This book first circulated about a year ago in the Greek language with the title “Η ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΗ ΠΙΣΤΗ ΜΑΣ” , so that the Greek people could learn about their Orthodox Christian Faith. Many people overseas pleaded with us to translate the book into English so that the newer generations, who don’t know Greek very well, can read it. So we decided to translate it. Consequently this book is now addressed not only to Greeks, but to everyone, whether Orthodox or not, who would like to learn about Orthodoxy. I would like to warmly thank His Grace Panteleimon Metropolitan of Antinoes, for his delighted acceptance to translate the book from Greek into English, and the effort he exerted to do this. I would also thank the English speaking sisters at the Holy Monastery of St. Augustine in Florina, for editing the translation. [From prologue to the English edition]
PROLOGUE TO THE ENGLISH EDITION 10
PROLOGUE TO THE GREEK EDITION 11
1. INTRODUCTION 13
1.1. ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CATECHISM
1.2. THE SOURCES OF CATECHISM
1.3. THE HOLY CREED
2. GOD 16
2.1. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD
2.2. THE ESSENCE AND ENERGIES OF GOD
2.3. THE DIVINE ATTRIBUTES
2.4. THE TRIUNE GOD
3. THE CREATION OF THE WORLD 21
3.1. CREATION IN GENERAL
3.2. THE ANGELS
3.3. THE DEMONS
4. MAN 24
5. DIVINE PROVIDENCE 27
5.1. GOD AS PRESERVER AND GOVERNER OF THE WORLD
5.2. WHY DOES EVIL EXIST IN THE WORLD?
6. PARADISE AND THE FALL OF FIRST MAN 30
6.1. PARADISE
6.2. THE ANCESTRAL (ORIGINAL) SIN
6.3. THE CONSEQUENCES OF ANCESTRAL SIN
6.4. THE GRADUAL CORRUPTION OF THE HUMAN RACE
7. MAN'S REDEMPTION 38
7.1. THE WORK OF DIVINE ECONOMY (DISPENSATION)
7.2. THE PREPARATION OF SALVATION
8. OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST 41
8.1. THE PERSON OF CHRIST
8.2. THE DIVINE NATURE OF CHRIST
9. THE DIVINE INCARNATION 45
9.1. THE CONCEPTION AND INCARNATION OF THE DIVINE WORD
9.2. THE HUMAN NATURE OF CHRIST
9.3. THE ALL-HOLLY THEOTOKOS
10. CHRIST AS TEACHER AND PROPHET 50
11. THE WORK OF CHRIST AS HIGH-PRIEST 52
11.1. THE SACRIFICE OF CHRIST AND ITS RESULTS
11.2. THE DESCENT OF CHRIST INTO HADES
12. CHRIST'S RESURRECTION 56
12.1. CHRIST'S RESURRECTION AND ITS RESULTS
12.2. TESTIMONIES CONCERNING CHRIST'S RESURRECTION
12.3. PROPHESIES CONCERNING THE RESURRECTION
13. THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD 60
14. THE SECOND COMING OF THE LORD 62
14.1. THE END OF THE WORLD
14.2. THE PERIOD BEFORE THE SECOND COMING
14.3. THE SECOND COMING OF THE LORD
14.4. THE UNIVERSAL JUDGMENT
15. THE ROYAL OFFICE OF CHRIST 67
16. THE HOLY SPIRIT 69
16.1. THE NATURE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
16.2. THE PROCEEDING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
16.3. THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
16.4. THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WITHIN THE CHURCH
17. THE CHURCH 76
17.1. MEANING, FOUNDATION, PURPOSE, WORK
17.2. NATURE AND ORDER OF THE CHURCH
17.3. THE ATTRIBUTES OF THE CHURCH
17.4. WHICH IS THE TRUE CHURCH?
18. THE MEANS OF SANCTIFICATION OF THE CHURCH 90
18.1. GENERALLY, CONCERNING THE MEANS OF SANCTIFICATION
18.2. THE HOLY MYSTERIES / SACRAMENTS OF THE CHURCH
18.3. THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY BAPTISM
19. THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD 95
19.1. DEATH
19.2. LIFE AFTER DEATH
19.3. MEMORIAL SERVICES
19.4. THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD
20. THE FUTURE LIFE 105
20.1. HELL
20.2. PARADISE
IN SUMMARY 117
ENGLISH BIBLIOGRAPHY 123
BIBLIOGRAPHY IN GREEK 125
