Orthodox Inspirations

Understanding the Orthodox Faith

“Orthodoxy is the Church of Christ on earth. The Church of Christ is not an institution; it is a new life with Christ and in Christ, guided by the Holy Spirit. Christ, the Son of God, came to earth, was made man, uniting His divine life with that of humanity. This divine-human life He gives to His brethren, who believe on His name. Although He died and rose again and ascended into heaven, He was not separated from His humanity, but remains in it. The light of the resurrection of Christ lights the Church, and the joy of resurrection, of the triumph over death, fills it. The risen Lord lives with us and our life in the Church is a mysterious life in Christ.”

(Sergius Bulgakov, The Orthodox Church )

Orthodox liturgy in progress.

 

Often an evangelical Christian will ask if the Orthodox are “saved.” We Orthodox Christians, with a faith genuinely begun by Christ and the Apostles, see both similaries and differences in this term. So what’s the answer, are we “saved?”

 

Orthodox candle stand.

Christ has risen! Indeed He has risen!

 

What is the New Testament Church? It is the Orthodox Church.

 

Orthodox altar.

The Beatitudes (Блаженны) as sung by an Orthodox men’s choir:

 

 

Luke 2:25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: 29 “Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation 31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, 32 A light to enlighten the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”

 

 

Most of the Orthodox liturgy is recited from the Psalms and New Testament passages.

 

Introduction to Orthodoxy

 

Inside an Orthodox Church.

МОЯ ДУША (My Soul) - ожившая поэзия (Orthodox poetry)