Greek Orthodox Christianity

Greek Orthodox Church

• The name Greek Orthodox Church is referring to the body of churches within a larger orthodox community.

Greek Orthodox In My Community

• St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
• 10301 Kolmar Ave, Oak Lawn Illinois
• In the suburbs of Chicago.
• Started in 1927

St. Nicholas Church In Oak Lawn

St. Nicholas

• Born in 270 AD, at that time orthodox christians were persecuted for their faith.
• Born in present day Turkey.
• Its because of their belief in Jesus Christ.

Continued

• He was taught by his parents to love God with his whole mind, heart, soul, and with all his strength.
• When his parents died he inherited all of their money.
• He used their money to give to the poor, the hungry, and the sick.
• After all the money was gone he decided to become a monk.

St. Nicholas as Santa Claus

• In America there is Santa Claus.
• American kids don't know that St. Nicholas is Santa Claus.
• The Story is that St. Nicholas secretly put gold coins in the stockings of the children of a very poor old man who put his daughters to work on the streets to make a living.

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Symbols

The Flag Used By The Orthodox Church In Greece
(Byzantine coat of arms)

The Lamb

The Dove

"Chi-Ro" or "Sigla"

Jerusalem Cross

The Alpha-Omega Symbol

• Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet.
• Omega is the last letter of the Greek alphabet.
• Symbol for Christ due to him being called the first and the last.

Rituals

Baptism

• Cleanse away original sin. Inaugurate into the church.
• Complete Immersion into water, blessed with holy oil.
• God parents play important role. They are considered to be the second parents of the child.

Chrismation

• Is the Greek form of confirmation.
• This follows right after the baptism.
• Chrismation refers to chrism. Which is consecrated oil.
• It consists of fragrant spices, aromatic resins, and olive oil.

Eucharist

• Three part ritual called the Divine Liturgy.
• Re-enactment of Christ's Last Supper.
• The bread and wine are turned into the body and blood of Christ.
• Baptism, chrismation, and Eucharist all happen in the same ceremony.

Confession

• Stands with priest face to face.
• The priest shares the consequences for the sin.
• The priest prays and offers advice.
• Penances may include spiritual reading, fasting, intensified prayer, charitable acts or temporary exclusion from the communion
• The priest places his hand on the penitants head and recites the prayer if absolution, which bestows Gods forgiveness.

Myths

St. George Myth

• Saint George a knight who had killed a dragon that terrorized a town.
• By killing this dragon he became a saint.

Greek Orthodox believes in the genesis creation story

Newlywed Myth

Birth Myth

Ethics

Abortion

• Life starts at conception.
• If it is legal it doesn't mean it is moral.
• The Greek orthodox church says abortion is murder.

Capital Punishment

• Greek Orthodox against capital punishment.
• Christians are supposed to forgive their enemies.
• It doesn't stand with the ten commandments, beatitudes, or the gospels.

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• Act with respect.
• Follow the commandments, beatitudes, and gospels.

Sex

• Greek Orthodox supports sex between to married people to help reproduce.
• They say it is ok for a married couple to have sex for pleasure and to enjoy each other.
• Sex is not supported outside of marriage.

Sacred Space

Churches/Architecture

• Greek Orthodox worship in churches.
• Usually square shaped covered by a dome.
• Separated into three parts.
• The have sacred books like the Bible

Greek rthodox Church

Inside a Church