Terminology -

HADES – A Greek word equivalent to the Hebrew Sheol the realm of the dead. Following His burial and before His glorious Resurrection, Christ liberated the righteous dead in Hades, enabling them to enter Paradise because He had destroyed sin and death by His life-giving death (1 Pet. 3:18-20).

HEART – In scriptural terms, the spiritual center of one’s being. The heart is the seat of divine presence and grace and the source of moral acts. The transformation of the heart is the major work of God’s saving grace. (Matt. 5:8; 6:21; 22:37; Luke 6:45; John 7:38; Rom. 2:29; 10:9, 10; Heb. 13:9.) The… Read More

HERESY – Following one’s own choice or opinion instead of divine truth preserved by the Church, so as to cause division among Christians. Heresy is a system of thought which contradicts true doctrine. It is false teaching, which all true Christians must reject (Matt. 7:15; 2 Pet. 2:1).

HOLY – Literally, “set apart” or separated unto God; also, blessed, righteous, sinless. The word, therefore, refers to God as the source of holiness, to the Church and its sacraments, to worshipers of the true God, and to those of outstanding virtue. Those who are transformed by the Holy Spirit become holy as God is… Read More

HOPE – An expectation of something desired. Christian hope is trust and confidence in the eternal goodness of God, a faith that Christ has overcome the suffering of this world. God is both the cause and goal of hope (John 16:20-24, 33; Rom. 5:2; 8:24, 25; 2 Thess. 2:16). As a guide for the doctrine… Read More

HYPOSTASIS – A technical theological term for “person” or something which has an individual existence. The word is used to describe the three Persons of the Godhead: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Hypostasis is also used to describe the one Person of Christ, who is both truly divine and truly human.

ICON – Image. Christ is “the image of the invisible God” (Col. 1:15). Because Christ is God who became Man, He can Himself be pictured or imaged. Thus, icons of Christ? together with those of His saints – express the reality of the Incarnation. Orthodox Christians honor or venerate icons, but never worship them, for… Read More

IDOL – A statue or other image of a false god; also, anything that is worshiped in place of the one true God. Money, possessions, fame, even family members can become idols if we put them ahead of God (Lev. 26:1; Col. 3:5).

ILLUMINATION Enlightenment. In the Bible, darkness is often used as an image of sin and death. To be illuminated is to be shown the true path of righteousness in God, thereby being led out of the darkness of sin and death. Baptism is called illumination, because in it we are delivered from sin and death… Read More

IMAGE – (Gr. eikon) Literally, “icon.” The Bible teaches that man was created in the image and likeness of God. Men and women reflect the divine image in their ability to reason and to rule nature, and in freedom of action. Although sin has darkened or stained God’s image, it has not annihilated it. Through… Read More

IMMANUEL – “God is with us,” a title of Christ the Messiah, God in the flesh (Is. 7:14; Matt. 1:22, 23).

IMMORTALITY – Eternal life. Those who follow Christ will rise to eternal life with Him in heaven; those who reject Him will be resurrected to eternity in hell (John 3:16-18; 5:26-29).

INCARNATE – From Latin, meaning “to become flesh.” Christ is God Incarnate: He became flesh – that is, human thereby sanctifying human flesh and reuniting all humanity to God. The Son of God was incarnated from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary. He took upon Himself the flesh and the soul of man and… Read More

INFANT BAPTISM – There are numerous biblical passages which support the ancient Christian practice of infant baptism, which was universal in the Church until the Anabaptist reaction after the Protestant Reformation. Among these are: “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt…. Read More

INTERCESSION – Supplication to God in behalf of another person. Christ intercedes before God the Father in behalf of the repentant sinner, and God’s people intercede for one another (Is. 53:12; Jer. 27:18; Rom. 8:34).

JEW – Originally one of God’s chosen people who followed the covenant given to Moses by God. In the Old Testament, the Jews are (1) citizens of Judah; (2) the post exilic people of Israel; or (3) the worshipers of Yahweh. God chose the Jews to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah,… Read More

JUDGMENT – In the biblical sense, God’s decision on the worthiness of one to enter heaven or to be condemned to hell. Following death, all will be judged, and Christ will return again to confirm that judgment. Because of sin, no one can earn a place in heaven by his own righteousness. However, through Christ,… Read More

JUSTIFICATION – The act whereby God forgives the sins of a believer and begins to transform him or her into a righteous person. No person can earn justification by works of righteousness, for justification is the gift of God given to those who respond to the gospel with faith. God also helps those who cooperate… Read More

KENOSIS – Literally, “emptying.” The word is associated with humility or humiliation. God the Word humbled Himself by becoming man (with no change in His divinity), suffering death on the Cross for the world and its salvation (Phil. 2:5-8).   God’s self-limitation, His Divine condescension, especially in taking on human nature in Christ.

KINGDOM OF GOD – God’s rule over the world, showing (1) His absolute sovereignty as Creator and (2) His sovereignty over the faithful who voluntarily submit to Him. The Kingdom of God was made manifest by Christ and is present in the world through the Church. The fullness of the Kingdom will come when Christ… Read More

KISS OF PEACE – A kiss on the cheek or the shoulder given by one believer to another as a sign of Christian unity and fellowship (1 Cor. 16:20). The clergy, and in some places the faithful, exchange the kiss of peace before saying the Nicene Creed during the Divine Liturgy of the Orthodox Church.

KNOWLEDGE – Knowing and experiencing the truth of God and salvation through Jesus Christ. Spiritual knowledge (1) is frequently identified with Christian doctrine; (2) is applied to the spiritual meaning of the Scripture; and (3) refers to mystical and contemplative knowledge, not merely intellectual knowledge of God. Its aim and effects are to enhance man’s… Read More

KOINONIA – 1) A Greek word meaning communion or intimate fellowship. This relationship exists between the three Persons of the Holy Trinity and also between Christians who are united by love into one body in Christ. (Acts 2:41, 42; 2 Cor. 13:14; 1 John 1:1-7). See also COMMUNION. 2) Communion Hymn sung during the Divine… Read More

LAMB OF GOD – 1) (an appellation or Title of Jesus) Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, offered Himself as a perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world (John 1:29). 2)In the preparation service, the bread and wine are made ready to be consecrated in the Eucharist service to follow. The priest cuts out… Read More