Greek Orthodox Catechism?

[mullenpm]

Is there such a thing as a Greek Orthodox catechism? I have a friend who is Greek Orthodox but she rarely goes to church. I asked her if she doesn’t feel that as she gets older and her health declines, would it not be a good thing to be prepared.

She said “oh, well” and I was shocked. I asked if there was no sin involved with not going to church and she said she didn’t know.

I would like to get her a book on her own church but don’t know where to start. Any ideas?

 

[wynd]

Is there such a thing as a Greek Orthodox catechism? I have a friend who is Greek Orthodox but she rarely goes to church. I asked her if she doesn’t feel that as she gets older and her health declines, would it not be a good thing to be prepared.

She said “oh, well” and I was shocked. I asked if there was no sin involved with not going to church and she said she didn’t know.

I would like to get her a book on her own church but don’t know where to start. Any ideas?

It doesn’t sound like your friend is especially devout. There is no standard “official” Orthodox catechism like there is in the RCC, but there are several that have been written by individuals. To me, the best way of learning about Orthodoxy is to attend the services: pray the prayers, sing the hymns, listen to the readings, look at the icons, etc.

 

[StMarina303ad]

Is there such a thing as a Greek Orthodox catechism? I have a friend who is Greek Orthodox but she rarely goes to church. I asked her if she doesn’t feel that as she gets older and her health declines, would it not be a good thing to be prepared.

She said “oh, well” and I was shocked. I asked if there was no sin involved with not going to church and she said she didn’t know.

I would like to get her a book on her own church but don’t know where to start. Any ideas?

There are many various catechisms put out by various Greek Orthodox, but I think you may be refering to something like the Roman Catholic Church had printed for the first time in it’s history in the 1990’s and that answer would be, “No”.

If someone wants to know what we believe, I heard it simply put: We believe what we pray and we pray what we believe.

I know that the Roman Catholic Church teaches that it is a mortal (spiritually deadly) sin to not attend Mass with the exception of those who are too weak to get there and further that the Roman Catholic Church teaches that if one dies with unconfessed mortal sin they will be condemned to hell for all eternity - the Orthodox Church does not equate missing Divine Liturgy with going to hell.

Attending Church is a small part (an important part) of being Orthodox. It’s various reading of Scripture and Lives of the Saints and Hymn cycles teach us during the Liturgy and the Eucharist is Divine Medicine for our soul…it is not a sin to miss Church. Each Christian ought to go, but there is not sin in not going. For most of us, it may be difficult to progress in one’s spiritual life without attending, but it is not a sin. Our Church seeing attending the various Liturgies (Vespers, Orthros, Divine Liturgy, etc.) as a natural response to God’s Love of us not as something to be legalized.

There are many Saints whose lives have been well documented who did not attend Divine Liturgy on a regular basis - St. Mary of Egypt is one who after being converted only attended Church one time and then fled to the wilderness and became deified while here on earth. St. Simeon the Stylite is another. There are many others.

The wealth of the spiritual life of Orthodox Christians is absolutely amazing - still astounds me after being Orthodox for so long - as compared to the spiritual life of Roman Catholics and Protestants. I am one, who used to attend Adoration nearly daily and attended Mass to receive Eucharist usually twice daily while Catholic and now, receiving Holy Eucharist once a week in Divine Liturgy with the whole weekly cycle of Liturgy, fasting and prayers is so much more fulfilling. It’s beyond words.

Your Greek Orthodox Friend likely has a deep private spiritual life which she hides from you and everyone. She knows that God loves her and trusts herself to Him.

 

[tGette]

I guess a bit off topic, but please tell me what is the Orthodox interpretation of “keeping holy the Sabbath”?

Is Divine Liturgy not as important as something else?

Let me reword: Since missing Divine Liturgy is not sinful, then what would one do to break this Commandment of keeping holy the Sabbath?

 

[adstrinity]

…and attended Mass to receive Eucharist usually twice daily while Catholic and now…

The rest of what you wrote was beautiful and inspiring.

This doesn’t answer the question: I don’t think one is supposed to receive the Eucharist twice a day (unless one was a daily Mass and the other was a Vigil Mass for the next Holy Day of Obligation), unless one is a priest. I heard that this was not allowed for the laity.

 

[Isa_Almisry]

I guess a bit off topic, but please tell me what is the Orthodox interpretation of “keeping holy the Sabbath”?

