1 history of chruch

Foundations of Faith: What Orthodox Christians Believe

Fullness of Apostolic Faith

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Foundation of Faith

Course Outline

Introductions


Orthodox Church MaintainsFullness of Apostolic Faith

1. Unbroken historical continuity.

2. Maintained the Apostolic Faith.

3. Maintained the Tradition with worship directed toward Trinitarian God.



1. Unbroken historical continuity with Original Church founded by Jesus Christ.



History begins with beginning of Time

Creation

Fall

Incarnation - Birth of Jesus Christ

Crucifixion & Resurrection - Victory over Death

Establishment of Earthly Church


Historical JesusExistence of Jesus is a proven historical fact! Roman historian Tactius 100AD and Jewish historian Josephus born in AD 37 describes Him as follows:Now there was about this time, Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to ca! him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works, teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to Him both many of the Jews, and many of the Gentiles. He is Christ; and when Pilate, at the su$estion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at first did not forsake him, for he appeared to them alive again the third day, as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him; and the tribe of Christians so named a&er him, are not extinct to this day.


Historical JesusBible contains most of what we know about Jesus.

Contains eye witness accounts

Where did the Bible come from?

The Church produced the Bible and still uses it in the original Greek. It has never been changed or translated.

How do we know that it has not been changed over the years?


Historical Jesus - BibleBooks contained in the New Testament were probably written between Ad 40 and 100.There exist full manuscripts dating as early as 350 which is about the time the Church officially compiled the New Testament in 367.There are papyri containing most of the New Testament from the third century.There is a fragment of John’s Gospel from AD 139.There are over 5000 Greek Manuscripts, over 10,000 Latin Manuscripts, and 9300 other manuscripts. and over 36,000 citing in the writings of the early church fathers.There is no doubt about the authenticity and integrity of the books of the New Testament!


Historical JesusWhat do we Know about Him from these texts?:

Miraculous birth from a holy virgin woman, Mary.Was Christ, the Son of God, fully divine and fully human. Transformed human nature and showed how to live in union with God - to love God and our neighbor.Showed his mercy - performed many miracles. Came for our healing and restoration of our created nature. Fulfilled over three hundred Old Testament prophecies.Suffered and was crucified and then Resurrected - victorious over death.Ascended into Heaven.Sent the Holy Spirit and His Apostles were transformed and began converting thousands establishing the Church.


Historical Jesus

No doubt aboutHis historical existenceHis virgin birth - became fully human and fully GodHis teaching - Love of God and NeighborHis death by Crucifixion and Resurrection - victory over deathEstablishment of His Church by His Apostles.

Orthodoxy holds these truths in their fullest.

The Bottom Line: Our Faith


The Beginnings

What happened on Pentecost?Beginning of the Church


Acts 2 - PentecostSuddenly there came a sound 'om heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it fi!ed

the whole house where they were sitting.There appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.

And they were a! filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues

Then they were a! amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not a! these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?

Peter spoke, ...being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received 'om the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.

“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you sha! receive the gi& of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to a! who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God wi! ca!.”

Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.

And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.Wednesday, January 28, 2009

The Beginnings

Where was first Church?Persecution led to spread of Faith - Saint Stephen the 1st of many martyrs.

Jews and Gentiles become ChristiansApostles head Missions & face Martyrdom.

The Early Church - Foundation


Confession of FaithMy soul like the spiritual bride of Christ is foretasting the Heavenly Kingdom, that the Holy God has prepared “to those that love” and it will be perfected in His Second and Glorious Coming and the final judgment of the living and the dead. My deification shakes my whole being, and makes me to live on earth like a man, but to act like a god. This is my Orthodox Faith. The Faith of my Forefathers, Fathers, Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Preachers, Evangelists, Confessors, Martyrs and every spirit perfected in faith. This is the Faith that I confess and preach to all and forever and I will fight by the grace of God, to uphold undefiled and right until the end. I open my heart and my hands to a warm embrace to all the schismatics and heterodox my brothers, that want to come to Orthodoxy and I pray for them. I will not though permit to anyone ever, according to my ability, to alter or tear the unwoven garment of my Church. You, my Lord Jesus gave your precious Blood for her. Here, I am ready, give me Your grace to defend her. Light the fire of my humble soul for the Cross and the martyrdom. Amen.Paracletos Monastery


Ec cle si´a means “to Gather”

Images of Church from New Testament

Vineyard (John 15:1-8)

Shepherd and the flock (John 10:1-16)

Head and the Body of Christ (Eph 1:22-23)

A building under construction (Eph 2:19-22)

A house or family (1Tim 3:15)

Church is not a human-made institution.Not a building. Not a set of rules.A living relationship with Christ.

