Are there Charismatic Orthodox?

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Are there any Charismatic Orthodox? People who accept the spiritual gifts listed in the new testament.

Romans 12:3-8

3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his[a]faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

1 Corinthians 12

Spiritual Gifts

1Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 2You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
4There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.

7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.** 11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.**
 
Charismatic activity pops up in Orthodox parishes only where there is a very low level of spiritual, liturgical, and sacramental life.
 
firstmode said:
Are there any Charismatic Orthodox? People who accept the spiritual gifts listed in the new testament.
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To paraphrase an eastern Catholic priest I know, the Orthodox church is inherently charismatic. No one else invokes the Holy Spirit like the eastern church.

But if you are using the 19th/20th century Pentecostal model of worship as your standard you will not recognize it.

http://www.saintelias.com/foto/big/gdbrrdom_icon.jpg
Holy Theotokos praying in orans posture
 
firstmode said:
Are there any Charismatic Orthodox? People who accept the spiritual gifts listed in the new testament.

Romans 12:3-8

3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his[a]faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

1 Corinthians 12

Spiritual Gifts

1Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 2You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
4There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.

7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.** 11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.**

I know quite a few Orthodox people who are part of an ecumenical charismatic community. But their churches aren’t charismatic, except in the sense mentioned by Hesychios above. 🙂
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Thanks for the info guys. I was not saying they need to look like a Pentecostal church, don’t get me wrong. I was wondering if they look like the church shown in Acts and Corinthians when it comes to the external use of the spiritual gifts for the edification of the body. Something that Paul covers greatly in 1 Corinthians 12 through 14.

Do they speak in tongues with an interpretation following, speak in tongues for person edification and prayer to God, express a word of knowledge, a word of wisdom, express prophecy, cast out demons, or lay hands on the sick to heal them miraculously like the charismatic Catholics and the pentecostal traditions?

I am just wondering how the EO do things. I never knew about the details of the charismatic Catholic movement before coming to this message board and hearing people’s personal experiences in the movement. I know the Catholic church has an office of the Exorcist, does the EO church have Exorcists?
 
Cluny said:
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Orthodoxy IS the Church of Acts and Corinth.
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Cool! Iove the instruction given to the church of Corinth on church service:

1 Corinthians 14

Gifts of Prophecy and Tongues

1Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. 2For anyone who speaks in a tongue[a] does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.** 3But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. 4He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5I would like every one of you to speak in tongues,[c] but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues,[d] unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.

26What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. 27If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.
29Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 30And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. 31For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 32The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. 33For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.
As in all the congregations of the saints, 34women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. 35If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.

36Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? 37If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. 38If he ignores this, he himself will be ignored.*

39Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.***
 
firstmode said:
Do they speak in tongues with an interpretation following, speak in tongues for person edification and prayer to God, express a word of knowledge, a word of wisdom, express prophecy, cast out demons, or lay hands on the sick to heal them miraculously like the charismatic Catholics and the pentecostal traditions?

I know the Catholic church has an office of the Exorcist, does the EO church have Exorcists?
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For one of the best information of how the Orthodox Tradition views true Charismatic as practiced in the Orthodox Church vs. the false Charismatic movement which began in the Protestant Churches in the early 1900’s and flowed into the Catholic Church in the mid 1900’s, I would recommend that you read the book by the Monk Seraphim Rose: Orthodoxy and the Religion of the Future.

As far as “tongues” go - remember the New Testament was written in Greek. The Greek usage of that word means “Languages”
First example: At Pentecost, remember that when the Apostles spoke everyone there heard him in their own native ‘language’.
Second example: When I was 8 and attended a Nazarene Church kids Youth Group type thing - there were visitors there that day - Missionaries from somewhere in South or Central Amercia. They recounted how when their family arrived in this remote village, none of them spoke Spanish, but when they woke up the next day - each member of their family was miraculously completely fluent in the dialect of Spanish unique to that village.

That is an example of the real gift of “tongues” aka the gift of “languages”.

