How does the Orthodox Church evangelize?

[@RootsofOrthodoxy]

Great video Father! ☦

[@RunningOverRocks]

Exactly, Father! Jesus said in the Book of Matthew: "Let your light so shine before man that may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven! 3:02

[@orthodox1717]

Fantastic!

[@h1mynameisdav3]

Orthodox evangelize by living through example and inspiring others. The other way, which is very recent and also extremely powerful, is internet evangelism. We dont need to be loud to get the message out on the net, people may search and learn peacefully.

[@perttisuorsa4678]

You could also evangelize by arranging events at which people from the street could ask questions on your faith. All your churches in the world could arrange such an event once every month.

[@h1mynameisdav3]

@@perttisuorsa4678 waste of time

[@perttisuorsa4678]

​@@h1mynameisdav3 Why would it be a waste of time ? Are you not interested in reaching as many people as possible with your gospel ?

[@h1mynameisdav3]

@@perttisuorsa4678 internet 100,000 times more powerful

[@insert_coin_plz]

In other words: they don't

[@bigol9223]

This is a difficult thing for me. I would have never encountered even a glimpse of orthodox teaching to this day if I didn't spend too much time on the internet. I consider it a blessing that something good has come of that habit, but the fact that it has been so invisible all my life, and unknown to my parents, grandparents, great grandparents, for as many generations as I know, bothers me. Yet everyone is exposed in real life to some kind of protestant outreach and proselytizing. Orthodoxy called to me because it provided answers i never got from the American protestantism I grew up with, and so many reject Christ altogether because of unsound doctrine and confused teachings that are so common in other churches, and in fact represent what christianity is in most minds. I agree of course that one's life should be a testament to God's glory and truth, but if orthodoxy is the true church, i struggle with how introverted and insular the church's presence and message is, and how limited that makes the spreading of the gospel and life of the church.

[@okaythatsepic9455]

Father Josiah Trenham speaks pretty clearly about this and how the Orthodox church in America has historically shown almost zero concern to America itself and instead is focused on foreign/homelands and shown a paucity in any charitable endeavors, educational endeavors, and an inability to sustain a focus on the great commission itself. There is a lot of work that has to be done in the church so we must pray that the lord will send out workers into his harvest field, do all you can brother for the church and don't lose faith in the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church!☦

[@locksmith9498]

I am an Eastern Orthodox convert in Sweden. I have to travel 350 km return trip to go to my parish in Stockholm. Even so, despite the parish having existed for 400 years in this country, the native Swedish language is only used once a month. Still most who attend are immigrants who understand church slavonic. The Greek church next door serves in Greek and is visited by Greeks. When I raise the question about why there even is such a thing as an Orthodox diaspora in the first place, why we have several bishops over the same land area, why two neighbouring parishes 100 meter apart insist on celebrating feasts, fasts and the Nativity twice because of different calenders used, well what happens? Either they are very silent or very angry with me. How can my 12 year old daughter understand what's going on? How is my Baptist wife convinced when she: 1) Doesn't understand what is prayed or sung. 2) Sees two parishes next door to each other who claim unity in truth, yet celebrate the Nativity twice. 3) Sees that our bishop sits in New York City on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean whereas there sits a Metropolitan in communion with our parish 100 metres away. Some claim the Antiochian church is not ethnic but it is Arabic here. US clergy and laymen are mostly ignorant and naive as to how bad he situation is here in the Orthodox diaspora. No elaborate theological textbook answer can hide the practical reality of the church being dysfunctional. I get mostly nasty and snarky remarks back from my own brethren. It is so easy and cheap for a Serb to sit and shout 'Look at the heterodox!' when the native Swedes have trouble even finding a service schedule they can read. It is my country so don't tell me I am a moron.

[@coloringthesaints]

Thank you, Father. May our lives be a reflection of Christ's life, and may the Holy Spirit bear witness through us that the whole world may see the love of Christ in us, despite the circumstances of the world around us.

[@caps_lock_]

I don't know a lot about it but I get the sense of a sort of quiet solemn beauty in the orthodox church tradition that I really appreciate

[@ProtestantismLeftBehind]

Question: Orthodox in America largely moved here for opportunities and freedom, then churches naturally formed. But St. Innocent of Alaska and St. Nikolai of Japan both moved to foreign lands to bring the Gospel and Orthodoxy to those places. They too had to find people to speak with. There’s similarity to going out into the public today to that of the saints and apostles.

[@Dre2Dee2]

I think Icons are also a great "evangelization" tool There is something inherently captivating of the icon imagery that draws you in

[@JORA52]

I didn't even know the orthodox church was a thing until last year

[@JarosławEmert]

God bless us, greeting from Poland...♥️🙂☦️

[@gaviriak]

We need more people in the west to learn about the Orthodoxy cause most of them believe we are roman catholics when we are not.

