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Why Do We Call Ourselves "Catholic Orthodox" and Not Just Christians

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Why Do We Call Ourselves Why do we call ourselves "Catholic Orthodox is not only the persistence on the external cloak over anyone who falls into sin and shield aspects of tradition, but the experience of its him. And if you cannot take his fault on yourself Orthodox" and not just Christians? inner life, which is the ascetic method - and accept punishment in his place, then do not The words catholic and orthodox were used by purification, illumination and theosis. This method, destroy his character.” the ancient fathers of the Church who these stages of spiritual life are the foundation of the traditionally are the Christian writers of the first dogmas, the basis of ecclesiastical art, but also the few centuries. They used these words to describe creative cause of the ethos and customs of our What is the meaning of salvation? the church as it related to its place, mission and people; because this theology saturated our "I believe, along with the Church and according to message to the world. forefathers prior to our westernization. For this the Tradition of the Church that everyone who believes in Christ in an orthodox manner, who Ignatius of Antioch was the first to use the Greek reason we must struggle to keep this inner aspect of tradition, the method of Orthodox piety, through fulfills His commandments, and who is cleansed word katholikos (καθολικός), meaning “universal”, from his transgressions of the commandments "complete" and "whole" to describe the church. It is which we are healed. Then we are truly zealots of patristic traditions. For, even if we have the best through repentance, will be saved." from this word katholikos [St. Ignatius Brianchaninov, Collected Letters, Moscow, 18, On love, intentions; outside of this ascetic, therapeutic ("according to the whole") that we get the word mental prayer and repentance] catholic. When Ignatius wrote the Letter to the method, we run the risk of becoming enemies and adversaries of Orthodoxy. What is a church? Smyrnaeans in about the year 107 and used the word catholic, he used it as if it were a word already "The church has no need of external bonds to be in use in his time. This has led many scholars to What is not orthodox? one. It is neither a pope nor a patriarch nor an conclude that the title Catholic Church with all its Seeking worldly recognition in the eyes of men archbishop which unites the church. The local connotations may have been in use as early as the and a corrupted society by merely understanding church is something complete. Besides, the the administrative, legal unity of the church relations of the churches are relations between last quarter of the 1st century. (instead of true, mystical unity which only can churches, and not relations which belong The word orthodox was first used early on to exist in the authentic orthodox way of life) is exclusively to their bishops ... - A bishop cannot distinguish the faith from various different belief spiritually detrimental, utterly false and not at all be conceived of without a flock or independent systems that were quite different from the original Orthodox. The forming of self-styled of his flock." [Dr. Kalomiros, in Against False Union, 1967] message. It is a combination of the two Greek organizations in mutual recognition with the Does patriarchalism define the church? words orthos and doxa. Orthos means "straight" purpose of denouncing others as being "not There is no Orthodox Canon or doctrine or "correct"; doxa means "glory", "worship" as canonical" or in proclaiming themselves as the requiring that every canonical, local or world- well as "doctrine". So the word orthodox signifies only "legitimate" ones, constitutes the grave sin wide jurisdiction must be in full communion both "proper worship" and "correct doctrine". of “condemning one's brother and sister”! Just as Jesus Christ, true Orthodox Christians with the Ecumenical Patriarch of (St.Ephraim; Matthew 20:25-28) Constantinople (Istanbul), Turkey, or any other are not defined by the company they keep, but by Patriarch. Though the Patriarch in living the faith. The important thing to How do we seek a life of holiness? remember is that both words were used to Constantinople of times long passed has the In the seventh century St. Isaac the Syrian wrote historic title of "first among equals" among describe the church’s place, mission and the following in regards to living the Christian message to the world way before they were used all Orthodox Patriarchs, serving many times as life: its spokesman, but at no time exercising as objective titles of particular churches, as they are only understood to this day. In order to fully "Let yourself be persecuted, but do not persecute "temporal jurisdiction" over all Orthodox understand their original meaning and use in the others. Let yourself be crucified, but do not dioceses around the globe. Canonically, he is early church, we will proceed by asking a few crucify others. Let yourself be insulted, but do merely the 270th successor of the Apostle questions so that we can better understand what not insult others. Andrew. it means to be orthodox. Let yourself be slandered, but do not slander others. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep What is "canonical"? The essence of being canonical constitutes following What makes one Orthodox? with those who weep. Such is the sign of purity. Suffer with the sick. Be the teachings of Jesus Christ in: Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos of Nafpaktis 1. The dogmatic proclamations and the doctrines Greece, a modern-day church Father, afflicted with sinners. Exult with those who of the Seven Ecumenical Councils; summarizes it this way: What makes man an repent. Be the friend of all. But in your spirit remain alone. Spread your © 2013 by CTGS 2. A diocese or church body being in communion emergence of the Old Catholic Church of Utrecht, (whether formally or not) with all jurisdictions Holland when once again during Vatican I, it was or branches which have remained faithful to the declared that the Pope was infallible. It seems that Orthodox Christian way of life in both teaching every time the Pope makes an affirmation of his and practice; authority a split occurs in our Lord's Body. This 3. The bishops having a legitimate Orthodox authoritarian approach to Church governance is an Apostolic Succession and Tradition. This means error, we have seen it only lead to heartbreak and that Apostolic Succession is always rooted in destruction of our Church. Our Lord's prayer in Holy True Orthodoxy Apostolic Tradition, not a mere independent Gospel of St John was for Unity in love, not just laying on of hands. conformity! Jesus wants us all to express our Love In all due respect, being part of a particular branch for Him however it may move a tradition within or Synod obviously does not make one canonical. orthodoxy and fullness of the sacramental faith. This is especially crucial, as certain parts of Orthodoxy in modern times seem to have changed How do I join the Independent Catholic the Orthodox understanding of 'canonical' into a Orthodox Church? new version of papacy. Their definition of 'canonical' If you are a baptized or dedicated Christian, all you is focused on being recognized, for instance, by the need to do is come to Church and introduce yourself Patriarch of Constantinople, as if he were some sort to the priest or deacon, and tell one of them that you of Eastern pope. They appear to have adopted the wish to join. If you have not been baptize the priest ecclesiology of Roman Catholicism by making or deacon will start you on instruction and meet with legitimacy or canonicity dependent upon recognition you regularly until your baptism. Adults and by a particular Patriarch or Pope. It is as if by being children old enough to understand fully what they in communion with a particular segment of are doing, will be Baptized, Confirmation and receive Orthodoxy, whether Patriarchal or not, somehow the Eucharist all in the same ceremony. All priests in would make one Orthodox. This "neopapal" concept our diocese are delegated to Confirm as in the has no historical precedent in Holy Orthodoxy and Eastern Orthodox Church. There are times and Christianity contradicts centuries of Orthodox tradition back to situations that an infant will be Baptized, Confirmed the times of the Holy Apostles (Luke 9:49-50). and receive the Eucharist as practiced in the early or church. What is Catholic Orthodox Unity? Churchianity? Today, if one looks to the Eastern Orthodox, you will Daily Prayer see pretty much how the early churches were Let us pray that we will not allow the negative governed and run independently of each other. The state of others to transform our hearts, but eastern churches better known as Russian, Greek, rather that we be conformed by the love of Coptic, Etc. Orthodox still maintain much of the way Christ. May we always recognize the love of God they were organized in ancient times. While in the in and among us, and stand firm in our west we see the Pope in Rome heading over the opposition to any form of hatred, bigotry and Roman Catholic Church as one supreme, infallible malice. In the challenges of life, let us always Papal leader. We know this to be an incorrect way of remember that our struggle is spiritual. leading our Lord's Church. If we look to history we see that every time Papal supremacy has been It is not flesh and blood that we wrestle against, but principalities and powers, rulers of darkness exerted we have splits within the Church, only just St Xenia of Rome starting in 1054 A.D.
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