The Apostolic Faith of the Church has always been guided in conciliar fashion. We see at the council in Jerusalem within the Book of Acts that the Apostles met for important decisions and returned saying, “It seems right to us and to the Holy Spirit” that we decide this or that. In this teaching we hear the purpose of a council or synod, we see how the Holy Spirit leads the councils of synods, and we explore the Seven Ecumenical Councils and the heresies they addressed.

Today’s class focuses on the Orthodox Church’s perspective of the Creation of all things by God and the Fall of mankind by the will of those He created. So many teachings outside of Orthodoxy see the Fall of man and, thus, death entering into the world as the divine punishment of man by God for His disobedience. Orthodoxy sees the Fall of man as the natural result of man’s will choosing away from union with God. Death, then, is a natural result of the choice to remove oneself from the God of life. Listen in and hear the Church’s teaching about Creation & the Fall and the nature of God in it and above it all.

The Church has always considered the Holy Trinity to be a mystery. So many heresies have come about through the 2000 years of the Church that erroneously attempted to explain the Trinity. There is, however, a consensus of revealed truth that has been expressed by God through His Church as to the Three Persons of the Holy Trinity. It is so important to understand these revealed truths because our Faith is defined by who God is in His Nature. This teaching shares what we know about the Trinity so that we may grow in God’s likeness by living in union with Him: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

This session focuses on the Church’s teaching regarding Heaven & Hell. There are many teachings outside of the Orthodox Church and many varying understandings on this important subject. Today we look at what the Orthodox Church has always maintained and continues to express as truth today regarding life beyond the veil of flesh.

The focus of this session is on the Blessed Virgin Mary. She was the Mother of God being the Mother of our Lord, Jesus Christ. And, she is seen as the Mother of the Church for salvation Himself was born through her. The Church teaches us that when we look at the Blessed Virgin Mary, we can see much of who we are as Christians and as the Church. The Archangel Gabriel proclaimed her blessed among all woman. If this is so, what does the Church teach us regarding our Lord’s Mother and how she is to be revered.

It is taught in the Church that our salvation comes from our communion with God. God is not some distant object. God is an ever present Trinity of three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This God has made a way for all who are in Him to come to truly know Him, not just know about Him. The Orthodox Church has forever taught us that we are saved by an experienced relationship with the God who makes Himself known to us. Our Lord Jesus Christ was the express image of God to us and for us. He came and lived among us that we might see God, know God, and be saved.