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Saint John the Forerunner
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (GOARCH): a neutral profile of what this congregation describes about its beliefs.
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41.7361° N, 87.8713° WOpen map →TraditionGreek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (GOARCH)About →
Sourcing statusTradition default
Beliefs on file1040 positions
Statement of faithNot on file
Where they stand
Each position below is labelled by how it was sourced, so you can weigh it for yourself.
VerifiedConfirmed by the church
From their statement of faithEstimated, not verified
Tradition defaultEstimated, not verified
Showing 109 of 1040 positions across 18 topics. Expand any topic to see the rest.
God & the Trinity55 positions
- Analogical LanguageStrongly affirmsTradition defaultHuman language about God is analogical: true but never capturing God univocally as it captures creatures.Estimated, not verified
- Apophatic PriorityStrongly affirmsTradition defaultWhat God is in himself is ultimately beyond human comprehension, so negative ("God is not...") statements are more reliable than positive ones.Estimated, not verified
Christ70 positions
- Assumed Fallen Human NatureStrongly rejectsTradition defaultChrist assumed a fully fallen human nature (subject to the effects of the Fall) in order to heal it from within.Estimated, not verified
- Assumed Unfallen Human NatureStrongly affirmsTradition defaultChrist assumed an unfallen, sinless human nature, untouched by original sin/corruption.Estimated, not verified
Sin & the fall54 positions
- Adams Sin Brought Physical DeathAffirmsTradition defaultPhysical death entered the human race as a consequence of Adam's sin; humans were not originally subject to death.Estimated, not verified
- All Sin Deserves Death EquallyRejectsTradition defaultEvery sin, however small, deserves God's condemnation/death: there is no class of sin that does not by nature merit it.Estimated, not verified
Salvation65 positions
- Assurance Of Salvation PossibleRejectsTradition defaultA believer can have a settled present assurance that they are saved.Estimated, not verified
- Atonement Heals Human Nature TheosisStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe atonement's deepest purpose is to heal and divinize human nature (joining humanity to God), more than to settle a legal account.Estimated, not verified
The Holy Spirit55 positions
- Anointing For Special MinistryAffirmsTradition defaultThe Spirit grants a special "anointing" empowering particular individuals for ministry beyond the common indwelling.Estimated, not verified
- Assurance Is Normal For BelieversRejectsTradition defaultSettled assurance of salvation is normal and to be expected for genuine believers in this life.Estimated, not verified
The Church75 positions
- Apostolic Succession Required For Valid MinistryStrongly affirmsTradition defaultA minister's ordination is only VALID if conferred by a bishop standing in apostolic succession.Estimated, not verified
- Apostolicity Is Doctrinal Not SuccessionalStrongly rejectsTradition defaultApostolicity consists primarily in fidelity to apostolic DOCTRINE, not in an unbroken chain of ordinations from the apostles.Estimated, not verified
Sacraments & ordinances73 positions
- Anointing For Healing PracticeStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe church should anoint the sick with oil and pray over them for healing (per James 5).Estimated, not verified
- Anointing Sick Is A SacramentStrongly affirmsTradition defaultAnointing of the sick with oil is a sacrament conveying grace, healing, and forgiveness to the seriously ill.Estimated, not verified
Worship & liturgy65 positions
- Altar Call InvitationStrongly rejectsTradition defaultA public invitation/altar call inviting people to come forward to receive Christ or rededicate is a fitting close to worship.Estimated, not verified
- Altar Oriented ArchitectureStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe worship space should be ordered around an altar/holy table as its visual and theological focus.Estimated, not verified
Last things43 positions
- A Literal Mark Of The Beast Is ComingAffirmsTradition defaultA literal future "mark of the beast" will be imposed as a condition of economic participation.Estimated, not verified
- Apocalyptic Prophecy Read Literally FuturisticallyRejectsTradition defaultThe prophecies of Daniel and Revelation should be read primarily as literal predictions of still-future events.Estimated, not verified
Scripture57 positions
