It is commonly acknowledged that our Orthodox faithful, in their majority, lack catechism (i. e. instruction in our Faith). Although concerning science, technology, computers etc., most people, especially the youth of today, are well informed and knowledgeable, concerning faith they are still deeply ignorant, even of the basic truths.
This is the main cause of the spreading of heresies in our country, which unfortunately grow, luring those who have no catechism and those who are weak members of the flock of Crist, our Orthodox Church.
There are different reasons for his ignorance. Family, school, the government, and others, are responsible. The Church has a great responsibility, and especially the clergy who, besides our liturgical and administrative duties, have a basic duty to “preach the gospel” (Mk. 16:15), i.e. to teach and to instruct.
Who does not admire and also does not reproach himself because of the missionary work of the great teacher of the Greek Nation, St. Cosmas Aitolos, who alone managed to change the course of Greek history and prevented complete Islamization, a danger which the Greek Nation faced. He traveled all of Greece by foot, and with his simple but warm words achieved the spiritual regeneration of our enslaved country. It is not an exaggeration to say that, in this case, “the people who sat in darkness saw a great light and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death, Light has dawned” (Matt. 4:16). So, if today we had such teachers of the divine word, “full of divine zeal” (St. John Chrysostomos), our country would be in a much different condition. Consequently, it is necessary for a re-evangelization of and within the Orthodox Christian world.
This book was written with the purpose of presenting briefly and simply our Orthodox Christian Faith. It contains a brief description of 100 sermons on the Holy Creed, which, with the blessings of His Eminence Metropolitan Theocletos of Florina, Prespa and Eordaia, I delivered as evening homilies in the holy Cathedral of St. Panteleimon Florina, between 2007-2013.
I hope that this humble effort will contribute to the acquaintance of our people with our Orthodox Faith, which will protect them from the various heresies, – which as Lernean Hydras threaten them – and which will free them from the errors and superstitions which are rooted within. “Know the truth and the truth will set you free” (Jn. 8:32). […]
(From the prologue of the book)
CONTENTS
Greetings from His Eminence Metropolitan Theocletos of Florina, Prespa and Eordaia
Dedication
INDEX
PROLOGUE TO THE ENGLISH EDITION
PROLOGUE TO THE GREEK EDITION
1.- INTRODUCTION
1.1. ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CATECHISM
1.2. THE SOURCES OF CATECHISM
1.3. THE HOLY CREED
2.- GOD
2.1. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD
2.2. THE ESSENCE AND ENERGIES OF GOD
2.3. THE DIVINE ATTRIBUTES
2.4. THE TRIUNE GOD
3.- THE CREATION OF THE WORLD
3.1. CREATION IN GENERAL
3.2. THE ANGELS
3.3. THE DEMONS
4.- MAN
5.- DIVINE PROVIDENCE
5.1. GOD AS PRESERVER AND GOVERNER OF THE WORLD
5.2. WHY DOES EVIL EXIST IN THE WORLD?
6.- PARADISE AND THE FALL OF FIRST MAN
6.1. PARADISE
6.2. THE ANCESTRAL (ORIGIN) SIN
6.3. THE CONSEQUENCES OF ANCESTRAL SIN
6.4. THE GRADUAL CORRUPTION OF THE HUMAN RACE
7.- MAN’ S REDEMPTION
7.1. THE WORK OF DIVINE ECONOMY (DISPENSATION)
7.2. THE PREPARATION FOR SALVATION
8.- OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
8.1. THE PERSON OF CHRIST
8.2. THE DIVINE NATURE OF CHRIST
9.- THE DIVINE INCARNATION
9.1. THE CONCEPTION AND INCARNATION OF THE DIVINE WORD
9.2. THE HUMAN NATURE OF CHRIST
9.3. THE ALL-HOLY THEOTOKOS
10.- CHRIST AS TEACHER AND PROPHET
11.- THE WORK OF CHRIST AS HIGH-PRIEST
11.1. THE SACRIFICE OF CHRIST AND ITS RESULTS
11.2. THE DESCENT OF CHRIST INTO HADES
12.- CHRIST’ S RESURRECTION
12.1. CHRIST’ S RESURRECTION AND ITS RESULTS
12.2. TESTIMONIES CONCERNING CHRIST’ S RESURRECTION
12.3. PROPHESIES CONCERNING THE RESURRECTION
13.- THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD
14.- THE SECOND COMING OF THE LORD
14.1. THE END OF THE WORLD
14.2. THE PERIOD BEFORE THIS SECOND COMING
14.3. THE SECOND COMING OF THE LORD
14.4. THE UNIVERSAL JUDGEMENT
15.- THE ROYAL OFFICE OF CHRIST
16.- THE HOLY SPIRIT
16.1. THE NATURE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
16.2. THE PROCEEDING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
16.3. THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
16.4. THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WITHIN THE CHURCH
17.- THE CHURCH
17.1. MEANING, FOUNDATION, PURPOSE, WORK
17.2. NATURE AND ORDER OF THE CHURCH
17.3. THE ATTRIBUTES OF THE CHURCH
17.4. WHICH IS THE TRUE CHURCH?
18.- THE MEANS OF SANCTIFICATION OF THE CHURCH
18.1. GENERALLY, CONCERNING THE MEANS OF SANCTIFICATION
18.2. THE HOLY MYSTERIES / SACRAMENTS OF THE CHURCH
18.3. THE SACRAMENTS OF HOLY BAPTISM
19.- THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD
19.1. DEATH
19.2. LIFE AFTER DEATH
19.3. MEMORIAL SERVICES
19.4. THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD
20.- THE FUTURE LIFE
20.1. HELL
20.2. PARADISE
IN SUMMARY
ENGLISH BIBLIOGRAPHY
BIBLIOGRAPHY IN GREEK