Is Divine Liturgy not as important as something else?

Let me reword: Since missing Divine Liturgy is not sinful, then what would one do to break this Commandment of keeping holy the Sabbath?

From the Longer Catechism of St. Philoret Metropolitan of Moscow:

On the Fourth Commandment.
536. Why is it commanded to keep the seventh, rather than any other day, holy to God?

Because God in six days made the world, and on the seventh day rested from the work of creation.

1. Is the Sabbath kept in the Christian Church?

It is not kept, strictly speaking, as a holy day; but still in memory of the creation of the world, and in continuation of its original observance, it is distinguished from the other days of the week by a relaxation of the rule for fasting.

1. How, then, does the Christian Church obey the fourth commandment?

She still to every six days keeps a seventh, only not the last of the seven days, which is the Sabbath, but the first day in every week, which is the Day of the Resurrection, or lord’s Day.

1. Since when do we keep the Day of the Resurrection?

From the very time of Christ’s resurrection.

1. Is there any mention in holy Scripture of keeping the day of the Resurrection?

In the book of the Acts of the Apostles it is mentioned that the disciples–that is, the Christians–came together on the first day after the Sabbath, which was the first day of the week, or Day of the Resurrection, for the breaking of bread, that is to say, for the celebration of the Sacrament of the Communion. Acts xx. 7. The Apostle and Evangelist John also in the Apocalypse mentions the Lord’s Day, or the Day of the Resurrection.

1. Is there not yet something more to be understood under the name of the seventh day, or Sabbath?

As in the Church of the Old Testament the name Sabbath was understood to include divers other days appointed like the Sabbath for festivals or fasts, as the festival of the Passover, and the day of Atonement, so likewise are we now in the Christian Church bound to keep, besides the Lord’s Day, certain others also, which have been appointed as festivals to the glory of God and the honor of the Blessed Virgin and other saints, or as days of fasting. (See Orthod. Confess. Pt. III. Q. 60; Pt. I. Q. 88.)

1. Which are the chief festivals?

Those appointed in memory of the chief events relating to the Incarnation of the Son of God for our salvation, and to the Manifestation of the Godhead; after these, those appointed in honor of the Most Holy Mother of God, as the instrument of the mystery of the Incarnation. Such, in the order of the events, are the following:

1. The day of the birth of the Most Holy Mother of God.
2. The day of her being brought to the Temple to be dedicated to God.
3. The day of the Annunciation; that is, when the angel announced to the Most Holy Virgin the Incarnation of the Son of God.
4. The day of the birth of Jesus Christ.
5. The day of the baptism of our Lord, and the Epiphany, or Manifestation of the Most Holy Trinity.
6. The day of our Lord’s being met in the Temple by Simeon.
7. The day of our Lord’s Transfiguration.
8. The day of our Lord’s entry into Jerusalem.
9. Pasch, or Easter: the feast of feasts, the anticipation of the everlasting feast of everlasting blessedness.
10. The day of our Lord’s Ascension into heaven.
11. The feast of Pentecost; in memory of the Descent of the Holy Ghost, and in honor of the Most Holy Trinity.
12. The day of the Elevation of the Cross of our Lord, discovered by the Empress Helena.
13. The day of the Rest2 of the Most Holy Mother of God.
14. What is the chief fast?

The great fast; that is, Lent, or Quadragesima.

1. Why is it called Quadragesima?

Because it continues forty days, besides the week of Christ’s Passion.

1. Why has it been appointed that the great fast should continue forty days?

After the example of Jesus Christ himself, who fasted forty days. Matt. iv. 2.

1. Why has it been appointed to fast on the Wednesday and the Friday?

On Wednesday, in memory of the betrayal of our Lord Jesus Christ to suffer; and on Friday, in memory of his actual suffering and death.

1. For what cause are the fasts before the Nativity, the Rest of the Blessed Virgin and the Day of the Holy Apostles?

The first two as preparatory exercises of abstinence, the better to honor the ensuing feasts of the Nativity, and of the Rest of the Mother of God; the last not only for like reason, but also in imitation of the Apostles, who fasted to prepare themselves for the work of preaching the Gospel. Acts xiii. 3.

