Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Icons?
In the Orthodox Church the icons bear witness to the reality of God’s presence with us in the mystery of faith. The icons are not just human pictures or visual aids to contemplation and prayer. They are the witnesses of the presence of the Kingdom of God to us, and so of our own presence to the Kingdom of God in the Church. It is the Orthodox faith that icons are not only permissible, but are spiritually necessary because “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn 1.14). Christ is truly man and, as man, truly the “icon of the invisible God” (Col 1.15; 1 Cor 11.7; 2 Cor 4.4).
What Is Orthodoxy?
The Orthodox Church is the historical Church founded by Jesus Christ and her early history is described in the New Testament.
Visit the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America (ROEA) website to learn more about the history of the Orthodox Church, the various Feasts, and what the Orthodox Church teaches about God, salvation, the Scriptures, spirituality, and more.
Orthodoxy is not just a teaching it's also a way of life.
What Is Theosis?
“Theosis is the true purpose of human life.”
“Theosis - for man to be united with God, not in an external or a sentimental manner but ontologically, in a real way.””
“Our life’s purpose is declared in the first chapter of the Holy Bible, when the Holy author tells us that God created man “in His image and likeness.” From this we discover the great love the Triune God has for man: He does not wish him simply to be a being with certain gifts,certain qualities, a certain superiority over the rest of creation, He wishes him to be a god by Grace.”