SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE IN THE ORTHODOX CHURCH
The Church of Christ is a community. The Church is a body with many parts or members. The Church is a body, which was established and is maintained by God for the purpose of the salvation of souls.
For the body to exist and to live effectively and efficiently, certain rules must be created and enforced. From time to time, it is necessary for our Holy Orthodox Christian Church to inform you, our beloved, on important issues that affect your spiritual lives. With love and understanding, we wish to advise you on certain rules of our Church, so that any misunderstanding may be avoided.
As your Priest, We request your cooperation, Furthermore, we are ready and willing, with the sole guidance of Christ, to work with you, talk to you, and advise to you, and to advise you in matters concerning you spiritual life. We are always here for you!
PARISH MEMBERSHIP
It should be understood that parish membership is not based solely on the fulfillment of one’s financial commitment to the parish. One must be a baptized / chrismated Orthodox Christian, who is in good, spiritual standing (see the sections below on Holy Communion, Baptism, Weddings, and Divorce for further explanation on this).
Although we welcome with open arms those who are not Orthodox, it should be understood that only Orthodox individuals can be members and therefore receive the sacraments, become sponsors at Baptisms and Weddings, and vote in parish elections and at general assemblies.
HOLY COMMUNION
No person is allowed to receive Holy Communion in any Orthodox Church unless they are of the Orthodox faith.
No Orthodox Christian may receive Holy Communion in a non-Orthodox Church. (i.e., Roman Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Baptist, etc.)Couples who are not married in the Orthodox Church cannot participate in the sacrament unless their priest, hearing their confession, deems it necessary for them to receive Holy Communion. Therefore those co-habitating out of wedlock may not receive Holy Communion or be a sponsor at a Baptism or Wedding.
BAPTISM
The sponsor (godparent) of a child being baptized in the Orthodox Church must be an Orthodox Christian in good standing and must be involved in the life of the Church. If married, the sponsor must have been married in the Orthodox Church, and, if divorced, he/she must have release from the Church through the Spiritual Court.The sponsors must be over twelve (12) years of age. If the sponsor is form another Orthodox Church, they must have an accompanying letter from their parish priest stating that they are in good standing and that there are no impediments concerning their spiritual status as Orthodox Christians.Orthodox Christians may not become sponsors at Baptisms and Confirmations in non-Orthodox Churches (i.e., Roman Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Baptist, etc.)
WEDDINGS
The best man/woman or koumbaro/koumbara must be an Orthodox Christian in good standing and be involved in the life of the Church. Non-Orthodox cannot assume this responsibility.
If the koumbaro/koumbara is from another Orthodox Church, they must have an accompanying letter from their parish priest stating that they are in good standing with the Church.
If the bride or groom was born in Greece and has come to the United States after their 16th birthday, they must have a certificate from their Diocese of Chicago from another Orthodox Diocese.
If an Orthodox Christian is asked to participate in a non-Orthodox wedding, he/she may not receive Holy Communion at that service (i.e., Roman Catholic).
If you are aware of anyone who has not been married in the Church, please let us know, so that we may contact that person and make the necessary arrangements for the marriage to be performed with the blessings of our Church.
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS IN THE CHURCH
“In her love and understanding, our Holy Orthodox Church has allowed for the use of the organ for the processional and recessional at weddings, as this is part of the American wedding traditions. No other instruments – trumpet, violin, etc. – are to be used for weddings or any other Orthodox Sacrament or Service” (from the Encyclical Letter of the Diocese of Chicago dated August 1, 1990).
FUNERALS
It is necessary for Orthodox Christians to participate in the entire life of Christ’s Holy Church, therefore:
It should be understood that funerals are only performed for those who are baptized Orthodox Christians.
The funeral service cannot be performed in Church for those who have committed suicide, unless they were under doctor’s care, and the doctor certifies that they were not responsible for their action.
Under no circumstance does the Church allow a person to be cremated. A religious service cannot be performed.
