I know some like to call Orthodox, Catholic, and other’s don’t, but I posted it here and would rather not the thread drift off into that controversy.
I just want to know what Orthodox church would TOLERATE and still admit you as a member.
It’s up to the priest’s own discernment as to whether or not you are admitted into the Orthodox Church. So he would be the final decision maker in that process.
But some of the basic beliefs of Orthodoxy are:
Most Holy Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit are Eternal God. The Father is the Source of the Most Holy Trinity and the Son is begotten of the Father, and the Holy Spirit proceeds eternally from the Father. Jesus is the name of the Son of God, in the Old Testament He was referred to as YHWH or Yahweh.
You must love God above all else and love your neighbor as yourself. And obey God’s commandments and precepts.
Human being are created in the image and likeness of God. We are to honor all human beings regardless of their sinful acts as they were also created in the image and likeness of our Lord. God has a deep love for all of humankind and always wants what is best for us. Sickness and Death are unnatural states brought about by sin which was let into the world when Adam and Eve failed their temptation test.
Theotokos: Mary is the Mother of God, because Jesus who is God the Son took human form in her womb and she gave birth to Him Who is God.
The Church is the bride of Christ and as such must be loved and honored. Christ gave His life for her and given the opportunity we should do the same. The Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, wrote Sacred Scripture which we now call the Bible, it as well as the Church’s Liturgies should be honored and respected. The Bible should be read daily. Every Church Liturgy should be attended, if possible, out of our Love for God, not out of fear of mortal sin as Love casts out all fear.
Mysteries of the Church: Baptism, Chrismation and Holy Eucharist are the what brings a person into the Christian Family. Regular reception of Confession with one’s spiritual father/mother (if spiritual mother, then she will hear your Confession and then refer you to a priest for the absolution prayers) and regular reception of the Holy Eucharist (which is actually the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ), other Mysteries include, but are not limited to: Marriage and Holy Orders. Married men are considered for the priesthood, but considered ineligible to become a Bishop. Anyone who is seriously ill out to call for the priest to receive Holy Unction and each Christian ill physically or spiritual ought to receive Holy Unction when it is offered by the Church, usually at least once a year.
Children are only and always a gift from God and abortion is condemned. Birth Control (only non-abortive forms) are only able to be considered after you as a married couple have had children and only if a special need has arisen that your spiritual father or spiritual mother has given their blessing.
Saints and Martyrs are to be honored and respected as well as their icons. Their lives should be emmulated.
Every person is to keep the Fasts, unless a blessing is given by your spiritual father or mother, every Wednesday and Friday as well as during the various Fasting periods of the Church Year.
Everyone should keep their Prayer Rule daily as has been given by their spiritual father or mother.
This is not all inclusive and as soon as I submit the post I will likely kick myself for not including something.
