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The Thief on the cross.
- Thread starter Ronnie
- Start date
Ghoti Ichthus
Genesis 18:32, 2 Chronicles 7:14, Acts 5:29
The Orthodox cross (aka 3-bar cross) is wonderful symbol/reminder of what became of the two thieves, consequences of one's choice to accept or reject Christ, and a reminder of the far different eternal destinations of the saved (Heaven) and damned/lost (Hell). The slanted bar on the bottom is unfamiliar to many in the US and the occasional question about it makes a great conversation starter for sharing The Gospel.
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One of these days I may take my everyday wear crucifix in to a jeweler and ask about having such a bar added
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One of these days I may take my everyday wear crucifix in to a jeweler and ask about having such a bar added
Hol
Well-known
You're right, I am unfamiliar with it. I didn't grow up around any sort of religious objects and though I've tried to adopt a few items, pieces of jewelry, or pictures, none of them stick with me. I've got native american artwork, a few drawings of Jerusalem, some pottery & beadwork, but few objects that indicate that I'm a follower of Jesus'. We're very different, and that's another indication that God's love draws us to fellowship, not things we hold in common
What I'm curious about is the Orthodox. Do you mean Greek Orthodox?
Ghoti Ichthus
Genesis 18:32, 2 Chronicles 7:14, Acts 5:29
You're right, I am unfamiliar with it. I didn't grow up around any sort of religious objects and though I've tried to adopt a few items, pieces of jewelry, or pictures, none of them stick with me. I've got native american artwork, a few drawings of Jerusalem, some pottery & beadwork, but few objects that indicate that I'm a follower of Jesus'. We're very different, and that's another indication that God's love draws us to fellowship, not things we hold in common
What I'm curious about is the Orthodox. Do you mean Greek Orthodox?
All of the Eastern Orthodox churches have the same doctrine, order of service, etc. The big differences are the languages in which the services are conducted and who the religious and political (State) heads of the church are.
Example:
Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) services are conducted in Russian, the religious leader of the ROC is the Russian Patriarch Kirill, which is their highest ranking cleric, and the political (State) head of the ROC is the Russian head of state, President Putin.
"The ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople (Greek: Οἰκουμενικός Πατριάρχης, romanized: Oikoumenikós Patriárchēs) is the archbishop of Constantinople and primus inter pares (first among equals) among the heads of the several autocephalous churches that comprise the Eastern Orthodox Church. The ecumenical patriarch is regarded as the representative and spiritual leader of the Eastern Orthodox Christians worldwide. The term ecumenical in the title is a historical reference to the Ecumene, a Greek designation for the civilised world, i.e. the Roman Empire, and it stems from Canon 28 of the Council of Chalcedon.
The patriarch's see, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople is one of the most enduring institutions in the world and has had a prominent part in world history."
More
Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople - Wikipedia
Important to note, there are many, many, many differences between doctrine here on CCF and Eastern Orthodox.
Simplistically,the Eastern Orthodox are like Roman Catholics, but without the pope. The Eastern Orthodox split from the Roman Catholics in 1054 (The Great Schism)
I happen to like the three-bar cross for the symbolism and yet another way to start a conversation
I also like wearing a crucifix instead of a bare cross because it reminds me of the horrible suffering Jesus did just for me
Hol
Well-known
Thank you for all of that!
