Wu described a worship service that was liturgical and a Church Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Dallas structure that was hierarchical, get it so wrong so quickly? eligion was never deeply interest- The impression that I was slowly developing was that they R ing to me until I met my wife, didn’t get it wrong - they were right. nineteen years ago. Opheila was a member of the Church of Christ and challenged my Presbyterian beliefs by Around this time I had my first intro- Orthodox Church, including The Way providing Bible verses for everything duction to the Orthodox Church. My by Clark Carlton. I began to realize they believed and practiced. As I con- Catholic friend had an appointment that that I wasn’t the only person who had tinued to study with her, I played what I took him by an Orthodox church, and made this journey. call ‘preacher pong’. The preacher we stopped in for a brief tour. I was would ask question about a belief or intrigued with the architecture and ico- Scripture Alone? practice for which I had no answer. I nography, and wanted to know more. For me, the most critical point was the would ask our for his response Soon afterwards I attended my first concept of ‘sola scriptura’, the bedrock and deliver it their preacher. The ques- Vesper Service and was fascinated with of my belief. History had already con- tions and answers would go back and the chanting, incense, and prayers. Im- vinced me that the church had operated forth, and eventually I became a mem- mediately, I made the historical connec- nearly two hundred years without a for- ber of the Church of Christ. I will al- tion from what I had been reading mal New Testament. Therefore, when ways be grateful that God led me down about the early church, and what I saw Paul and Barnabas preached this path, as I developed a solid under- in the Orthodox Church. As I contin- on their journeys, how did standing of the Scriptures. I also be- ued my studying, I start visiting the they accomplish it? They simply told came a proficient song leader, and over church on Wednesday nights for Ves- their converts about Jesus Christ and time I became a Bible teacher and occa- per services and ‘Orthodoxy 101’ class. how to practice their faith. How did the sionally substituted as a lay preacher Church continue throughout the ages? around the metroplex. Faithful Martyrs They faithfully handed down the Apos- My next reading assignment was the tolic Traditions from person to person. The Journey Begins early . Previously, I had The journey really begins with my ef- Perhaps the most popular ‘proof text’ been taught that an apostasy took place forts to try to convert a co-worker from for sola scriptura is 2 Tim 3:14 - 16. almost immediately after the start of the Roman Catholicism. As we discussed “But continue thou in the things which Church. However, as I read the letters our differences, my friend would give thou hast learned and hast been as- written by Christians from the first cen- me materials which referenced or sured of, knowing from whom thou hast tury to the fourth century I was struck quoted the early Church fathers and learned them; And that from a child by the fact that the martyrs died horren- historical scholars. I decided that I thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, dous deaths, and that their primary goal would read these materials and find which are able to make thee wise to was that they might have the courage to where the Catholics had twisted the salvation through faith which is in glorify God in their death. I was also historical documents to support their Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by astounded by the amount of Scriptural position. inspiration of God, and is profitable for references made by these authors. doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for I focused on several areas: What kind These were not people who had strayed instruction in righteousness: That the of Church did the early church writers from the faith, but were people whose man of God may be perfect, thoroughly describe, the development of the sole desire was to please God. How furnished to all good works”. This text Church, and the doctrine of ‘sola scrip- could people who were so close to the supposedly proves that the Bible is all tura’ – the concept that the Bible is all Apostles, and yet described a worship we needed for faith and practice. you need for faith and practice. Many service that was liturgical and a Church of the materials I obtained were from structure that was hierarchical, get it so We see that Paul is encouraging Timo- Protestant authors. The overriding wrong so quickly? The impression that thy to hold to the Scriptures. The New theme was that the Church was estab- I was slowly developing was that they Testament hadn’t been compiled, so lished by Jewish Christians, and for didn’t get it wrong - they were right. clearly Paul is stating that the Old Tes- years after , the Church wor- tament scriptures provided enough evi- shiped in the Temple and partook of the I scheduled a lunch with an Orthodox dence to lead a person to Christ. Paul is Lord’s Supper in their homes (Act priest and presented him with a two- not stating the Scripture alone is our 2.46). It also became clear that the Jew- page list of questions regarding the complete guide. In the same chapter, ish Christians carried many of their Church and their position on various Paul mentions Jannes and Jambres. practices forward into the Church. This topics. The priest was very patient and Who were Jannes and Jambres? They would mean that the Church’s worship calm, an approach that was far different were magicians that resisted Moses. would be liturgical and their structure from what I was used to. Over time he However, Jannes and Jambres are (continued on page 4) hierarchical. presented me with materials on the 3

You might be Orthodox if….

