Ask an Orthodox Christian

[CDHealy]

Given the simple details noted, I would agree.

[viviana66]

Can someone help me make a speech format for the topic "Should Catholic priests marry?"
Some good information sites would be good too. Thanks!!!

[CDHealy]

Orthodox deacons and priests do marry.  You should ask your question in the Catholic forum.

[desertknight]

Can someone help me make a speech format for the topic "Should Catholic priests marry?"
Some good information sites would be good too. Thanks!!!

Eastern Rite Catholic priest are under the same discipline as Eastern Orthodox clergy.  There are thousands and thousands of married Catholic Priest, just not in the Latin, (Western), Rite.  There are, however, 22 other Eastern Rites of the Catholic Church that have rules identical to our Eastern Orthodox brothers.  It is a common misconception that there are no married priest in the Catholic Church.

[ex cathedra]

So is the pope the head of your  church to as he claimes?

 or is he The Antichrist as many of your pastors claim?

And what are the main reasons they claim that?

[ex cathedra]

So is the pope the head of your  church to as he claimes?

 or is he The Antichrist as many of your pastors claim?

And what are the main reasons they claim that?
what are the marks of him being the Antichrist.

[ex cathedra]

Is their a  difference of beliefs between Greek and Russian orthodox
and what are the differences  if there is?

[trifecta]

So is the pope the head of your  church to as he claimes?

No.  The Pope (or the Bishop of Rome) has no authority over the other 4 patriarchical seats (Constantinople, Antioch, Alexandria, Jerusalem) and didn't claim it for some 400 years. 

or is he The Antichrist as many of your pastors claim?

We actually don't use the term "pastor" in the Orthodox Church.  Perhaps you are confusing us with another church.  I have never heard the term Anti-Christ applied to the Pope (or the Bishop of Rome) and certainly don't think he is.

And what are the main reasons they claim that?

Again, we don't use that bad term to describe the Bishop of Rome, although doubtless over history someone has.     BTW, we don't call the Bishop of Rome  the Pope officially because the term is confusing.  The Coptic Church call their leader the "Pope."   There is good historic reason for this:  The first man to be called Pope is not the Bishop of Rome but the Bishop of Alexandria (Saint Anathasus).

[trifecta]

Is their a  difference of beliefs between Greek and Russian orthodox
and what are the differences  if there is?

The Orthodox churches are named by location, as in the Bible.   Are the Greek and Russian church identical?  Not really.  Vestiment colors are different  and theological seminaries are in different locations.  So, there are some minor theological differences, but in core beliefs, we are the same.  Those core beliefs are spelled out in the Seven Ecumenical Councils, to which the RCC also hold.

Thanks for asking

[ex cathedra]

So is the pope the head of your  church to as he claimes?

No.  The Pope (or the Bishop of Rome) has no authority over the other 4 patriarchical seats (Constantinople, Antioch, Alexandria, Jerusalem) and didn't claim it for some 400 years. 

or is he The Antichrist as many of your pastors claim?

We actually don't use the term "pastor" in the Orthodox Church.  Perhaps you are confusing us with another church.  I have never heard the term Anti-Christ applied to the Pope (or the Bishop of Rome) and certainly don't think he is.

And what are the main reasons they claim that?

Again, we don't use that bad term to describe the Bishop of Rome, although doubtless over history someone has.     BTW, we don't call the Bishop of Rome  the Pope officially because the term is confusing.  The Coptic Church call their leader the "Pope."   There is good historic reason for this:  The first man to be called Pope is not the Bishop of Rome but the Bishop of Alexandria (Saint Anathasus).

I read orthodox priests using the term for  the pope .They seemed very familar with the prophesies about him Including him being from the 7 hills of rome and sitting right in the middle of the christian church proclaiming to be its head.
this has been several years ago now in some of the Lutheran and orthodox dialogue's between confessing lutherans and greek orthodox.
perhaps the view of him as Anti Christ has changed? or perhaps its just not taught amoung the members? of the orthodox church. And is  just taught the priests in seminary.
or perhaps i misunderstood the dialogue


any way i am not sure this is the same dialogue website as it was a long time ago .

