Faith

Priest anointing a person with holy oil at the shrine of a saint

When we are anointed with holy oil from the grave of a saint, where exactly does this oil come from?

Biblical scene depicting Jesus encountering the demoniacs

How did the demoniacs come to be possessed by demons?

Bishop blesses the people.

When a Priest or Bishop blesses the people, and this blessing is being transmitted electronically via television or video, does that blessing extend to all who witness it, or only to those within the temple proper?

sky

Why doesn’t God perform miracles like He did in olden times?

A pair of scissors

Why do we celebrate the Lord’s circumcision on January 1st?

wood

Can you give me a logical answer about people’s ages in the Book of Genesis? Some of them lived to be 900 years old! What is our Church’s teaching about this?

“A depiction of the Magi riding on horseback, traveling to visit the Christ Child and bring symbolic gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Why did the Magi bring gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the Christ Child?

Evangile

Why did Jesus wait to begin His ministry until He was 30?

Four Evangelists they show in the background depictions of a man

In some icons of the four Evangelists they show in the background depictions of a man, an ox, a lion, and an eagle. Why is this?

snake

Did God create evil?

st Joseph of Arimathea

The Gospel of St. John tells of how Joseph of Arimathea took Christ’s Body down from the cross, anointed it, and buried it in a new tomb. Where exactly is the city of Arimathea located?

Archangel Michael holding an orb

In some icons the Archangel Michael is seen holding an “orb.” What does this orb signify or represent?

Christmas Faith

What year was Jesus Christ born?

A simple meal with vegetables and salad on a table, symbolizing a vegetarian diet and prompting reflection on whether Jesus ate meat or followed a different diet

Did Jesus eat meat or was He a vegetarian?

St. Paul

Was St. Paul an “Apostle?”

A depiction of Jesus preaching to a crowd

What languages did Jesus speak?

A man sitting in contemplation, symbolizing Jesus’ agony in the Garden of Gethsemane where the Bible describes Him sweating blood under extreme distress

Did Jesus really sweat blood as the Bible says?

Alpha and Omega symbols representing Christ as the beginning and the end

Why is Christ referred to as the Alpha-Omega?

Orthodox icon of Saint John the Baptist

The church calendar notes that on February 24 we celebrate the Feast of the “First & Second Finding of the Head of John the Baptist.” Why were there two findings of John’s head?

question mark

The Church seems to have so many rules. Can’t we just follow our conscience regarding what’s right and what’s wrong?

Roman road symbolizing service and perseverance

Matthew 5:41 says, “...and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.” Can you explain what this means?

Quiet conversation symbolizing private confession

Can a priest be forced to reveal what is told to him during Confession?

Curtain and cross symbolizing Christ’s sacrifice

Faith Great Lent

Can you explain why the curtain in the temple was torn when Jesus died on the Cross?

Person praying and reading Scripture

Which is preferable to enhancing ones spiritual life: prayer or reading Scripture?

People greeting one another respectfully

What does St. Paul mean by the expression “Greet one another with a holy kiss” (1st Cor.16:20). Are we supposed to kiss one another every time we meet?

lightning

Even though I try very hard not to, I often feel a need or desire to get back at those who hurt and/or slight me in some fashion. I realize this is not a true Christian mind-set yet, more often than not, I give in to the temptation to “get even;” sometimes by saying something hurtful directly to them, and sometimes by saying something damaging or unflattering about them to someone else. Please give me some guidance…what can I do?

Chess pieces arranged on a chessboard, symbolizing strategy, discernment, and guidance.

“The Bible tells us to ‘beware of false prophets.’ What exactly is meant by “false prophets” and how would we know they are false?”

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What are “sins of omission?”

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Faith Great Lent

In today’s day and age it seems that the Orthodox Christian Faith is the only church which actually challenges its faithful. Other denominations don’t go through the rigors of fasting, extra services, etc, so why should we?

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I was reading my Bible and came upon this passage. “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.” Can you explain this for me?

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What is the ‘Judgment Seat?’

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In the gospels it says that all sin is forgivable except the sin against the Holy Spirit. What does this mean?

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Where in the Bible does one find justification for the clergy to forgive the sins of people?

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As hard as I try to hold on to my faith, I sometimes go through periods of doubt. Can you give me any advice?