The Orthodox church is alive and well today, though much smaller in numbers. The Eastern Orthodox church of Russia, until recently was 'religio illicita' a forbidden religion is alive and well. In fact, Putin and Medvedev, the two Russian political leaders attended an Easter mass at the Moscow Cathedral just recently. The orthodox church in Istanbul, though facing death threats daily is thriving and unafraid. Never has an organisation facing so many threats over the many centuries of their existence survived till today, whether the church was meeting in the famed Hagia Sophia, or in caves in Cappadocia or in outposts like Mystra and Monemvasia in the Greek Peloponnese. Today it continues the great commission of preaching the gospel to the ends of the world!
'Suddenly there came from heaven a sound like the rushing of a violent wind and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them and resting on each one, tongues of fire. And they were all filled with the Holy spirit.' Acts 2, vs 2-4. So the history of the Christian church begins, with the descent of the Holy spirit. Before long these group of the first Christians began to be scattered and they brought their faith to all parts of the world to which they were scattered. The Orthodox church believes they are descendants of these first Christians and they are to follow as closely to the beliefs of these first Christians.
An inquiry into the Orthodox church is one of fascinating discovery.
My interest in the Orthodox church began with a visit to Turkey, an Islamic country. What irony! And my fascination with it continues......
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