Has anyone heard about the Eastern Orthodox Church?

Have you heard of the Eastern Orthodox Church? It says that it is the only way to Heaven because it keeps the decisions of the first seven holy councils.
It says that non-orthodox Christians are judged by what they have done and they receive a smaller reward in Heaven than Orthodox Christians because they are in the wrong denomination
The Catholics disobey 20 decisions of the Holy Councils. And the rest of the Christian denominations don't follow the Holy Councils at all.

First Council of Nicaea (325)
First Council of Constantinople (381)
Council of Ephesus (431)
Council of Chalcedon (451)
Second Council of Constantinople (553)
Third Council of Constantinople (680)
Second Council of Nicaea (787)

The holy councils say that Virgin Mary, the Saints, the Cross should be honored (not worshiped like God just honored), that priests should marry (Catholics disobey this), that the church should not have a leader on Earth (the Pope disobeys that), that monasticism should be present in every country, that Jesus has a human part and a divine part, that He is the Uncreated Son of God (Jehova's Witnesses believe He is created)

People disobeyed this ancient decisions of the Church and this resulted into dividing Christianity into 33,000 denominations
No, the councils of the church were made to represent the official interpretation of the Bible by the church.
And what makes you think you're worthy to interpret the Bible the way you want? Are you holier than the church?
The decisions of the Councils were not done either by you and me
They were done through Councils by the bishops of the Church that lasted hundreds of days abounding with signs and miracles from the Holy Spirit!
I know is hard to believe but they did not use their brain to make their decisions, but the graces they have been endowed with.
All teachings that come against the decisions of the Councils are considered heresies

You know what's funny? They made this crap up AFTER Catholicism was was made up.

As a Catholic, I am familiar with this denomination. Similar worship services, but their priests have beards and can be married.

I think the several millions who are members have heard of it. Their churches are all over the eastern roman empire and have been in Western Europe for decades.

genuine query: Are you another American who thinks foreign = the next state to mine?

Yes, I've heard of it, and I think if there is any Church that is still Apostolic, then the Orthodox Church is it. Unfortunately it seems to be concentrated in Eastern Europe and it's difficult to find any local Orthodox Churches here in the West.

In the ancient tablets Thoth wrote "Human beings must become enlightened in order to find their way in the dark. Becoming enlightened means becoming smart travelers, who acquire knowledge of the way, an understanding of the local language and friendship with other travelers. We are all travelers in eternity." Christianity holds us back.

Yes I have heard of them they were part of the Great Schism of 1054. This was more of a political move than a faith problem because at the time the Roman empire had fallen and t he Constantine Empire was on the rise ans some thought that the Chair of Peter should have been moved from Rome to Constantinople since it was at the time the "Capital city" we now know today that Constantinople no longer exists and Rome is still here.

Yes, I've heard of them but know nothing of their beliefs.

However, I will say that we're to obey the bible not human "councils"

While the first Church was established in Antioch Syria the Orthodox religion has strayed from its Original teachings. The Edicts of man in Orthodoxy just in Catholicism is just that because they are from Men not God! No man has been given by God the right to over rule the Teachings of the Holy and Inerrant Word of God as both of these so called Christian religions claim! However that being said Orthodoxy is much closer to Christ than is the Sickness of the Catholic church which is bolstered on man and not God whom they try to over ride to suite their own purpose !

The Homosexuality in the so called Catholic Church is a violation and disgusting Abomination in the eyes of God and is evidence of their sinful back ground and teachings . For their Perverse beginnings beginnings Read Judges 17 and get the Truth from the Very Word of God!

This is not to say that some Catholics have not found God but I guarantee you it is NOT from the Catholic church's Teachings !

As an Ex Catholic and Former Orthodox student I seen for myself the the vileness of their teachings up close and Personal!

Yes, I was raised as orthodox christian and for me it differs from catholic as egg from front view and side view; in other words, the same load of BS

what do you mean they have no leader???? Tye may not call him a pope but he's the Patriarch in Constantinople! same thing!

hammy i was taught that if the orthodox man was married he could become a priest but that a priest could not marry after becoming a priest.

I am Orthodox
The problems with your understanding.
1. You can not say the non Orthodox will have less of a reward than the Orthodox- as we face judgment as individuals and to those who have been given much- much is expected as I have the Church.. should do what I can to better represent the Christan life.
2. The canon of the New testament came from the early councils- so the council were restating what the Church had always taught and practiced not Biblical interpretation.It is the Bible that was based on the Church.
3. The Bishops at the 7 ecumenical councils did use their brains to make the choice to follow God and condemn heresies which others had embraced.

The Orthodox and Catholic Churches were one and the same until they separated from one another in 1054 mainly over the role of the Pope.

There are very few theological differences. The main difference is that the Orthodox Churches (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11329a.htm) use the Byzantine Rite (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04312d.htm) and the Catholic Church use the Roman or Latin Rite.

Another difference is the Filioque clause in the Nicene Creed, the original which the Orthodox follow is
"And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father."
And the Catholic revision is:
And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filioque

Pope John Paul II said of the Orthodox Churches in Orientale Lumen, "A particularly close link already binds us. We have almost everything in common."

