ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY: “BEST-KEPT SECRET” [Part V)

My beloved brothers and sisters in Our Risen Lord, God, and Savior,

CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN!

ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY: "BEST-KEPT SECRET" [Part V]

The Orthodox Church Today

The original Church, the Church of Saint Peter and Paul, and the Apostles–despite persecution, political oppression, and desertion on certain of its flanks–miraculously carries on today the same faith and life of the Church of the New Testament. Admittedly, the style of Orthodoxy looks complicated to the modern Protestant eye, but given a historical understanding of how the Church has progressed, it may be seen that the simple Christ-centered faith of the Holy Apostles IS FULLY PRESERVED IN ITS DOCTRINES, PRACTICES, SERVICES, AND EVEN IN ITS ARCHITECTURE.

In Orthodoxy today, as in years gone by, the basics of Christian Doctrine, worship, and government are never up for alteration. One cannot be an Orthodox priest, for example, and reject the Divinity of Christ, His virgin birth, Resurrection, Ascension into heaven, and Second Coming. The Church simply HAS NOT LEFT ITS COURSE IN NEARLY TWO THOUSAND YEARS, It is ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC AND APOSTOLIC. IT IS THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH.

Orthodoxy is also, in the words of one of her bishops, "the best-kept secret in America." Although there are more than 250 million Orthodox Christians in the world today, many in the West are not familiar with the Church. In North America for example, the Orthodox Church has, until recently, been largely restricted to ethnic boundaries, not spreading much beyond the parishes of the committed immigrants that brought the Church to the shores of this continent.

Still, the Holy Spirit has continued His work, causing new people to discover this Church of the New Testament. People have begun to find Orthodox Christianity through the writings of the early Church Fathers and through the humble witness of contemporary Orthodox Christians. Significant numbers of evangelicals, Episcopalians, and mainline Protestants are becoming Orthodox, and Orthodox student groups are springing up on campuses worldwide. The word is getting out.

What, then, is the Orthodox Church? IT IS THE FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH IN HISTORY, THE CHURCH FOUNDED BY THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, DESCRIBED IN THE PAGES OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. Her history can be traced in unbroken continuity all the way back to Christ and His Twelve Holy Apostles.

What is it that’s missing in the non-Orthodox Churches–even the best of them? FULLNESS. For THE FULLNESS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT FAITH IS TO BE FOUND ONLY IN THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH. Being in the Church does not guarantee all those in it will take advantage of the fullness of the faith, but that FULLNESS IS THERE FOR THOSE WHO DO.

For persons who seriously desire THE FULLNESS OF ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY, action must be taken. Being aware of this ancient Church is not enough. There must be A RETURN TO THIS CHURCH OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. In our day many people have taken ample time to investigate and decide about the Roman Catholic faith, the Baptist, the Lutheran, and so on, but relatively few have taken a serious look at the Orthodox Church. Three specific suggestions will provide those interested with a tangible means of becoming acquainted with Orthodox Christianity ON A PERSONAL BASIS.

1, VISIT: Look up "Orthodox" or "Eastern Orthodox" in the "Churches" on the Internet or ask a neighbor the whereabouts of the nearest Orthodox parish. Pay a visit–several visits. Meet the priest, and ask him to help you study and learn. And be prepared to exercise patience–sometimes a portion of the Divine Liturgy is not always in English! The Service Book in the pew will help.

2. READ: There are a number of books and one could always turn to a canonical Webpage and find accurate information on all aspects of the Church.

3. PARTICIPATE: Almost all Orthodox parishes offered special religious instruction to those interested in joining the Church. It is necessary for anyone who is seriously interested in converting to the Orthodox Faith to learn as much as possible. By participating in these classes one is able to ask questions and to receive the proper answer from the local priest and theologian. There is no pressure of any kind by anyone in the local parish to convince you to join the Church. The best way is to take your time and to be patient, be honest, be sincere, and be humble.

4. CATECHUMEN. To become a true catechumen in the Orthodox Church, one typically begins by engaging with the Church and expressing a sincere desire to learn more and become a member of the Church and if one is not already a Christian, to become a Christian. This process often
involves attending the divine services, engaging with the priest, and eventually enrolling in a catechumenate program, which includes classes, prayer, and a life of repentance. Once the catechumen is deemed spiritually and religiously educated, they will be received into the Church through baptism/chrismation, after which they will be able to receive Holy Communion. However, becoming a catechumen means a genuine commitment to the Orthodox faith and living a life of repentance, a life of prayer and worship, a life of total obedience to our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ.

In a day when Christians are realizing anew THE CENTRALITY AND IMPORTANCE OF WORSHIP, OF THE CHURCH AS THE BODY OF CHRIST, AND THE NEED TO PRESERVE TRUE CHRISTIAN FAITH, THE DOORS OF ORTHODOXY ARE OPEN WIDE. THE INVITATION IS EXTENDED TO "COME AND SEE." Examine her faith, her worship, her ligurgy, her commitment to Christ, her love for God the Father, and her communion with the Holy Spirit.

For 2,000 years the Orthodox Church has, by God’s mercy and grace, kept the faith delivered to the saints. Within her walls is the FULLNESS OF THE SALVATION WHICH WAS REALIZED WHEN "GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE" [John 3:16]. (Resources: The Orthodox Study Bible)

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"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
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With sincere agape in our Lord’s Divine, Glorious and Redeeming Resurrection,
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George