In Eastern Orthodoxy, what is most important for the efficacy of the sacraments: the right Church or the right God?
Upvote:-1
I'm Orthodox, but not a scholar by any means. I can only share how I understand things, and invite correction from the more erudite!
The Sacraments, or Holy Mysteries, are asked from God, for the People of God (Laity), by and with clergy ordained (set apart from among us) to service these needs that we have (baptism, Eucharist, repentance, marriage, healing, burial, etc.); in the context of, and through, the Church (Body of Christ) that we comprise. It is not possible for a person who is not a baptized member of the Church to partake of the Holy Mysteries (sacraments), with few exceptions (which not all Orthodox will even make). In the context of an Orthodox church service, Orthodox Christians, individually and as part of the Body of Christ, offer themselves to Christ, as He did to us, and receive the Mysteries in return. The only question touching on the idea of efficacy, therefore, is whether or not we are making that effort of offering ourselves to God, truly and constantly, and in peace with each other and the world around us, or if we're just taking God's Mercy for granted. Which of course is not to say that you won't get His Mercy, since we can't ever really "deserve" it and there's no way to "earn" it. It's about using your free will to choose to turn toward God and what He wants, instead of turning always to what you want, and accepting what comes from Him in return. I know that doesn't specifically answer the question, but I'm not sure it can be answered in the way it was asked because the frame of reference is quite different. I hope it makes some kind of sense, though!
Upvote:4
I'm not Orthodox and I don't know much on Orthodox theology, but I'll try to answer from what I have found.
AFAIK Orthodox Church shares the ex opere operato doctrine though the understanding is not the same (here near the bottom). This means that the answer is "God". The action of the priest is necessary, but not so much, it's less important than in Catholic understanding.
The priest is necessary for Eucharist (like in Catholic Church). For baptism the priest is not necessary: under extraordinary conditions, even a layman can baptise.
More post
- 📝 Why isn't the cross considered an idol?
- 📝 Is there a prayer to God for the supplicant to believe in Him?
- 📝 How can a Christian seek out the best Homilists/Preachers?
- 📝 What is the origin of the tradition that Thaddeus founded the Armenian Church?
- 📝 When did Martin Luther begin to see the church as entirely apostate?
- 📝 What's the meaning of this quote by C. S. Lewis, regarding the heart and head?
- 📝 Is SIN a sin just because God says it is sin?
- 📝 What is the meaning of Holy Spirit in Mark 3:28-29?
- 📝 How did the Willow Creek church come to allow and encourage women in leadership?
- 📝 How do Trinitarians respond to Mark 13:32 which indicates that the Holy Spirit does not know something?
- 📝 What Biblical support is there for a non-Churched Christianity?
- 📝 Early church fathers on Mary as mediatrix
- 📝 Why Does Passover "Skip" Over Easter?
- 📝 According to the Catholic Church, in Luke 10:19 what kind of authority & power Jesus had given the Apostles & Disciples?
- 📝 If a Catholic priest absolves my sins without taking a confession, does it still count?
- 📝 Is the resurrection of Col 3:1 the millennium?
- 📝 Why didn't Adam and Eve die when they ate the fruit?
- 📝 What Christian groups believe sex was the original sin, and not disobedience?
- 📝 What is the substance/nature of God based on Trinitarians?
- 📝 If Christ had a complete human nature, how come his human nature wasn't totally depraved as ours is?
- 📝 Is there a complete list of Catholic Saints somewhere online?
- 📝 Is it official Catholic dogma that Mary is the wife of the Holy Spirit?
- 📝 Who said: "God is not outdone in generosity?"
- 📝 Were the Jews expecting God Incarnate?
- 📝 How do non-LDS Christians respond to the LDS argument that Joseph Smith died as a Martyr for God, just like the Apostles?
- 📝 When can our prayers change God's mind/will? Is it wrong to pray against the will of God?
- 📝 Does 1st Corinthians chapter 15 say that we will have a permanent physical life?
- 📝 Has the distinction of the human and divine natures in Jesus Christ been established?
- 📝 Were Jews allowed to sacrifice to the LORD at altars other than at the tabernacle and temple?
- 📝 In Christianity is food recommended to be consumed using left hand?
Source: stackoverflow.com
Search Posts
Related post
- 📝 In Eastern Orthodoxy, what is most important for the efficacy of the sacraments: the right Church or the right God?
- 📝 What is the basis for the Swedenborgian view that the most common concept of God in Christianity (the Trinity) is a belief in three gods?
- 📝 What are the requirements for establishing an Eastern Orthodox church or mission?
- 📝 What objective, foolproof method do Eastern Orthodox have for working out which side is correct in the case of a Schism?
- 📝 For Eastern Orthodox churches, what are the main references concerning Biblical Interpretation methodology?
- 📝 What is the biblical basis for restricting administration of the sacraments to ordained church leaders?
- 📝 What is the biblical basis for the Catholic and Eastern doctrines of the Assumption of Mary?
- 📝 According to the Eastern Orthodox, what are the rules for acquiring / owning icons?
- 📝 According to Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy, what are the strongest apologetic arguments for the divine inspiration of the deuterocanonical books?
- 📝 What is the most credited date for the birth (or calling) of Abraham?
- 📝 What is the most important tradition in the Catholic Church?
- 📝 What is the biblical basis for the Eastern Orthodox concept of Aerial toll houses?
- 📝 What is the Biblical basis for the doctrine of the Trinity?
- 📝 What is the biblical basis for the claim that abortion is immoral?
- 📝 What is the basis for saying Christians and Muslims worship the same God?
- 📝 What is the Biblical basis for the concept that Jesus spent time in Hell?
- 📝 What is the biblical justification for permitting female pastors?
- 📝 What is the biblical basis for Jesus being God incarnate?
- 📝 What is the Biblical basis for Total Depravity?
- 📝 What is the biblical basis for believing in the Book of Mormon?
- 📝 What Protestant arguments exist for the perpetual virginity of Mary?
- 📝 What is the Biblical basis for saying Lucifer is an angel?
- 📝 Is the "sinner's prayer" important for salvation and why?
- 📝 What is the Biblical support for Purgatory?
- 📝 What is the scriptural basis for clerical celibacy?
- 📝 In what countries is it illegal to own a Bible (the most banned book in the world)?
- 📝 For Catholics who object to Vatican II, what are the key issues?
- 📝 What is God waiting for before He ends the world?
- 📝 What is the Biblical basis for Universal salvation?
- 📝 What is the Biblical basis for disbelief in the doctrine of the Trinity?