Yes, every priest is an exorcist in the Orthodox Church. The Rite of Exorcism is perform them prior to baptism of infants and converts. Here is a link for more information and a brief quote below: goarch.org/ourfaith/ourfaith7079

"From the Orthodox theological point of view, the following can be considered exorcists:

Christ is the exorcist par excellence for it is He who won the victory over the power of the devil.
Priests in the performance of the holy sacraments and in preaching the word of God follow Christ’s example.
All Orthodox Christians are exorcists as they struggle against personal sin and social evil. In fact, “the whole Church, past, present and future, has the task of an exorcist to banish sin, evil, injustice, spiritual death, the devil from the life of humanity.” Archbishop Iakovos, in a sermon at the Sage Chapel, Cornell University, spoke on exorcism in the following manner: “Both healing and exorcising are ministered through prayers, which spring from faith in God and from love for man… All the prayers of healing and exorcism, composed by the Fathers of the Church and in use since the third century, begin with the solemn declaration: In Thy Name, O Lord.’ " (Exorcism and Exorcists in the Greek Orthodox Tradition, March 10, 1974.)”
 
To the OP:

In short they are Charismatics insofar the Holy Spirit works through and in them but not like how you guys express them. 😉
 
SingleMomMonica said:
That is an example of the real gift of “tongues” aka the gift of “languages”.
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There’s more than one “gift of tongues”. It’s true that the Acts 1 manifestation was speaking different languages, but when Paul said the following, he was speaking of something quite different:
1Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. 2For anyone who speaks in a tongue[a] does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.** 3But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. 4He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5I would like every one of you to speak in tongues,[c] but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues,[d] unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified. ** 1 Cor 14
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My daughter attended her first Charismatic prayer group and Bible study today. There are no Charismatic Catholic parishes per se. There are goups in some parishes that have prayer groups.

She was invited by someone from her childrens’ school. She called me and asked about it, as it sorta freaked her out. But she also said she felt peaceful afterwards and shed a few tears.

I explained to her that there better be a priest who is head of the group, as I was in one many years ago with no priestly leadership and the leader left the Church and took at least 100 Catholics with him to start his own “church”.

If a person doesn’t go overboard with it and stay balanced in the orthodox Catholilc faith, I think it is okay to attend. I just warned her to be careful as I don’t want any false doctrine taught to her.

Maybe some Western Orthodox have prayer groups that are similar. As I said we don’t have Charistmatic parishes, just groups of people who gather together. I do believe that the Episcopalians have Charistmatic churches, that have broken away from TEC.

Yours in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary

Bernadette
 
The Catholic Church is performing the most charismatic worship everyday. Nothing I would ever imagine more charismatic than when a priest by the power of the Holy Spirit turns bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus Christ himself. 👍

Ok, Ok, I’m outta this now.

God bless to all. 🙂
 
What about the river Jordan moving back year after year. Here is a movie:
youtube.com/watch?v=CfmrqZwUjCQ
What about Holy Light that cames every year only to orthodox Christians on the very place in Jerusalem where Jesus ressurected? Look under middle gate:
youtube.com/watch?v=6EI71Uk28rI
What about people speaking with God and seeing God, Saint Mary,angels appearing, seeing saints?
Look to all movies here:
youtube.com/user/IoanRomania09

What about a saint dead for more than 1000 years that has body incorupted and disapeares helping people?
Today I tell you the story of Saint Spiridon en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Spyridon that has the body not decomposed emanating a Heavenly smell. However is interesting that like other Saints, his body disspears and he travels, more than 1000 years after his death, he travels and helps people. So the body wakes up, takes the boots and travels. What is interesting is that the boots get very used after one year and people change the boots every year. Also after periods of dissapearance people see that his body is having dust and being warm for a while.
The body of this Saint is in Corfu island in Greece.
"When, in 1453, Constantinople fell to the Turks, Spyridon’s relics were removed again; this time, to the island of Corfu by a Corfiote monk called Kalohairetis (Καλοχα_3;ρέτης), where they remain to this day.
When, in 1453, Constantinople fell to the Turks, Spyridon’s relics were removed again; this time, to the island of Corfu by a Corfiote monk called Kalohairetis (Καλοχα_3;ρέτης), where they remain to this day.

