What does Russian Orthodox Church believe?

Orthodox belief holds that the Orthodox Church is Christianity’s true, holy, and apostolic church, tracing its origin directly to the institution established by Jesus Christ. Orthodox beliefs are based on the Bible and on tradition as defined by seven ecumenical councils held by church authorities between A.D.

What are the three stages of Orthodox spirituality?

The Christian Orthodox fathers maintain that not only is salvation a process, but when broken down, may be divided into three distinct stages: purification, illumination, and union. Additionally, each stage corresponds to one of the three levels of being: body, soul, and spirit.

What is doctrine of deification?

Abstract. Deification in the Greek patristic tradition was the fulfilment of the destiny for which humanity was created — not merely salvation from sin but entry into the fullness of the divine life of the Trinity.

What does the Orthodox Church believe about salvation?

The Orthodox believe that there is nothing that a person (Orthodox or non-Orthodox) can do to earn salvation. It is rather a gift from God. However, this gift of relationship has to be accepted by the believer, since God will not force salvation on humanity.

How is Orthodox different from Christianity?

Orthodox: Conforming to approved doctrine. Christian: Follower Of Christ. Protestants confess straight to God, Catholic confess mortal sins to a Priest, and venial sins straight to God (Orthodox have similar practice) Anglicans confess to Priests but considered optional. God always forgives sins in Jesus.

Do Protestants believe in theosis?

Theosis is not emphasized in Protestant theology except among Quakers who believed that they experienced celestial inhabitation and Methodists/Wesleyans, whose religious tradition has always placed strong emphasis on entire sanctification, and whose doctrine of sanctification has many similarities with the Catholic/ …

What is the biggest difference between Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Christianity?

The Catholic Church believes the pope to be infallible in matters of doctrine. Orthodox believers reject the infallibility of the pope and consider their own patriarchs, too, as human and thus subject to error.

Can you be both Catholic and Orthodox?

Most Orthodox Churches allow marriages between members of the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church. Because the Catholic Church respects their celebration of the Mass as a true sacrament, intercommunion with the Eastern Orthodox in “suitable circumstances and with Church authority” is both possible and encouraged.

What Bible does the Orthodox Church use?

The Orthodox Study Bible (OSB) is an Eastern Orthodox study Bible published by Thomas Nelson. It features an English translation of the St. Athanasius Academy Septuagint for the Old Testament and utilizes the New King James Version for the New Testament.

What is theosis Orthodox?

Theosis (Greek: θέωσις), or deification (deification may also refer to apotheosis, lit. “making divine”), is a transformative process whose aim is likeness to or union with God, as taught by the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Byzantine Catholic Churches.

Are Orthodox Christians saved?

In order to be saved one must live by the truth and love of God. It is the common teaching of the Orthodox Christian tradition that the Church has no monopoly on grace and truth and love. The Church teaches on the contrary that God is the Sovereign Lord who saves those whom He wills.

What is the meaning of Orthodox Christianity?

Orthodox means adhering to accepted norms and creeds – especially in religion. In Christianity, the term means “conforming to the Christian faith as represented in the creeds of the early Church.” The Orthodox Church is one of the three main Christian groups – the others are the Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches .

What is the theology of God?

Theology is the study of God, His nature, attributes, character, abilities, revelation, etc. True theology is found in the Bible which is the self-revelation of God. “The God of Christian theology is the OT God, the Father of Jesus Christ, and the word is the divine Word which became flesh in Jesus Christ.

What are Orthodox Christians?

Orthodox Christianity. The form of Christianity maintained by the Eastern Orthodox Church. Orthodox means “correct in teaching”; Orthodox Christians consider the Roman Catholic Church and the Protestant churches to be incorrect in some teachings, including the relations between the persons of the Trinity.