1. How should we spend our time on Sundays, and the other greater holy days, in order to keep the fourth commandment?

First, on these days we should not labor, or do worldly and temporal business; secondly, we should keep them holy, that is, use them for holy and spiritual works, to the glory of God.

1. Why are we forbidden to work on holy days?

That we may with the less hindrance employ them in holy and godly works.

1. What particular things is it fit to do on holy days?

First, to go to church, for the public worship, and for instruction in the Word of God; secondly, when at home, to give ourselves to prayer and reading, or edifying conversation; thirdly, to dedicate to God a portion of our means, expending it on the necessities of the Church and her ministers, and in alms to the poor, to visit the sick and prisoners, and to do other works of Christian charity.

1. But should we not do such things on work-days also?

It is well, if any can; but he whom business prevents should at any rate devote holy days to such works. But as regards prayer, it is certainly our bounden duty to use it every day, morning and evening, before and after both dinner and supper, and, as far as possible, at the beginning and ending of every work.

1. What are we to think of those who on holy days allow themselves to indulge in indecent plays and shows, vulgar songs, and intemperance in meat and drink?

Such people greatly desecrate holy days For if even works innocent and useful for this present life are unfit for holy days, much more such as these, which are unprofitable, carnal, and vicious.

1. When the fourth commandment speaks of working six days, does it not thereby condemn those who do nothing?

Without doubt it condemns all who on common days do not give themselves to works befitting their calling, but spend their time in idleness and dissipation.

pravoslavieto.com/docs/eng/Orthodox_Catechism_of_Philaret.htm

 

[mullenpm]

In reply to StMarina303ad, let me first say that my friend does not have a deep private spiritual life which she hides from me or anyone else. I do hope, though, that she knows that God loves her. But she knows nothing about the beliefs nor teachings of the Greek Orthodox church even though she is Greek and grew up in that culture.

Next, you imply that you were at one time a Catholic which I find hard to believe because you said with reference to the Catechism of the Catholic Church “…something like the Roman Catholic Church had printed for the first time in it’s history in the 1990’s…”

The Catholic Catechism was originally issued by the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore in 1885 and the Catechism that I was taught in the Catholic school when I was a child in the 1930’s, was published in 1933.

You say you used to attend Adoration “nearly daily”; attended Mass to “receive the Eucharist usually twice daily” while Catholic. If you did actually receive Holy Communion twice daily you were commiting a serious sin because that is not (nor ever has been) permitted in the Catholic church for the laity.

So, I must take the remainder of your comments with a “gain of salt” wherein you say that now you are a Greek Orthodox and you receive the Eucharist only once a week and do all the other things that you find so fulfilling; (weekly liturgy, fasting, praying, etc.) which is so much better than the spiritual life of Catholics or Protestants. If you were ever a Catholic you would know that the life of a true Catholic is praying, fasting and, when possible, attendance at daily Mass, etc.), as opposed to the “several communions a day, etc.” that you claim you spend your former “Catholic” life doing.

Sorry, I will look further to find an answer to help my friend learn about the Greek Orthodox church.

 

[James0235]

…but I think you may be refering to something like the Roman Catholic Church had printed for the first time in it’s history in the 1990’s …

You are forgetting about the Catechism of the Council of Trent, also known as the Roman Catechism.

James

 

[StMarina303ad]

In reply to StMarina303ad, let me first say that my friend does not have a deep private spiritual life which she hides from me or anyone else. I do hope, though, that she knows that God loves her. But she knows nothing about the beliefs nor teachings of the Greek Orthodox church even though she is Greek and grew up in that culture.

Next, you imply that you were at one time a Catholic which I find hard to believe because you said with reference to the Catechism of the Catholic Church “…something like the Roman Catholic Church had printed for the first time in it’s history in the 1990’s…”

The Catholic Catechism was originally issued by the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore in 1885 and the Catechism that I was taught in the Catholic school when I was a child in the 1930’s, was published in 1933.

You say you used to attend Adoration “nearly daily”; attended Mass to “receive the Eucharist usually twice daily” while Catholic. If you did actually receive Holy Communion twice daily you were commiting a serious sin because that is not (nor ever has been) permitted in the Catholic church for the laity.

