A new-style catechism on the Eastern Orthodox faith for adults

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THE EASTERN ORTHODOX CATHOLIC CHURCH 5 INTRODUCTION — CORRELATION OF FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE 17 The Purpose and Content of this Book 20 PROLEGOMENA — THE CHRISTIAN'S ACTIVE PARTICIPATION. ... 21 Importance of Man's Initiative 22 THE CHURCH AS THE CENTER OF MAN'S SALVATION 22 The Establishment of the Church by Christ 23 The Growth and Expansion of the Ecclesia — the Church 25 The Church as the Center of Man's Salvation 25 HOLY SCRIPTURE 27 The Number and Order of the Books of Old Testament 28 Significance of Septuagint—Old Testament Greek 29 Books and Order of the New Testament 30 Division of Scripture into Chapters and Verses 31 SACRED TRADITION 32 First Generation Taught by Tradition 32 Church kept Tradition Undefiled 33 Truths of Christ Taught Orally 35 SOURCES AND STANDARDS OF DOGMATICS 35 Formulated Truths of the Church 36 Systematic Statement of Truths 37 SYNOPSIS OF THE THREE SECTIONS OF THIS BOOK 38 SECTION ONE - FAITH PART ONE Chapter I. GOD 39 GOD IS UNSEEN AND INCOMPREHENSIBLE 40 FAITH THROUGH NATURE 40 FAITH THROUGH REVELATION 41 NATURAL FAITH 41 "ARGUMENTS" OR "PROOFS" OF EXISTENCE OF GOD 42 1. The Cosmoslogical Argument or Proof 42 2. The Teleological Argument 43 3. The Ontological Argument 43 4. The Historical Argument 4vJ 5. The Ethical Argument y CHRISTIAN CONCEPT OF THE "ARGUMENTS" 44 THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD « THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD ™ THE SOURCE OF GOD'S ATTRIBUTES *° THE DIVISIONS OF GOD'S ATTRIBUTES 4b GOD'S NATURAL ATTRIBUTES *i 1. The Ever-presence of God 2. The Eternity of God ;| 3. The Almightiness of God GOD'S LOGICAL ATTRIBUTES ** 1, All-knowledge of God ^0 2. The All-Wisdom of God GOD'S ETHICAL ATTRIBUTES 51 1. The Holiness of God 51 2. The Love of God "" 51 the triune god !!!!!!!!!!! 1 !!!!!!!!!!'! ! ! 52 The Holy Trinity in the Old Testament ....... '. .......... . 53 The Holy Trinity in the New Testament 53 THE PERSONS OF THE HOLY TRINITY '.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'. 54 Passages on the Person of the Father 54 Passages that refer to the Father as God 55 Passages on the Person of Christ 55 Passages that refer to Christ as God 55 Passages on the Person of the Holy Spirit 55 Passages that refer to the Holy Spirit as God 55 Passages Concerning the Divine Deeds of Christ 56 Passages Concerning the Godhead of the Father 56 Passages Concerning the Godhead of Christ 56 Passages Concerning the Godhead of the Holy Spirit 56 THE ORDER OF THE HOLY TRINITY 56 CHURCH TEACHING ON THE HOLY TRINITY 57 The Dogma of the Holy Trinity 58 The Procession of the Holy Spirit 58 The Filioque Phrase 59 Belief in the Holy Trinity 60 Chapter II. THE CREATION OF THE UNIVERSE 61 THE CREATION OF THE UNIVERSE OUT OF NOTHINGNESS 61 Theory of Creation Incomprehensible 62 THE CREATION OF THE UNIVERSE IN TIME AND SPACE.... 63 DIVISION OF TIME INTO DAYS AND SEASONS 63 GOD'S WISDOM PERSONIFIED 64 THE CAUSE AND THE PURPOSE OF THE UNIVERSE 65 MAN'S SALVATION ACCOMPLISHED 65 THE ORDER AND LAW OF THE UNIVERSE 66 CREATION NARRATED IN HUMAN TERMS 67 Chapter III. THE DIVINE PROVIDENCE OF GOD 68 THE PRESERVATION OF THE UNIVERSE 68 THE GOVERNANCE OF THE UNIVERSE 69 COORDINATION OF NATURAL AND PHYSICAL LAWS 70 EVIL IN RELATION TO GOD'S GOVERNANCE 70 Chapter IV. THE COSMOS 71 THE ANGELS OF GOD 71 The Demons — Fallen Angels 72 MAN 72 The Elements of Man 73 The Soul of Man 73 ADAM AS ANCESTOR OF THE HUMAN RACE 74 Excellences of Adam 74 THE NATURE OF ANCESTRAL SIN 75 Various Forms of the Temptor of Man 75 WEAKNESSES OF MAN 76 Scriptural Witness to Man's Weakness 76 FORGIVENESS OF MAN'S SIN 77 THE SUBSTANCE OF ANCESTRAL SIN 77 THE ORIGINAL STATE OF MAN '...'