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Why was there resistance in adding Apocryphal books to the Scripture?
Lack of authenticity
Contents conflicting with teachings in other accepted writings.
What is the stand of the Syriac Orthodox Church on Apocryphal books?
The Syriac Orthodox Church considers them to be deuterocanonical books.
How many Apocryphal books have been added to the Peshita and what are their names?
11 Books. Tobit, Judith, the Rest of Esther, the Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach, the Letter to Jeremiah, Baruch 1, Baruch 2, the Rest of Daniel, Maccabees 1, Maccabees 2
What is 'Peshita'?
It means 'simple' and is the Syriac Orthodox's officially accepted version of the Holy Bible.
Aramaic translation is called what?
Targum — it was the text used by Jesus in the Synagogue
What is Diatessaron?
(Harmony of 4) - it is a combination of 4 Gospels added to the Scripture in the 2nd century
What is the Malayalam translation of Peshita?
Vishudha Grandham
What does 'Canon' mean and what does this refer to?
It means 'measuring rod' and it refers to the rules and standards by which the writings were evaluated by.
What is the Muratorian Fragment? And why is it called 'fragment?'
It is the oldest list of New Testament books. They are called fragments and not Canon because of their missing parts.
How did Holy Synods play an important part in Canonization?
Synods provided strong authority to decide over disagreements.
Synods examined the authority of each book by the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Synods decided which books to include and not include in the Bible.
Which Holy Synod made the first unanimous decision on Canon of the Bible?
Holy Synod of Carthage, Africa.
What are the 6 standards to select a book to include in the Holy Bible?
Witness of the Holy Spirit - Synod members should feel the witness or influence of the Holy Spirit
Early Acceptance - already accepted or widely used
Apostolic - written by an Apostle or a companion
Christocentric - centered on Christ and His acts
Inspirational - contains high values to inspire one
Dogmas - written in agreement with the accepted dogmas of Church
What is Septuagint?
The Greek version of the Old Testament.
How many books are in the Old Testament?
There is a confusion in the number of books. Our church has accepted 49 books. The 11 accepted Apocryphal books are part of the Old Testament.
How many books are in the New Testament?
27 books
What is Pentateuch?
It is the Greek version of the Torah. 5 books - Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. No Apocryphal books
What does Genesis cover?
The Creation, the Fall of Man, Spread of Civilization, the Flood, the Call of Abraham, Promises of the Messiah, Joseph in Egypt. Genesis covers more time than the rest of the books combined.
What does Exodus cover?
The Events in Egypt, the Events on the way to Mount Sinai, and the Events in Mount Sinai.
What were in the Events in Egypt?
Commision of Moses, the 10 plagues, the beginning of the Passover.
What were the events on the way to Mt. Sinai?
The crossing of the Red Sea
What were the events in Mt. Sinai?
The 10 commandments, the instructions for the Tabernacle, the building and erection of the Tabernacle, and God filling the Tabernacle.
What does Leviticus deal with?
How to worship God, how to serve God, and how to obey God.
What is the Jubilee year?
Occurs every 50th year. All leased lands must return to the owners, all the slaves are released, and mandatory rest to the land. This is explained in Leviticus 25, and is to purify Israel’s economy
What does Numbers deal with>
Moses counted the number of people in each tribe. This book records the tragic story and consequences of Israel's unbelief.
What does Deuteronomy cover?
Farewell speech by Moses
Location - Plaine of Moab
Departure of a true leader
Repeats the ‘Law’ to the Israelites
Deuteronomy means ‘second law’ because the laws are repeated
What are the Wisdom books?
Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs
Who are the Major Prophets?(4)
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel
Who are the Minor Prophets?(12)
Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
What were the phases of Moses' life?
Egypt - 40 years
Land of Mirian - 40 years
Leading Israel through the wilderness - 40 years
What happened to Moses in Egypt?
Lived at Jethro's house
Stumbles into God in form of burning bush at Mt.Sinai
On God’s command, returned to Egypt
What happened to Moses in the Land of Midian?
Born in Egypt, raised by Pharaoh's daughter
Impulsive murder of an Egyptian and fled to Midian
What happened to Moses when he led Israel through the wilderness?
