Holy Trinity
Which of the following is true?
The Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God
God is the Father, God is the Son, and God is the Holy Spirit
Both are true
Who is responsible for Adam’s sin of eating the etse'beles (the forbidden fruit)?
Adam
What does the term Incarnation mean in the Orthodox Tewahedo Church?
It refers to God the Word (Jesus Christ) becoming fully human without ceasing to be fully God
I once ruled a kingdom and lived in a great Palace. During my prayer times, while I was in the wilderness, the beasts gathered around me and stood in perfect peace, as if listening to my prayer. and PI also lived in a Monastery, not as a monk but rather as a crazy person. Who am I?
Saint Anna Simon
What is Holy Communion in the Orthodox Tewahedo Church?
It is the true Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, given under the forms of bread and wine
Explain the oneness of God (Use at least 4 characteristics).
God is one, in essence, divinity, creating and passing away of the world, authority, being, governing, and other similar aspects.
Which nature did Christ assume in the Incarnation?
Christ assumed a full human nature—body, soul, and mind—without sin
Why do we need a prayer for the Christians who passed away (in flesh)? Describe at least 2 reasons
Because God is merciful
There are sins that could be forgiven after death – Mat 12:32; 1st John 5:16
Because we are part of one church (the living and the dead in flesh)
Because it demonstrates our teachings and hopes
Who instituted Holy Communion?
Jesus Christ instituted it at the Last Supper
Explain the threeness of God. Use at least 3 characteristics.
To distinguish between the Holy Trinity, we say that He is three in names, relation to each other, hypostases, and being
What did adam lose by eating etse-beles? List at least three
1.God’s grace and protection was taken away from him (He was thrown out of the paradise; His communication with God has stopped)
2.He becomes powerless (Powerless to self-control, and started to rely on his feelings)
3.He acquired a new nature (Death, instability, sickness were introduced to man’s life)
4.Lost his eternity in flesh (A man became a slave of death)
5.Man submitted himself to death (He can’t escape from death)
What is the Tewahedo teaching about Christ’s nature?
Christ has one united nature (Tewahedo) that is both fully divine and fully human
Why do we need to be taught about the Saints? Describe at least 3 reasons
The life of the Saints is a lively Gospel
God performs his deeds through the Saints
Because the holy Bible tells about the Saints, ordered us to follow them, and even named the books after them
God’s generosity is revealed through the Saints
The aim of Christianity is to bring about the Saints
What is the purpose of receiving Holy Communion?
For the forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and union with Christ
Can we compare the Holy Trinity with human beings, where we say Abraham gave birth to Issac and Issac to Jacob? Where Abraham comes first and so on. Explain.
No! Even if the Father begets the Son and the Holy Spirit proceedeth from Him, this does not mean that the Father precedes them and vice versa.
What criteria must be fulfilled to save Adam? Criteria for the cure.
1.Must be a human (Since a human is the one who committed the sin)
2.Should die (Since death was announced on the sinner man (God’s word))
3.Has to defeat death (Otherwise the death won’t benefit humans)
4.Should be free of sin naturally (To fulfil the sacrifice on behalf of what the sinners did)
Why is the Virgin Mary called “Theotokos” in the Church?
Because she gave birth to God the Word incarnate—she is the "God-bearer."
Why do we need the interceding prayers of the Saints? Describe at least three reasons
It’s a way God reveals his love and respect for his beloved saints
Praying to one another is the pathway and demonstration of love
It’s a way which shows that God dislikes sin and loves being merciful
It’s an order and will of God
Our church has a spiritual unity in and after the earthly life
Who can receive Holy Communion in the Church?
Baptized and prepared Orthodox Christians in a state of repentance and fasting
Give two examples/analogies to help understand the Holy Trinity
The Human Soul (The one human Soul is knowing (heart), speaking (word), and alive (life). The heart represents the Father, The Speaking (Word) represents the Son, and The life represents the Holy Spirit. The human soul with its heart brings forth the word and life. Similarly, the Father gave birth to the Son as a Word, and proceedeth the Holy Spirit from Him as a life.)
The Sun (The sun emits both light and heat. The sun represents the Father, the light represents the Son, and the heat represents the Holy Spirit. However, one cannot really separate these three things: the sun, the light, and the heat. One never exists without the other two. Thus, although they are three distinct things when speaking about them, they are also one.)
What is the Salvation of Man?
1.Being freed from the punishments and death caused by committing the sin
2.Knowing his creator
3.New man-ship: Regained nature
4.Growing in a saintly life in God’s image
What is the purpose of the Incarnation according to Orthodox Tewahedo belief?
For the salvation of humanity—so that God could redeem, heal, and unite human nature with Himself.
Which sections of the Holy Bible explain the living being and knowingness of the Saints after they passed away on this earth? Describe at least two.
The story about Lazarus and the rich man, as told by Our Lord Jesus Christ – Luke 16:19-31
The praying of the Holy Martyrs in the revelation book of John the Apostle – Rev 6:9-11
The revelation of Moses and Elijah in the mountain to join Our Lord Jesus Christ – Luke 9:30-32
How often is Holy Communion celebrated in the Orthodox Tewahedo Church?
It is celebrated during every Divine Liturgy (Qidase), especially on Sundays and feast days