This blog provides a space for questions to be submitted for the weekly Adult Catechesis classes at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Dayton.
20251201 Annunciation Adult Catechesis
20251201 Annunciation Adult Catechesis
This post is for any questions that need to be submitted remotely for the Adult Catechesis class to be held at 7 pm on December 1, 2025. Please post your questions in the comments below, and we will address them during the class.
2 Questions. How was the preaching of the Gospel/ Christianity conducted in the Early Church, Is it similar to modern day preaching where we have street preaching kind of attitude in America?, And I saw that the faithful can’t talk about the Holy Mysteries to “enemies” in the Communion prayers at Church. Are the enemies demons? heretics? Would love to hear your insight please and thank you!
-comment forwarded on from Manny M
I have a question regarding Mary’s ever virginity. I listened the podcast “Walking an Ancient path: A former Protestant contemplate Mary’s ever virginity”. It all makes sense especially the breakdown of scriptures she shows. But what is baffling me is I don’t understand why Mary is hidden in other denominations. When it’s clear in my readings how important she is, so what is it about Mary that causes such a debate? I’m reading Know the faith and I’m hoping that brings more clarity on the subject.
I have a question about Leviticus as i just finished it and was reflecting on its contents. When it mentions your seed and giving it to molech is that simply in regards to child sacrifice? I might be going to deep here but i couldn’t help but also think of “what you sow you will reap” and/or “know them by their fruits” in reference to seeds being actions carried out or “planted”. In that sense could it be interpreted more broadly than only child sacrifice?
I heard a rumor that Orthodox weddings dont have wedding vows. Is this true?
Hello all,
I’m adding a question if I’m unable to attend tonight as I’m on a work trip.
The Orthodox Church has a much larger body of work in their old testament, how was it decided to include those books, and what is in them?
In Luke chapter 6, Jesus says, “Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and not do the things I say?” Why does he say the word Lord twice?
What exactly is the definition of begotten? All sources i see say it is a synonym for created, but Jesus isn’t a created being
How would you respond to a protestant who says they do not see the need to ask the saints in Heaven to pray for us.
Can a Christian practice meditation if they wanted to?
What is your opinion on veganism, vegetarianism, fruitarianism, etc., as I’ve heard one take from a Christian content creator that such diets were a contradiction to the fact that God made all food clean?
Jacob asks: What happened to Adam and Eve after the Resurrection?
Where can I read more about the Orthodox take on creation? (Interested in knowing how much of it is correct to interpret in a metaphorical vs. ‘scientific’ context, if one can put it that way)
How is the orthodox prayer book laid out? What are the differences between vespers, compline, and paraklesis? In the paraklesis specifically, what are the notes about odes, tones, and troparia? Chanting comments?
How do you recommend fasting when you live with non religious relatives who do all the cooking?
In Mark 15, Pilate asks Jesus if he is the King of the Jews, and Jesus responds by saying “You have said so”. What is the significance of His response here?
Is there a difference between Hades and Hell? And Paradise and Heaven?
Father, I’ve been thinking about the concept of obedience in the Orthodox life. I want to understand how to build true obedience—not just superficial obedience that conforms to external rules, but obedience in its deeper, spiritual sense, rooted in the heart and will. How does one cultivate that, practically and spiritually?
How can I find out about saints that might be a good patron saint for me? When I was confirmed in the Catholic church it was with St. Charles of Borromeo who I’m not sure Orthodox recognize.
What is the Orthodox take on the stations of the cross? It’s a Catholic thing where they go through the 14 stages of the passion of Christ and reflect. Do Orthodox people do that? Why or why not?
What happened to Jesus in between his death on the cross and his resurrection? Did he go to Heaven?
What is the Orthodox stance on tattoos? I’ve heard conflicting things.
Father, what is a good way to define legalism properly and differentiate how Orthodoxy is different from that?
Father, I’ve been wandering something for a while now, especially as I get closer to leaving for university, what is the purpose or point of doing anything in the world? If there will be no pain or suffering in the world to come, why become a doctor? If gold and silver will be meaningless, why seek wealth? How does one approach these questions? And, what is the purpose of pursuing anything other than pleasure or change in this world now?
In yesterday’s homily, you said faith isn’t just “believing hard enough”. I’ve intellectually ‘agreed’ with Orthodox theology for a while now and I got that primarily from reading books. This seems to be different from true faithfulness. So, to grow from just knowing to living Orthodox-ly, are the steps the same for growing in faith you outlined in said homily? Prayer, fasting, and consistency?
What do people who have Birthdays, Anniversaries, etc. do during Great Lent? Can they never have Birthday cake ever again? (Humor intended).
What was the 40-day-out-baby-celebration thing that happened on Sunday?
Some of us saw a group of German Baptists at the Paschal Vigil and were curious if it is common to see other denominations, even ones as devoted as GP’s, at such holy services.
Is there anything we should study and prepare for Holy Pascha?
What does the church teach about being medicated for depression and anxiety and is it a sin
Good evening Father, I was wondering about some of the unique or even obscure tradition’s of the Orthodox Church, such as traditions that you know of specific to certain areas alone. If you know the purpose or origin of these traditions, I think it’d be unique to know.
I’ve heard some Roman Catholics say that the filioque clause doesnt mean that the Son also eternally begets the Holy Spirit, but rather that still only the Father begets the Holy Spirit but It proceeds THROUGH the Son….isn’t that what we believe?
Father, how would you handle and inquirer who is unable to attend church because of their job or jobs? I haven’t been able to attend most summer because of work. Before I found Orthodoxy, at my old job, I could count on one hand the amount of Sundays I was given off over 5 years. I’ve been wanting to become a Catechumen but I don’t know how it would work if I can never attend. Please pray for me as I have a job interview tomorrow with a workplace that would give me Sundays guaranteed off.
Also, is there any attendance guidelines for a baptized member of the church?
Is there any connection between Esau and Jacob, with Israel being once God’s chosen people but now it being all Christian people?
What exactly happens after we die? Do we immediately experience heaven or hell?
And also, is hell a physical realm of torture, fire, and brimstone as shown in modern popular media? Or is it a state of being?