For the entire document, see: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_letters/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_02051995_orientale-lumen_en.html

With love in Christ.

The true KATHOLIKOS ( GR UNIVERSAL) EASTERN ORTHODOX CHURCH
( GR UNIVERSAL ( GREEK MEANING UNIVERSAL FOR ALL WAY WAY BEFORE ( SHOW ME ONE LATIN ANYTHING BEFORE OUR GREEK .. YOU WILL SHOW ME ZILCH
) APOSTOLIC CHURCH STARTED AT PENTECOST WHEN JESUS SENT OUT THE APOSTLES TO PREACH THE WORLD

THE INFORMATION ROMAN KATHOLICS LIST INACCURATE.

TRUE CHURCH AT JESUS

PROOF NOT FICTION

IN THE BIBLE

THE WORD WAS GIVEN FIRST TO THE JEW AND THEN TO THE GREEK
ROMANS 1.16

To the Jew First and Also to the Greek

(Romans 1:16)



For I am not ashamed of the gospel,

for it is the power of God for salvation

to everyone who believes,

to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

http://www.soundofgrace.com/piper98/7-05?


Do not add or delete from the Bible
Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it." Deuteronomy 12:32

WE WERE FIRST ALL WAS IN GREEK AS SHOWN. ( BUT FOR ALL
AND THEY WERE FIRST CALLED CHRISTIANS IN ANTIOCH. ( BUILT BY ALEXANDER THE GREAT) IN SYRIA ( ACTS 11.26
http://www.orthodoxresearchinstitute.org/articles/church_history/audi_first_called_christians.htm
http://net.bible.org/dictionary.php?word=Antioch
FIRST GREEK SEPTUAGINT ( OT IN GREEK) ( GIVEN TO THE GREEKS BY THE JEWS in 250 BC ( English Translations on line)

http://spindleworks.com/septuagint/Genes?
FIRST NEW TESTAMENT ( IN GREEK) TRANSLATED TO OTHER LANGUAGES
http://www.greeknewtestament.com/

SINATICUS CODEX ( IN GREEK ( Latest Finds IN GREEK
http://www.codex-sinaiticus.net/en/

DEAD SEA SCROLLS IN ( GREEK )
http://www.codex-sinaiticus.net/en/


KATHOLIKOX ( GR AS FAR BACK AS PLATO / ARISTOTLE/ AND SOCRATES ( MEANING UNIVERSALS
WHICH GREEKS USED TO INCLUDE ALL.. ( AS IN BIBLE)

THERE IS NO JEW OR GREEK AMONG YOU .. WE ARE ONE....
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?sea?

IN THE GREEK APOSTOLIC CREED ( IT STATES

ONE HOLY APOSTOLIC CHURCH..


ROMAN CATHOLICS> ARE NOT TRUE KAHTOLIKOS (GR UNIVERSAL AS DESCRIBED IN THE BIBLE. THUS NO ROMAN CATHOLICS ..... WHO NOW CALL THEMSELVES ( CATHOLIC DROPPED THE WORD ROMAN ...







THE TRUE CHURCH THAT JESUS CHRIST STARTED WAS FOR ALL.. AND THE APSOTLES WERE SENT OUT TO ALL PEOPLE OF THE WORLD ..WHEN THEY SPOKE IN GLASOLLALIA ( IN ( HOLY TONGUES ) AND BECAME TO SPEAK IN MANY DIFFERENT LANGUAGES TO
ALL


THE ONE TRUE CHURCH IS FOR ALL

IC XC NIKA
AN EASTERN ( GREEK ORTHDOOX KATHOLIKOS APOSTOLIC CHRISTIAN OF THE GREEK SEPTAUGINT AND GREEK NEW TESTAMENT FOR ALL

ALL YOU STATE IS THE TRUTH.. WE DON'T KNEEL TO ANY STATUES AND YOU WON'T FIND ANY GRAVE IMAGE IN OUR CHURCH.. ( DO NOT MAKE GRAVE IMAGES IN BIBLE) or PRAY WITH A ROSARY TO MARY

THE RCS SPLIT????? LOL THEY NEVER WERE BEFORE US .
SHOW ME ONE BIBLE BEFORE ANY GREEK ONE AND EASTERN NONE GREEK SINATICUS CODEX> IN GREEK NOT ANY ( LATIN) AND THEY WERE FIRST LOL

NO RC BIBLES IN LATIN ( WHEN JEROME MISTRANSLATED IN WIKI LOL

It's not hard to find an Eastern Orthodox Church. They can be low-key.

The parish search function of SCOBA (Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops of Ameriica -- includes USA & Canada) shows more than 400 churches with the name Nicholas, George, or Mary.

http://www.scoba.us/directory.html?parish=Mary&clergy=&city=&state=-1&searchType=parish
Try your own city; it might surprise you.

The Councils outlined are common to the Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church, since they occurred before the unfortunate split of Rome over some doctrinal issues.