• When you buy church shoes, you select comfort over style.

• You know how to say, “Lord, have mercy!” in at least two lan- guages.

• Your pastor is called a priest, and he’s married. Orthodox Church Forth Worth • You think ‘fast food’ refers to a vegetarian meal during .

My Journey to Orthodoxy (continued from page 3) mentioned nowhere in – and came to the Orthodox Church. The Paul’s comment comes to us from Jew- next four months were filled with ish oral tradition. countless situations where preachers, Orthodox Church family members, members of the Waco This lead me to 2nd Thess 2.15, church and friends engaged in lengthy “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and Bible studies, trying to persuade us of hold the traditions which ye have been our error. The capstone came when the taught, whether by word, or our epis- church sent a letter dis-fellowshipping tle.” This passage clearly points out us, at which time contact with us that we should hold to two items, tradi- ceased. tion taught by word and those things found in . Nowhere in the Bible Probably the most difficult situation to

does it state or imply that any tradition handle has been with our families. The was put to writing. This revelation was family, which had always been very Saint John the Baptist profound. What became clear is that close, now kept their distance. We Greek Orthodox Church God has always used Scripture and oral found out about birthday parties and Euless tradition. ‘Scripture only’ is a relatively other family events after the fact. Gath-

new phenomenon with origins in the erings with them are always tense. . However, the Orthodox Church in its wisdom has provided us with another The Next Step family. Upon entering the Church we Around this time I told my wife and were asked to select godparents. They children of my concerns, and as you have been our mentors and have wel- can imagine this came as an enormous comed us into their families in a very surprise. I spent a great deal of time real way. The children are now com- discussing everything that I had pletely immersed in the church attend- learned. They had numerous questions St. Demetrios Orthodox Church ing all the youth activities and have and doubts. I wanted to make sure, ab- Forth Worth made new friends. The church has also solutely sure, that I hadn’t overlooked opened their arms to us by asking us to or misinterpreted anything. I then went participate in many of the church activi- to the elders of the church and told ties as well as including us in the social them of my concerns. The initial reac- events. tion was casual, and the information that they provided for my study was The experience that we have in the equally superficial. It was when I chal- Church and its fullness is hard to de- lenged their position further that things scribe. While our journey has been changed rapidly. long and difficult, it has also been very fulfilling. I pray that God may I’m not sure what we were expecting, enlighten the eyes of those who have but the hostility and anger that we en- never experienced the one true and countered became very difficult to en- Holy Apostolic Church … the journey Saint Maximus the Confessor dure. It wasn’t long after that that we Orthodox Church, Denton is worth the travel. left the Church of Christ 4

