A few words of explanation and little bit of history…
Orthodox Christianity makes a bold claim: it is there in the word ‘Orthodox’. The word means “right or true belief” and it was used of the Christian Church from the early centuries to demonstrate that it maintained the wholeness of the Christian faith against those who chose their own separate interpretation. Why did it matter and why does it still? Because for a Christian the Church is where we not only encounter Jesus Christ, and all that means, but is where we and he become one. To be a Christian is to be one in and with Jesus Christ as God, as Church, in one body. If that faith is compromised, so is our only hope. Hence the tenacity with which Orthodox Christianity has held to its belief against all threats.
Over the centuries the Christian Church in the East and the West, differing in language and custom, drifted further apart until by our time the two are no longer able to share in communion and Christianity is multiply fractured in the West following the Reformation.. This is a great tragedy and one that we pray profoundly to be healed. In the meanwhile we can meet in respect and friendship but sadly not yet in the communion of the Eucharist. To this end, our church and worship are open to all and all are welcome, whether of faith or of none. We greet you all: come in and be welcome.
So, Orthodox Christianity can seem mysterious and foreign in a Western context and it has been referred to as ‘Christianity’s best kept secret’. Instead of attempting to explain our rich faith in a few words, we have collected links to enable you to find out as much (or as little) as you would like. After all, we don’t need to explain our individual parish’s beliefs as they are shared with Eastern Orthodox churches as a whole and maintained throughout 2,000 years of Christianity.
Resources of Information:
Introduction to Orthodoxy – Greek Orthodox Archdiocese link
The Orthodox Faith – comprehensive online resources link
Orthodox Christian Information Centre link
Questions and Answers about Orthodoxy – Orthodox Church of America link
Videos:
Peace Beyond Understanding – link a video series created by our own parish catechist, Cuthbert. Topics include:
Y²AM – link Orthodox Christian Youth & Young Adult Ministries
Theoria – link Orthodox life, dogma, and spirituality. Content includes:
- What is the Orthodox Church? link
- Welcome to the Orthodox Church – Series link
- 5 Misconceptions About the Orthodox Church link
- 5 Differences between Orthodoxy and Evangelicalism link
- 5 Differences Between Roman Catholic and Easter Orthodox link
Orthodox Christian Fellowship – University student focused link
CLASSES
Adults: Henry (Cuthbert) McGrath runs a group, teaching about aspects of our Church and its faith. If you would like to join in with this just ask him in church on a Sunday or email him (secretary@bristol-orthodox-church.org.uk). This group is open to anyone from 12 years upwards and it runs spontaneously after Divine Liturgy. Find the teaching programme under the What’s On tab – Adult Classes
Children: We are not currently able to run Children’s classes due to a lack of volunteers. If you would like to volunteer to help out, please contact secretary@bristol-orthodox-church.org.uk