St. Elias Orthodox, New Castle, PA 16101

Our Church

"the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch" [Acts 11:26]

For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. [Mat 24:27]

It is impossible to truly understand the Christian faith without understanding the Christian East. In the west, Christianity is imported and expatriate. And, like most expatriates, has broken her links to her native home. In the east this is not the case.

In many cities and towns where the Gospel was first proclaimed: beginning at Jerusalem and spreading up through Syria, Lebanon, across Asia Minor, and up into Greece, Christians may be found today worshiping in a true and unbroken tradition.

In Damascus, for instance, there is an Orthodox cathedral located on the "Street Called Straight." A church located on this same street is spoken of in the New Testament book of Acts. The city of Damascus is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. And, since the time the earliest Apostles came as missionaries of the Gospel of Christ, Damascus has had a continuum of Christian tradition. The same goes for many parts of the Christian East. It can be thought of as the "Christian" east because, even though its various countries and cities have been at various times subjugated by invasions of peoples hostile to Christianity, there has always remained a community of the faithful connected by faith and tradition to the original Church founded by Our Lord.

In Greece the names of many of the cities are also the names of New Testament Epistles. That is because St. Paul wrote to the Christian churches of those cities. He wrote to them in Greek and those same Epistles are read in churches today in the same cities to which they were written -- in the same language they were written in nearly 2000 years ago.

Until recently the Eastern Orthodox Christian Churches have been seen in the West merely as enclaves of various types of ethnicity and not as repositories of true faith and wisdom. It has not served the interests of western churches (Catholic or Protestant) to recognize the validity of Orthodoxy because to do so would shine light upon those unorthodox dogmas and practices which have arisen from expatriate innovations. Recently, however, the word is out. Christians in the west are discovering the roots of their religion and are turning to that native land of "true worship" (which is the meaning of the word "orthodox").

"Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church"

"Antiochian" means "associated with, or belonging to, Antioch," an ancient Syrian city that at the time of Christ was the third most important city in the Roman Empire. Antioch was one of the great centers of early Christianity; the Church there claims the Apostles Peter and Paul as its co-founders. There are references to the Christian community of Antioch throughout the Acts of the Apostles.

Because of the great importance of his city and the Apostolic foundation of the Church there, the Bishop ("Overseer") of the Christians in Antioch came in time to serve an important administrative and leadership role in the Church throughout the whole region of Syria. Together with the Bishops of Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, and Jerusalem he was regarded as one of the five most important guardians and teachers of the Christian faith. These five ancient Christian centers came to be called "Patriarchates" and their bishops were given the title of "Patriarch" ("Venerable Father"). To this day these ancient Patriarchates (with the exception of Rome, which broke away from the Orthodox Church in the Middle Ages) serve as the leading centers of the Church worldwide.

Throughout history, the Christians of Antioch and its surrounding regions have remained faithful in their teaching and practice of the original, Apostolic Christian faith despite domination by a multitude of non-Christian civil rulers. By the sixteenth century the city of Antioch had been reduced to a small town by numerous sieges and earthquakes. At that time the administrative center of the Patriarchate of Antioch was transferred to Damascus, Syria. Between 1724 and 1899, the Patriarch of Antioch as well as all the bishops of the Patriarchate were ethnic Greeks, appointed by the Patriarch of Constantinople. At the beginning of this century, however, the leadership of the Church passed back into the hands of Arab Christians and contemporary Arabic, the language of the people, replaced Greek as the official language of the Patriarchate. Building upon this foundation, the Patriarchate has championed the use of English in Orthodox worship in places where this is the language of the people. Today the Patriarch of Antioch leads a Christian flock that extends not only throughout Syria and Lebanon, but which is firmly established as well in immigrant and convert communities throughout the Western world. Antiochian Christians in the United States are led by His Eminence, the Most Rev. PHILIP Saliba, Metropolitan Archbishop of New York and all North America.

Orthodox

The Orthodox Church is not a "denomination" like so many of the Christian groups of the West. The Orthodox Church is quite simply the Church, that community of faith and worship which traces its history to Jesus Christ and His Apostles. It is that Divine institution which is referred to in Scripture as "the Body of Christ" (I Cor. 12:27) and "the pillar and ground of the truth" (I Tim. 3:15). Early in its history, the Church was forced to confront a number of groups who claimed to be followers of Christ, but who introduced novel and false teachings. Over the period of the first eight Christian centuries, the Church's bishops met in a series of local and worldwide councils in which they defined and safeguarded the teachings of Christ's Apostles as well as determining such vital issues as which books were to be included in the Church's Scriptures (the New Testament and the Old Testament along with those books that are often referred to as the "Apocrypha"). Those Christians who remained faithful to the decisions of these councils came to be called "the Orthodox," which means "those who believe and worship correctly." Throughout history many groups have continued to break away from the Orthodox Church, including the Church of Rome and the various Protestant churches, but the Orthodox continue to steadfastly hold the faith that was entrusted to them by Christ's Apostles and defended by the early councils. If you were to visit any of the centers of early Christianity mentioned in the New Testament (with the exception of Rome), you would find that the native Christian community in that place is to this day made up of Orthodox Christians, the descendants of the original followers of Christ.