How We Came to Orthodoxy communion with God humbled us be- in . We are being saved, grow- John and Laura Rutledge yond words. The sacramental aspect of ing in Christ through the sacramental St. Peter’s Antiochian Orthodox Church the liturgy forever changed our opinion life of the Church and an ongoing rela- Fort Worth Texas of what Sunday worship is and should tionship with Christ. We will be saved, be about. God truly was in our midst as by the mercy of God, at the Last Judg- When the leaders of the church to well as the heavenly hosts. Those who ment. Are we saved? Yes—we have which we formally belonged decided have gone before us in the faith are re- been saved, we are being saved, and we to let the culture define its truth and membered throughout the church year will be saved, by the grace of God. morality, we knew we had to find an- as inspiration for us to press on. other spiritual home for our family. Why do we need tradition when we But where? There seemed to be so We realized that the joining together of already have the Bible? much confusion in Christianity today. our family and church community with The Bible is the supreme expression of We wondered how the ancient church God through sacramental worship is God's revelation to man and Holy Tra- worshipped and what they believed. truly the focus of worship and our lives dition protects, defends, and interprets Where could we find that kind of faith should reflect that. The wisdom of our the Bible. Did you know that there are today? priest, who draws from the wisdom of over 2,200 denominations in the United the two-thousand year old Church and States today? Many of these denomina- Unbelievably, we found it around the the Church Fathers rather than the cul- tions claim that they alone correctly corner from our home. Almost at our ture at large, has brought new clarity to interpret Scripture, but they contradict doorstep! With outstretched arms an many perplexing topics of faith, such as each other. Sometime it seems that Orthodox Church community re- salvation, baptism, and . there are as many interpretations of ceived us even with all of our Scripture as there are interpreters. “baggage” and scars from splits and Although we can never fully grasp the division over doctrines of basic truths. mind of God, the Orthodox Christian Our Lord has harsh words for the The experience we felt the first time Church is truly a place where the time- empty and vain traditions of men; but we stepped into a worship service can less truths of the scriptures, forgive- this does not mean that all traditions are be likened to no other experience we ness, love, and communion with God bad. The word ‘tradition’ means that had had before. It took us away from the Father, Son, and are which is handed down. In 2nd Timothy the pain of our broken world to a preached and lived out with a sincere 2:2, for example, Paul exhorts Timothy, place of oneness with God. faithfulness. Our family has found our ‘And the things that you have heard spiritual home here on earth and daily from me among many faithful wit- To see a faith that truly and appropri- thanks the Lord for His goodness. We nesses, commit to faithful men who ately focused on repentance, forgive- hope and pray you will find your way will be able to teach others also.” ness, sacrifice, , and home too! Holy Tradition is the experience of the Holy Spirit in the Church. It was not Busy Brothers... Ortho FAQ (continued from page 8) the New Testament that produced the Two brothers, Cyril and Methodios, by the Lord and the three disciples as early Church—it was the early Church were sent as to the being quite alive! So it is with all the that produced the New Testament, Slavic people in 862 AD. They not saints who have departed this life in through the Holy Spirit. Likewise, the only preached the gospel of Jesus faith (Hebrews 12:22-24). The Orthodox Holy Spirit has guided the Church to Christ throughout the region- they practice of making requests to Mary and the correct interpretation of Scripture. also created the first written lan- the saints is Scriptural, and expresses Every time a Christian use expressions guage for the Slavic people. They faith in the power of God (Matt 22:29). such as ‘the Holy Trinity’, or ‘the two used a combination of Greek and natures of Christ’; they are borrowing Hebrew letters, to form what is now Are Orthodox Christians saved? from Holy Tradition of the Orthodox known as the Cyrillic alphabet! Yes! Orthodox Christians: Church, from whence these expressions • Confess with their mouth that Jesus is came. Lord. (Romans 10:9) • Are baptized in the name of the Father “He who does not know the and the Son and Holy Spirit. (Matt. truth cannot truly have faith; 28:19, Romans 6:3-11) for by nature knowledge pre- • Receive the holy and precious Body cedes faith. What is said in and Blood of our Lord and God and Scripture is said not solely for Savior Jesus Christ. (John 6:51-54) us to understand, but also for • Repent of and confess their sins. us to act upon.” (I John 1:9) Our Lady of Walsingham The Orthodox look at being saved in Saint Hesychios the Priest Orthodox Church terms of past, present, and future. We (d. 434 AD) Mesquite have been saved, being joined to Christ 9

Saints Constantine and Helen Orthodox Church, Dallas Saint Benedict Orthodox Church Wichita Falls A 20 YEAR QUEST Orthodoxy I discovered a vibrant spiri- Stan Shinn Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, tuality whose practices produced holi- ness and knowledge of God like noth- Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Dallas, Texas Dallas ing else I’d ever encountered. here was one moment of near de- T spair that I recall, which came over Less than three years after I’d first dis- me as I sat reading a dusty tome at the covered Orthodoxy, my wife and I with university library. It was 1986, and the our three children were blessed to be midpoint of my 20 year quest to find received into the Orthodox Church. We Orthodoxy, though I didn’t know it at left our shaky raft of spiritual uncer- the time. tainty and found haven in the protecting embrace of the Orthodox Church. I was raised in the Assemblies of God, and at that time attending a Disciples of During our first months within Ortho- Christ seminary, taught by an ecumeni- doxy we still had many questions. cal melting pot of Methodist, Roman Wouldn’t liturgical worship become Catholic, Baptist, and Presbyterian pro- dull and boring? We’d been steeped in Saint Paul the Apostle Orthodox Church fessors. I sought a denomination that rock-style Evangelical worship, enter- Denison most closely matched the faith and tained in all varieties of ways in church. practice of the early church. So I went Would our kids really “get it” and come to the library, intent on discovering the to a personal relationship with Christ? denomination I would call home. We’d left behind a world of Protestant resources where there was no lack of My denominational research left me classes and programs to educate and disappointed. For many days, I scanned entertain. over eight thousand Protestant denomi- nations, trying to find the true church. I We look back now and find no regrets. wasn't satisfied with any of them. In Our fears were groundless. Liturgical the following years, my wife and I worship? It is so refreshing to say the floated in and out of several denomina- prayers of our Fathers, and to know each word is right and true. Do our kids tions, never finding a place we could truly call home. “get it?” As I watch our family in Falling Asleep of the Ever-Virgin Mary preparation to receive communion and Romanian Orthodox Church Then a friend told me about Eastern our children actively seek forgiveness Colleyville Orthodoxy. They’re a branch of Roman from those they’ve wronged, I see the Catholicism, right? Wrong. As I began spirit of Christ’s grace made manifest to devour early church writings and in our family. history, I found many of my percep- tions of the early church were simply It’s good to be home. untrue. The Eastern Church had pre- served the early beliefs and practices of the Apostles without alteration, unlike the cauldron of changing beliefs and practices in the West. Nowhere in the Bible or in early history was it taught that the foundation of truth was ‘scripture alone’ (Sola Scriptura). Rather, Scripture itself reveals the church is the pillar and foundation of ’s Orthodox Church