So, I must take the remainder of your comments with a “gain of salt” wherein you say that now you are a Greek Orthodox and you receive the Eucharist only once a week and do all the other things that you find so fulfilling; (weekly liturgy, fasting, praying, etc.) which is so much better than the spiritual life of Catholics or Protestants. If you were ever a Catholic you would know that the life of a true Catholic is praying, fasting and, when possible, attendance at daily Mass, etc.), as opposed to the “several communions a day, etc.” that you claim you spend your former “Catholic” life doing.

Sorry, I will look further to find an answer to help my friend learn about the Greek Orthodox church.

****You must still be growing in your knowledge of the Catholic Faith as you don’t appear to be too familiar with the teaching of the Catholic Church. You have made a couple of errors which if you spoke to a knowledgable Catholic they’d clear it up for you in a heart beat.

1. The Baltimore Catechism was not a Catechism of the entire Roman Catholic Church as is the CCC. The Baltimore was a local Catechism produced by the American Roman Catholic Bishops for local (U.S.) use, not world-wide use. Prior to the CCC being printed in, was it 1993 or 1994. Prior to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Roman Catholic Church had never produced a world-wide Catechism.
2. The Roman Catholic Church’s guidelines regarding the reception of Holy Communion and Mass attendance allows a layperson to attend Mass 3 times in 1 day; however, they are only allowed to receive Holy Eucharist twice in a day. Further the layperson is allowed to receive Holy Eucharist once a day outside of a Mass - example, when a Lay Eucharistic Minister serves the sick at a hospital - and they are allowed to receive the Eucharist again that same day, but the 2nd time must be during a Mass. **

I’d encourage you to read the CCC and to read the Code of Canon Law as well as the Papal Encyclicals - you can find them at Easter’s Catholic Books and Gifts at: www.eastersbooks.com. These 3 sources will help you learn clearly exactly what it is that the Roman Catholic Church currently officially teaches.

I hope that you will choose to learn your own faith before trying to teach someone else their faith. “Take the beam out of your own eye so you can see clearly to remove the splinter from another’s eye”.

BTW - ask your friend about the Jesus Prayer.**

 

[adstrinity]

2. The Roman Catholic Church’s guidelines regarding the reception of Holy Communion and Mass attendance allows a layperson to attend Mass 3 times in 1 day; however, they are only allowed to receive Holy Eucharist twice in a day. Further the layperson is allowed to receive Holy Eucharist once a day outside of a Mass - example, when a Lay Eucharistic Minister serves the sick at a hospital - and they are allowed to receive the Eucharist again that same day, but the 2nd time must be during a Mass.

No, this is not it.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=261525

 

[Peter_J]

In reply to StMarina303ad, let me first say that my friend does not have a deep private spiritual life which she hides from me or anyone else. I do hope, though, that she knows that God loves her. But she knows nothing about the beliefs nor teachings of the Greek Orthodox church even though she is Greek and grew up in that culture.

Next, you imply that you were at one time a Catholic which I find hard to believe because you said with reference to the Catechism of the Catholic Church “…something like the Roman Catholic Church had printed for the first time in it’s history in the 1990’s…”

The Catholic Catechism was originally issued by the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore in 1885 and the Catechism that I was taught in the Catholic school when I was a child in the 1930’s, was published in 1933.

You say you used to attend Adoration “nearly daily”; attended Mass to “receive the Eucharist usually twice daily” while Catholic. If you did actually receive Holy Communion twice daily you were commiting a serious sin because that is not (nor ever has been) permitted in the Catholic church for the laity.

So, I must take the remainder of your comments with a “gain of salt” wherein you say that now you are a Greek Orthodox and you receive the Eucharist only once a week and do all the other things that you find so fulfilling; (weekly liturgy, fasting, praying, etc.) which is so much better than the spiritual life of Catholics or Protestants. If you were ever a Catholic you would know that the life of a true Catholic is praying, fasting and, when possible, attendance at daily Mass, etc.), as opposed to the “several communions a day, etc.” that you claim you spend your former “Catholic” life doing.

Sorry, I will look further to find an answer to help my friend learn about the Greek Orthodox church.

mullenpm,

First, I don’t understand why you post a question in the first place, if you’re going to be so hostile to someone who’s tries to answer it.

Second, although I don’t always see eye-to-eye with StMarina303ad (I think you could say I’m a bit more pro-ecumenism than she is), I have always found her to be quite honest in what she says on this forum, and I find it offensive the way you insinuate that she wasn’t being honest when she said she used to be Catholic.