Whether you are interested in becoming a member of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption or just learning more about it, you’ll be happy to know there are plenty of resources available to you. From Iconostasis and Common chalice to traditions and ecumenism, there is something here for everyone.
Traditions
Those who belong to the Greek Orthodox Church celebrate the Assumption of Mary on August 15. The feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos is celebrated the following day. It is an occasion to commemorate the resurrected body of the Mother of God.
The Assumption of Mary is a Christian art theme that originated in western Europe during the late Middle Ages. It is often seen in altarpieces during the Renaissance and Baroque periods. It is a reflection of the Gospel and its message of salvation for all. It also reflects the majesty of God.
In the Orthodox Tradition, the Assumption of Mary is a sign of the Gospel and the promise of salvation for all. It is a way to help the faithful to share in Christ’s victory over death.
Iconostasis
Among the most important architectural features of Orthodox churches is the iconostasis. It is a special partition that separates the nave from the sanctuary. The iconostasis bears the religious experience of many generations. It is designed to connect the heavenly world with the earthly world.
The iconostasis reflects the Church’s mission to restore communion with God and to re-establish communication with the Creator. It harkens back to the veil that covered the holy of holies in the ancient Jewish Temple at Jerusalem.
Its design is based on the historical and architectural design of the temple. The iconostasis is composed of icons arranged in tiers. Icons are placed in various rows, each of which depicts an event in the New Testament or the Old Testament.
There are four festive rows of icons, which depict events in the New Testament. They include the Holy Cross, the birth of the Virgin Mary, the Prophets, and the Prophetic Row.
Common chalice
During the month of October of the year of the Greek orthodox church of the assumption I took my son to an outdoor performance art festival. The evening was capped off by a well deserved pint of scotch. The following day I threw a small party to celebrate my son’s birthday. Among the highlights was a rare opportunity to view a rare 16th century antique relic. The most exciting part of the experience was learning about the story behind the artefact. It turns out the man in charge of the collection was a fanatic of the arts. He was kind enough to take the time to regale us with tales of the past. We learned the artefact had been a prized possession since the mid 1600s.
Liturgy in English and Greek
Traditionally, the Greek Orthodox Church has celebrated its Liturgy in Greek. In the twentieth century, however, the Archdiocese of America has allowed its Liturgy to be celebrated in English on Sundays. The Archdiocese’s announcement was greeted with excitement and opposition by many Greek Americans.
Some felt that allowing the Liturgy to be celebrated in English represented a change in the Church’s commitment to language preservation. Other Greek Americans felt that it was a sign of a lack of concern for Greek language.
Before 1964, the Archdiocese had never publicly challenged the use of English in its services. The Archdiocese did not attempt to make any changes before 1964, and most priests had begun using the English version of services before 1964.
In 1964, the Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America made some recommendations concerning the use of English. They recommended that certain prayers be translated into English. These included the Nicean Creed, the Prayer of Reconciliation, and the Prayer of Peace.
Ecumenism
Among the many issues that have been discussed during the Second Vatican Council are the role of Eastern Christians in the Church. Pope John Paul II wants to restore unity with the See of Peter. He believes that Eastern Christians have a rich heritage that can help in reunification.
The Catholic Church and the Evangelicals have developed a better understanding of one another than twenty-five years ago. They are ready to collaborate in a variety of ways. They are more open to meeting with Christians of different faiths and learning about one another’s traditions.
Ecumenism is a movement that seeks to restore Christian unity. It promotes practical cooperation in areas of common concern, such as care for the sick and care for the needy. It also promotes the notion that truth from revelation spreads throughout all religions.