Is Orthodoxy losing ground?

[really]

You are good at explaining things, Ellinas.

So please tell me, is there something like confession (going in a small booth to tell the priest about your sins - I am sure you have none
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) in the Orthodox Church also? I know there is baptism, where you have to plunge the whole body in water as opposed to just sprinkling a few drops on water (I saw in the movie "My Fat Greek Wedding").

[Ellinas]

Yes there is. It is called "Exomologisis" and you tell your sins to the priest, without any other human presense. According to the rules of Orthodoxy the priest must not tell to anyone what he heard, no matter what it was.

After you have done the "Exomologisis", you have to participate in "Theia Efcharistia" which is a ceremony where the priest offers you bread and red wine and after you eat them all your sins are forgiven. The bread symbolizes the body of the Christ and the wine his blood (remember what he said to his students during the supper). Unlike "Exomologisis", in "Theia Efcharistia" many believers are participating the same time.

Today many people participate in "Theia Efcharistia" without having done the "Exomologisis" first, so it is commonly accepted that sins are forgiven with this, even without the "Exomologisis" being done before.

[really]

That is truly interesting to learn. Thanks Ellinas.

Someone mentioned that Orthodoxy is the "purest form", what does that mean exactly?

[Ellinas]

Originally Posted by really
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That is truly interesting to learn. Thanks Ellinas.

Someone mentioned that Orthodoxy is the "purest form", what does that mean exactly?

Orthodoxy is the form of Christianity that experienced the less changes since Christianity was formed. Catholicicm, Protestantism and the others experienced numerous changes which made them differ a lot with early Christianism, Orthodoxy is close with.

[really]

Then I would applaud Orthodoxy, because it is the words of Jesus that a follower has to learn and adhere to, and not what the church/priest likes to preach.

[really]

I am not sure, but I think that Greek Orthodox churches (as well as Catholic churches) have the name of a saint attached to each. Why is it necessary to have such a name and how is that decided? Why not just call all the churches the Church of God or of Jesus, for example?

I don't know but I think the mosques don't have a name, do they?

[Ellinas]

Originally Posted by really
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I am not sure, but I think that Greek Orthodox churches (as well as Catholic churches) have the name of a saint attached to each. Why is it necessary to have such a name and how is that decided? Why not just call all the churches the Church of God or of Jesus, for example?

I don't know but I think the mosques don't have a name, do they?

Every Orthodox Church is a Church of God and Jesus. However besides this, every Greek Orthodox church has a Saint which is dedicated to. Some are dedicated to Panagia (the Mother of Jesus).

The Saints have a big importance in Orthodoxy. Besides the churches, every day of the year is dedicated to a Saint. And all the persons who have name originating from the name of that Saint, celebrate their nameday that day. They are also some days dedicated to the ones who have names which weren't possesed by Saints. So many Greek Orthodox Christians, besides the faith to God and Jesus which is above all, he has a specific Saint where he prays to etc. It's like his protector Saint. Personally I usually appeal to God though.

I can't say exactly how this dominated, but the Greek Orthodox church was always honoring the people who gave their lives because they did not want to deny their faith. That's why many people who lived from the 1st till the 19th century AD were proclaimed Saints by the Church.

They are some heresies in Greece that accept the beliefs of Orthodoxy, but they don't accept the Saints. However they don't have many supporters.

[really]

I did not know that there are so many Saints, one for each day! Are the Saints for all of Christianity or each "sect" has its own Saints (like Catholic Saints, Orthodox Saints, Protestant Saints, etc.)?

Although I understand why people feel the need to pray to their Saint, isn't it against the Christian religion that one should only believe in God and no other god/saint etc.?

[really]

And, Ellinas, I thought that people become Saints because of their good deeds to other people (like Mother Teresa, etc.). I guess the persons who did not want to deny their faith and who became Saints for that used to live in the earlier times of Christianity.

[really]

Ellinas, is it possible for you to find for me a link to a Greek calendar with the names of the Saints for each day? If you cannot find in English, in Greek it is more than fine too. Thank you very much in advance.