The Ecclesia


Church - Our Spiritual Home

Where we heal spiritually to be in communion with God.Christ is the Head, Founder, Foundation and Chief Priest.The Body of Christ. “In Him we live.”(Acts 17:28)

Christ sent Holy Spirit and promised it would remain with them forever and after the Resurrection. It unites us with Christ & lives in us through the sacraments. It is active and alive in Orthodox ChurchWe participate in the Church (Ecclesia) for our spiritual healing.


Jesus did not specify that the Church be organized as the Roman empire.that they a! may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. (John 17:21-23)

Church is an act of communion.


Church Hierarchy established by Christ through His Apostles

All are equal before the judgment of God.This hierarchy was established by Jesus Christ.

He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ: ti! we a! come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fu!ness of Christ (Eph 4:11-13)

No one can take upon himself the hierarchal ministry Only one who is called and lawfully placed through the Mystery of Ordination. No man taketh this honor unto himself, but that is ca!ed of God, as was Aaron. (Heb 5:4)

Apostolic successionWednesday, January 28, 2009

Hierarchy

Ecumenical Council

Bishop

PresbytersDeacons


Councils of the Church

How did Apostles resolve their disputes?When the Apostles needed to resolve a dispute about circumcision of the Gentiles, the Apostles gathered in a Council in Jerusalem (Acts 15)

In Council the Holy Spirit gave them direction.The decrees of this Council were acknowledged as obligatory for the whole church. (Acts 16:4). They established an example of conciliar resolution of important questions in the Church for all times.The council of bishops is highest authority in the Church.


HierarchyThe Apostles placed Bishops as their immediate successors and Presbyters as helpers of the bishops. Presbyters (literally elders) both in Apostolic times and all subsequent time the second degree of the hierarchy.Apostle James tells us that presbyters perform the Church’s sacred rites, and that in the early church there could by several presbyters in each community.Is any sick among you? Let him ca! for the elders (presbyters) of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. (James 5:14)

Metropolitan AlexiosMetropolis of Atlanta

Father Tom PistolisPresbyter


HierarchyThird hierarchal degree is the deacon.Seven in number where chosen by the community in Jerusalem and ordained by the Apostles.Their first assignment was to help the Apostles in practical, secondary activity: The were entrusted to “serve tables” to give out food, and be concerned for the widows.Deacons were appointed by bishops (1 Tim 3:8-13)Justin Martyr (150A.D.) writes: Those called deacons among us give to each of those present communion of the Bread upon which has been performed the Thanksgiving (Eucharist) and of the Wine and the Water, and they carry them out to those who are absent.”

Saint Stephen


ONE HOLY CATHOLIC AND APOSTOLIC CHURCH The Eastern Orthodox Church

The Roman Catholic Church

33Pentecost

69

Bishop

Ignatius

consecrated

in Antioch

150

Justin Martyr

describes liturgy

325

1st

Ecumenical

Council and

the Nicene

Creed

397

Synod of

Carthage

ratifies Biblical

Canon

451

Council of

Chalcedon

589

Filioque added

to Nicene creed

by Synod in

Spain and later

adopted by Ro-

man Church

787

Icons approved

at seventh Ecu-

menical council

880

The Photian

Schism

988

Conversion

of Russia

begins

1054

Great Schism

CRUSADES

1204

Sack of

Constantinople

by Crusaders

1333

Gregory Palamas

defends Ortho-

dox spirituality

1453

Turks overrun

Constantinople

1768

Arrival of

the first Greeks in

US.