Following the model of the five ancient Patriarchates, the Orthodox Church has organized itself throughout history as a federation of regional churches, all of which hold the same belief and worship in substantially the same manner, and all of which are in sacramental communion with one another. Each regional community of Orthodox believers has taken on certain local characteristics, such as the language used in worship and styles of liturgical music. For this reason, you will often hear these groups spoken of as "the Orthodox Churches," for example the Greek Orthodox Church, the Russian Orthodox Church, or the Antiochian Orthodox Church. In truth, however, it is all these local communities together that make up the one universal ("catholic") Orthodox Church, which is the Body of Christ.

Orthodox Christianity was first brought to North America by missionaries of the Russian Orthodox Church in the eighteenth century. Beginning in the late nineteenth century many Orthodox Christians immigrated to America from various places in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. To the present, most of these have retained their ties with their mother churches overseas. For this reason, here in America one can find parishes of many different Orthodox "jurisdictions," Antiochian, Greek, Russian, Romanian, Ukrainian, etc., using a variety of languages in their worship. (The Antiochian Orthodox use primarily English in their services, although parishes with many recent immigrants may continue to use some Arabic as well.) While each American jurisdiction has its own hierarchy of bishops, all of the major Orthodox groups in North America share the same faith and are in communion with one another. The Orthodox bishops of this continent coordinate their activities through a group known as SCOBA (the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas). Orthodox Christians in America pray for and continue to work toward the day when we will be united in administration as we are already in faith and worship.

Christian

The word "Christian" is an ancient term which means "a follower of Christ" or, as an adjective, "characteristic of, or belonging to, those who follow Christ." It is the name of those who believe and confess that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ, the eternal Son of God, who took on human flesh from a virgin mother, who died and rose from the dead for the salvation of the world. The word has special significance for those who trace their spiritual legacy to the Church of Antioch, for we read in the New Testament that "the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch" (Acts 11:26).

Church

"Church" is a word that may have a variety of interrelated meanings. Above all it is used to signify the universal community of those who hold and practice the teachings of Jesus Christ as they were handed down by His Apostles. In its broadest application, this means not only those now living, but also all the faithful Christians of earlier generations who have passed on from this life to the next. As we have seen already, in this broad sense the Church is both the Body of Christ (Christ's continuing presence in the world), as well as "the pillar and ground of the truth." "Church" is also sometimes applied more narrowly to mean the Christians of a particular region or those who are bound together by an administrative structure, as in "the Church of Antioch." More narrowly still, "Church" may be used to mean a specific local assembly of Christians, what we would also call a "parish." In our name, "Church" is used in all three of these senses. We are a local assembly of Orthodox Christians, united to the worldwide Church as it has existed through time by our participation in the life of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch. We welcome all people to join with us in our services and to discover if they are being called to be a part of our community as together with Orthodox Christians of all times and all places we seek to follow the teachings of our Savior Jesus Christ and to worship the one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Further Reading

If you would like to know more about the Orthodox Church, its history and its beliefs, the best English-language introduction is The Orthodox Church by Timothy Ware, published by Penguin Books. This and many other informative titles are available in our parish library.

Frequently Asked Questions

Some straight answers about the Orthodox Church

Why haven't I heard of the Orthodox Church before?

Beats me! It's been around since the day of Pentecost. You probably haven't heard about it because we are a conservative Church that sounds no trumpets in our social programs but rather attempts to lead individuals, each in his or her own circumstances, into communion with God, the very purpose for which the Church exists. Believe it or not, there are perhaps five million of us in North America, and at least 250 million throughout the world.

Are you like the Catholics or the Protestants?

Well, the Orthodox Church is "catholic" in the fullest meaning of the word: "whole and not confined." But some 500 years before the reformation split western Europe into Protestant and Roman Catholic, Orthodox Christians protested against the Pope of Rome and his attempts to become supreme over the Church in the 11th century, as well as some doctrinal innovations. The Orthodox Church remains unchanged in doctrine and faith since the early Church of the Apostles (yes, we've been around that long.)

That's a pretty bold claim, isn't it?

It is a bold statement, but when you consider that Jesus Christ promised that he would found His Church and that it would endure unchanged in faith and practice, the gates of hell not prevailing until he came again, it's altogether refreshing (and confirms one's faith!)

Do you believe in the Bible?

Well. We believe in God! We do, however, believe the Bible to be God's inspired word a part of the Tradition of the Church. (II Thessalonians, 2:15) In fact, it was the Orthodox Church which gave us the Bible as we know it today! (You didn't think it just fell from heaven as we have it, did you?)

Why should I come to the Orthodox Church or any church for that matter?