truth. (1 Timothy 3:15). Fort Worth Saint Sava Orthodox Mission 8

You Can Always Come Home Ortho FAQ! By Marilyn Gabler Frequently Asked Questions Concerning the Orthodox Faith Saint Constantine and Helen Orthodox Church, Dallas

What’s with all the paintings? You will find the word ‘father’ is also aised in a Protestant church, I al- We call the paintings ‘icons’, which used in Scripture to describe a paternal R ways had a keen interest in other means image. Jesus Christ is the Image and pastoral relationship. For example, types of churches and even other types of God (Col. 1:15), and we are made in Job is described as ‘a father to the of religions. As I grew towards adult- the image of God (Gen 1:26). In Exo- poor’ (Job 29:16) and Paul tells the Co- hood, my curiosity changed into a dus 25 and 26, God commanded that rinthians that he is their father in Christ. search for the truth about Jesus Christ. images of cherubim should be con- (1 Cor. 4:15) This is the context of the The first major step, or really, quantum structed on the cover of the Ark and on word ‘father’ when we address our pas- leap, in my journey was when my hus- the curtains. These are images con- tor, who cares for us like a father cares band, Bill, said that he needed to show nected with the presence of God, and for his children. The term is simply an me the sacramental life, and took me to commanded by Him. affectionate and respectful way of rec- the Episcopal Church. We were in this ognizing his paternal and pastoral role But suppose you saw someone bowing church together for five years and wit- in our lives. before an icon, perhaps even kissing it? nessed many changes in the teachings Are they engaged in the worship of Why do you honor Mary? and moral fabric of the Episcopal idols? No, because in the image, we see You used the correct word in your Church. and honor the prototype. An icon of question, because we honor Mary; we After much prayer and spiritual direc- Christ reveals to us the Original. And do not worship her. Worship is for God tion, it was time for another step along through Him, as He taught us, we also alone! We really like Mary, a lot. She’s the way. Bill encouraged me go to a glimpse the Father. Icons become for us His mom! Like Abraham in the Old two week seminar at the University of windows to heaven, revealing the glory Testament, Mary showed perfect obedi- Notre Dame so that I could explore of God. Thus, we bow before the icons ence to God. She was , after all, the first Roman Catholicism, and compare and of Christ, seeing through it Him and to receive Jesus Christ as her Lord and contrast this doctrine with what I was His Father. Icons of the miracles of Savior. Mary was present throughout learning about Orthodoxy. During my Christ, of His followers, and of the an- His life, at His death, in the Upper two week stay in the Roman Catholic gels—all reveal the glory of God. Room at Pentecost, and at the Ascen- Church where I was taught by the mas- sion. Over time, the Orthodox Church Saint reminds us, ter leaders of their church, my thoughts has identified with Mary as a supreme “Abraham bowed down to the sons of and prayers never strayed from my ini- example of the faithful Christian. She Hamor, men who had neither faith nor tial quest for the truth about Jesus. received Christ, followed Him faith- knowledge of God...Jacob bowed to the fully, and told others to listen to Him. As I neared the end of this spiritually ground before Esau, his brother, and Mary did all of these things, and hence uplifting two weeks, I felt nurtured but also before the tip of his son Joseph's is worthy of our honor. The angel somewhat confused about many things. staff. He bowed down, but he did not Gabriel said she was full of grace, and Suddenly, one of the other attendees at adore. Joshua, the son of Nun, and the prophetess Elizabeth said she was the seminar said, “You can always Daniel bowed in veneration before an blessed among women. Can we say come home!” At that moment I real- angel of God, but they did not adore anything less? ized that the homecoming for all Chris- him.” tians must be the Orthodox Church, the The Orthodox view on Mary should not The icons are not mere decoration, nor church which was ordained by Jesus be confused with the doctrinal position objects of worship. Icons reveal and and became the Mother of all future of the Roman . We do manifest our Lord and the unseen heav- churches. When I arrived back in Fort not preach Mary—we preach Jesus enly host (Hebrews 12:1) of angels, Worth, I told my spiritual director that Christ. Mary is the family favorite, a saints, and martyrs. I had come home to Orthodoxy. Sev- person that we are all proud of. For us, eral months later, I was chrismated and Why do you call your , she represents the best that humanity have always known that I was welcome ‘Father’? has ever produced, a person who of- “at home.” In Matthew 23, Jesus says, “Do not call fered themselves totally to God. anyone on earth your father; for One is We have a special name for Mary, your Father, He who is in heaven. And ‘Theotokos’, which expresses the truth “There is something worse than not do not be called teachers, for One is that Jesus Christ is one Person, Who is reading the Scriptures, and that is to your teacher, the Christ.” Clearly, any- fully God and fully Man. Because the believe that this reading is useless.” one who believes that another human Person of Jesus is both God and Man, being is the source of their being and Saint John Chrysostom who was in the womb of Mary? We salvation is in grave error. Jesus Christ Pastor of answer that God in the flesh was in the is the only Mediator between God and ( d. 407 AD) (continued on page 7) man (1 Timothy 2:5). 5

