Exploring Orthodox Christianity - The One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church

One thing that trips up people looking into Orthodoxy is the icons. I know for me, coming from Mormonism(I have since resigned my membership) where it is taught to not wear a cross and that just about any physical thing we spend time with could be considered sinful 'idol worship' of 'graven images', then to Orthodoxy where the cross is worn and icons are venerated... I had some questions.

Looking into the history and biblical/cultural justifications of venerating icons/praying in the presence of icons cleared up any doubts I previously held about it.
Read Jay Dyer's article - BIBLICAL DEFENSE OF ICONS: [link to jaysanalysis.com (secure)]

Iconography: [link to orthodoxwiki.org (secure)]

Veneration: [link to orthodoxwiki.org (secure)]

FAQ about icons: [link to orthodoxinfo.com]

3 and a half hour documentary 'The Icon'

[link to www.youtube.com (secure)]

The Church started with Jesus and the apostles, not Emperor Justinian a millennium later. Period.

The history of the Orthodox Christian church is rich and colorful, and oftentimes completely unheard of in the West. Have you ever even seen the Orthodox Christian Church mentioned anywhere in popular media/culture?

Here's a two part video history lecture:

The Byzantine Christian Empire (Part 1)

The Byzantine Christian Empire (Part 2)

y/t channel Ryan Reeves


High quality videos regarding the early history of the Orthodox Church are few and far between, I'm always looking for more. The music is also beautiful, hymns and chants... could listen to them all day.


For some reason I cannot link directly from youtube, you'll have to search them yourself I guess.

I can't say much for RCC myself besides they are considered heretical to Orthodox Christians. You might like listening to this debate, should clear things up for you.

Jay Dyer Debates Nick Fuentes of America First Media - Roman Catholicism Vs Orthodoxy

[link to www.youtube.com (secure)]

That's great to hear! I'm Greek Orthodox. I actually just got the book On the Cosmic Mystery of Jesus Christ the other day. I

You should definitely get Orthodoxy and the Religion of the Future by Father Seraphim Rose. Also look up Father Spyridon on youtube. He has great inspiring clips usually 4-6 min s long. But it's inspiring to say the least. He also has some books. The Ancient Path is great. A lot of knowledge about Orthodoxy. Also, Orthodoxy and the kingdom of satan.

God bless.

it is good to know that some people actually research the Source of their Belief System, especially NOW, when it is so easy ... because so many people have shared their finding and documented them.

The Catholic (world) Church, is not the original Religion on earth, there are many older ... but it is what inspired Christianity - and was the most successful form of Hierarchy for a very long time - it did Unify Cultural differences ... but it appears, after centuries of deception that Humanity has out-grown the need for a God that totally ignores his children and allows his son Lucifer to enforce his Commandments, without Virtue . Humanity has finally comprehended the fact that if they are to be "saved" - they need to save themselves... that the truth about Religion is what will set them free from a life time of slavery

I don't agree with your new age analysis that humanity can 'out-grow' our need for God(Trinity) the creator of humanity.

Orthodoxy & The Religion of the Future: UFOs & Cult Psy Op -Jay Dyer

[link to www.youtube.com (secure)]


I may need to make a new thread about Sanhedrin, vatican, kushner, UN, islam, Chabad Lubavitch. They are working together to bring about Noahide law, by their definition Talmudic Law, which calls for the beheading of all Christians.

Last Edited by +TwentyTwoTooMany on 12/19/2018 08:20 PM

I prefer being a Protestant.

OP TwentyTwoTooMany,

I believe in Jesus Christ.

What do YOU say that I need the men of Rome for?

OP TwentyTwoTooMany,

Who do YOU say that Jesus Christ is?

OP TwentyTwoTooMany,

Do you even know what "church" means?

Hello?

I briefly looked into Protestantism, my grandfather had left Mormonism to join a Protestant church so I figured I had to look into it a bit. I have to say I thoroughly enjoy their style of preaching from time to time. I spent some time listening to Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaching online and read about half of the book Preaching for Preachers. Orthodoxy, however, completely outclasses it once you look into it enough.

Protestantism & Evangelicalism Refuted - Orthodox Theology - Jay Dyer

[link to www.youtube.com (secure)]

OP TwentyTwoTooMany,

Do you believe in God?

there are many paths they all lead to Christ

I am orthodox also

we celebrate on 7th jan

Interesting. I am currently reading: Russia and the Russians...a history from the beginning. So, obviously in depth on Byzantium and Orthodoxy. With Russia being the 3rd Rome.

However, this particular history book does not fully explain the beginnings of the Orthodox church..and how West and East split. So...I need to find that out..before further exploration.

