What is the hierarchy of the Greek Orthodox Church?
The Bishop is of the highest ranking but his rank is less of authority and more of honour and is characterized as “first among equals”. So there are three main orders in the Orthodoxy Bishops, Presbyters and Deacons and the two minor orders are Subdeacon and Reader.
Does the Orthodox Church have a pope?
It is the position of the Orthodox Church that it has never accepted the pope as de jure leader of the entire church. All bishops are equal “as Peter”, therefore every church under every bishop (consecrated in apostolic succession) is fully complete (the original meaning of catholic).
How is Orthodox different from Christianity?
Essentially the Orthodox Church shares much with the other Christian Churches in the belief that God revealed himself in Jesus Christ, and a belief in the incarnation of Christ, his crucifixion and resurrection. The Orthodox Church differs substantially in the way of life and worship.
Is Greek Orthodox similar to Catholic?
Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox believers both believe in the same God. Roman Catholic priests cannot marry, while priests in the Greek Orthodox can marry before they are ordinated. 5. Latin is the main language used during Roman Catholic services, while Greek Orthodox churches use native languages.
Can Greek Orthodox priests marry?
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America also has too few priests for a growing population. Under Orthodox rules, a celibate priest cannot marry after ordination, and a non-celibate priest cannot remarry and remain a priest, even if his wife dies, he said.
What does the Orthodox Church say about cremation?
In summation, the Orthodox Church does not recognize or accept cremation as a means of disposition of a departed Orthodox Christian; for the Orthodox Church’s belief is that the body and soul will be reunited at the Last Judgment.
Why do Greek Orthodox not get cremated?
Greece’s first and only crematorium is privately owned. That’s because even though public crematoriums have been legal since 2006, no municipality has opened one due to a lack of space and pressure from the Greek Orthodox Church, which forbids cremation.