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'. 78 Scriptural Witness to Man's Possibility of Being Saved 78 THE FEELING OF GUILT IN MAN 79 CONSEQUENCES OF ANCESTRAL SIN. '.'.'.'.'..'.'.'.'..'.'.['.'.['.'.'.'.'.[['.'. 80 PART TWO Chapter V. MAN'S SALVATION IN JESUS CHRIST 81 THE BACKGROUND OF THE MISSION OF CHRIST 81 Christ Divided the World into Before and After Him 82 CHRIST AND HIS GOSPEL 82 THE PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST 83 Mutual Inherence of Two Natures 84 Sequences of the Two Natures in Christ 84 The Two Wills in Christ 85 The Sinlessness of Christ 86 One Adoration of Jesus Christ 86 THE VIRGIN MARY, THEOTOKOS — BEARER OF GOD 86 Chapter VI. THE THREEFOLD OFFICE OF CHRIST 88 THE OFFICE OF PROPHET IN CHRIST 89 THE OFFICE OF ARCHPRIEST IN CHRIST 89 The Sacrifice of Christ 90 THE OFFICE OF KING IN CHRIST 91 The Nature of Christ's Kingdom 91 CHRIST'S DESCENT INTO HADES 92 Chapter VII. THE APPROPRIATION OF MAN'S SALVATION 93 THE GRACE OF GOD 93 The Power of Divine Grace 94 Divine Grace as a Gift 94 Divine Grace Given to All 94 PREDESTINATION AND FREE WILL 95 Concerning Grace and Word of God 96 THE ENERGY OF THE GRACE OF GOD — JUSTIFICATION 96 The Preparation for Justification 97 Justification Witnessed in the Scriptures 98 THE SANCTIFICATION OF MAN 99 CONDITIONS AND MEANS OF JUSTIFICATION 99 Unity Between Faith and Love 100 GOOD WORKS 10° The Need of Good Works 101 Chapter VIM. ECCLESIA — THE CHURCH 102 THE FOUNDING OF THE CHURCH 102 CHRIST ENDOWS HIS CHURCH 103 THE ESSENCE OF THE CHURCH 104 The Purpose of the Church 105 The Church as "One" 105 The Unity of the Church in Faith 106 The Governance of the Church 106 The Church as "Holy" 106 The Church as "Catholic" l^ The Church as "Apostolic" 10 POSITION OF CHURCH ADMINISTRATORS — THE HIERARCHY 108 The Special Priesthood 109 The Assembly of Bishops — The Synod 110 Chapter IX. THE SACRAMENTS OF THE CHURCH Ill THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SACRAMENTS Ill THE DIVINE INSTITUTION OF THE SACRAMENTS 112 THE OFFICIATION OF THE SACRAMENTS 112 THE OFFICIATOR OF THE SACRAMENTS 113 THE RECIPIENT OF THE SACRAMENTS 113 HISTORICAL DETERMINATION & NUMBER OF SACRAMENTS 114 Designation of the Sacraments 115 The Number Seven 115 THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM 115 Cleansing of Sins — The Newness of Life 116 Concupiscence — The Tendency to Sin 117 The Perceptible Signs of the Sacrament of Baptism 117 Exceptions to Water-Baptism 118 The Officiator of the Sacrament of Baptism 118 The Recipient of Grace in Baptism 119 THE SACRAMENT OF CHRISMATION 119 The Two Forms of Chrismation 120 The Perceptible Signs in Chrismation 120 Preparation and Sanctification of the Myron 121 Preparation of the Recipient for Chrismation 121 THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY EUCHARIST 121 The Essence of the Elements of Sacrament 122 Institution of the Sacrament of Eucharist 122 The Church on the Eucharist 123 Christ in the Eucharist 123 Consequences of the Change of Elements of Bread and Wine. . . 