Released Israelites from Pharoah
Led them to the Promised Land
What were the challenges in Moses' life?*
Human faults: impulsive, passionate
Physical disabilities: weak, age, problem with speaking
Diverse roles: prophet, priest, savior, mediator, leader
Exhausted: overworked and overwhelmed
Ombudsman: continuous grumbling and complaints from people
How did Moses overcome his challenges?*
Product of circumstances in early life
Heroic virtues of Moses: Utmost faith in God (faith gave him weapons to overcome the toughest situations, persevere, and pursue), Patient and Persistent (patiently argued with Pharaoh & patiently stayed with people who were complaining constantly), Steadfast obedience (always acted what God want him to do, even when people wanted to do something else)
Why is Moses the Pre-figure of Jesus Christ?*
Because of the parallels between his life and Jesus’.
What are the parallels between Moses & Jesus?*
Jesus' escape from slaughter by Herod. Moses’ escape from Pharaoh’s design to kill Hebrew infants
Jesus’ fasting in wilderness for 40 days before His public ministry. Moses’ fasting for 40 days prior to starting his journey with Israelites.
What are the important people, events and places for Moses?*
Born in Egypt, lived in Pharaoh's palace, fled to Midian, returned to Egypt
Parted Red Sea and led Israelites through Shur desert
Receiving Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai
Converted bitter water to fit to drink at Marah
Lifting bronze serpent in the wilderness for healing; Reference in New Testament in the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus symbolically followed in our Church by placing cross in the middle of Church during mid-Lent; staff with serpent varied by our Patriarch and Bishops
Appointed successor as Joshua
Mount Nebo: lived his last days and saw the Promised Land
Moses (Law) re-appearing along with Elijah (Prophet) during transfiguration of Jesus at Mount Tabor
Who were the other people in Moses' life?
Father: Amram
Mother: Jochebed
Brother: Aaron
Sister: Miriam prophetess)
Wife: Zipporah
Father-in-law: Jethro (Moses lived with him after fleeing from Egypt)
Son: Gershom
Did Moses enter the promised land?
No, because he disobeyed God. God told him to speak to the rock to get water, but Moses struck the rock twice. Moses saw the Promised Land.
Church fathers state ______________ represents the Law and _________________ represents the prophets
Moses, Elijah
What was included in the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus?
Compares Moses' lifting up the bronze serpent in the wilderness to His own death and resurrection
"After three days of journey through the desert, Israelites found a place for water. But the water was bitter to drink. Israelites started complaining to Moses. God asked Moses to throw a piece of wood into the water and water turned fit to drink". Where did the above event take place?
Marah
What are the sections of the New Testament?
Gospel & Acts(5) - Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts
Epistles (21) - Pauline (14), General (James, Peter (2), John (3), Jude)
Apocalyptic Text - Revelations (written by John)
What are Gospels & How many are there?
Narrative of the Incarnation of Jesus
Targets Gentiles & Jews
4 Gospels - 3 Synoptic & John’s
Gospel of Matthew
Matthew was the disciple of Jesus
Jesus as the Messiah
Jewish audience
Genealogy of Christ
Gospel of Mark
Mark was the disciple of St. Peter
Omnipotent power of Jesus
Roman audience
Miracles
The first Gospel written
Gospel of Luke
Luke was the disciple of St. Paul
Humanity of Jesus
Greeks & Gentile audience
More parables
Gospel of John
John was the disciple of Jesus
Jesus as the Son of God
Jewish audience
More complete narrative - had a more intimate relationship with Jesus and was present during Trial, Crucifixion, & Resurrection
Intentional effort to minimize overlap with the other Gospels
Acts
Possible author - St.Luke
Narrates efforts of Peter (among Jews) and Paul (among Gentiles)
Early history of Christianity
Highlights Council of Jerusalem, dispute over circumcision of Gentile converts, and acceptance of Gentiles to Church
Non- Pauline Epistles
The General Epistles
Epistle of James
