A handshake is the most common greeting in Greece. Close friends may greet each other with a warm embrace or a kiss on the cheek. Others might slap or pat one anothers arm or back a few times.

What do Greek Orthodox call their church?

The official name of the Eastern Orthodox Church is the Orthodox Catholic Church.

How do Greek Orthodox cross themselves?

How to Know When… For Greek Orthodox Christians, the sign of the cross is the ultimate expression of their faith. While making the sign of the cross, Orthodox Christians do so by touching their thumb, index, and middle fingers together, which represents the Holy Trinity.

Why do Greek Orthodox kiss icons?

Processing with icons around the church reminds us that the path from Galilee to Golgotha is a path through matter that ultimately redeems it. So we kiss icons, and we bow before them, because, thanks to Christ, the world he entered and made a part of himself is good and holy.

What does a cross above a door mean?

The cross on our door, drawn in canola oil, was a symbol that our house was Gods property; demonic forces had no right to be there. It was a spiritual “No Trespassing” sign.

Can you wear pants to a Greek Orthodox church?

In recent years, Greek Orthodox Churches have gotten a little more casual than they used to be. The general rule is to wear clothes that are classy and not too provocative. Business casual or a suit and tie for the men are both acceptable. For women, wearing a dress or skirt that falls around the knee is preferred.

What are Greek Orthodox icons?

What are Icons? Icons are representations of the Heavenly. They are expressions of Orthodox Faith, teaching, and worship. The Greek word for Icon is, Αγιογραφία, which can be separated into two words: Άγιο, meaning Holy or not of this world (Heavenly)

What is orthodox religion beliefs?

Essentially the Orthodox Church shares much with the other Christian Churches in the belief that God revealed himself in Jesus Christ, and a belief in the incarnation of Christ, his crucifixion and resurrection. The Orthodox Church differs substantially in the way of life and worship.

What does a black cross on a door mean?

Plague notices At times of plague, it was common to mark the doors of victims of the disease with a large painted cross, either in red or black paint. In later times, large printed crosses were often affixed to doors.

Is wearing a cross a sin?

Another aspect of this question that people often forget also is that as Christians living under the new covenant, we are at liberty (Galatians 5:1); not that we should use our freedom in Christ as an excuse to sin, but Biblically, wearing a Christian cross is not a sin anyway (1 Peter 2:16).

Why cant you cross your legs in a Greek Orthodox Church?

Dont Cross Your Legs In the eyes of the church, this represents a form of arrogance that stands in the way of our relationship to God. Since a lot of people arent aware of this thinking, people tend to cross their legs without realizing that it is considered improper.

How long does a Greek Orthodox Church service last?

However, the all-night vigil is usually abridged so as to not last literally all-night and may be as short as two hours; on the other hand, on Athos and in the very traditional monastic institutions, that service followed by the hours and Liturgy may last as long as 18 hours.

Do Greek Orthodox believe in iconography?

Icons can only be created with the blessing of the Church, as they are writings of Truth. The Orthodox Church uses icons to assist in worship. Icons are a window to heaven and they help us to focus on the divine things.

Why does the Orthodox Church have icons?

Orthodox Christians view icons as visual representations of the people and stories of the Bible. Orthodox Christians view icons as visual representations of God and do not believe that the images have a spiritual quality.