What is the orthodox view of heaven?

In the Eastern Orthodox Church, heaven is part and parcel of deification (theosis), the eternal sharing of the divine qualities through communion with the Triune God (reunion of Father and Son through love).

What God says about hell?

Jesus Christ says in Matthew 25:41, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into EVERLASTING FIRE, prepared for the devil and his angels.” In Matthew 13:42, Jesus says: “And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” HELL IS FOREVER! All who enter hell — abandon all hope!

What do Greek Orthodox believe happens after death?

The Greek Orthodox believe that when an individual dies, the soul and body are separated. The body is returned to the earth and decomposes but is not lost to the soul. The soul does not “return” to heaven, it meets God for the first time and awaits the body’s resurrection.

When was hell invented?

725 AD
The modern English word hell is derived from Old English hel, helle (first attested around 725 AD to refer to a nether world of the dead) reaching into the Anglo-Saxon pagan period.

Are Orthodox saints in heaven?

The altar in an Orthodox church usually contains relics of saints, often of martyrs. Because the Church shows no true distinction between the living and the dead (the saints are considered to be alive in Heaven), saints are referred to as if they were still alive.

Why do Orthodox eat fish after funeral?

Eating fish as part of the mercy meal is a symbol of Christ’s resurrection. While other side dishes might be served, these are usually also classic Greek dishes.

Can I become Greek Orthodox?

When you visit your priest, he will likely have a specific set of instructions that you will need to follow in order to convert. You might need to become baptized at some point, but this will all be up to the priest. Those who are looking to convert to Orthodoxy are referred to as catechumens.

Do Orthodox believe in Purgatory?

The Eastern Orthodox Church holds that it is necessary to believe in an intermediate after-death state in which believers are perfected and brought to full divinization, a process of growth rather than of punishment, which some Orthodox have called purgatory.

What is the orthodox view of salvation?

In a nutshell, that’s the Protestant view of salvation. The Orthodox view of salvation begins much the same way. In the beginning, God creates man in his image and is in perfect communion with him. [Chairs are facing each other.] Then, in the garden, man sins.

What do the Orthodox believe in?

Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholics share the most essential views about God. They believe God made everything. They believe God is a Trinity: a single being consisting of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They also believe that Jesus was God. Eastern and Western Christians differ in their understanding of humanity, however.

What is the orthodox view of sin?

The Orthodox Church presents a view of sin distinct from views found in Roman Catholicism and in Protestantism, that sin is viewed primarily as a terminal spiritual sickness, rather than a state of guilt, a self-perpetuating illness which distorts the whole human being and energies, corrupts the Image of God inherent in those who bear the human