Historic Roots , the basic creed of the Orthodox has preserved unchanged the original he Acts of the Apostles records the Church. At the Council of Carthage Faith of the Church, the Faith of the T held in 397, the of the Bible, list- Apostles and of the Seven Ecumenical birth of the Church at Pentecost, the ing all the books which make up the Councils. In Orthodox Christianity, the day of the descent of the Holy Spirit Bible, was confirmed. Ecclesial author- precious treasure of the early Church, upon the Twelve Apostles and those ity was vested in the four ancient Patri- true worship and true teaching, is alive gathered in the Upper Room. On Pente- archal jurisdictions of Jerusalem, An- and well in our day. cost, about three thousand souls be- tioch, Alexandria and Constantinople in lieved in Christ and were baptized. The the East; and the Western jurisdiction first Christian community was estab- of Rome. lished and Church history began. (Acts Wait a minute! 2:1-4, 41-47) The Orthodox Church Over time, many political, geographi- The claims of the Orthodox traces its roots in unbroken continuity cal and linguistic factors had an effect Church can sound a little arro- to that first Christian Church founded on the unity of the one holy catholic gant. Please understand that the by Jesus Christ and described in the (the word ‘catholic’ in this sense means Orthodox Church does not claim New Testament. It has kept intact the universal) and apostolic church. To- to be the perfect church! It is full Apostolic Faith. of sinners and hypocrites, so much ward the end of the first thousand years, During the first thousand years of the unity between the churches of the so that the words ‘forgive me’ are church history, the Church was one in East and the churches of the West be- part of every Sunday service. faith. This faith began in the days of the gan to be lost, and they gradually pulled The Orthodox Church would get Apostles, survived the persecutions, apart. In 1054, the Great Schism oc- along just fine without us, so we and was preserved from the internal curred which separated the Roman certainly can’t boast about our- challenges of heretical teachings by the Catholic Church from the Orthodox Church Fathers who remained true to Churches of the East. The history of selves. However, there is an unde- the Apostles’ doctrines. the Roman Catholic Church from that niable ‘paper trail’ as well as his- point on is well known. What is not torical and archeological evidence An is a gathering well-known is what was happening in which points to a single, glorious of bishops concerning matters that af- the East. The intent here is not to pre- fact: The Lord Jesus did not leave fect the entire church, world-wide. sent historical details. Instead, two im- us as orphans to be subjected to Seven Ecumenical Councils were held portant points will be made. First of all, conflicting doctrines and specula- which settled many issues and con- the Orthodox Church remained one tive interpretations. No! Our Lord firmed the beliefs handed down since united Church. The national jurisdic- sent the Holy Spirit to guide the the times of the Apostles. At the first tions that exist in the Orthodox Church, Church in all truth, the truth ‘once two Ecumenical Councils held in 325 they do not represent differences in be- and for all delivered’ (Jude 3). The AD and 381AD, a statement of faith, lief, worship or structure. They recog- New Testament church never died which witnessed to the truth always nize one another’s members and leaders out. Jesus Christ kept His promise held by the Church, was precisely ex- and are in with each to keep His church preserved and pressed . This is known as the Nicene other. Secondly, the Orthodox Church protected forever. 6

