Orthodox FAQ
Here is a list of frequently-asked questions about Orthodoxy.
Q: What is the Orthodox Church?
A. The Orthodox Church is the One, Holy, Catholic (universal), and Apostolic Church established by Christ. It is not an ethnic church for Greeks or Russians. The Orthodox Church tries to follow the teachings of Christ as closely as possible.
Q: What does "Orthodox" mean?
A. The term "Orthodox" comes from the Greek orthos, "correct", and doxa, "belief, teaching". The term "Orthodox" is used to distinguish us from the Roman Catholic church.
Q: Do you believe in the Bible?
A. Yes! Holy Scripture is an important part of our theology. However, we do not follow the teaching of Sola Scriptura; the Bible alone is not all we need in order to be saved.
Q: What are the pictures on the walls?
A. The pictures are known as icons. Icons are images of saints. We honor and venerate (but do not worship) the icons; when we do this, we are not honoring the wood and paint, but we are honoring the saints depicted on the icons.
Q: Why do different Orthodox churches use different calendars? What calendar does Holy Myrrh-bearers Orthodox Church use?
A. Today, there are two functional calendars within the Orthodox Church – the Julian Calendar ("Old Calendar") and Revised Julian Calendar ("New Calendar"). Our parish uses the New Calendar; that is, we celebrate fixed feasts on the same dates as in the Gregorian Calendar, but we celebrate Pascha (Easter) on the Julian Calendar. We encourage you to read more about the church calendar.
Q: Why don't you have pews in your church?
A. Pews are a Western innovation, and can hinder Orthodox worship (since Orthodox worship involves much standing and prostrations). However, some Orthodox churches, typically those who have had a lot of contact with Roman Catholic or Protestant churches, or those who have purchased a Catholic or Protestant church building, may use pews. In our church, we have several pews near the back and on the sides, but not throughout the entire nave.
Q: Why do you pray for the dead?
A. We pray for the dead because "precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints". Jesus Himself prayed for the dead.
More questions and answers coming soon!
Q: What is the Orthodox Church?
A. The Orthodox Church is the One, Holy, Catholic (universal), and Apostolic Church established by Christ. It is not an ethnic church for Greeks or Russians. The Orthodox Church tries to follow the teachings of Christ as closely as possible.
Q: What does "Orthodox" mean?
A. The term "Orthodox" comes from the Greek orthos, "correct", and doxa, "belief, teaching". The term "Orthodox" is used to distinguish us from the Roman Catholic church.
Q: Do you believe in the Bible?
A. Yes! Holy Scripture is an important part of our theology. However, we do not follow the teaching of Sola Scriptura; the Bible alone is not all we need in order to be saved.
Q: What are the pictures on the walls?
A. The pictures are known as icons. Icons are images of saints. We honor and venerate (but do not worship) the icons; when we do this, we are not honoring the wood and paint, but we are honoring the saints depicted on the icons.
Q: Why do different Orthodox churches use different calendars? What calendar does Holy Myrrh-bearers Orthodox Church use?
A. Today, there are two functional calendars within the Orthodox Church – the Julian Calendar ("Old Calendar") and Revised Julian Calendar ("New Calendar"). Our parish uses the New Calendar; that is, we celebrate fixed feasts on the same dates as in the Gregorian Calendar, but we celebrate Pascha (Easter) on the Julian Calendar. We encourage you to read more about the church calendar.
Q: Why don't you have pews in your church?
A. Pews are a Western innovation, and can hinder Orthodox worship (since Orthodox worship involves much standing and prostrations). However, some Orthodox churches, typically those who have had a lot of contact with Roman Catholic or Protestant churches, or those who have purchased a Catholic or Protestant church building, may use pews. In our church, we have several pews near the back and on the sides, but not throughout the entire nave.
Q: Why do you pray for the dead?
A. We pray for the dead because "precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints". Jesus Himself prayed for the dead.
More questions and answers coming soon!