Why should you go to work or school, "for that matter"? It is totally natural! As a child of God you must worship him in some way, somehow, with your Christian brothers and sisters. This is a scriptural teaching. The Orthodox Church offers the most meaningful and rich expression of faith and worship there is (you'd have to see it to believe it)! Why settle for less? (Another bold statement, right?)

I thought you had to be Syrian, Greek or Russian to be Orthodox?

Come on, did you really believe that? The Orthodox Church is not a country club! The Kingdom of Heaven is "equal opportunity". You are welcome regardless of where your ancestors came from. You are also welcome to bring with you your national customs and culture. Just keep the Gospel of Jesus Christ first and foremost. The Orthodox Church adopts the culture and language of the country she finds herself in.

Do you have to confess your sins to a priest?

No. You confess your sins to God in the presence of a priest who will help you overcome them and proclaim God's forgiveness, as promised in Holy Scripture. If you choose, you may confess to the entire congregation, following the practice of the early Church. (Admitting that you have sins is the beginning of repentance - that's half the battle already!)

If I joined your Church, would I have to come to every service?

The only things we have to do in this world are to pay taxes and die! Coming to Church will give you a deduction for the former and prepare you for the latter. You come because you want to come, whenever there is a service. Shotgun Christians are doubters of their own faith. No one forces you. Your attendance and participation is your natural response to God's place in your personal spiritual life, as well as a testimony to faith in His existence in His Body, the Church and Community of Believers.

How long is one of your service?

Not long enough for those striving for spiritual growth and renewal. In minutes, the Divine Liturgy (such as our service on the Sabbath and Lord's Days) is a bit longer than an episode of NYPD Blue (but without the violence and commercials!)

What does it cost to be a member of the Orthodox Church?

It costs you your life!

No, I mean in dollars and cents!

It costs you all that you have!

You must be joking!

No, it's the truth. When you commit yourself to Jesus Christ and His Church, you will come to understand that everything you possess is a gift from Him to be used for His glory. For example, if you are living as best you can according to Jesus Christ's teachings, your life is giving glory to God. Then even your grocery bill for the food which sustains and nourishes your life, is a contribution to the glory of God. This is the Orthodox understanding of the term "stewardship".

Come on now, how much are "the dues"?

Okay, enough theology! The scriptural ideal is 10% (a tithe) of your gross income. But unless you submit last year's tax return, no one would know how much you earn. You give as much as you can conscientiously, on a regular basis but not because God "needs" the money. Man does have a need, however, to give - we know that from our day-to-day experience (particularly as Christians).

All right, now on to your worship. I was told that the Orthodox worship pictures. Isn't that against the Commandments?

Sorry, you were told wrong! The Holy Icons ("pictures") are honored as reminders of the Glory and Presence of God, and venerated as such. ONLY God, the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are due worship. (How can the Church practice that is so contrary to God's Law?) That is one reason you will find no statues in Orthodox temples - their inclusion in our tradition never developed as that too closely resembled the pagan piety of the early days of our Church, during the time of the Apostles. But icons, rather than attempting to depict reality, point to the Kingdom of God. They are often referred to as "picture windows to Heaven". In other words, you will not only hear the Gospel in an Orthodox Church, you will see it! The icons act as "tools" in our spiritual worship and witness to the sanctification of all creation and matter that occurred when Christ Jesus, the Son of God, took on human flesh. The Divine/Human Person of Jesus became the living icon of God (John 10:30; 14:6-11) in the flesh.

You keep mentioning "The Church" over and over again. Why?

Basically, Jesus Christ did not come to establish such a thing as "Christianity". Even the word is not in the Holy Scriptures. What Christ Jesus did do was to establish the Church, which Scripture calls both His Body and His Bride. the communion which man seeks with God is found by being part of the Church, something which St. Paul calls a "great mystery", whereby we become members of Christ: "of His flesh, and of His bones." (Ephesians 5:30) The Bible also tells us that such as were being saved were added to the Church (Acts 2:47). They were not merely making "decisions for Christ" -- again, not a Scriptural term -- but they were repenting, being baptized for the remission of their sins, and being added to the Church. (Acts 2:38 ff.) There, they were continuing steadfastly in the Apostle's doctrine and fellowship, the Breaking of Bread (what is commonly called Holy Communion today), and prayer. Finally, from the day of Pentecost, the "birthday" of the Church, the Bible never speaks of Christians who were not a part of it. This sort of sums up why we speak so much of "The Church".

Where can I find more information?

You can check the Religion section at the public library or you can check out the rest of our web site and that of our Archdiocese at www.antiochian.org (or go to the link on our home page). Especially helpful is a book called The Orthodox Church, by Timothy Ware. It's also available at many book stores. Or, you may contact:

St. Elias Orthodox Church

915 Lynn Street

New Castle, PA 16101

724.658.1712

Of course you are welcome to worship with us on Sundays and Holy Days!

The End and Glory Be to God