Frederica Mathewes-Green - Welcome to the Orthodox Church: An Introduction to Eastern Christianity

PRAISE FOR
Welcome to the Orthodox Church

Frederica Mathewes-Green, through her writing, has become the Greeter for every person who begins to seek out and explore the other Christianity which is the Eastern Orthodox Church. Few authors can take the mystery, beauty and often-daunting complexities of Orthodoxy and transform them in such an inviting path of spiritual journey as this author has done with this book.
THE VERY REV. DR. CHAD HATFIELD,
Chancellor, St. Vladimirs Orthodoxy Seminary, New York

How do you introduce (Eastern) Orthodoxy? Frederica Mathewes-Green suggests we treat it as a large, and much-loved, family house. She takes us round it, showing us all the rooms and what goes on in them. Her conversational style is completely accessible, but utterly honest; there is lots of information, and she deals directly with problems to be encountered. It feels a bit like Mussorgskys Pictures at an Exhibition. This is a wonderful book.
FR. ANDREW LOUTH,
Professor of Patristic and Byzantine Studies at Durham University

In her own warm and engaging way, Frederica takes you on a journey into a strange and exotic world for those unfamiliar with it but a spiritual refuge and oasis for those who have embraced it. This just may be the Church you have been looking for and didnt even know it existed.
JOHN MADDEX,
CEO, Ancient Faith Ministries

This beginners guide to Orthodoxy can be described as a work of superb hospitality. While guiding her guests through a ctitious but true-tolife Orthodox house of worship and introducing them to its parish family, Frederica Mathewes-Green serves up a lavish feast of Orthodox architecture, art, theology, history, and devotional practices, all seasoned with tangy anecdotes and nuggets of wisdom. Even longstanding Orthodox believers will nd nourishment here.
CAROLE MONICA BURNETT,
Editor, Fathers of the Church Series, Catholic University of America Press, Washington, DC

No one alive today has done more to introduce ordinary Americans to the wonders of the ancient faith than Frederica Mathewes-Green. If not for her, I doubt I would be Orthodox. Hers was one of the greatest and most surprising gifts anyone has ever given me, and its thrilling to think of how many others will receive it through this book.
ROD DREHER,
author of The Little Way of Ruthie Leming

Beautifully written and carefully explained with a heart for the non-Orthodox. As an evangelical who grew up in the Greek Orthodox Church, until being shipped off to boarding school in England, I found myself longing to revisit the liturgy and traditions of my youth.
EMMANUEL KAMPOURIS,
Former Chairman & CEO of American Standard Companies, Founder of www.biblemesh.com

Frederica Mathewes-Green is one of the most engaging interpreters of the Eastern Christian way in our time. In this book she takes us by the hand as it were and introduces us to something of the mystery, wisdom, worship, and beautyin short, the lifeof Eastern Christianity. A rich, illuminating introduction.
TIMOTHY GEORGE,
Founding Dean of Beeson Divinity School of Samford University and Chair of the Doctrine and Christian Unity Commission of the Baptist World Alliance.

Frederica Mathewes-Green has given us a warm and inviting defense of Orthodox Christianity without being defensive. This wonderful book explains the roots of the ancient truths and traditions of the Church in a conversational style to a broad audience of both believers and those still searching, while avoiding pedantic language which can be off-putting: a great book about the great Church.
ANDREW NATSIOS,
Professor, George H.W. Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University

WELCOME
TO THE
ORTHODOX
CHURCH

AN INTRODUCTION TO
Eastern Christianity

Frederica
Mathewes-Green

2015 First printing

Welcome to the Orthodox Church: An Introduction to Eastern Christianity

Copyright 2015 by Frederica Mathewes-Green

ISBN 978-1-55725-921-9

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NRSV are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, 1993, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

The index is courtesy of Robert Weaver.

The Paraclete Press name and logo (dove on cross) are trademarks of Paraclete Press, Inc.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Mathewes-Green, Frederica.
Welcome to the Orthodox Church : an introduction to Eastern Christianity / Frederica Mathewes-Green.
pages cm
ISBN 978-1-55725-921-9 (paperback)
1. Orthodox Eastern Church. I. Title.
BX320.3.M38 2015
281.9dc23 2014041905

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in an electronic retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any otherexcept for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

Published by Paraclete Press
Brewster, Massachusetts
www.paracletepress.com
Printed in the United States of America

To my husband, Father Gregory Mathewes-Green,
on our fortieth anniversary.
You are my one true love, both now and ever and unto ages of ages.

Contents

1 Enter His Gates
The Narthex, Praying with Icons, Venerating Them, Making the Sign of the Cross

2 The House of God
Church Architectural Styles, Wraparound Iconography, Why No Pews?, The Saint of the Day

3 So Great a Cloud
Loving the Theotokos, The Prayers of the Saints

4 Upon This Rock
Quick History Lesson, East and West Divide, Filioque, Conciliarity

5 A Sacrice of Praise
Baptism, Holy Water, The Perils of Service Books, Beauty in Worship, Music, Tradition

6 Partakers of the Divine Nature
Theosis, Saints, Skepticism, Miracles

7 Christ and Him Crucied
Icon of the Crucixion, Models of Atonement, The Light of God, Lamentations for the Crucied Christ

8 Image of the Invisible God
Iconoclasm, The Iconostasis, Images of Christ, Images of the Theotokos, The Image Behind the Image

9 Your Body Is a Temple
Icons in the Apse, The Altar, Divine Energies, Relics

10 Into the Sanctuary
The Antimens, A Valid Eucharist, Liturgical Implements, Various Crosses

11 Reconciling the World
Immaculate Conception, Original Sin, Sin as Sickness, Salvation as Healing, Christ the Champion

12 Not Counting Their Trespasses
Loves Offering, The Meaning of Ransom, Pressing the Metaphor, Take the Earliest View

13 The Lord Is King
Tardy Worshipers, Confession, New Calendar, Gods Love, Repentance, Hymns for the Theotokos

14 Lord, Have Mercy
Mercy, Forgiveness, The Love and Compassion of God, The Nature of Sin

15 Awake, Sleeper
Satan, The Nous, Watchful Prayer, Gods Presence in the Heart

16 Time for the Lord to Act
Kairos Time, Doctrinal Development, Chanting the Scriptures, Mercy