Orthodox Church quotes on Heaven, Hell, Holy Orders, Homosexuality

Orthodox Church Quotes on Heaven, Hell, Holy Orders, Homosexuality

by Matt Slick | Nov 23, 2013 | Orthodox Church, World Religions

Heaven
1. Heaven is a real place: “To the Orthodox Christian, heaven is a real place and the ultimate destination of all the righteous. Heaven is promised by Almighty God to all who love Him. It is not just space or some region “up there,” it is the abode of God! Orthodox teaching says that heaven is not reserved to a chosen few. Rather, and this is paramount, heaven awaits all those who devoutly serve the Lord, and that eternal life with God is the chief end of mankind! Christ.” (Grube, Fr. George (2012-08-19). The Orthodox Church A to Z (Kindle Locations 1449-1452). Light and Life Publishing, http://www.light-n-life.com. Kindle Edition).
Hell
1. People imprison themselves in hell: “Hell is not so much a place where God imprisons humans, as a place where humans, by misusing their free will, choose to imprison themselves. “And even in hell the wicked are not deprived of the love of God…”” (Ware, Timothy (1993-04-29). The Orthodox Church (p. 262). Penguin Books Ltd. Kindle Edition).
2. Hell not a place, but is in the soul: “Hell is a point not in space but in the soul. It is the place where God is not.” (Ware, Kallistos (2012-07-01). The Orthodox Way (Kindle Locations 1397-1398). St Vladimir’s Seminary Press. Kindle Edition).
3. Wicked in hell cannot accept divine presence of divine love: “The blessed who lived in God’s love will be granted eternal fulfillment and joy, while the wicked will suffer the pain of being in the presence of Divine love which they cannot accept. This is the immense pain of hell…” (Grube, Fr. George (2012-08-19). The Orthodox Church A to Z (Kindle Locations 1371-1372). Light and Life Publishing, http://www.light-n-life.com. Kindle Edition).
4. Hell is a place: “Christ taught that hell was a real place.” (Grube, Fr. George (2012-08-19). The Orthodox Church A to Z (Kindle Location 1462). Light and Life Publishing, http://www.light-n-life.com. Kindle Edition).
5. “One cannot pass from hell to heaven beyond the grave.” (Coniaris, Anthony M. (2010-12-29). Introducing the Orthodox Church: Its Faith and Life (Kindle Location 3929). Light & Life Publishing Company: www.light-n-life.com. Kindle Edition).
Holy Orders
1. “There are three ‘Major Orders’ in the Orthodox Church, Bishop, Priest, and Deacon; and two ‘Minor Orders’, Sub-deacon and Reader (once there were other Minor Orders, but at present, all except these two have fallen largely into disuse).” (Ware, Timothy (1993-04-29). The Orthodox Church (Kindle Locations 4515-4517). Penguin Books Ltd. Kindle Edition. p. 290)
Homosexuality
1. Homosexuality condemned: “The Orthodox Church, for this reason, cannot approve of sexual intercourse outside marriage, even when a couple has the firm intention of eventually getting married; the marriage blessing is not to be anticipated. Still less can the Church give its approval to sexual unions between persons of the same sex. But in all specific cases of homosexuality, we should of course seek to show the utmost pastoral sensitivity and generous compassion.” (Ware, Timothy (1993-04-29). The Orthodox Church (Kindle Locations 4599-4602). Penguin Books Ltd. Kindle Edition. p. 296)