Orthodoxy is a cornerstone
of Greek culture and tradition. Lectures are hosted every hour
on the half hour in the beautiful Cathedral. Guests can learn about
the rich 2,000 year-old religion as they view the amazing iconography
and the brilliant mosaic dome of Christ.
ABOUT
GREEK ORTHODOXY
A few of the fundamental tenets upon which our Holy Orthodox Church
functions are as follows:
The Orthodoxy Church has two great sources of authority:
Holy Scripture and Holy Tradition
Holy Scripture is comprised of the writings of both the New and the
Old Testaments. The New Testament reveals the human and divine nature
of Jesus Christ, and His sacred teachings that we are charged to
follow. The Old Testament is a history of the Hebrew people. It contains,
among other sacred writings, the prophecies and the writings of the
Prophets that foretold the coming of the Messiah. It therefore serves
as an introduction to the revelation and the saving message of the
New Testament.
Holy Tradition, of which Holy Scripture is a part, includes the writings,
teachings, acts of the apostles, saints, martyrs, and fathers of
the Church, and her liturgical and sacramental traditions throughout
the ages, the oral tradition of the early Church and the decisions
of the Ecumenical Councils. All of this collective wisdom and experience
through the centuries are combined to form this second great source
of sacred authority.
The Sacraments
The Sacraments are seven in number. They are the visible means by
which the invisible Grace of the Holy Spirit is imparted to us. Four
Sacraments are obligatory:
Baptism
Chrismation (anointment with Holy Oil)
Confession
Holy Communion
Three are optional:
Matrimony
Holy Orders (Ordination)
Unction (anointment of the sick)
The Church Calendar
The Church Calendar begins on September 1st and ends on August 31st.
Each day is sacred for the Orthodox Christian. The Church venerates
at least one saint or sacred even in the life of the Church every
day of the year. There are, however, several major feast days observed
annually, and of these Easter, or Pascha, is the most important.
Major Feast Days
Nativity of the Theotokos – September 8th
Exaltation of the Holy Cross - September 14th
Presentation of the Theotokos in the Temple – November 21st
Christmas – December 25th
Epiphany (Baptism of Christ) – January 6th
Presentation of Christ in the Temple – February 2nd
Annunciation (Evangelismos) – March 25th
Easter (Pascha) – Varies
Ascension – 40 days after Easter
Pentecost – 50 days after Easter
Transfiguration of Christ – August 6th
Dormition of the Theotokos – August 15th
The Divine Liturgy
The central worship service of the Church is the Divine Liturgy,
which is celebrated each Sunday morning and on all holy days. The
Liturgy is also the means by which we achieve union with Jesus Christ
and unity with each other through the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
Ecumenism
While the Orthodox Church considers herself to be the Mother Church
of Christendom, she cooperates with other churches in programs of
educational, philanthropic and social endeavors insofar as this consistent
with her theology. Orthodoxy has become a major force in the universal
ecumenical movement of which she was a prime mover through the encyclical
of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople in 1920.
For Further Information on the Greek Orthodox Church
Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation www.atlgoc.org
Father George Alexson, Dean of the Cathedral galexson@atlgoc.org
Father Christos Mars frchristos@atlgoc.org
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Atlanta www.atlanta.goarch.org
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America www.goarch.org
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