|
Questions About Orthodoxy
Q. Who are the Orthodox?
A. The Orthodox* are Christians who believe in Jesus Christ as God
and in the Church He established.
*Orthodox comes from the Greek:
ORTHOS = Correct
DOXOS = Teaching (from Dokein, to think), or worship (from DOXA, meaning glory)
Q. Could a person from a different denomination get Baptized and
Chrismated into our church?
A. Yes, a non-Orthodox Christian can become an Orthodox Christian
in the following manner. If the person is a member of a Christian
Church which baptizes its members in the name of the Holy Trinity
(in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit that is) it is not
general practice to rebaptize them. However, if a person has not
been baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity, but still calls
himself/herse;f a Christian, baptism must take place in order to
become an Orthodox Christian. Those who have been baptized in the
name of the Holy Trinity are received int the Orthodox Church
throughout the Sacrement of Holy Chrismation which grants the gifts
of the Holy Spirit to them, among which is the statux of layperson
in the church. Is should be pointed out that no one should be a
converted membership, and that the free choice to change faith and
become Othodox should be based on a full understanding of Orthodoc
faith and practive. This is usually obtained through a period of
instruction.
| 