124 The Fruits of the Holy Eucharist 125 The Consummation of the Eucharist 125 The Invocation, Epiklesis 126 The Officiator of the Eucharist 126 The Partaker of Holy Eucharist 127 The Holy Eucharist as Sacrifice 127 Substance and Fruits of Eucharist as Sacrifice 128 THE SACRAMENT OF REPENTANCE-CONFESSION 129 Institution of Sacrament of Repentance-Confession 129 The Power of the Church to Forgive 130 Principles of the Sacrament of Repentance-Confession 130 Repentance, First Principle of Absolution 131 Confession, Second Principle of Absolution 131 The Absolution of Sins JJj Penances for the Confessee JJj Human Satisfactions are a Denial of God's Absolution ldd THE SACRAMENT OF ORDINATION 133 Apostles and Fathers on Priesthood ijj* The Perceptible Signs of Ordination 134 Imparting of Divine Grace in the Sacrament 135 The Duties of the Three Degrees of Priesthood 1^5 Qualifications for Priesthood I36 ™»- « Pages The Sacrament for Sacraments 137 THE SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE.' '.['.'.'..'. ' 137 Marriage a "Great Mystery" 138 The Church on Marriage ' 138 Preceptible Signs in the Sacrament of Marriage. ............. Y. 139 The Imparting of Divine Grace in Marriage ................ 139 Institution of Monogamy in Paradise 140 Marriage as an Insoluble Institution. ................... 141 Reasons for Divorce ' 141 THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY UNCTION .' .' .' '. ...'. ' ' ..'.'..'. '. '. .....'. 142 Anointing Oil has no Physical or Miraculous Cure. ............. 142 The Fathers on Sacrament of Unction 143 Perceptible Signs in the Sacrament of Unction. ...... . . . . . . . . . ' 143 The Officiator of the Sacrament of Unction '. '. . . '. . . . . 144 Recipient of the Sacrament of Holy Unction. ........... '. 144 PART THREE Chapter X. ESCHATOLOGY—COMPLETION OF MAN'S SALVATION 145 MAN'S HOPE FOR THE FUTURE LIFE 145 The Future Life Incomprehensible 146 DEATH AS COMMENCEMENT OF FUTURE LIFE \ 146 FOUR "ARGUMENTS" FOR EXISTENCE OF FUTURE LIFE 147 1. Historical Argument 147 2. Teleological Argument 147 3. Ontological Argument 147 4. Ethical Argument 148 BELIEF IN FUTURE LIFE INHERENT 148 THE PARTIAL JUDGMENT 148 VERIFICATION OF THE PARTIAL JUDGMENT IN SCRIPTURE 149 Theories Concerning Partial Judgment 150 PARTIAL JUDGMENT A TRUTH OF THE CHURCH 150 THE TWOFOLD CONDITION OF SOULS 151 THE PARTIAL AND FINAL JUDGMENT 152 Chapter XI. THE MILITANT AND TRIUMPHANT CHURCH 153 THE INTERCESSION OF THE SAINTS 153 THE INTERCESSION OF ANGELS 154 CHRIST THE ONLY MEDIATOR 154 Prayers of the Saints 155 DISTINCTION BETWEEN WORSHIP OF GOD & VENERATION OF SAINTS 155 THE VENERATION OF ICONS & RELICS OF SAINTS 156 COMMEMORATION OF THE DEAD 157 RELATIONSHIP OF "BENEFITS" TO PARTIAL JUDGMENT 158 TEACHING OF CHURCH ON COMMEMORATION FOR DEAD 158 Chapter XII. THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST 160 NAMES FOR THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST 160 TIME OF THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST 161 SIGNS WHEN SECOND COMING WILL TAKE PLACE 161 THE MEANING AND SUBSTANCE OF FINAL JUDGMENT 162 New Testament References 162 THE FORM AND STANDARD OF FINAL JUDGMENT 163 THE CONSUMMATION OF THE WORLD 163 THE REDEMPTIVE MISSION OF CHRIST 164 EVERLASTING LIFE AND EVERLASTING HELL 165 WHEREABOUTS AND CONDITION OF JOY AND PUNISHMENT 165 MAN'S PREPARATION FOR ETERNAL LIFE 166 SECTION TWO - HOPE PART ONE Chapter I. HOPE IN PRAYER AND WORSHIP OF GOD 167 HOPE IN MAN'S NATURE 167 THE SACREDNESS OF HOPE. 168 THE MANY FACETS OF HOPE 169 PRAYER, THE MEANS TO ATTAIN GOD'S HOPE 170 PRAYER IN MANY ASPECTS OF LIFE 170 PRAYER AS AN INSTRUMENT. 