What are the main beliefs of the Orthodox Church?

Essentially the Orthodox Church shares much with the other Christian Churches in the belief that God revealed himself in Jesus Christ, and a belief in the incarnation of Christ, his crucifixion and resurrection.

What is considered a sin in Orthodox?

The Biblical Greek term for sin, αμαρτία (amartia), means “miss”: it implies that one’s aim is out and that one has not reached the goal, one’s fullest potential. Orthodoxy also understands sin as a disease of the soul, a condition where the soul is lacking in God’s grace.

Why do Orthodox not believe in purgatory?

The Orthodox Church does not believe in purgatory (a place of purging), that is, the inter-mediate state after death in which the souls of the saved (those who have not received temporal punishment for their sins) are purified of all taint preparatory to entering into Heaven, where every soul is perfect and fit to see …

Why doesn’t the Orthodox Church allow cremation?

Eastern Orthodox Church While in Orthodoxy there is no direct connection between cremation and the dogma of the general resurrection, it is seen as a violent treatment of the body after death and as such is viewed harshly..

Does the Greek Orthodox Church believe in original sin?

The Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Rite Eastern Catholic Churches’ version of original sin is the view that sin originates with the Devil, “for the devil sins from the beginning (1 John iii. 8)”. The Eastern Church never subscribed to Augustine of Hippo’s notions of original sin and hereditary guilt.

Do Eastern Orthodox believe in immaculate conception?

Virgin Mary: The Orthodox faith rejects the Catholic doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, in which Jesus’ mother was conceived without “original sin.” Orthodox Christians do not accept the Catholic concept of original sin, which is what makes the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary seem …

Do souls in Purgatory know we pray for them?

The holy souls intercede for us. The souls in purgatory can’t do anything for themselves, but the Church has long believed that they can do something for us: They can pray for us, helping obtain for us the graces we need to follow Christ more perfectly. “We have such great intercessors in the holy souls,” said Tassone.

Are tattoos permitted in the Orthodox Church?

Orthodox Jews, in application of Halakha (Jewish Law), reveal Leviticus 19:28 prohibits getting tattoos: “Do not make gashes in your skin for the dead. Do not make any marks on your skin.

Does the church still believe in indulgences?

While the practice of indulgences at the time of the Reformation needed reform, the theology of indulgences runs very deep and actually unveils some of the most beautiful aspects of the Catholic Faith. In other words, yes, the Church still believes in indulgences.

What is the doctrine of indulgences?

Hence, the Catechism explains: “An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sin, whose guilt has already been forgiven” (CCC, 1471, emphasis mine). The second pillar which underlies the doctrine of indulgences is the communion of saints—the unity we all share in Christ.

Can the Catholic Church be reformed without breaking away from Lutheranism?

That is, several Catholic thinkers had many of the same concerns as Luther, but sought to reform the Church from within, without breaking away.