Γι’ αυτό όταν μας κατηγορούν, όταν μας συκοφαντούν, όταν μας πειράζουν, όταν μας ταπεινώνουν, όταν μας αδικούν, πρέπει κι εμείς να συγχωρούμε. Με οποία καρδιά, με οποία δύναμη, με οποία διάθεση προσφέρουμε τη συγχωρητικότητά μας, όχι εκατονταπλάσια, άλλα μυριοπλάσια θα είναι τα αντίστοιχα αγαθά, που θα λάβουμε από τον Θεό. Να ο δρόμος! Να, πως ακριβώς μπορούμε να σωθούμε! Να, η πύλη από την οποία θα εισέλθουμε στη Βασιλεία των ουρανών!
Γέροντας Εφραίμ Φιλοθεΐτης
http://agiameteora.net/index.php/mikres-periplaniseis/6717-rimata-zo-s-na-dromos.html
An Orthodox Christian was asked by a protestant couple about his Orthodox faith and the differences in their teachings and beliefs. The man explained to the couple that Orthodox Christianity is like a large bouquet with a different arrangement of flowers. The man gave an example of the different ethnic groups that exist within the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church such as Greek, Russian, Bulgarian, Serbian, Romanian, Georgian, Ukrainian, Syrian, etc., yet a visible body of believers who have continued to keep the apostolic teachings and worship since 33 A.D.
During their conversation the Orthodox Christian asked the wife the following question. He said, “if your husband had a real bouquet of flowers in his right hand and a plastic bouquet of flowers in his left hand which one would you prefer? The woman paused and said that she would prefer the real bouquet of flowers over plastic. The woman responded wisely, because the Orthodox Church has the Holy Eucharist (The True Body and True Blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ) which is called, “medicine of immortality” for the healing of soul and body. It is not a symbolic placebo (grape juice and a cracker), but it is "the True medicine" that gives life. John 6:53 "..Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you."
The Orthodox Church is evangelical, but not Protestant, it is Orthodox, but not Jewish.
It is Catholic, but not Roman.
It isn’t non-denominational – it is pre-denominational. It has believed, taught, preserved, defended and died for the faith of the Holy Apostles since the day of Pentecost 2000 years ago.
