Orthodox Church quotes on Marriage, Ordination, Theology

Orthodox Church Quotes on Marriage, Ordination, Orthodox Church

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

Marriage
1. Marriage is a sacrament and a state of grace: “Marriage is not only a state of nature but a state of grace. Married life, no less than the life of a monk, is a special vocation, requiring a particular gift or charisma from the Holy Spirit; and this gift is conferred in the sacrament of Holy Matrimony.” (Ware, Timothy (1993-04-29). The Orthodox Church (Kindle Locations 4575-4577). Penguin Books Ltd. Kindle Edition. p. 294)
2. Fourth Marriage Forbidden: “Orthodox Canon Law, while permitting a second or even a third marriage, absolutely forbids a fourth.” (Ware, Timothy (1993-04-29). The Orthodox Church (Kindle Locations 4595-4596). Penguin Books Ltd. Kindle Edition. p. 295)
3. “MARRIAGES ARE NOT PERMITTED: On the Eves of Wednesdays and Fridays. During the Great Fast from Dairy Sunday up to the first Tuesday after Pascha. During the Falling Asleep of the Theotokos Fast, which consists of a two week period from August 1-15. During the Holy Apostles’ Fast: Monday after All Saints to June 28. During the Nativity Advent, the period before Christ’s Birth. On Saturday, on the eves of the Twelve Great Feasts, on the day before the Feast of the Beheading of John the Baptist, (August 29th), and the day before the Exaltation of the Cross (Sept. 14th).” (Grube, Fr. George (2012-08-19). The Orthodox Church A to Z (Kindle Locations 4375-4384). Light and Life Publishing, http://www.light-n-life.com. Kindle Edition.)
Ordination
1. Only bishops can ordain: “Only a bishop has power to ordain, 2 and the consecration of a new bishop must be performed by three or at least two bishops, never by one alone.” (Ware, Timothy (1993-04-29). The Orthodox Church (Kindle Locations 4519-4520). Penguin Books Ltd. Kindle Edition. p. 290)
Orthodox Church
1. Orthodox theology is founded on tradition: “The foundation of Orthodox theology rests firmly on the tradition of the church fathers, namely on those whose inspiration and instruction have formed the conscience of the church through the ages.” (Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Archbishop of Constantinople, Encountering the Mystery: Understanding Orthodox Christianity Today, (The Doubleday Religious Publishing Group: New York), 2008, p. 61)
2. The Orthodox Church is the true Church: “The Orthodox Church is THE authentic voice of Christianity because her teachings are true. This is the very meaning of the word Orthodox, or TRUE BELIEF AND TRUE WORSHIP. St. Paul says that the Church, the household of God, “is the pillar and bulwark of the Truth” (1 Timothy. 3:15). So we are the Church, not just because we are ancient-many heresies are also ancient – but because we teach the Truth! Orthodoxy preserves the Faith of the Apostolic Church that she has guarded throughout the centuries. Orthodoxy maintains the living Faith of the apostles, and is the very criterion of Christianity that was established by Jesus Christ Himself.” (Grube, Fr. George (2012-08-19). The Orthodox Church A to Z (Kindle Locations 6008-6013). Light and Life Publishing, http://www.light-n-life.com. Kindle Edition., emphasis original)
3. Must understand Scripture in accordance with Eastern orthodoxy: “When received into the Orthodox Church, a convert promises, ‘I will accept and understand Holy Scripture in accordance with the interpretation which was and is held by the Holy Orthodox Catholic Church of the East, our Mother.” (Ware, Timothy (1993-04-29). The Orthodox Church (Kindle Locations 3114-3115). Penguin Books Ltd. Kindle Edition. p. 200)
4. Ecumenical Council Infallible: “The doctrinal definitions of an Ecumenical Council are infallible. Thus in the eyes of the Orthodox Church, the statements of faith put out by the seven councils possess, along with the Bible, an abiding and irrevocable authority.” (Ware, Timothy (1993-04-29). The Orthodox Church (Kindle Locations 3141-3143). Penguin Books Ltd. Kindle Edition. p. 202)
5. Outside the church there is no salvation: “Such, then, is the Orthodox idea of the unity of the Church. Orthodoxy also teaches that outside the Church there is no salvation.” (Ware, Timothy (1993-04-29). The Orthodox Church (p. 247). Penguin Books Ltd. Kindle Edition.)
6. The Orthodox Church guards the Bible: “The Orthodox Church then, is guardian of Holy Scripture, but she is also the protector of the Tradition in which the Bible’s teachings are maintained and promulgated. She is the repository of all Scriptural truth. In short, Orthodoxy sees the Christian Faith as composed of Holy Scripture, the teachings of the Fathers, the liturgy of the Church throughout the centuries, the Creeds of the Church, and the Holy Mysteries. Orthodox Christians believe that Almighty God has revealed Himself in these many wondrous ways, and has enriched the life of His people in doing so!” (Grube, Fr. George (2012-08-19). The Orthodox Church A to Z (Kindle Locations 4486-4490). Light and Life Publishing, http://www.light-n-life.com. Kindle Edition.)
7. The Orthodox Church does not have a centralized authority or leadership: “The Orthodox Church does not have a centralized authority or leadership, instead comprising a constellation of independent and equal national churches, among which the Ecumenical Patriarch is historically and traditionally honored as ‘first among equals.’ In this regard, the ecumenical Patriarchate bears a primacy of honor and service; its authority lies not in administration but in coordination. Therefore, it serves as the primary focal point of unity, fostering consensus among the various Orthodox churches. In addition to the responsibility of facilitating Orthodox unity, the Ecumenical Patriarch has immediate jurisdiction over the Greek, Ukrainian, Carpatho-Russian, and Albanian Orthodox churches in the United States and Canada, as well as all Greek Orthodox churches in Europe, South America, Australasia, and the areas of Greece, freed from Turkish occupation after the Balkan wars, including Crete and Macedonia.” (Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Archbishop of Constantinople, Encountering the Mystery: Understanding Orthodox Christianity Today, (The Doubleday Religious Publishing Group: New York), 2008, p. 34)
8. Roots of the Orthodox Church lie in Scripture and tradition: “In expressing its belief and worship, the Orthodox Church looks for consistency with Scripture and tradition. Indeed, the roots of the church life in Scripture and tradition, as these are manifested in the life of the church and the early Fathers.”(Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Archbishop of Constantinople, Encountering the Mystery: Understanding Orthodox Christianity Today, (The Doubleday Religious Publishing Group: New York), 2008, p. 41)