[@perttisuorsa4678]

And the reason why most people think that you are roman catholics is that you do not know how to spread your message effectively. You should arrange public talks ( once a month ) in your churches all around the world, talks on subjects that have to do with orthodoxy and the world, subjects like "Where is the true church of God today ?", "Did God create evil ?", "Are we living in the end times ?" and "Can a Christian believe in evolution ?" You should invite people from the street to attend those events. Because you believe tha you are the true church of God on Earth you should be much more active than you are to reach the public with your gospel. I have known about your church for a very long time now but it was quite recently that I found out that you are the TRUE church of God on Earth. The general public knows very little about your church and the fault is yours.

[@2kslimey]

☦️❤️‍🩹

[@andersongoncalves3387]

Amen. Well said abba

[@fernandoduranmanzano]

So what is the Gospel? Not what it means etymologically, but what does the Gospel proclaim?

[@cinemint]

Christ has conquered death by death

[@frankignatius2507]

Living through example is a premium quality form of evangelization. Preaching or sharing one's testimony is not foreign to Orthodoxy sonce Scripture and the early Church did it. Their pious examples (martyrdom and holy lives) were also filled through preaching, teaching and sharing testimonies be it personal or of the Saints!

[@yemuppet8102]

There are Greeks and Russians in Africa right now and they have a really great success. The thing is, Orthodoxy is getting bigger in the west, USA especially, without real effort to evangelize, Americans are searching for the true faith and they are coming to Orthodoxy on their own.

[@tanktamer8760]

Yes and it is happening here in Canada as well. Me and my girlfriend started attending a small Orthodox Church a month back and it’s amazing how many converts and catechumens are there simply because they were looking for truth and answers they couldn’t find in Protestantism. When I was at Baptist church I just couldn’t help but feel like something was missing

[@gabrielgabriel5177]

The new martyr of Russia Daniel Sysoev was evangelizing just like protestants he even made orthodox tract and made street evangelism. Hundreds of people converted to the holy orthodoxy even many muslims. Muslims killed him and he became a martyr. He said one who feels calling to do evangelism he need to start it immidiately even if he is cathecumen. If we think we need to reach certain level of spirituality maybe we never reach it and we will fo nothing. Most orthodox christians really do not do so much for evangelims. If they would there would be much more orthodox nations in the world

[@Zangified02]

Wow I didn’t know this, Mr Sysoev was truly a great man, God bless his soul

[@tinker-ing-around2317]

A possible hindrance for both evangelism and orthodox church growth with new converts here in the USA is the long held practice of conducting all the many Orthodox services in one of the many ethnic languages (Greek, Russian, Serbian, etc.). Even Paul understood the importance of using a language that could easily be understood by the listener by saying, "But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue."_1Cor.14:19. He knew it to be important for the listener to understand the message spoken.

[@perttisuorsa4678]

You are absolutely right. The orthodox church does very little effective evangelizing. The members could arrange different kinds of meetups and lectures in their church and invite people from the street to attend those events but they never do. There are a lot of people who know very little about orthodoxy. Very few people know that orthodoxy regards itself as the true church of God on Earth. The reason for this is the fact that the orthodox church does not understand how to evangelize effectively.

[@Zangified02]

@@perttisuorsa4678 I do believe things are going “well” and getting better again. Not while ago Reader Paul from @bottomoftherabbithole and his parish hosted an inquirers event, and there were people who turned up. In fact in the UK where I’m located, Christian Orthodox Thyateira Youth (COTY) regularly hold events with good turnouts. I believe Ubi Petrus (Orthodox KZbinr) did comprehensive videos on the history of Orthodox evangelisation

[@torix316]

You're so right I have so many questions about orthodoxy but I don't even know where to go, I just want a conversation. I'm too intimidated to attend a Mass because I know I'll do something wrong.

[@josemartinez9415]

They don't. They're just a VERY private, exclusive club.

[@MatthewFloor]

So what’s the gospel?

[@tjkhan4541]

Yes, unfortunately this does not actually lay out the message’s content. I can’t think of how a mainline Liberal Protestant minister would answer differently than Fr John did here. Which is unfortunate.

[@cinemint]

Christ has conquered death by death ☦️

[@MatthewFloor]

Astonishing that the best news the world has ever known and most people can’t give an answer.

[@DaviRangelCassiano]

Such a passive way to evangelize

[@dianerose2561]

🙋🏻‍♀️🌹💜☦️💥

[@laceygreenwood]

Indeed. I appreciate your words. However, worldly dress, i.e., shorts on women & girls or very short dresses in Church (i.e. females totally ignorant of modesty), festivals for fund raisers (rather than tithes & offerings), career women & working mothers sending their Children to daycare & public schools, couples not having or postponing having Children are some things the Church should address for the well being of families and the Children growing up today, as well as more unity. I have Children and Grandchildren, and so many O Christians embrace the world's mindset on these matters, including Priests, Deacons, and their wives. How can one raise their family to follow holiness, when almost everyone else is worldly, at least they look, dress and seem to behave worldly? I pray about this every day, for the sake of the Children. Look at the state of society they're faced with! They need to learn to walk with God -- we all do. I look for someone somewhere to address this, if it is possible. Can't help but saying it would be nice to see a Church Council (an Ecumenical Council (?) ) for a Church standard for Christian modesty and holiness in and out of Church. If we are expected to be modest at monasteries (which has been my experience), why isn't it expected or taught for our every day conduct, and in Church? -- Forgive me, a sinner.