1794

Rusian

Mis-

sionaries

arrive at

Kodiak

Island

Alaska

1864

1st Greek

Orthodox

church es-

tablished in

New Orleans

Luther’s

95 Theses.

Reforma-

tion begins

1517

Church of

England

1529

1854

Dogma of

Immaculate

conception

1870

Dogma of

Papal Infal-

ibility

A Time Line of Church History

1095

1291

Apostalic Age Byzantine Empire

1921

Greek

Orthodox

archdiocese

established

in US.

1993

Con-

struction

begins on

Cathedral

in Green-

ville.

1832

Greece

recognized

a Free

Country -

Treaty of

Constanti-

nople

Find this chart in your class materials




33Pentecost

69

Bishop

Ignatius

consecrated

in Antioch

150

Justin Martyr

describes liturgy

325

1st

Ecumenical

Council and

the Nicene

Creed

397

Synod of

Carthage

ratifies Biblical

Canon

451

Council of

Chalcedon

589

Filioque added

to Nicene creed

by Synod in

Spain and later

adopted by Ro-

man Church

787

Icons approved

at seventh Ecu-

menical council

880

The Photian

Schism

988

Conversion

of Russia

begins

1054

Great Schism

CRUSADES

1204

Sack of

Constantinople

by Crusaders

1333

Gregory Palamas

defends Ortho-

dox spirituality

1453

Turks overrun

Constantinople

1768

Arrival of

the first Greeks in

US.

1794

Rusian

Mis-

sionaries

arrive at

Kodiak

Island

Alaska

1864

1st Greek

Orthodox

church es-

tablished in

New Orleans

Luther’s

95 Theses.

Reforma-

tion begins

1517

Church of

England

1529

1854

Dogma of

Immaculate

conception

1870

Dogma of

Papal Infal-

ibility


1095

1291


1921

Greek

Orthodox

archdiocese

established

in US.

1993

Con-

struction

begins on

Cathedral

in Green-

ville.

1832

Greece

recognized

a Free

Country -

Treaty of

Constanti-

nople

LIBERATION& CREED

Liberation from Persecution


Constantine's Great Accomplishments

Edict of Milan (313)Constantine and LiciniusToleration of Faith

Establishment of Constantinople as 2nd capital

Inauguration of city - 330No pagan rites - Center of Orthodoxy

Calling the 1st Ecumenical Council of the Church

Establishment of An Imperial church


Significance of Ecumenical Councils

Defend and clarify the beliefs of Church: Purpose was to aid in our spiritual healing and to protect from heresy.Affirm the Basic Faith of Christianity - To restore proper relationship between man and God, broken by sin, God sends His Son who redeems man from sin and death for the purpose of deification - theosis.Each Council protected the doctrine of Incarnation - Christ as fully God and fully Human.


Nicene Creed

Outcome of the first two Ecumenical Councils


Church of 7 Councils


Church of the Seven Councils

Nicea - 325

Arius condemned - the Son of God not true God but a created being.

Christ is one in essence with the Father.

Canons - Established the Four Patriarchates.

1st Ecumenical Council



Constantinople - 381Doctrine of the trinity affirmed - Holy Spirit proceeds from Father.Athanasius & Cappadocians - Gregory Nazianzus, Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa supported the Orthodox Doctrine.3rd Canon - Constantinople 2nd in honor after “Old Rome”

2nd Ecumenical Council


Church of the Seven

Ephesus - 431

Nestorius - divided Jesus Christ’s Manhood and Divinity so much that 2 persons resulted (Antiochian School) “Christotokos”

Cyril of Alexandria emphasized unity of Christ. “Theotokos” God and man in one person (hypostasis)

Mary confirmed as The Mother of God - Theotokos

3rd Ecumenical Council

Church of Mary in Ephesus



Calcedon - 451Tome of Leo the Great - Two natures (phuseis), in one hypostasis (Person)affirming the divine and Human nature of Christ.Confirmed Constantinople 2nd in honor. Pentarchy of Patriarchates - division of Christianity into spheres of jurisdiction.All bishops equal

Bishop of Rome - primacy of honor, not supremacy in external power and jurisdiction

4th Ecumenical Council

St. Leo I, was Bishop of Rome from the years 440 to 461 A.D.



Constantinople - 553

Reaffirmation of Chalcedon




Constantinople - 680-1

Condemned Monotheleticism - Christ, having two natures, but being one person has only one will, the divine.