Ortho FAQ (continued from page 5) HOW TO LEARN MORE ABOUT womb of Mary. Mary is a human per- ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY son, just like us. And yet, because God became Man in Mary’s womb, the Per- here are many ways to obtain more information about the Orthodox son born of her is truly Man and truly T Christian Church. The first recommendation is to contact one of the Or- God. She is therefore called Theotokos, thodox Churches listed in this pamphlet. Many of them conduct inquirer’s which literally translated from the Greek classes or offer other classes about the Orthodox Faith. All welcome inquiries means God-bearer, or the Mother of and will assist you in learning about the Orthodox Church. Literature on Or- God. The use of the word Theo (God) is thodoxy is available from a variety of sources. Many churches have a well- a reference to Christ’s divinity. This is stocked book store. Catalogs are available from Orthodox seminaries or pub- not to say the Mary is equal to God, we lishing companies. Eight such sources are: are saying that the Son of God is One Person Who is fully God and fully Man.

I’ve heard Orthodox Christians say Conciliar Press St. Nectarios Press that they pray to a saint. What’s that all (800) 967-7377 http://www.orthodoxpress.org about? www.concilarpress.com Regina Orthodox Press Let’s start with the word ‘pray’. The 800-636-2470 first definition of the word concerns Eighth Day Books praying to God in worship. The second www.eighthdaybooks.com www.reginaorthodoxpress.com definition of the word is to make a fer- vent request. In the King James Bible, Holy Cross Bookstore St. Tikhon’s Bookstore for example, those who refuse the invi- www.holycross.hchc.edu (888) 454-6678 tation of the great feast (Luke 14) say, “I www.stots.edu/bookstore.htm pray thee, have me excused.” The word Light & Life Publishing ‘pray’ in this context means to make a (952) 925-3888 St. Vladimir’s Bookstore request. Christians often ask others to www.light-n-life.com (800) 204-2665 pray for them, as did Paul (1 Thess www.svspress.com 5:25). Applying the two meanings of the word ‘pray’, we see that Paul is praying (making a request) to the Thes- Recommended Reading: salonians to pray (to God) for him. There are many excellent books about the Orthodox Church. Among the most There is indeed one Mediator between popular are: God and Man, Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:5); but that does not exclude the prac- Becoming Ortho- tice of praying or making intercessions The Orthodox dox by Fr. Peter for one another, for “the prayers of a Church by Bishop Gillquist. The inspir- righteous man avails much” (James Timothy Ware is ing story of how a 5:16). the classic English group of over two language introduc- When we pray as worship, we pray to thousand evangelical tion to the history God. When we pray to Mary or the Christians discov- doctrines, and wor- saints, we are asking them to pray to ered the Orthodox ship of the Ortho- God for us. But, how can this be? How Faith. dox Church. can we make a request of a person who had had died? It is very simple: the faithful who have departed this life are not dead. They are alive in Christ, for Facing East: A Introducing the Or- “He is not the God of the dead, but of Pilgrim's Journey thodox Faith by Fr. the living, for all live to Him.” (Luke into the Mysteries Anthony Coniaris. 20:38). of Orthodoxy by An introduction to Frederica the beliefs, practices, There is no better example of someone Mathewes-Green and patterns of Or- conversing with a departed saint than A hilarious and thodox Christianity. our Lord Himself, who spoke with heartwarming jour- Moses at the Transfiguration (Matt 17). nal of one woman’s Moses had been dead and buried for discovery of the over a thousand years, and yet he is seen Orthodox life. (continued on page 9) 7