[@theoceanprovides47]

The Orthodox Church evangelizes by living through its teachings, the Saints, the martyrs, the church, and, most importantly, Christ. We not only living it, we believe it, and it envelops us as individuals, families, and communities. Anyone can go on a street corner and scream they believe in Jesus Christ, drop some Bible verses, argue, and aggressively pray over people trying to convince them that Christianity and their way of Christianity is the right way to live. SMH. The Orthodox Church doesn't do that; unlike the Catholics who forced Christianity on people or the Protestants who argue and belittle you until you follow them, the Orthodox refrains from this kind of evangelism. If you genuinely want to be part of the oldest Christian church with teachings passed down by the apostles and genuine faith that hasn't changed in 2000 years, you must pick up your cross and follow. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow me." Matthew 16:24.

[@newasul]

This is exactly why I was gravitated towards Orthodoxy since last year, there is this genuine evangelizing & discipleship to those who seek the truth & wanted to learn about God. Not forceful & ballistic but let the person seek, knock & be open by the Lord & it's only through Him & with Him that we will find love, grace & peace, hopefully the Orthodox Church will build one in Cebu City in the Philippines.

[@nickkraw1]

Tbh it hardly does at all compared to the Catholic Church.

[@tanktamer8760]

And yet so many people are converting. I think it’s the fact that so many people see how much Protestantism and Catholicism has changed and are looking for something consistent

[@jennifernorton905]

The EO church overall is dwindling in numbers. Even though there seems to be a lot of converts, the truth is that a lot of Orthodox are leaving for the Roman Catholic and Protestant churches. Some EO converts do change their minds and later become Roman Catholic. Sometimes this happens because they were so anti-catholic that they skipped over it completely during their discernment and then later on changed their minds.

[@andyontheinternet5777]

Hard pass on icon veneration, relics, Maryism, and the rejection of penal substitutionary atonement (the idea that Jesus paid for your sins in full). A better question would be, what is the gospel in the first place?

[@okaythatsepic9455]

The gospel message has stayed the same since the time of the apostles, all of the issues you have with orthodoxy are supported by the church and her councils. The Second Council of Nicea defends the veneration of icons, the Council of Ephesus makes clear that Mary is the Theotokos (God-bearer), and relics and their use have heavy backing in scripture. The death of Christ our Lord and Savior on the cross was substitutionary but it was not penal atonement because the Father cannot damn the Son and this was condemned as heresy in the Synod of Jerusalem.

[@iamtheteapot7405]

Gospel means good news. The gospel of Jesus Christ means the good news of Jesus Christ.

[@andyontheinternet5777]

@@okaythatsepic9455 The OC does exactly what the Pharisees did by rejecting God's word and replacing it with human tradition. Centuries of heresy do not make a church the "One True Church." Nicaea II was a sham. You won't find a single positive reference to image veneration in the first 500 years of the church, not to mention the Bible. Moses could not have been clearer. Exodus 20: 4-5 - “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, Denying the doctrine that Jesus pays the price for our sins (penal substitutionary atonement) is the an absurd perversion of the NT gospel. It mocks Christ's death. Why did he die if not to pay for our sins? 1 Peter 3:18 - For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 2 Cor 5:21 - For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. The OC is not the unchanging original church it claims to be. It is a semi-pagan relic of the Dark Ages.

[@fernandoduranmanzano]

So what is the Gospel? Not what it means etymologically, but what does the Gospel proclaim?

[@andyontheinternet5777]

@@fernandoduranmanzano Ephesians 2:8-10 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

[@dallasbrat81]

Well it could start by repenting from its sin of thinking its Gods exclusive Church

[@ahorton880]

The Holy Spirit is not the author of confusion. Christ established a single Church and that is a historical fact. It doesn't mean you can't be saved if you're not in it, but at the same time no one has the right or ability to just start their branch as the Protestant continue to do. The Church is the living incarnation of Jesus, and since He only has one body, there cannot be multiple "churches". "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven..." Matt. 7: 21

[@dallasbrat81]

@@ahorton880 your delusional and blaspheming for saying that . In fact , At least 3-5 other church make that claim . Your Catholic Church has had wicked bishops and popes and times of corruption. to say that is to be historical ignorant

[@iamtheteapot7405]

Orthodoxy doesn't think it's the exclusive church, it's just the original church, the true church, the only church remaining today which has kept the deposit of the faith granted once to all.

[@dallasbrat81]

@@iamtheteapot7405 wrong it’s still a formal statement of the Church and only hidden since 1900s . It’s a formal statement

[@dallasbrat81]

@@iamtheteapot7405 again no, if you read the Church fathers they debated beliefs early they were solo Scriptures then debated icons till 10th where Emperor finally decided. They just tell everyone they never changed