The relics are taken in procession every Palm Sunday and on other special occasions, for veneration by the faithful. All Philharmonics of Corfu, including the Philharmonic Society of Corfu take part in these ceremonial events. The relic of his right hand is now located in Rome.
"

I want to finish with two miracles like people appearing in pictures that I heard in Romanian Orthodox Church but here is a video in Coptic Church:
youtube.com/watch?v=D-1dxIQEHFU
The nun is in coffin on table and in picture you see her appearing twice, once as original picture and second time smiling, this is her appeareance for a while.

Moving mountains. This happen to Saint Makarios the Great but I don’t have the story, however I have the story of Symon the Tanner that moved Mountains too:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_the_Tanner
 
AdrianP said:
What about the river Jordan moving back year after year. Here is a movie:
youtube.com/watch?v=CfmrqZwUjCQ
What about Holy Light that cames every year only to orthodox Christians on the very place in Jerusalem where Jesus ressurected? Look under middle gate:
youtube.com/watch?v=6EI71Uk28rI
What about people speaking with God and seeing God, Saint Mary,angels appearing, seeing saints?
Look to all movies here:
youtube.com/user/IoanRomania09

What about a saint dead for more than 1000 years that has body incorupted and disapeares helping people?
Today I tell you the story of Saint Spiridon en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Spyridon that has the body not decomposed emanating a Heavenly smell. However is interesting that like other Saints, his body disspears and he travels, more than 1000 years after his death, he travels and helps people. So the body wakes up, takes the boots and travels. What is interesting is that the boots get very used after one year and people change the boots every year. Also after periods of dissapearance people see that his body is having dust and being warm for a while.
The body of this Saint is in Corfu island in Greece.
"When, in 1453, Constantinople fell to the Turks, Spyridon’s relics were removed again; this time, to the island of Corfu by a Corfiote monk called Kalohairetis (Καλοχα_3;ρέτης), where they remain to this day.
When, in 1453, Constantinople fell to the Turks, Spyridon’s relics were removed again; this time, to the island of Corfu by a Corfiote monk called Kalohairetis (Καλοχα_3;ρέτης), where they remain to this day.

The relics are taken in procession every Palm Sunday and on other special occasions, for veneration by the faithful. All Philharmonics of Corfu, including the Philharmonic Society of Corfu take part in these ceremonial events. The relic of his right hand is now located in Rome.
"

I want to finish with two miracles like people appearing in pictures that I heard in Romanian Orthodox Church but here is a video in Coptic Church:
youtube.com/watch?v=D-1dxIQEHFU
The nun is in coffin on table and in picture you see her appearing twice, once as original picture and second time smiling, this is her appeareance for a while.

Moving mountains. This happen to Saint Makarios the Great but I don’t have the story, however I have the story of Symon the Tanner that moved Mountains too:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_the_Tanner
Click to expand...
Wonderful examples of true charisms in the Church!
 
Thank you for all the examples.

If you read through the church service described within 1 Cor. 14, does the Orthodox express spiritual gifts in this way?

It is wonderful that you guys are listing awesome miracles from God, but working Signs and Wonders is only one of the spiritual gifts. The Eucharist is a miracle and would apply to working a Sign or Wonder, which is a spiritual gift.

What about all the other spiritual gifts listed, are they still practiced?
 
1 Corinthians 14

Tongues and Prophecy

1 Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy. 2 For if you have the ability to speak in tongues,[a] you will be talking only to God, since people won’t be able to understand you. You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit, but it will all be mysterious. 3 But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them. 4 A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church.
5 I wish you could all speak in tongues, but even more I wish you could all prophesy. For prophecy is greater than speaking in tongues, unless someone interprets what you are saying so that the whole church will be strengthened.

