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Greek Orthodoxy
Learn about Greek Orthodoxy
Hourly lectures are housed in
the beautiful Cathedral. Guests learn about the rich 2,000 year
old religion as they view the amazing iconography and the brilliant
mosaic dome of Christ.
A few of the fundamental tenets upon which our
Holy Orthodox Church functions are as follows:
The Orthodoxy Church has two great sources of authority:
Holy Scripture and Holy Tradition
Holy Scripture is comprised of the writings of both the New and
the Old Testaments. The New Testament reveals the human and divine
nature of Jesus Christ, and His sacred teachings that we are
charged to follow. The Old Testament is a history of the Hebrew
people. It contains, among other sacred writings, the prophecies
and the writings of the Prophets that foretold the coming of
the Messiah. It therefore serves as an introduction to the revelation
and the saving message of the New Testament.
Holy Tradition, of which Holy Scripture is a part, includes the
writings, teachings, acts of the apostles, saints, martyrs, and
fathers of the Church, and her liturgical and sacramental traditions
throughout the ages, the oral tradition of the early Church
and the decisions of the Ecumenical Councils. All of this collective
wisdom and experience through the centuries are combined to form
this second great source of sacred authority.
The Sacraments
The Sacraments are seven in number. They are the visible means
by which the invisible Grace of the Holy Spirit is imparted to
us. Four Sacraments are obligatory:
Baptism
Chrismation (anointment with Holy Oil)
Confession
Holy Communion
Three are optional:
Matrimony
Holy Orders (Ordination)
Unction (anointment of the sick)
The Church Calendar
The Church Calendar begins on September 1st and ends on August
31st. Each day is sacred for the Orthodox Christian. The Church
venerates at least one saint or sacred even in the life of the
Church every day of the year. There are, however, several major
feast days observed annually, and of these Easter, or Pascha,
is the most important.
Major Feast Days
Nativity of the Theotokos – September 8th
Exaltation of the Holy Cross - September 14th
Presentation of the Theotokos in the Temple – November
21st
Christmas – December 25th
Epiphany (Baptism of Christ) – January 6th
Presentation of Christ in the Temple – February 2nd
Annunciation (Evangelismos) – March 25th
Easter (Pascha) – Varies
Ascension – 40 days after Easter
Pentecost – 50 days after Easter
Transfiguration of Christ – August 6th
Dormition of the Theotokos – August 15th
The Divine Liturgy
The central worship service of the Church is the Divine Liturgy,
which is celebrated each Sunday morning and on all holy days.
The Liturgy is also the means by which we achieve union with
Jesus Christ and unity with each other through the Sacrament
of Holy Communion.
Ecumenism
While the Orthodox Church considers herself to be the Mother
Church of Christendom, she cooperates with other churches
in programs of educational, philanthropic and social endeavors
insofar as this consistent with her theology. Orthodoxy has
become a
major force in the universal ecumenical movement of which
she
was a prime mover through the encyclical of the Ecumenical
Patriarch of Constantinople in 1920.
For Further Information on the Greek Orthodox Church:
St. George Greek Orthodox
Church of The Desert
Fr.
Theodore Pantels
Fr. James
Tavlarides
Fr. Theophilos
Theophilos
Dr. Deacon
Euthym Kontaxis
(760) 568-9901
Church Web site:
saintgeorgeorthodoxchurch.org
Web Site :Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
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