Greece can truly be considered the cradle of christianity as the gospel was first brought to this region by the apostle paul, his close companion titus, who preached in crete and became bishop overseer of the church in that area, luke the doctor, gospel and acts author who was martyred. This particular document seems filled with many of the usual protestant evangelical interpretations of this book. Zoe press published revelation the seven seals volume 2 in the series of 104 onehour lessons given by a holy elder in greece during the early 1980s is grounded by scripture and the teachings of the church fathers. Revelation the seven seals orthodox christian lessons vol 2. Why dont we read from revelation in the services of the orthodox church. John the theologian is the only prophetic book of the new testament. John is one of the most trusted orthodox theologians whose inspired hand penned hymns for our orthodox pascha matins service, the orthodox funeral service, and the entire book of.
Thomas hopko explains how the book of revelation depicts the orthodox church and. In the 1970s there was an extremely popular book titled the late great planet earth which allegedly interpreted the book of revelation. He is not a member of any canonical eastern orthodox church but belongs to a greek old calendarist schismatic group. The greek new testament displayed is the authorized 1904 text of the ecumenical patriarchate of constantinople. Synaxis is a unique study group that began at holy cross greek orthodox school of theology. Is the book of revelation canonical in the orthodox church. In the following pages we hope to help explain how the eastern orthodox church understands the church, god, and our place in relationship with them both.
The church believes that the books of the bible are a valuable witness to gods revelation. The twentyone epistles and the acts of the apostles are devoted to the christian life and the development of the early church. The footnotes about greek textual variants are in the following format. Thomas fitzgerald the orthodox church throughout the ages has maintained a continuity of faith and love with the apostolic community which was founded by christ and sustained by the holy spirit. In fact, the early church seems to have been rather ambivalent about it.
Though today christians seem somewhat obsessed with revelation, that. What an orthodox bishop thinks you should know about the book of. Book of revelation and the orthodox church blogger. The strongest evidence that the book of revelation is not canonical in the orthodox church is that it is not publicly read in the orthodox church. The new testament, especially the gospels, is very important to. The view of the orthodox church can best be described as amillenialist. Teachings saints constantine and helen greek orthodox church. The greek orthodox archdiocese of america, with its headquarters located in the city of new york, is an eparchy of the ecumenical patriarchate of constantinople, the mission of the archdiocese is to proclaim the gospel of christ, to teach and spread the orthodox christian faith, to energize, cultivate, and guide the life of the church in the united states of america according to the orthodox. Even some of the churchs greatest and most philosophically sophisticated saints stated that some passages were difficult for them. Nicholas orthodox church scripture study bible study book of revelations with fr.
Catechism of the orthodox faith saint george greek. The book of revelation gives rise to many questions for orthodox christians. Clearly, a translation of the apocalypse based solely upon the living text of the eastern orthodox church is one important answer. The author names himself as john in the text, but his precise identity remains a point of academic debate. This was the end of orthodox christianity in asia minor, with the seventh and final church of smyrna recorded in the book. Thus, it occupies a central place in christian eschatology. What are we to make of its strange symbols, such as 666 or the mark of the beast. Another is the larger question of the interpretation and meaning of scripture.
The book of revelation, although never read in the orthodox church, bears witness to the divine reality which is the churchs own very life. The prayer of the church and its mystical celebration are one with the prayer and celebration of the kingdom of heaven. The destruction of smyrna has been recorded as one of the great crimes of all times, having taken place less than one hundred years ago. Timothy, the church is the pillar and ground of the truth 1 tim. Archimandrite antipas nikitaras the book of revelation for centuries now, people have pored over the book of revelation and have been curious about the sacred cave of the theophany seeking to penetrate its meaning and venerate with devotion the traces of the disciple of love. Delving into the history of the book of revelation in particular, however. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and the son and the holy spirit matt. The holy scriptures are highly regarded by the orthodox church. I would also strongly oppose coptic orthodox youth studying the book of revelation. But did you know that it speaks about the orthodox church. Immediately before our risen lords ascension into heaven, he instructed his disciples. The greek orthodox youth association goya is a youth ministry group for high schoolers 9th12th grade. What an orthodox bishop thinks you should know about the book of revelation june 11, 20 joel j.
It does caution people to read it with a solid background knowledge of the rest of scripture, especially the new testament, and with a basic understanding of the times which produced revelation. The book of revelation, also called the apocalypse which means that which has been disclosed, and also called the revelation to saint john, is traditionally. It is a book that should be in the religious section of every library. It may be noted that to this day, the scriptures in the orthodox church are not. Eastern orthodox bible study the book of revelation class 11. The worship of the church has traditionally, quite consciously, been patterned after the divine and eternal realities revealed in this book. The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the final book of the christian bible.