6 Dear brothers and sisters,** if I should come to you speaking in an unknown language,[c] how would that help you? But if I bring you a revelation or some special knowledge or prophecy or teaching, that will be helpful. 7 Even lifeless instruments like the flute or the harp must play the notes clearly, or no one will recognize the melody. 8 And if the bugler doesn’t sound a clear call, how will the soldiers know they are being called to battle?

9 It’s the same for you. If you speak to people in words they don’t understand, how will they know what you are saying? You might as well be talking into empty space.

10 There are many different languages in the world, and every language has meaning. 11 But if I don’t understand a language, I will be a foreigner to someone who speaks it, and the one who speaks it will be a foreigner to me. 12 And the same is true for you. Since you are so eager to have the special abilities the Spirit gives, seek those that will strengthen the whole church.

13 So anyone who speaks in tongues should pray also for the ability to interpret what has been said. 14 For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t understand what I am saying.

15 Well then, what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit,[d] and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand. 16 For if you praise God only in the spirit, how can those who don’t understand you praise God along with you? How can they join you in giving thanks when they don’t understand what you are saying? 17 You will be giving thanks very well, but it won’t strengthen the people who hear you.

18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than any of you. 19 But in a church meeting I would rather speak five understandable words to help others than ten thousand words in an unknown language.

20 Dear brothers and sisters, don’t be childish in your understanding of these things. Be innocent as babies when it comes to evil, but be mature in understanding matters of this kind. 21 It is written in the Scriptures[e]:

“I will speak to my own people
through strange languages
and through the lips of foreigners.
But even then, they will not listen to me,”[f]
says the Lord.

22 So you see that speaking in tongues is a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for the benefit of believers, not unbelievers. 23 Even so, if unbelievers or people who don’t understand these things come into your church meeting and hear everyone speaking in an unknown language, they will think you are crazy. 24 But if all of you are prophesying, and unbelievers or people who don’t understand these things come into your meeting, they will be convicted of sin and judged by what you say. 25 As they listen, their secret thoughts will be exposed, and they will fall to their knees and worship God, declaring, “God is truly here among you.”

A Call to Orderly Worship

26 Well, my brothers and sisters, let’s summarize. When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you.
27 No more than two or three should speak in tongues. They must speak one at a time, and someone must interpret what they say. 28 But if no one is present who can interpret, they must be silent in your church meeting and speak in tongues to God privately.

29 Let two or three people prophesy, and let the others evaluate what is said. 30 But if someone is prophesying and another person receives a revelation from the Lord, the one who is speaking must stop. 31 In this way, all who prophesy will have a turn to speak, one after the other, so that everyone will learn and be encouraged. 32 Remember that people who prophesy are in control of their spirit and can take turns. 33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God’s holy people.[g]

34 Women should be silent during the church meetings. It is not proper for them to speak. They should be submissive, just as the law says. 35 If they have any questions, they should ask their husbands at home, for it is improper for women to speak in church meetings.[h]

36 Or do you think God’s word originated with you Corinthians? Are you the only ones to whom it was given? 37 If you claim to be a prophet or think you are spiritual, you should recognize that what I am saying is a command from the Lord himself. 38 But if you do not recognize this, you yourself will not be recognized.*

39 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But be sure that everything is done properly and in order.***
 
Sorry for all the emphasis, I was just pointing out the commands that Paul received from the Lord for what is to occur during a church service. I realize that many of the church fathers have changed the liturgy and rubrics of a church service or mass over time so that it does not match Paul’s instruction, but I know the Catholics do have the charismatic movement within the church that is sanctioned by the church for the expression of the spiritual gifts as Paul instructed.

I am just trying to be as clear and concise in the question as possible, is there a movement within the Orthodox church that works in the spiritual gifts? I know that signs and wonders are worked within the Orthodox church as many of you have pointed out by your very valid miracles from the Lord. Is there any liturgical service in the Orthodox church that matches the order commanded by the Apostle Paul as seen above in the Holy Scriptures as the Catholic and Protestant churches have?
 
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