How does the Orthodox Church deal with controversial issues?
Throughout its history, the Orthodox Church has dealt with controversial issues by a process which addresses the "mind of the Church."
What does the Orthodox Church teach about taking care of yourself?
The Orthodox Church teaches that we are obligated to care for our health, so these kinds of practices in fact are looked upon as immoral. However, they do not carry the same negative implications which the direct taking of one's own life has.
What is the Orthodox Church today?
The Orthodox Church readily recognizes that in this day and age no single nation comes close to a realization of its ideal model. The Church finds itself, however, living under many different political systems and environments. Its chief patriarchate, that of Constantinople, is under persecution in a Moslem-dominated country, Turkey.
What is the Orthodox Church’s position on abortion?
The Orthodox Church brands abortion as murder; that is, as a premeditated termination of the life of a human being. The only time the Orthodox Church will reluctantly acquiesce to abortion is when the preponderance of medical opinion determines that unless the embryo or fetus is aborted, the mother will die.
Why did Linda become depressed?
Linda became depressed after a business meeting (attended by about 25 people) when her supervisor mentioned that some participants were not team players. Linda immediately personalized the statement by assuming the supervisor directed the comment at her even though no evidence supported the conclusion.
What does demanding expectations mean for patients?
As indicated above, patients with demanding expectations frequently try to impose a personal set of rules on others around them, often coercively . They assume the inviolability of physical laws (gravity for example) applies to moral laws and social norms as well.
Why does emotional reasoning require special cognitive intervention?
Emotional reasoning requires special cognitive intervention because depressed patients tenaciously cling to the irrational belief that their feelings prove the truth or falsity of an event. How many times has a parishioner or patient said something like: “I just feel I will never (get better … find a job … get over this … make friends, etc.)”? As mentioned above, these patients make the mistake of concluding that the way they feel about casino online a situation functions as the proof that situation really is that way. The standard of proof is not an objective appraisal of the facts, but the feeling one has about the event regardless of the facts. Feelings replace the facts in this scenario.
What is the role of a parish priest?
The parish priest’s care is also for the surviving family members who have to learn to go on without their loved one, and not to lose hope in God’s eternal promises. According to Archbishop Theodosius of Washington (1998) the “act of suicide is a profound tragedy affecting a parish. It necessitates prayers for forgiveness for the sake ...
Who are the Church Fathers?
The Church Fathers, in particular Saint John Chrysostom and Saint Augustine of Hippo, are often juxtaposed by western commentators as having diametrically opposing thoughts on the subject of premature death which is incorrect.
How long does depression last?
Clinical depression is marked by an ongoing depressed mood most of the day, disallowing the sufferer from engaging in normal activities and relationships for a contiguous period of time, lasting anywhere from a few weeks to a lifetime.
What is the medical term for depression?
Clinical depression, also known as major depressive disorder (MDD) is a form of mental illness (Hall-Flavin, May 13, 2017). It is more than just occasionally feeling down and having the “blues”, or suffering immense sadness, for example, at the death of a close relative.
What is the second leading cause of death in the world?
Of particular concern is that for 15-29 year olds, suicide is the second leading cause of death globally (WHO, 2017). Some have argued it has reached pandemic proportions, as it knows no barriers to geography, gender, demographic, religion, or income levels.
What are some examples of depression?
Examples of depression subtypes include major depression, chronic depression (dysthymia), seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and bipolar disorder (manic depression) (WebMD, 2017). One of the major difficulties for clergy of the Orthodox Church in determining how a suicide of a depressed person should be considered, ...
Can a priest take his life suddenly?
Additionally, men who perceive themselves as self-reliant and reject seeking medical help from a general practitioner for their suicidality may also take their life suddenly.
How has the Orthodox Church dealt with controversial issues?
Throughout its history, the Orthodox Church has dealt with controversial issues by a process which addresses the "mind of the Church." When an issue arises for which there is no clear-cut, widely and readily acknowledged tradition, and about which there is honest divergence of opinion as to what view genuinely expresses the teaching of the Church, a process begins which may eventually lead to the formulation of an official Church teaching. A classical example from the early period of the Church is the formulation of the Church doctrines about the person of Jesus Christ, which began with the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea (325) and concluded with the Seventh Ecumenical Council (787).
Who criticized the false teachings of heresiarchs?
Thus, the great Fathers of the Church, such as Athanasios, Basil, the Gregorys and Chrysostom, not only criticized the false teachings of heresiarchs such as Arius, but proposed formulations of the truth as well.
What is the representative Orthodox statement?
A representative Orthodox statement which shows the centrality and importance of the family in Orthodox thinking is found in an encyclical letter by former Archbishop Iakovos of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America, issued on the occasion of National Family Week in 1972. He stated:
What is the Orthodox Church's sacrament of marriage?
Orthodox Christians who marry must marry in the Church in order to be in sacramental communion with the Church.
What is the most characteristic aspect of Orthodox Christianity?
Worship. The most characteristic aspect of Orthodox Christianity is its worship . Though rich in tradition of doctrine, morality, canon law, social concern, personal faith, and monasticism, to name only a few of its objects, the core of Orthodox Christian life is to be found in its worship .
What is the Orthodox Church's position on synergy?
As a general principle, the Orthodox Church has held a position on the ideal of Church and State relations which may be called "the principle of synergy.". It is to be distinguished from a sharp division of Church and State on the one hand, and a total fusion of Church and State, on the other hand.
What is the Orthodox Church?
The Orthodox Church, throughout its history, has both used and encouraged the arts, culture and education, and has addressed the whole range of social and public phenomena. Among these have been its relationship with government in general, and the exercise of civil power in concrete circumstances, i.e., politics.