Teachings of the orthodox church home greek orthodox. Understanding the bible part 9 the book of revelation. Their importance is expressed in the fact that a portion of the bible is read at every service of worship. What an orthodox bishop thinks you should know about the. This latter word, airese in greek, in its use in this period, meant a sect. Saint basil greek orthodox church stockton posts facebook. Eastern orthodox bible study the book of revelation class 1. The orthodox church sees itself as the guardian and interpreter of the scriptures. This catecism guide is also available as a pdf download. Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text.
Eastern orthodox bible study the book of revelation. And another book was opened, which is the book of life. Book of revelation deuterocanonical books, which are sometimes also called anagignoskomena greek for things that are read i am told apocryphaheretical writings the book of enoch would fall under anagignoskomena, and it is often bound with. The old testament is a collection of fortynine books of various literary styles which expresses gods revelation to the ancient israelites. To the autonomous greek orthodox church of north and south america. Funny you should bring this topic up, but as i remember, private revelation is seriously downplayed, though that may be only in physical things like the rosary, miraculous medals, etc. The patriarchal text has been made available courtesy of the greek bible society and was digitized in xml in cooperation with the greek orthodox archdiocese department of internet ministries, the greek bible society and the american bible society it departments osis project. The book of revelation is a very symbolic text which looks to the return of christ. Understanding the greek orthodox church, 4th edition. The orthodox church does not persuade people not to read revelation. Among the things found in this book was the idea that revelation was speaking about such things as the soviet union, nuclear attacks between the ussr and the us, etc. Church of greece greek orthodox emerged 1850 as distinct from the eastern orthodox denomination. We will continue our reflection on the book of revelation.
Those other two footnotes may be found in an edition that has the greek text included. Those of you interested to learn and understand better the book of revelation should purchase this orthodox book by archmandrite athanasios mitilinaios, homilies on the book of the revelation. One of the most important aspects of our lives is pursuing after subjects that interest us. Nicholas orthodox church scripture study bible study book of revelation with fr. I served as a monk in the orthodox church once upon a time, and i did much study through those years, much reading, etc. The significance of the apocalypse and the interest in it t he apocalypse apocalupsis in greek, means revelation of st. The orthodox church, which sees itself as the guardian and interpreter of the scriptures, believes that the books of the bible are a valuable witness to gods revelation.
Listen to what jesus says in the book of revelation, 15 i know your works. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. Revelation is one of the most important sources for the inspiration and. The orthodox church has a long and rich history of theology and revelation. It is an excellent book and every orthodox christian should read it. Mission to grow and deepen our relationship and union. John of damascus, the great eighth century church father whose writings summarized the apostolic teachings of all the early church fathers who had preceded him. And let him who is thirsty come, let him who desires take the water of. Divine liturgy and the book of revelation as a catholic i remember reading a scott hahn book on how the book of revelation is a prototype for the catholic mass and thought that was really interesting at the time i read it, but did not really make the connection to the imagery at mass that the book described. Homilies on the book of the revelation apocalypse part i. He who opens the seals of the book is the ruling king revered and worshipped by the church in heaven and on earth rev. During a typical goya meeting we gather at taxiarchae church, eat a meal, discuss our faith and life, and do an activity or service project.
Revelation the seven seals orthodox christian lessons. The book of revelation often called the revelation to john, apocalypse of john, the revelation from jesus christ from its opening words, the apocalypse, the revelation, or simply revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the final book of the christian bible. These are a few of the many books available that shed light into areas that we may not have seen or understood before, and are great tools for depth. Mark pointed out in the interview, even now revelation is the only new testament book without a home in the orthodox lectionary. Not only is what is not seen of it greater than that which has. The only exceptions to this are some alexandrian churches and the monastery on the isle of patmos itself. The book of revelation is the only apocalyptic document in the new testament canon. In the orthodox church, the book of revelation has great liturgical significance. Eastern orthodox bible study the book of revelation class 2. In addition to this, there is the fact that greek orthodox churches.
Does the orthodox church have an official interpretation of the book. The website of saints constantine and helen greek orthodox church. Hence, revelation focuses on the ultimate triumph of the kingdom of god and how the christians by remaining loyal and faithful to christ, will ultimately reap the. The heart of synaxis is that the great mystery of the incarnation remains a mystery eternally. Why does the orthodox bible have more books than the. It foretells the impending fate of mankind, the end of the world, and the beginning of eternal life, and it is, therefore, naturally placed at the end of the holy scripture.
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