Since Christ has two natures He has two wills. This, so that full humanity and full divinity is not impaired.Why would this be important?




Iconoclasts (icon-breakers) sought destruction of icons as latent idolatry - strong in Asia Minor.Iconodules (icon-servers) saw icons dogmatic as well as liturgical issues.Began by Emperor Leo III - 780

7th Ecumenical Council - Nicea 787, taught honor and reverence for icons.

Iconoclastic Controversy


Church of Seven Councils

Councils keep Christians on trackNot defining God but clarifying who God was not.

Constantly defending the incarnate God as both human and divine.

As we will see this is important for the salvific nature of Christ.




33Pentecost

69

Bishop

Ignatius

consecrated

in Antioch

150

Justin Martyr

describes liturgy

325

1st

Ecumenical

Council and

the Nicene

Creed

397

Synod of

Carthage

ratifies Biblical

Canon

451

Council of

Chalcedon

589

Filioque added

to Nicene creed

by Synod in

Spain and later

adopted by Ro-

man Church

787

Icons approved

at seventh Ecu-

menical council

880

The Photian

Schism

988

Conversion

of Russia

begins

1054

Great Schism

CRUSADES

1204

Sack of

Constantinople

by Crusaders

1333

Gregory Palamas

defends Ortho-

dox spirituality

1453

Turks overrun

Constantinople

1768

Arrival of

the first Greeks in

US.

1794

Rusian

Mis-

sionaries

arrive at

Kodiak

Island

Alaska

1864

1st Greek

Orthodox

church es-

tablished in

New Orleans

Luther’s

95 Theses.

Reforma-

tion begins

1517

Church of

England

1529

1854

Dogma of

Immaculate

conception

1870

Dogma of

Papal Infal-

ibility


1095

1291


1921

Greek

Orthodox

archdiocese

established

in US.

1993

Con-

struction

begins on

Cathedral

in Green-

ville.

1832

Greece

recognized

a Free

Country -

Treaty of

Constanti-

nople

GREATSCHISMLIBERATION

Great Schism


Schism of 1054

What caused the split of the Church between east and West?

Many causes but doctrinal was primaryA long period of estrangement preceded


Schism of 1054

Christianity first spread in the Roman Empire of East and West

Many groups but one EmpireBroad Greco-Roman civilizationGreek and Latin common languages to all.


Schism of 1054Cultural unity was slowly lost.

Political unity first lost - Old versus New RomeBarbarian invasions beginning in 5th century Rise of Islam - Mediterranean was largely under their control.Greek was forgotten in West, Latin forgotten in the East. Scholars used different sources.Holy Roman Empire established in the West 800AD under Charlemagne.Western Roman Empire anti-Greek - led to development of separate Christian culture, with little in common.


Schism of 1054Direct Theological Conflict - Filioque

Filioque (“and the Son”) added to the creed regarding the procession of the Holy Spirit began in Spain officially at Council of Toledo 589.808 Leo III had Creed without Filioque inscribed at Saint Peter’s Cathedral. Support for use grew in West.

Orthodox Objections:Innovative arbitrary change breaking Church unity - no one party has right to change Creed.Filioque is technically unsound - heretical -

Destroys correct understanding of the TrinityLeads to false understanding of Spirit and Church.


Schism of 1054

Other issues of conflict

Celibacy of clergy in west - married Priests in East

Different rules and understanding of Fasting

Unleavened bread in communion in West; leavened bread in East.


Schism of 1054

1054 Pope Leo IX sent delegation to Constantinople to work out differences.

Negotiations break down

Delegation places bull of excommunication on altar at Saint Sofia based on omission of filioque .

However friendly relations remained. Average Christian was not aware of the separation.


Estrangement to Schism

First Crusade bloody success militarily.Antioch 1098: Jerusalem 1099Latin Patriarchs set up. This left two Patriarchs in Jerusalem and Antioch.Fourth Crusade 1204. Crusaders originally bound for Egypt turned aside, sacked Constantinople; Systematic acts of sacrilege.