Baptized Orthodox, who either are married outside the Church or are divorced, but have not been released by the Church through the Spiritual Court, cannot be brought to the Church for the funeral service, unless a priest had previously heard their confession and was aware of their intentions.
DIVORCE
A Church divorce may be granted after a civil decree has been given, but only after effort to reconcile the couple has been made.
The Church does not permit divorce, but because of love and compassion for the people involved, divorce is at times tolerated. The Church grants divorce through the Spiritual Court that reviews the case after a petition is made.
FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP
It is necessary for everyone to satisfy his/her financial stewardship to the Church. Our parish stewardship has a suggested minimum of one hour’s pay per week.
HOSPITAL/SHUT –MINISTRY AND HOME VISITATION
The Hospital/Shut-In Ministry is very important and necessary.
Be good ministers yourselves. Please call your priests if you know of anyone who is sick at home or in the hospital.
There are times that you wish to have your home blessed or to have the Sacrament of Unction performed in your home. Please call us. We will be more than happy to serve you.
IN CONCLUSION
These are some of the guidelines and rules that pertain to our lives as Orthodox Christians. May we remind you that these rules are not solely for our parish. They are rules, which affect all the Greek Orthodox Churches and all Greek Orthodox Christians must comply with them. They must be followed so as to alleviate misunderstandings. Remember, misunderstandings also hurt us, the priests, but we cannot be expected to violate Church rules and Canons.
Please try to understand us. Cooperate with us. If you know someone who falls under the aforementioned categories, please let us know. We will do everything in our power to be useful and reinstate them in Church. We, the priests, are here to serve you. Your cooperation in following these regulations will help us greatly in offering you assistance in all your spiritual needs. (Go to Top)
Why do you call yourselves “Orthodox”?
The word orthodox was coined by the ancient Christian Fathers of the Church, the name traditionally given to the Christian writers in the first centuries of Christian history. Orthodox is a combination of two Greek words, orthos and doxa.
Orthos means “straight” or “correct.” (It is also found in the word “orthopedics,” which in the original Greek means “the correct education of children.”) Doxa means at one and the same time “glory,” “worship” and “doctrine.” So the word orthodox signifies both “proper worship” and “correct doctrine.”
The Orthodox Church today is identical to the undivided Church in ancient times. The Protestant Reformer Martin Luther once remarked that he believed the pure Faith of primitive Christianity is to be found in the Orthodox Church. Which do you believe in, the Bible or Tradition?
A good short answer to this question is “Yes!” The question implies precisely a kind of polarity (i.e., “Bible versus Tradition”) which is not found in the Orthodox Christian worldview.
“Tradition” or in Greek paradosis, is used very often in the New Testament both as a verb and a noun. (See I Corinthians 11:23, where literally translating the original Greek, Paul says “for I received of the Lord that which I also have traditioned to you . . . .” See also I Corinthians 11:2, and II Thessalonians 2:15 and 3:6.)
Tradition means “that which is handed over.” The New Testament carefully distinguishes between “traditions of men” and The Tradition, which is the Faith handed over to us by Christ in the Holy Spirit. That same Faith was believed and practiced several decades before the New Testament Scriptures were set down in writing and given canonical (i.e., official) status. We experience the Tradition as timeless and ever timely, ancient and ever new.
We distinguish between The Tradition (“with a capital T”) which is the Faith/Practice of the Undivided Church, and traditions (“with a little t”) which are local or national customs. Due to changing circumstances, sometimes cherished traditions must be altered or respectfully laid aside for the sake of The Tradition.
The New Testament Scriptures are the primary written witness to the Tradition. Orthodox Christians therefore believe the Bible, as the inspired written Word of God, is the heart of the Tradition. In the New Testament all basic Orthodox doctrine and sacramental practice is either specifically set forth, or alluded to as already a practice of the Church in the first century A.D.
The Tradition is witnessed to also by the decisions of the Seven Ecumenical Councils, the Nicene Creed, the writings of the Fathers of the Church, by the liturgical worship and iconography of the Church, and in the lives of the Saints.