Simple Guide to Attending Orthodox Christian Ceremonies

By Akasha Lonsdale

In today's multicultural society we are increasingly likely to meet and become friends with people from different religious backgrounds, and to find ourselves attending an unfamiliar ceremony. When this happens, there can be few of us who know exactly what to expect, or are confident about how to behave. This chapter from Do I Kneel or Do I Bow? will tell you everything you need to understand and take part in a Orthodox Christian ceremony. Armed with this basic information, you will feel relaxed enough to enjoy the occasion–and perhaps inspired to discover more about the spiritual world view of another cultural tradition.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kuperard
• Release date: Sep 1, 2011
• ISBN: 9781857336474

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PHRASES

WHAT ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS BELIEVE

Essentially, all Christian belief is the same: that God is ‘triune’. This means that the one righteous, compassionate Creator is revealed in Three Persons – God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ) and God the Holy Spirit – known as the Holy Trinity. This fundamental doctrine, agreed at the First Council of Nicea in AD 325, is stated in the Nicene Creed and is the ‘Symbol of Faith’ of Orthodox Christians.

The angels visiting Abraham at the oak of Mamre. Holy Trinity Icon, c. 1400.

The word Orthodox is derived from two Greek words: orthos (right), and doxa (teaching, or worship). Orthodox Christians believe they faithfully adhere to the teachings of Jesus Christ as passed on through the unbroken line of his Apostles. While the Holy Mysteries of Baptism, Chrismation (Confirmation), Holy Eucharist (Communion), Confession, Matrimony, Ordination (reception into the priesthood) and Holy Unction (the sacrament of healing and forgiveness of sins and the anointing of the sick) are central to worship, in the Orthodox view all life is sacramental, or part of the Sacred Mystery, and cannot be easily compartmentalised. However, these seven Holy Mysteries have particular importance, with the Liturgy of the Eucharist having