James was the brother of Christ & First Archbishop of Jerusalem
Focuses on Christian living
Scriptural basis of anointing the sick
Favoritism forbidden
Faith and Deeds
Tame the tongue
Christian Wisdom
Epistles of Peter(2)
Disciple of Jesus
Targets scattered Christians
During the time of persecution
Suffering
Anxiousness about faith
False teachers
Epistles of John (3)
Disciple of Jesus
1st Epistle - General
2nd Epistle - addresses a pious lady; warnings against false teachers
3rd Epistle - addressed to Gaius; advises Gaius on how to handle the troubles
Epistle of Jude
Brother of Jesus
Addressed to Jewish Christians
Advice on false teachers
Early life of Paul
Born in Tarsus in Cilicia as a Jew in 4 or 5 BC
Pharisee in tribe of Benjamin
Hebrew name ‘Saul’ means ‘desired’ or ‘asked for’
Roman name ‘Paul’ means ‘small’ (humble)
Conversion of Saul
Amazed by how Christians met persecutions (Stoning of Stephen, first martyr)
Encountered Christ on his way to Damascus (“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me”)
Spent 3 years in Arabia preparing through divine visions
Met St.Peter, appointed by Jesus, consecrated by the laying of hands from Apostles
Paul's 1st Missionary Journey
Paphos: Elymas blinded, converted Sergius Paulus (Roman Proconsul)
Lustra: People thought they are Zeus/Hermes → Jews from Iconium incited to stone them
Companions: Paul, Barnabas, John
Paul's 2nd Missionary Journey
Lystra: Meets Timothy
Philippi: Conversion of Lydia and family, healing of women with demon (beaten, imprisoned, earthquake/jail
Thessalonica/Berea: preached and then persecuted by the Jews
Athens: debate with Epicuireans & Stoics, speech “to an unknown God”
Corinth: Work with Aquila & Priscilla, stays 1.5 years preaching & teaching
Who: Paul, Silas, Timothy, later (Aquila & Priscilla)
Paul's 3rd Missionary Journey
Ephesus - Stayed 3 months, Riots (silversmith riots, etc.)
Jerusalem - arrested
Paul's 4th(Final) Missionary Journey
Accused by Jews that he preached against Mosaic Law
Ship wreckage
Healing of Publius’s father
Was treated well and allowed to preach
Why were the 14 Pauline Epistles written?
Response to the conditions that existed in Churches
What are the two broad categories for the Pauline Epistles?
Addressed to Communities (10)
Addressed to individuals (14)
What were the themes of the Pauline Epistles?*
Church, Discipline of Church, Priesthood, Holy Eucharist, Marital Life, Suffering, Resurrection of the Dead
Martyrdom of St. Paul
Beheaded during the reign of Nero, the Emperor
Birth & Early Life of St. Mary
Born to Joachim and Hanna (Was born as an answer to Joachim’s fasting and prayers for a child)
Parents vowed to dedicate her to temple
‘Mary’ means ‘sea of bitterness’
Grew up in temple from age 3 (Had a very spiritual life from a very young age; married to Joseph, a shepherd, at age 12 because she could not live in temple after that)
Nativity Feast - Sep 8th (our church remembers the nativity of only 2 (Jesus and St.Mary))
Annunciation to St. Mary
Angel Gabriel announced to Mary about bearing a son after her betrothal, but before Marriage.
Annunciation - Invitation for the position of ‘Theotokos’ (Mother of God)
Mary accepted the sufferings and sacrifices that followed (Doubted by Joseph, poverty, plight for life, and witnessing crucifixion of Jesus)
Church commemorates the Annunciation to St.Mary two times a year (March 25th and 4th Sunday of Liturgical calendar)
What are the 7 virtues of St. Mary?*
Strong, prudent, obedient, faithful, humble, chaste, and prayerful
Orthodox teachings about St. Mary
St. Mary has perpetual (never ending) virginity (Mary remained chaste before, during, and after Jesus)
St.Mary is the Theotokos (Mother of God; Jesus with united human & divine nature was born to Mary. Hence, Mary is rightly called ‘Mother of God’ (St.Cyril and St.Severius); capable to listen to our prayers and intercede to her son on our behalf; remembered in the 4th Diptych)
St.Mary was Assumed to heaven (not ascended, but assumed (taken up; not supported by scripture, but is the Church belief; justified by empty tomb, lack of relics and her belt 'Soonoro'; Shoonoyo Lent (August 10-15) to commemorate the passing away of St. Mary; St. Thomas received the Soonoro during Assumption.)