Crusades - “Frank Invasions”




33Pentecost

69

Bishop

Ignatius

consecrated

in Antioch

150

Justin Martyr

describes liturgy

325

1st

Ecumenical

Council and

the Nicene

Creed

397

Synod of

Carthage

ratifies Biblical

Canon

451

Council of

Chalcedon

589

Filioque added

to Nicene creed

by Synod in

Spain and later

adopted by Ro-

man Church

787

Icons approved

at seventh Ecu-

menical council

880

The Photian

Schism

988

Conversion

of Russia

begins

1054

Great Schism

CRUSADES

1204

Sack of

Constantinople

by Crusaders

1333

Gregory Palamas

defends Ortho-

dox spirituality

1453

Turks overrun

Constantinople

1768

Arrival of

the first Greeks in

US.

1794

Rusian

Mis-

sionaries

arrive at

Kodiak

Island

Alaska

1864

1st Greek

Orthodox

church es-

tablished in

New Orleans

Luther’s

95 Theses.

Reforma-

tion begins

1517

Church of

England

1529

1854

Dogma of

Immaculate

conception

1870

Dogma of

Papal Infal-

ibility


1095

1291


1921

Greek

Orthodox

archdiocese

established

in US.

1993

Con-

struction

begins on

Cathedral

in Green-

ville.

1832

Greece

recognized

a Free

Country -

Treaty of

Constanti-

nople

REFORMATION

LIBERATION GREAT SCHISM

Reformation


Reformation - 16th CenturyOrthodox Church not involved in the issues surrounding the Reformation.Initiated due to indulgences as penance & and appointment of individuals to positions in Church based on financial contributions.Led to rejection of Tradition and reliance only on Scripture “Sola Scriptura”.Innovative doctrines introduced such as salvation by “faith only.”Led to thousands of branches due to different interpretations of Scripture.




33Pentecost

69

Bishop

Ignatius

consecrated

in Antioch

150

Justin Martyr

describes liturgy

325

1st

Ecumenical

Council and

the Nicene

Creed

397

Synod of

Carthage

ratifies Biblical

Canon

451

Council of

Chalcedon

589

Filioque added

to Nicene creed

by Synod in

Spain and later

adopted by Ro-

man Church

787

Icons approved

at seventh Ecu-

menical council

880

The Photian

Schism

988

Conversion

of Russia

begins

1054

Great Schism

CRUSADES

1204

Sack of

Constantinople

by Crusaders

1333

Gregory Palamas

defends Ortho-

dox spirituality

1453

Turks overrun

Constantinople

1768

Arrival of

the first Greeks in

US.

1794

Rusian

Mis-

sionaries

arrive at

Kodiak

Island

Alaska

1864

1st Greek

Orthodox

church es-

tablished in

New Orleans

Luther’s

95 Theses.

Reforma-

tion begins

1517

Church of

England

1529

1854

Dogma of

Immaculate

conception

1870

Dogma of

Papal Infal-

ibility


1095

1291


1921

Greek

Orthodox

archdiocese

established

in US.

1993

Con-

struction

begins on

Cathedral

in Green-

ville.

1832

Greece

recognized

a Free

Country -

Treaty of

Constanti-

nople

Find this chart in your class materials

REFORMATION

LIBERATION GREAT SCHISM


The Original Christian Community

Primarily Greek Speaking

Orthodox


Greek World Prepared The Way For The Spread of Christianity





Fullness of Apostolic Faith2. Church faithfully maintained the Apostolic Faith

Apostolic succession - Saint Andrew

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew - 270th


Roman Church introduced numerous innovations

Protestant churches regularly change teachingsNow over 38,000 Christian denominations


Fullness of Apostolic Faith3. Faithfully maintains the Tradition with worship directed toward Trinitarian God

Early Church adopted Jewish Liturgical Day with set times of prayer and a yearly calendar of fasts and feasts.

Worship is a sacrifice directed towards God.Not congregation centered where clergy minister to the people rather to God.

Liturgical form can be traced back to 2nd century.



Christ historical figure fulfilling OT propheciesOrthodox Church has historical Apostolic continuitySound unchanging doctrine - Church of 7 CouncilsWithstood Islamic occupation and Communist oppression - Cannot be suppressed Church is Body of Christ & as members we become part of HimChurch and its sacraments are for our healingChurch honored and trusted as a most precious gift.



1 history of chruch

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