171 MAN AS SANCTUARY OF PRAYER ........'.....'....'. 171 Chapter II. THE LORD'S PRAYER 173 THE MEANING OF THE LORD'S PRAYER 174 "Our Father" (each verse of Lord's Prayer explained) 174 THE DIVINE AND HUMAN ASPECTS OF LORD'S PRAYER 181 PART TWO Chapter III. SCRIPTURE AS THE SOURCE OF WORSHIP 182 NATURE OF WORSHIP IN THE OLD TESTAMENT 183 MORAL AND RITUAL OBEDIENCE OF WORSHIPPER 183 THE MOSAIC LAW OF WORSHIP 184 PROPHECY IN WORSHIP 184 PERSONAL WORSHIP IN THE OLD TESTAMENT 185 THE CORPORATE RITUAL AND WORSHIP 185 Temple Center of Corporate Worship . 186 THE RITUAL NATURE OF WORSHIP 186 THE SIGNIFICANCE OF WORSHIP IN THE OLD TESTAMENT 187 OLD TESTAMENT READINGS IN CHURCH SERVICES 187 Chapter IV. NATURE OF WORSHIP IN THE NEW TESTAMENT.... 189 THE INHERITANCE FROM JUDAISM 190 INDEPENDENCE OF CHRISTIAN WORSHIP FROM JUDAISM 190 THE NEW TESTAMENT IN WORSHIP 191 GOSPEL AND EPISTLE WRITINGS IN WORSHIP 191 The Epistle Writings 192 HYMNS OF WORSHIP IN THE NEW TESTAMENT 192 FEASTS OF WORSHIP IN THE NEW TESTAMENT 193 THE SIGNIFICANCE OF WORSHIP IN NEW TESTAMENT 193 Chapter V. NATURE OF WORSHIP IN THE PSALMS 194 ORIGIN AND DIVISIONS OF THE PSALMS 194 THE NUMBER AND ORDER OF THE PSALMS 195 CHARACTERISTICS OF PSALMS IN GROUPS 196 THE THEOLOGY OF THE PSALMS 196 THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GOD AND MAN 196 PROPHECY OF MESSIAH'S COMING IN PSALMS 197 PSALMS QUOTED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT " 197 PSALMS AND THE FATHERS OF THE CHURCH 198 SIGNIFICANCE OF PSALMS IN SERVICES OF THE CHURCH ' ' 198 MOST SIGNIFICANT PSALM — THE 23rd ' 199 THE 23rd PSALM — MAN'S ASPIRATION !!!!."."!!!!!!!!!"! 199 PART THREE Chapter VI. WORSHIP AS MAN'S HIGHEST DEVOTION TO GOD. . . . 201 THE SPIRIT AND TRUTH IN WORSHIP 202 THE HUMAN ELEMENT IN WORSHIP 202 THE TRUE WTORSHIPPER.. . 203 WORSHIP AND SALVATION 203 THE SACRED WTORD AND SACRAMENTS FOR SALVATION 204 THE WORD OF SALVATION 204 Chapter VII. WORSHIP IN THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS 206 SACRAMENTS REPEATED AND NOT REPEATED 206 GRACE OF GOD IN PERCEPTIBLE SIGNS 206 THE GRACE OF GOD IS EVER-WORKING 207 THE HOPEFUL EXPECTATION FROM THE SACRAMENTS 207 COMMENCEMENT OF CHRISTIAN LIFE 208 WORSHIP IN SACRAMENTS FOR NEWNESS OF LIFE 208 WORSHIP IN THE DIVINE LITURGY 209 THE VARIOUS FORMS OF LITURGIES 210 Chapter VIM. THE LITURGY OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM 211 FORMS AND PARTS OF THE DIVINE LITURGY 211 SACRED EXTERNAL SIGNS OF THE LITURGY 212 CEREMONIAL FORM AND WORSHIP IN DIVINE LITURGY 212 Kingdom of God 212 Petitions 212 The Antiphons 213 The Litany 213 Hymns of the Eight Tones 213 Small Entry with the Gospel 214 The Thrice-Holy Hymn 214 The Epistle and Gospel Readings 215 The Sacred Writers of the Gospel 215 The Great Entrance with Holy Gifts 215 The Ectenia of the Oblation 216 Short Creed 217 The Nicene Creed 217 Sanctification of the Holy Gifts 218 The Virgin Mary, Theotokos, Saints and Worshippers 218 The Ectenia Before the Lord's Prayer 219 The Lord's Prayer 219 The Elevation of the Amnos 220 The Offering of Holy Communion 220 The Thanksgiving Prayers 221 The Dismissal Prayers 221 Dismissal for Commencement of Devotion 222 THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE DIVINE LITURGY 222 THE SERVICE OF OBLATION, PROTHESIS 223 Chapter IX. OTHER SACRED SERVICES OF WORSHIP ,] 224 THE SERVICES OF THE DAILY CYCLE \ ' ' "' 225 1. The Service of Vespers 225 2. The Service of the Great Complines ......................... 