- Authority Creeds SubordinateRejectsTradition defaultThe ecumenical creeds and confessions are authoritative only insofar as they faithfully summarize Scripture.Estimated, not verified
- Authority Holy Tradition OrthodoxStrongly affirmsTradition defaultScripture is rightly read only within Holy Tradition: the Fathers, councils, liturgy, and consensus of the Church.Estimated, not verified
Revelation, creation & science33 positions
- Adam Special Creation From DustStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe first human was specially and directly created by God from the dust, not biologically descended from earlier hominins.Estimated, not verified
- Angels Created BeingsStrongly affirmsTradition defaultAngels and other spiritual beings are part of God's created order, made by God.Estimated, not verified
Life & bioethics67 positions
- Abortifacient Contraception WrongStrongly affirmsTradition defaultMethods that can prevent implantation of an already-fertilized embryo (e.g., certain IUDs, emergency contraception) are morally equivalent to early abortion and impermissible.Estimated, not verified
- Abortion Gravely Wrong In PrincipleStrongly affirmsTradition defaultDeliberately ending a pregnancy by killing the unborn is in itself a grave moral wrong.Estimated, not verified
Sexuality & marriage53 positions
- Abortifacient Contraception WrongStrongly affirmsTradition defaultContraceptive methods that may act after fertilization (potential abortifacients) are morally wrong even if other contraception is permitted.Estimated, not verified
- Annulment Recognizes Invalid MarriageAffirmsTradition defaultSome unions that appeared to be marriages were never valid marriages, and the church can rightly declare them null (annulment).Estimated, not verified
Society & politics55 positions
- Active Nonviolent Resistance ObligatoryAffirmsTradition defaultChristians should actively resist injustice through nonviolent means (protest, civil disobedience, noncooperation), not merely abstain from violence.Estimated, not verified
- Almsgiving Is A Binding ObligationStrongly affirmsTradition defaultGiving to the poor is a binding moral obligation, not optional charity, and to withhold from the needy is a sin.Estimated, not verified
Angelology Demonology58 positions
- Angelic Fall Caused By PrideStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe angels fell primarily through pride: refusing subjection to God / seeking to exalt themselves.Estimated, not verified
- Angelic Fall Predates Human FallAffirmsTradition defaultThe angelic rebellion occurred before the fall of humanity, and the serpent's temptation issued from an already-fallen angel.Estimated, not verified
Anthropology55 positions
- Body Essential To PersonStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe body is essential to being a complete human person, not an accidental or dispensable container for the soul.Estimated, not verified
- Body GoodStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe material human body is intrinsically good as created by God.Estimated, not verified
Covenant Law Israel32 positions
- Abrahamic Covenant Foundational And OngoingStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe Abrahamic covenant is foundational and its promises remain operative for the people of God today.Estimated, not verified
- Believers No Longer Under Laws CondemnationStrongly affirmsTradition defaultBelievers are entirely free from the law's condemning function but remain under its directing function.Estimated, not verified
Mariology Saints75 positions
- All Believers Are SaintsRejectsTradition default"Saints" in the New Testament sense means all believers, not a special canonized class.Estimated, not verified
- Altar Relics Required Or ProperStrongly affirmsTradition defaultIt is fitting (or required) that altars contain the relics of saints.Estimated, not verified
- Apparition Messages Can Be Doctrinally AuthoritativeStrongly rejectsTradition defaultMessages delivered in apparitions (warnings, devotions, consecrations) carry real doctrinal or devotional authority for the Church.Estimated, not verified
- Assumption Is Dogmatically BindingStrongly rejectsTradition defaultBelief in Mary's assumption is a binding article of faith that must be held for full communion.Estimated, not verified
- Bodily Assumption Of MaryStrongly affirmsTradition defaultMary was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory at the end of her earthly life.Estimated, not verified
- Brothers Are CousinsRejectsTradition defaultThe "brothers of the Lord" are kinsmen/cousins, not siblings or step-siblings (the Hieronymian view).Estimated, not verified
