| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| DOCTRINE | DOCTRINE – The teaching of the Church, called variously the doctrine of Christ (2 John 1:9), the apostles’ doctrine (Acts 2:42), or sound doctrine (Titus 1:9; see 2 Tim. 3:16; Rom. 16:17). |
| EASTER | EASTER – The Feast of the Resurrection of Christ, also known as Pascha (from the Hebrew word for Passover). Christ proclaimed Himself as the true Passover and offered Himself as a sacrifice. Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter according to the decree of the Council of Nicea in A.D. 325: the first Sunday following the first full… Read More |
| ENERGY | ENERGY – Used theologically, that which radiates from the hidden essence or nature of God. The energies of God, such as grace, are not created, and allow the believer to enter into a personal relationship with God while preserving the unique character of God, whose essence always remains hidden from humanity. Moses was permitted to… Read More |
| EPISCOPACY | EPISCOPACY – The order of bishops in the Church (from Gr. episkopos, “overseer”). See also BISHOP. |
| ESCHATOLOGY | ESCHATOLOGY – The study of the last days (Gr. eschaton). According to the Holy Scriptures, Christ will come again at the end of time to judge the living and the dead, destroy the power of evil, and fully reveal the everlasting Kingdom (Matt. 25:3146; Rev. 20:10?21:1). See also SECOND COMING. |
| ESSENCE | ESSENCE (Gr. ousia) Also translated as substance, nature or being. God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are “of one essence.” Jesus Christ is “of one essence” with God the Father and the Holy Spirit in His divinity, and “of one essence” with all human beings in His humanity. God’s essence is beyond… Read More |
| EUCHARIST | EUCHARIST – Taken from a Greek word meaning “thanksgiving,” Eucharist designates Holy Communion, the central act of Christian worship. At the Last Supper Christ gave thanks (Matt. 26:27; 1 Cor. 11:24), and embodied in the communion service is our Own thanksgiving. The word came into use very early, as exemplified by its use in the… Read More |
| EVANGELIST | EVANGELIST – One who preaches the gospel; used especially of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, who wrote the four NT Gospels. |
| EXCOMMUNICATION | EXCOMMUNICATION – Literally, “out of communion.”? This judgment is pronounced by the Church on willfully heretical, immoral, or divisive persons who refuse to repent of their sins, it excludes them from the sacramental life of the Church (1 Cor. 5:1-5) Excommunication is not viewed as eternal damnation but a discipline pertaining only to this life…. Read More |
| FAITH | FAITH – Belief and trust in Christ as one’s Savior. The effects of this faith are freedom from the power of the devil, the attainment of virtue, and progress toward perfection and union with God. One is saved by faith through grace-a living faith manifested by a righteous life ( Rom. 5; Rom. 3:28; Gal…. Read More |
| FASTING | FASTING – An ascetic exercise whereby one gives up certain foods, usually meat and dairy products, as a means of disciplining the body. Fasting is a part of the ascetic life and a sign of repentance. Orthodox Christians fast on most Wednesdays and Fridays (in memory of the betrayal and crucifixion of Christ) and during… Read More |
| FATHER | FATHER – (1) God the Father is one of the three Persons of the Holy Trinity. God the Son is eternally begotten of God the Father. God the Holy Spirit eternally proceeds from God the Father (Matt. 28:19; John 14:10; 15:26). (2) “Father” is a title given to one’s spiritual father based on the custom… Read More |
| FELLOWSHIP | FELLOWSHIP – (Gr. koinonia) Literally, “communion”; the unity of believers through Christ based on the fellowship of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Christians are united into a special fellowship through their love for one another and common union with Christ (Acts 2:42; 1 John 1:3, 7). See also COMMUNION. |
| FILIOQUE | FILIOQUE – A Latin word meaning “and the Son.” Western churches began adding this word to the Nicene Creed several centuries after it was written: “I believe In the Holy Spirit . . . who proceeds from the Father and the Son.” This “filioque clause” is judged by the Orthodox Church as error because it… Read More |
| FLESH | FLESH – (1) In New Testament usage, flesh refers to fallen human nature, which, through its ties to the world and mortality, struggles against spiritual growth and leads one into sin. Christians are called to subdue the lusts of the flesh so that they may grow in union with Christ (Rom. 8:4-9; Gal. 5:16-24). (2)… Read More |
| FORGIVENESS | FORGIVENESS – The remission of sin and guilt through the love of Christ. Forgiveness is given originally in baptism; forgiveness for continuing sin is reclaimed through repentance. As God has forgiven the sins of believers, so are Christians to forgive those who have sinned against them (Matt. 6:14, 15; 18:21-35; 1 John 1:9). |
| FORNICATION | FORNICATION – (Gr. porneia) The sin of sexual intercourse outside of marriage The word is also applied to polygamy and to many successive marriages. The Greek term means sexual immorality in general. Fornication is strongly condemned in Scripture (1 Cor. 6:16 18; Gal. 5:19; Col. 3:5.) |
| FREE WILL | FREE WILL – The freedom to choose between good and evil, between God and sin which is one aspect of humanity created in the image of God. According to Orthodox teaching, sin stains the image of God but does not destroy it. Human beings may choose to accept or reject the gospel, but must suffer… Read More |
| GENTILE | GENTILE – A non-Jew. Christ and His Apostles preached the gospel first to the Jews, who were chosen by God to prepare the way for the Messiah. Christ died for all, Jew and Gentile; thus, salvation is offered to the Gentiles as well as to the Jews. Those Gentiles who believe in Christ become the… Read More |
| GIFTS | GIFTS – Charismatic or spiritual gifts are blessings and abilities given by the Holy Spirit to believers for the building up of the body of Christ. The gifts of the Spirit serve the general good of the whole Church. It is possible to confuse spiritual gifts with natural talents and emotions, or to misuse the… Read More |
| GLORY | GLORY – The divine splendor of God, or a specific manifestation of God’s presence frequently likened to a cloud, smoke, or brilliant light. To serve and worship God is to glorify Him. Through the Holy Spirit, Christians are being changed to be like God and to reflect His glory. (Ex. 19:9, 16-18; Is. 60:1; Luke… Read More |
| GLOSSOLALIA | GLOSSOLALIA – Literally, “speaking in tongues.” St. Paul uses the term to describe not an emotional experience but a spiritual gift (1 Cor. 12:10), though not one of the higher gifts (1 Cor. 14:1-5). At Pentecost the gift was given to allow those present to hear the gospel in their native language (Acts 2:6); in… Read More |
| GNOSTICISM | GNOSTICISM – A very complex ancient heresy that was manifested in many different forms and beliefs. The Gnostics taught that Christ had imparted secret knowledge “gnosis,” to a select few, who in turn transmitted hidden truths to an elite. Central to Gnosticism is the denial of the goodness of matter, leading to a denial of… Read More |
| GRACE | GRACE – (Sl. Blahodat‘) The gift of God’s own presence and action in His creation. Through grace, God forgives sins and transforms the believer into His image and likeness. Grace is not merely unmerited favoran attitude of God toward the believer. Grace is God’s uncreated energy bestowed in the sacraments and is therefore truly experienced…. Read More |