Orthodox Church quotes on Prayer, Priests, Relics

Orthodox Church Quotes on Prayer, Priests, Relics

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

Prayer
1. Prayer to Mary: “It is truly meet to bless thee, O Theotokos, ever-blessed and pure, the Mother of Our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, without corruption thou gave birth to God the Word, true Theotokos, we magnify thee. O Virgin Theotokos, rejoice; O Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, for thou has borne the Savior of our souls.” (Grube, Fr. George (2012-08-19). The Orthodox Church A to Z (Kindle Locations 2096-2100). Light and Life Publishing, http://www.light-n-life.com. Kindle Edition.)
2. Prayer to Patron Saints: “Pray to God for me, O Saint ________________ who is well-pleasing to God, for I fervently entreat thee, sure helper and intercessor for my soul. Amen.” (Grube, Fr. George (2012-08-19). The Orthodox Church A to Z (Kindle Locations 2104-2105). Light and Life Publishing, http://www.light-n-life.com. Kindle Edition.)
3. “The Orthodox Church is the Mother of Holy Scripture.” (Grube, Fr. George (2012-08-19). The Orthodox Church A to Z (Kindle Location 4479). Light and Life Publishing, http://www.light-n-life.com. Kindle Edition.)
Priests
1. Priest are of two types, married and non-married: “Orthodox priests are divided into two distinct groups, the ‘white’ or married clergy, and the ‘black’ or monastic. Ordin-ands must make up their mind before ordination to which group they wish to belong, for it is a strict rule that no one can marry after he has been ordained to a Major Order.” (Ware, Timothy (1993-04-29). The Orthodox Church (Kindle Locations 4524-4525). Penguin Books Ltd. Kindle Edition. p. 291)
2. Priests can forgive sins: “God in His mercy foresaw that weak human beings would have to be cleansed anew from sin and therefore Jesus gave His apostles the right to forgive sin in His name (St. Matthew 16:19) provided we repent and confess our sins before God and the Church. The apostles transmitted this right to their successors, i.e. bishops and priests, who continue to remit the sins of the faithful in God’s own name, providing there is sufficient sorrow and a firm commitment on the part of the penitent not to sin again.” (Grube, Fr. George (2012-08-19). The Orthodox Church A to Z (Kindle Locations 3873-3876). Light and Life Publishing, http://www.light-n-life.com. Kindle Edition.)
Relics
1. The grace of God is present in relics: “Like Roman Catholics, they believe that the grace of God present in the saints’ bodies during life remains active in their relics when they have died and that God uses these relics as a channel of divine power and an instrument of healing.”(Ware, Timothy (1993-04-29). The Orthodox Church (Kindle Locations 3643-3645). Penguin Books Ltd. Kindle Edition. p. 234)
2. Relics are venerated: “Orthodox Christians respect and venerate the relics of the Saints (bodily remains) because the body along with the soul is redeemed and sanctified; one day it will rise from the grave to be with God forever.” (Coniaris, Anthony M. (2010-12-29). Introducing the Orthodox Church: Its Faith and Life (Kindle Locations 3710-3711). Light & Life Publishing Company: www.light-n-life.com. Kindle Edition.)