- Brothers Of Jesus Are SiblingsStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe "brothers and sisters of the Lord" in the Gospels are Mary's biological children, born after Jesus.Estimated, not verified
- Canonizations Are InfallibleRejectsTradition defaultA formal canonization is an infallible declaration that the named person is in heaven.Estimated, not verified
- Cessationist All Apparitions FalseStrongly rejectsTradition defaultClaimed post-apostolic apparitions and visions of Mary or saints are, as a class, not from God.Estimated, not verified
- Christ Sole MediatorRejectsTradition defaultThere is exactly one mediator between God and humanity (Jesus Christ) and no creature shares in that mediating office.Estimated, not verified
- Christotokos OnlyStrongly rejectsTradition defaultMary should be called only "mother of Christ" (Christotokos) / "mother of Jesus," and "Mother of God" is misleading or improper.Estimated, not verified
- Church Can Canonize SaintsStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe Church has authority to formally declare particular departed persons to be saints in heaven (canonization).Estimated, not verified
- Communion Of Saints Includes The DeadStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe "communion of saints" is a living fellowship uniting believers on earth with the faithful departed in heaven.Estimated, not verified
- Communion Of Saints Is Living OnlyStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe "communion of saints" refers to the fellowship of living believers with one another (and with God), not to interaction with the departed.Estimated, not verified
- Consecration To MaryRejectsTradition defaultConsecrating oneself (or one's nation) to Mary / to her Immaculate Heart is a wholesome act of devotion.Estimated, not verified
- Cult Of Saints Is Unbiblical AccretionStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe cult of the saints is a post-biblical accretion that should be removed rather than reformed.Estimated, not verified
- Honoring Mary Is Biblically WarrantedStrongly affirmsTradition defaultScripture itself warrants calling Mary "blessed" and honoring her as the favored mother of the Lord.Estimated, not verified
- Hyperdulia For MaryStrongly affirmsTradition defaultMary is owed a special degree of veneration (hyperdulia) higher than that given any other saint, yet still infinitely below the worship due God.Estimated, not verified
- Iconoclasm Was CorrectStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe destruction or removal of religious images from worship spaces was a faithful purification, not a sin.Estimated, not verified
- Icons Are Windows To HeavenStrongly affirmsTradition defaultIcons are not mere art but genuine "windows" through which the faithful commune with the holy persons depicted.Estimated, not verified
- Icons May Be VeneratedStrongly affirmsTradition defaultSacred images and icons of Christ, Mary, and the saints may rightly be venerated (honored with bows, incense, kisses), the honor passing to the prototype.Estimated, not verified
- Images And Saints Are Means Of Grace Not IdolsStrongly affirmsTradition defaultMaterial things and holy persons (icons, relics, saints) are legitimate created channels of God's grace, not idols, because the incarnation sanctifies matter.Estimated, not verified
- Images Permitted For Teaching Not VenerationStrongly rejectsTradition defaultReligious images may be used for instruction and decoration but must not be venerated or bowed to.Estimated, not verified
- Immaculate ConceptionStrongly rejectsTradition defaultMary was preserved free from the stain of original sin from the very first moment of her own conception.Estimated, not verified
- Invocation Of Saints Is ForbiddenStrongly rejectsTradition defaultInvoking or praying to saints/Mary is forbidden: a form of necromancy or misdirected worship.Estimated, not verified
- Joseph Prior Marriage ChildrenStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe "brothers of the Lord" are most plausibly Joseph's children from a marriage before Mary (the Epiphanian view).Estimated, not verified
- Latria To God AloneStrongly affirmsTradition defaultAdoration/worship (latria) is owed to God alone and may never be offered to any creature, including Mary or the saints.Estimated, not verified
- Liturgical Calendar Of SaintsStrongly affirmsTradition defaultIt is fitting to keep a calendar of saints' feast days and commemorate them in worship.Estimated, not verified
- Marian Apparitions Can Be GenuineAffirmsTradition defaultMary has genuinely appeared to people in history (e.g., at recognized sites) and such apparitions can be authentic.Estimated, not verified
