Many a time we point out our church building to someone and say “that is my church”. However, the building, the concrete structure is not the real church.
In reality, the church has to do with the people gathered within the building to worship; the building is only a sacred space set apart or dedicated for worship.
However, for the Orthodox, the church is not just a group of people gathered together to pray, sing hymns, listen to a sermon, a Bible study or a lecture. It is not just about an audience or a movement with a focus on amusement or self-satisfaction or piety.
The focus is on God; His presence and action amidst His people and remembrance with thanksgiving for His saving actions.
For the Orthodox, the people who gather together must be baptized in Christ. You and I become members of the body of Christ through baptism. Consequently, we become members of each other (interconnected) through our common union in Christ’s body.
Thus the church is, in essence, a spiritual body with Christ as the head. It is the mystical body of Christ made up of believers. The most significant activity of the Orthodox Church is worship.
What happens in worship
The church engages in worship through the Divine Liturgy, the sacraments, the daily offices etc. Worship is a common act, an experience that involves the whole congregation.
In worship, the assembly of people has the privilege of being in God’s presence. There are other parishes of it’s denomination – also in worship and therefore in God’s presence.
Hence, in this common act of worship, all these worshiping people get unified before God along with the heavenly church (comprised of the faithful departed) and also the angels and archangels in worship.
Thus the walls of the church open up into eternity. So the church is significantly much more than a collectivity of individuals gathered together for a religious experience.
Worship becomes a point of contact of believers on earth with the church of all times. Worship becomes truly breathtaking!
Orthodox Church goers gather together in one place for the sake of doing the liturgy (worship of God in spirit and in truth). It is this act ( the liturgy ) by which the church actualizes itself, realizes itself, reveals itself and is concretized and manifested as the people of God, the church of God in space and time.
Participation in an Orthodox Church
A child becomes a member of the church/body of Christ through baptism. It is a privilege to be a part of the church community.
Through his attending church and participation in its liturgical, sacramental life, a person is helped to work out his salvation.
The liturgy, the sacraments, the other members shape, nurture, strengthen and guide him.
The Holy Spirit constantly acts on him and draws him into the life of the Holy Trinity. God ,in and through the church, has laid out a recipe for our salvation.
Therefore a church is often called a ‘ship of salvation’, ‘Heaven’s embassy on earth’, ‘A spiritual hospital’ and so on.
We must all thank God for this gift of the church.
Found this post useful? You might like to read these as well:
Towards understanding the Orthodox Church
Why is it important to attend Church?
Why are Church traditions as important as the Bible?
How is Christian love different?
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Hi! My name is Rubitah. I’m a Content Writer certified Life Coach, Counselor, Social Work professional and the Founder of Being Rubitah. Over the years through my professional and personal life, I have realized that prayers and love can do wonders to family life once you come to terms with yourself and surrender to God. Do you relate to me? Then you may like what I post here! Read more about me
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