General Teachings
What is the Holy Church?
The dwelling place of God & the house of Christians
When do we celebrate the birthday of the Orthodox Church?
Just as we enter God's house, whose house did the Holy Trinity enter into?
Abraham - his tent is a typology of the Holy Church, since it was the dwelling place of God.
Which Holy Apostle saw a vision of the Holy Angels in heaven?
St. John (Revelations 4)
What is a dogma?
Dogma is an unchangeable and unalterable part of our faith, it is the divine truth revealed by God.
How many Oriental Orthodox Churches are there that we are in communion with?
6 - Ethiopian Orthodox, Eritrean Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, Syriac Orthodox, Malankara Orthodox
Who was the foundation or the "rock" of the Holy Church?
St. Peter - Jesus told him that he was the rock and he would build the Church upon his foundation.
How is Noah's Ark a typology of the Holy Church?
Just as Noah's Ark saved all the living creatures inside it from the flood water, the Holy Church saves all who enter it from eternal death.
For what purpose were Holy Angels created?
Holy Angels were created for the purpose of worshipping our Creator together in unity
What prayer is this from; "We believe in One Holy, Catholic & Apostolic Church"?
The Nicene Creed or the Apostle's Creed
Who was the Holy Apostle that converted the Ethiopian Eunuch?
St. Phillip (Acts 8:26-39)
In St. John's vision of heaven in Revelations, what did he see?
Revelations 4:4-11 - Day & night he saw the Holy Angels, the Cherubim & Seraphim worshipping God all unceasingly
Typology is a method used to interpret events or people in the Old Testament and how they relate to the New Testament. Uses divine examples from God to interpret/explain the future
How many wings to the Cherubim have & what do they do?
6 wings: 2 for flying, 2 to cover their eyes & 2 to cover their feet
The Holy Church is universal and worldwide, it does not separate by race, language, gender, wealth, geography or any human difference –
What are the 3 divisions of the Holy Church?
1. Kene Mahilet
2. Kidist (Holy)
3. Mekdes (Temple): it has the Menber inside it
Church in the Bible comes from what Hebrew word?
"Church" comes from the Hebrew word that means "assembly" or "gathering"
How is the fishing net a parable of the Holy Church?
The fishing net is the Holy Church as it catches people; the sea is the world, the fish are believers & the fishermen were the Holy Apostles and now they are the Priests and clergy.
The Four Living Creatures/Kirubel are associated with the 4 Evangelists what are they?
1. Man/Angel = St. Matthew
2. Lion = St. Mark
3. Ox/Bull = St. Luke
4. Eagle = St. John
What is Canon of the Church - give 2 examples?
Canon means the order & disciplines of the Holy Church. Ex: removing your shoes before entering the Church, fasting, almsgiving, the service of the Holy Liturgy
Name at least 3/4 criteria that make a Church truly a Church
1. It gives Christ His true identity
2. Its teaching is Apostolic teaching
3. Its priesthood is Apostolic priesthood
4. Its sacrifice is the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ
Finish the Bible verse, "For where two or three gather together as my followers..."
Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them"
The Holy Church is the Bride & Jesus is the Groom, finish this Bible verse - "So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore....
Matthew 19:6 "So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate."
What do the 24 Heavenly Priests/Suraphel represent?
24: 12 tribes of Israel (Old Testament) & 12 Holy Apostles (New Testament) to bring together the entire people of God across history
Name 3 types of tradition that we have in the Church?
Tradition are the living transmission of the Apostolic faith.
1. Material Tradition
2. Verbal Tradition
3. Visible Tradition