What are the different types of Church Traditions?
Divine tradition: Teachings given by Jesus directly
Apostolic tradition: Teachings of Christ to Apostles, passed on to generations. (laws, messages etc)
Patristic tradition: Teaching received by Church from the Church fathers (interpretations, rites etc)
Role of Holy Spirit in Traditions
Spoke through prophets and Apostles
Inspired Church Fathers
Reminded what Jesus taught
Guiding to the Truth
Sola Scriptura
Teaches that Bible is the sole source of God's revelation and contains everything required for salvation.
No church empowered to interpret the meaning of Scripture
What is the Church's stand on Sola Scriptura?
Our Church rejects 'Sola Scriptura'
The Bible was compiled based on the decisions taken in Council of Carthage (AD 397).
Historical evidence that early Church relied on Apostolic Traditions in resolving doctrinal disputes, not Scripture alone. The Nicene Creed (AD 325) itself was composed before the Bible the compiled.
Bible itself stating that Scripture is not complete (John 20:30)
Fallible interpretation of Scripture
Priesthood in Old Testament
Pre-Abraham : Melchizedek
Pre-Moses : Eldest male
Post-Moses : Aaron & descendants
Mediator between God and People
Head of synagogue
Offer sacrifices
Holy of Holies
Priesthood in New Testament
Instituted by Jesus, through Apostles
Responsibilities:
Preach, teach, heal, Eucharist, absolution
Ordination:
Laying of Hands, Gave Holy Spirit, Teach
Model of tending a flock...
Priesthood Today
Responsibilities / Expectations
Know - Feed - Lead - Train - Protect - Seek
Authority
Not by election / approval of people → But from God
Divine call + answer + Holy Spirit
Training...
Discretion of Bishop
Other responsibilities
Sacramental duties, Bridge local people to church hierarchy
Origin word of Priest
Presbyteros(Greek) = Kashisho(Syriac) = Kahane(Hebrew) = Elder
What are the steps to Patriarch & When is the decision on family made?
Faithful
Confessor
Singer
Reader
Sub-deacon
Full-deacon -- Decision on family
Priest / Cor-episcopa
Bishop
Patriarch
What happens in the Ordination Service?
Cutting of hair
Holy Spirit
Hands on Head
Giving of Vestments
Vesting
Finishes HQ
What is a Kutino?
The white robe of altar assistants
What is Mzamrono?
Singer
What is Kooroyo?
Reader
What are the Vestments of a Priest?What are the Vestments of a Priest?
Stole/Hamnikho (Fear of the Lord)
Cuffs/Sleeves (Readiness to work to keep God's law)
Girdle/Zoonoro (Control of bodily desires)
Cap(7 sections for complete priesthood)
Cope(Aaron's robe)
Shoes/M'sone(no animal skin)
What are the Vestments of a Bishop?
Turban (Masnaphto) : cloth with which Lord's head was bound
Batrashit : Stole (Hamniko) extending to the back.
Cross and Icon Chain : Separated for Lord
Staff: Authority, Moses Staff.
Hand Cross : willingness to deny himself
Hood/Eskimo (13 stitched crosses - Jesus + 12)
What are the Vestments of the Patriarch?
Sakro (Shield) attached to the Girdle/Zoonoro - Authority and position as 'protector of faith'
What are the Prerequisites for marriage?
Officiated canonically for one man and one woman who obtained a Holy Baptism and Holy Chrism
Legal age to marry and mentally, physically and emotionally sound.
No close blood relationship upto at least 7 generations
No other living life partner
Should receive the Sacraments of Holy Confession and Holy Qurbono
Should undergo premarital counseling arranged by the Holy Church
Marriage Service
Blessing of Rings
Betrothal service
Ring without loose ends -> Indicates permanency and life long nature of relationship
Blessing of the Crown
Deeply symbolic and significant
Signifies special grace of Holy Spirit descending on the couple
After the Wedding
Sacrifice and Submission
Family and Children
Compromise
Second Marriage