St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church

Our Faith

Articles and Resources for the Orthodox Church.



Introductory Articles


The Orthodox Church: An Introduction
Rev. Thomas Fitzgerald
May-24-2004
Introduces the non Orthodox to Orthodox Christianity.   more...

History
Rev. Thomas Fitzgerald
May-25-2004
Sketches the great epochs of Orthodoxy.   more...

Special Services and Blessings
Rev. Thomas Fitzgerald
May-24-2004
Describes the non-sacramental services which contribute to spiritual life.   more...

Spirituality
Rev. Thomas Fitzgerald
May-25-2004
Discusses the meaning of theosis as the goal of Christian life.   more...

Teachings of the Orthodox Church
Rev. Thomas Fitzgerald
May-25-2004
Outlines the salient points of doctrine and basic credal affirmations.   more...

The Calendar of the Orthodox Church
Lewis Patsavos, Ph.D.
May-26-2004
Understanding the religious calendar, it's history, and development.   more...

The Church
Rev. Thomas Fitzgerald
May-25-2004
Outlines the procedure for becoming a member of the Orthodox Church   more...

The Holy Eucharist
Rev. Thomas Fitzgerald
May-24-2004
Describes the meaning and celebration of the Eucharist.   more...

Worship
Rev. Thomas Fitzgerald
May-24-2004
Discusses the form and characteristics of Orthodox worship.   more...

The Sacrament of Confession
Fr. Peter Orfanakos
Through the forgiveness of sins in the Sacrament of Confession, the past is no longer an intolerable burden but rather an encouragement for what lies ahead. Life acquires an attitude of expectation, not of despondency; and confession becomes the way out of the impasse caused by sin.   more...

The Sacrament of the Holy Priesthood (Ordination)
Fr. Peter Orfanakos
The Sacrament of the Holy Priesthood derives its origin from Christ, the great High Priest, Who was "holy, blameless, unstained, separated from sinners, exalted above the heavens... a minister in the sanctuary which is set up not by man but by the Lord." (Hebrews 7:26, 8:2).   more...


General Articles

And Then They Will Fast
Bishop Isaiah of Denver
May-26-2004
An examination of the history and development of fasting and its role in the life of the Orthodox Christian.   more...

Dating Pascha in the Orthodox Church
Dr. Lewis J. Patsavos
May-26-2004
How the dating of Pascha is determined each year.   more...

Holy Week Meditation and Study Guide
Fr. Andrew Demotses
May-26-2004
A day by day account of the meaning of each service in Holy Week.   more...

On Fasting
Metropolitan Maximos
May-26-2004
The practical and spiritual dimensions of fasting, which serves as a guide in our union with the resurrected Lord.   more...

The Calendar of the Orthodox Church
Lewis Patsavos, Ph.D.
May-26-2004
Understanding the religious calendar, it's history, and development.   more...

The Saints of the Orthodox Church
George Bebis, Ph.D.
May-25-2004
An examination of how saints and santhood is understood in the Orthodox Church.   more...

Tradition in the Orthodox Church
George S. Bebis PH.D.
May-26-2004
An examination of the Orthodox Christian understanding of tradition as the history of salvation and the life of the Holy Spirit in the Church.   more...

The Icon Controversy in the Early Church
Fr. Peter Orfanakos
Icons create within us a sharper awareness of the 'divine presence.' They awaken a more favorable disposition for prayer. They can evoke meditation and a deeper appreciation of God's gracious acts for our salvation. They can imprint upon our minds a more vivid image of the idea of things, which are necessary for our spiritual growth.   more...

Why Orthodox Christians Are Not Cremated
Fr. John Touloumes
Cremation (burning the bodies of those who have died to the point of ashes) is a practice which is being "sold" as a cost-effective, space-conservative alternative to traditional burial of the body. Throughout her history, however, the Orthodox Church has prohibited this practice. But, as in many areas of the Faith, we must take the time to learn why the Church takes such a position.   more...

On The Protection of the Natural Environment
His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I
Beginning to see nature as a work of God, we begin to see our own place as human beings within nature. The true appreciation of any object is to discover the extraordinary in the ordinary. The Church teaches it is the destiny of mankind to restore the proper relationship between God and the world as it was in Eden. By protecting the Environment as Orthodox Christians, we embody this teaching in our actions.   more...

Daily Prayer
Fr. Peter Orfanakos
In peace let us pray to the Lord," the first petition of several litanies in the Divine Liturgies of St. John Chrysostom and St. Basil the Great, in essence tells us to leave our cares behind and to actually talk with God in prayer. Prayer is the spiritual food that strengthens our whole being. Prayer enables us to maintain a personal relationship with our loving God, through that intimate 'soul to Spirit' dialogue   more...


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