Jesus established one Church.

Taking up your cross and follow Jesus.

Orthodox means what is traditionally accepted as true, so the Catholic Church is the orthodox Church. It was established by Jesus and the apostles and has at least 1,000 years on any other Christian denomination.

Abraham had more than 1 door

Orthodox Christianity is not the Roman Catholic Church.

Please stop posting nonsense in this thread. Spam and nonsense will be reported.

I'm with you. But I do like some of the music (despite multitudinous references to Theotokos).

OP, have you heard of this station yet? [link to www.ancientfaith.com (secure)]

If you are truly interested in finding out what the Orthodox Christian church believes please listen/watch the Catechesis from the OP.


The meaning of Catholicity is in video 5 at about the 50 minute 30 second mark, listen for a few minutes and you will have your answer.


[link to youtu.be (secure)]

Wherever the Divine Liturgy is being celebrated, the fullness of God is there.

Changing one massively religitarded turd for another giant dookie. Well, at least it's not pisslam ...


It's called exotism.

But if you honestly think it's somehow absolved from all of the atrocities committed by the R.C.C or it being closer to the truth, then you're just deluded. Their have been equal amounts of abuse of power, corruption and pedophilia in that religious denomination. It's a religion ... Daaaah ...

I am Orthodox also. I was raised Roman Catholic, but started to attend Divine Liturgy at a Melkite and then a Byzantine Catholic Church, 27 years ago.
I crossed over to Orthodox last year. The Liturgy is the same as the Byzantine Catholic, except Orthodox is not under the pope.
I have found peace.

MARY is called Theotokos, meaning "God-bearer" or "the Mother of God", because she bore the Son of God in her womb and from her He took His humanity. Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, recognized this reality when she called Mary, "the Mother of my Lord" (Luke 1:43). Mary said of herself, "All generations shall call me blessed" (Luke 1:48). So we, Orthodox, in our generation, call her blessed. Mary lived a chaste and holy life, and we honor her highly as the model of holiness, the first of the redeemed, the Mother of the new humanity in her Son. It is bewildering to Orthodox Christians that many professing Christians who claim to believe the Bible never call Mary blessed nor honor her who bore and raised God the Son in His human flesh.

More.. [link to www.ocf.org]


Are you denying the divine nature of Christ while in Mary's womb? The Orthodox view clarifies the issue so that we don't fall into heresy.


As for Ancient Faith Radio I can't say I have found that site very helpful for basic information about the Orthodox Church.

Jay Dyer has even recently exposed them for producing programs that promote heretical activity/doctrine:

Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick Refuted - Jay Dyer

[link to www.youtube.com (secure)]

Something I came across while investigating the Orthodox Church is the use of the 'Jesus Prayer.' "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."


"In his letter to the Romans, Saint Paul instructs Christians to “be constant in prayer” (Rom 12.12). In his first letter to the Thessalonians he says simply, “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess 5.17).

These two commands of the apostle have been interpreted in the Orthodox tradition in two different ways. The first way, mentioned by Saint John Chrysostom and Saint Dimitry of Rostov, is that Christians should have regular times for prayer which they never skip—“in the evening and the morning and at noon day” (Ps 55.17)—and then in between they should always remember God and do all things to His glory (cf. 1 Cor 10.31), offering up supplications and petitions as the need may arise, praising and thanking when the occasion requires it. Such is the normal way that all Christians must live......"

"......The second way of interpreting the teachings about unceasing prayer is that men should actually pray with conscious awareness at every moment of their lives, and even in their unconscious selves while their bodies are sleeping. This understanding of “unceasing prayer” was developed in the monastic tradition, but then spread rapidly throughout the whole membership of the church. It became very popular in recent times, mostly through the appearance of the book by the anonymous Russian peasant called The Way of the Pilgrim....."

[Less than 50%] Continued: [link to oca.org (secure)]


The second interpretation of 'pray without ceasing' in the Orthodox church was completely new to me. It seems to always be a work in progress type of thing with my prayer life. I would have simply brushed off a 'canned' prayer as something the Pharisees/heathens would do from what I had been taught before. Following a prayer rule, or calling on the name of Jesus doesn't seem vain to me. Looking into it deeper has only strengthened my resolve in pursuing a more full prayer life.

The Jesus Prayer burns the demons

[link to www.youtube.com (secure)]

Orthodox Christian Jesus Prayer Chant in English

[link to www.youtube.com (secure)]


I don't have a prayer rope or beads for myself yet but I imagine it will help me grow in my prayer life and I intend to pick some up soon.

Thank you for this valuable thread. Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones.

Bump to follow