225 3. The Service of Nocturnes 226 4. The Service of Morning Prayers (Orthros, Matins) .......... 226 5. to 8. The Services of the Hours (Watches) .... 226 The Service of the Imperial (Royal) Hours 227 THE 24-HOUR CYCLE OF THE DAY * ' 227 THE DIVINE LITURGY 227 SMALL SERVICE FOLLOWING DIVINE LITURGY. [.. . '...[ [ [ ] '. 227 Commemoration of the Dead ' ] 227 Service of Artoklasia 228 Service of the Adoration of the Cross 228 Service of Exaltation of the Cross !!!!!!.!!..! 228 Service of Doxology 228 LITURGY OF THE PRESANCTIFIED GIFTS 228 THE SERVICES OF THE WEEKLY CYCLE 229 THE SERVICES OF THE YEARLY CYCLE. 229 HOLY WEEK SERVICES 230 OTHER SERVICES 230 LITURGICAL BOOKS OF SERVICES OF CHURCH 231 SECTION THREE - LOVE PART ONE Chapter I. LOVE AND CHARITY 233 THE LOVE OF GOD FOR MAN 234 THE LOVE OF NEIGHBOR AND SELF 234 THE TRUE NATURE OF LOVE FOR NEIGHBOR 235 LOVE EXPRESSED IN GOOD WORKS 236 THE MEANING OF "NEIGHBOR" 236 THE GOOD SAMARITAN 237 THE LOVING BROTHER TO THE NEIGHBOR 237 THE FAILURE TO SERVE "THE LEAST" 238 THE CROWNING EPITOME OF CHRISTIAN LOVE 239 APPLICATION OF CHRISTIAN LOVE — GOLDEN RULE 239 Chapter II. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS 241 THE MEANING OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS 242 The First Commandment — Covenant 242 "Other Gods" 242 Second Commandment — Idolatry 243 Third Commandment — Name 243 Taking of an Oath 244 Fourth Commandment — Sabbath 244 Fifth Commandment — Family 245 Children's Love for Parents 246 Sixth Commandment — Murder 246 Various Forms of Murder 247 Seventh Commandment — Adultery 247 Eighth Commandment — Steal 248 Ninth Commandment — False Witness 248 Tenth Commandment — Covetness 249 THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS 249 THE FULFILLMENT OF THE LAW OF GOD 250 PART TWO Chapter III. THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT 251 THE CONTENT AND MEANING OF THE SERMON 252 Introduction in Sermon 252 The Beatitudes 253 Salt and Light 254 The Fulfillment of the Ancient Law 254 Attitude of Jesus Toward Law 254 The Law on Murder 255 Reconciliation with Friends and Enemies 255 Law on Adultery and Uprooting of Evil Thoughts 256 The Law on Divorce 256 The Law on Oaths 257 The Law on Revenge 257 Love for One's Enemies 257 Pious Works and their Practices 258 Almsgiving 258 Prayers 259 The Lord's Prayer 259 Fasting 259 True Devotion to the Trust in God 260 Clear Sight 260 True Loyalty 261 Faith in God, and Against Anxiety 261 Judgment of Others 262 The Right Way of Presenting the Gospel 262 The Answer to a True Prayer 263 The Golden Rule 263 The True Discipleship J 6 * The Narrow Way j64 The Test of Goodness jjjjj Judgment and Its Criterion 265 Hearers and Doers of the Sayings ^b Astonishment of the Hearers of Jesus ••••••••• *5)J CORRELATION OF THE OLD & NEW IN PERSON OF CHRIST 267 CONCLUSION TWO NEW COMMANDMENTS — GROUND OF FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE ^9 The Three Sections of this Treatise THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON 27U The Nature of the Parable fij The Outline of the Parable ' Meaningful Message of Parable