What Makes Us Orthodox Anton C. Vrame, Ph.D. Director Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Department of Religious Education

A short activity: Think for a moment about “what makes you Orthodox.” Just a couple of “things.” Turn to your neighbor, introduce yourself, and share.

The need to get beyond the externals of Orthodox Christianity, which have been affected by history and culture. Move deeper than the exterior forms. Like Christ at the Transfiguration, the Disciples had until that time only seen the external, the human Christ. On Mt Tabor, Christ allowed what was “inside” to be revealed. He is the eternal and uncreated God.

What we are not Living in the past (or recreating medieval Byzantium, 19th century Russia, etc) Defined exclusively by our ethnicity A “neo-Gnostic” or “New Age” religion, possessing special and secret knowledge Defined by a political agenda (neither Democrat nor Republican, nor any other party) A Church that “does not change”. The Apostles themselves changed Judaism to meet the needs of a growing Church (Acts 15). In the 8th c, the Church took nearly 120 years to define the appropriate use of art in the Church, alternating for and against.

And in one Lord, Jesus Christ “Who do you say that I am?”

Questions about Christ through the centuries: Scripture, Councils Questions about Christ through the centuries: How is Christ related to the one God of Abraham? If he is God and the Holy Spirit is God, how can we say that there are not three gods or how can the three be one? Did Christ always exist, or was there a time “when he was not”? What about His mother? How should she give birth to God? Is Jesus fully God and fully human? How can that be? Did Jesus have a divine will or a human will? How could these two relate? When you saw Jesus in the flesh, what did you see? The divinity? The humanity?

In One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church “One Christian is no Christian” In One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church

Our Orthodox Christian Faith and Way of Life is meant to be radically communal We practice our faith together: worship, askesis We learn together We support one another – if one mourns, all mourn, if one rejoices, all rejoice We decide and work together – councils, organizations We care about one another

“And behold, it was very good.” The world is a gift from God, and it is all good; fallen yet good.

At all times, at every hour. God has given us the gift of time so that we may turn to God (A. Calivas). How do we use that time? Every day is dedicated, saints and feasts The day is divided into 8 parts so we can pause and call upon God. Seasons for preparing for God’s actions in history. We mark passages in life, from birth to death.

“And the glory of God is man, fully alive.” (St. Irenaeus) “There is nothing so great among beings that it can be compared with your greatness.” St. Gregory of Nyssa

“For the life of the world.” He who is not a lover of man (philanthropos) is not a lover of Christ (philochristos). Manuel Holobolos, 13th c.

“Everywhere present and filling all things”