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Orthodox-Lutheran_Dialogue/summary

[CDHealy]

ex cathedra:

As with any group, you will find a variety of personal opinions on the Pope.  But the core teaching, the consensus of the Orthodox Church is that the Bishop of Rome is in schism (and on some points is in heresy) with the other four main Churches of the East.  When the Bishop of Rome repents of his schism and certain of his heresies (and similarly those under him), then the communion of the worldwide Church will be restored.

The consensus of the Orthodox Church is *not* that the Pope is the anti-Christ.

As trifecta has noted the differences between the Greek Orthodox and Russian Orthodox (and, for that matter, the Albanian Orthodox, the Serbian Orthodox, the Bulgarian Orthodox, the Romanian Orthodox, the American Orthodox, the . . .) Churches are matters superficial (vestments, minor liturgical differences, some local customs, and so forth) and not essential to the Faith.

Any Orthodox Christian of any other Orthodox Church, with appropriate communication, may partake of the Holy Gifts in any Church (slight disciplinary differences aside).  I am in communion with all the Orthodox of the world, though I belong to the American archdiocese of the Church of Antioch (yes, the one from Acts 11).

[desertknight]

The One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church fully and completely recognizes the validity and the truth of the Holy Orders and the Sacraments of our Eastern brothers.  This is a point of Cannon law.

[trifecta]

The One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church fully and completely recognizes the validity and the truth of the Holy Orders and the Sacraments of our Eastern brothers.  This is a point of Cannon law.

Of course, we accept the sacraments of our own church.  Oh, you meant the RCC! 

Yeah, you guys have this more clearly defined than we do.  We accept the RCC baptism (I was baptised in the RCC) because it is done the right way (Trinitarian).  We do not accept RCC communion, even though you guys accept ours.  We feel that the communion has to come from the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.  But since you all were once part of the OHCACC, we do make exceptions at times.  We accept the Marriage of Catholics as well.  As for Holy Orders, this one confuses me.  We have an ex-RCC priest in our church.  I think the rule is Catholic Holy Orders are accepted if they convert to the Holy Orthodox Church.  Usually though they have to do some seminary work.  This varies across jurisdiction. 

I hope in our lifetimes, the Bishop of Rome renounces universal jurisdiction and we can commune in all the sacraments together!

[extranos]

I hope in our lifetimes, the Bishop of Rome renounces universal jurisdiction and we can commune in all the sacraments together!

Trifecta,
That would be like pulling on a loose thread in your sweater......soon the whole Catholic house would come crashing down.  However, I agree.......I hope it happens in our lifetimes.  I seriously believe that such an event would be a catalyst which could bring together the EO, the RCC (in its new incarnation), the Anglicans, Episcopals and the Lutherans. 
It would clearly mark the false teachings of the Evangelicals with regard to Baptism and the Eucharist!

Dan

[trifecta]

I hope in our lifetimes, the Bishop of Rome renounces universal jurisdiction and we can commune in all the sacraments together!

Trifecta,
That would be like pulling on a loose thread in your sweater......soon the whole Catholic house would come crashing down. 

I dunno.  When I was a kid (I was RCC), I was shocked how my Protestant friends thought that we thought that the Pope was so important.  I think the average garden-variety Catholic in America thinks the same.  On the other hand, our Latino friends have a much higher opinion of the Pope than other Catholics do, and they're the ones that are growing in population.

 However, I agree.......I hope it happens in our lifetimes. 

Cardinal Ratsinger wrote some very positive things about the O church, so you never know.

I seriously believe that such an event would be a catalyst which could bring together the EO, the RCC (in its new incarnation), the Anglicans, Episcopals and the Lutherans. 

I've thought (dreamed?) about this too.   It would be harder for you all than for us because the Bishop of Rome was The Patriarchate of the West. So, you would be under him.   But within a few generations, all the churches you mentioned would unite.

It would clearly mark the false teachings of the Evangelicals with regard to Baptism and the Eucharist!

That's for sure.  It would also draw attention to issues of 1) real presence and 2) trinitarian baptism -- which are more important than many issues Protestants currently argue about.    I think most of them would see the light and unite with the Church, but there would be some out on their own.