- Marian Devotion Central To PietyStrongly affirmsTradition defaultDevotion to Mary is a central and indispensable feature of authentic Christian spirituality.Estimated, not verified
- Marian Doctrine Is Pagan DerivedStrongly rejectsTradition defaultMarian veneration is essentially a Christianized survival of pagan mother-goddess worship.Estimated, not verified
- Mary Ark Of Covenant TypeStrongly affirmsTradition defaultMary is fittingly typified by the Ark of the Covenant, the Burning Bush, and similar Old-Testament figures.Estimated, not verified
- Mary Co RedemptrixStrongly rejectsTradition defaultMary cooperated uniquely and subordinately in the work of redemption such that she may be called "Co-Redemptrix."Estimated, not verified
- Mary Died Before AssumptionStrongly affirmsTradition defaultMary truly died (fell asleep) before being raised/assumed, rather than being taken up without dying.Estimated, not verified
- Mary Free From Actual SinAffirmsTradition defaultMary committed no actual personal sin during her life.Estimated, not verified
- Mary Has A Unique Redemptive StatusStrongly rejectsTradition defaultMary occupies a quasi-divine or near-divine status, effectively a fourth person to be adored alongside the Trinity.Estimated, not verified
- Mary Immune To ConcupiscenceAffirmsTradition defaultMary was free from concupiscence (the inner inclination to sin), not merely from sinful acts.Estimated, not verified
- Mary Is An Ordinary Woman Post BirthStrongly rejectsTradition defaultAfter bearing Jesus, Mary was an ordinary believer with no continuing special status or role.Estimated, not verified
- Mary Mediatrix Of GracesRejectsTradition defaultAll graces from God are dispensed to humanity through Mary's mediation.Estimated, not verified
- Mary Mother Of The ChurchAffirmsTradition defaultMary is rightly honored as "Mother of the Church," the spiritual mother of all believers.Estimated, not verified
- Mary Needed A SaviorStrongly affirmsTradition defaultMary herself needed and received salvation through Christ, like every other human being.Estimated, not verified
- Mary New EveStrongly affirmsTradition defaultMary is the "New Eve" whose obedience reverses the disobedience of the first Eve in the economy of salvation.Estimated, not verified
- Mary Purified But Not ImmaculateStrongly affirmsTradition defaultMary was supremely holy and purified by grace, but was not preserved from original sin from conception in the Western "immaculate" sense.Estimated, not verified
- Mary Queen Of HeavenAffirmsTradition defaultMary now reigns as Queen of Heaven, crowned and exalted above all the angels and saints.Estimated, not verified
- Masses For The Dead EfficaciousStrongly affirmsTradition defaultOffering the Mass/Divine Liturgy for a specific deceased person confers real spiritual benefit on that soul.Estimated, not verified
- Naming Baptism After SaintsStrongly affirmsTradition defaultTaking the name of a saint at baptism/chrismation and looking to that saint as a special protector is a good practice.Estimated, not verified
- No Images Of Christ Or GodStrongly rejectsTradition defaultIt is wrong to make any pictorial representation of Christ or God at all (the regulative reading of the Second Commandment).Estimated, not verified
- Orthodox Reject Latin PurgatoryStrongly affirmsTradition defaultPrayer for the dead is right, but the Latin doctrine of purgatory as a defined place/process of satisfactory punishment should be rejected.Estimated, not verified
- Patron Saints For Places And CallingsStrongly affirmsTradition defaultIt is proper to assign patron saints to nations, occupations, and life-situations and to seek their particular patronage.Estimated, not verified
- Perpetual Virginity In PartuStrongly affirmsTradition defaultMary remained a virgin even in the act of giving birth (her virginity was preserved "in partu"), without the ordinary physical changes of childbirth.Estimated, not verified
- Perpetual Virginity Post PartumStrongly affirmsTradition defaultMary remained a virgin throughout her whole life and never had marital relations or other children after Jesus ("ever-virgin").Estimated, not verified
- Prayers Addressed Directly To SaintsStrongly affirmsTradition defaultPrayers may be addressed directly to saints and to Mary (e.g., "Holy Mary, pray for us"), not only to God.Estimated, not verified
- Prayers For Dead Affect Their StateStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe prayers, almsgiving, and Masses of the living can actually benefit and assist the departed.Estimated, not verified
- Prayers For The Dead Are ProperStrongly affirmsTradition defaultIt is right and beneficial to pray for the souls of the faithful departed.Estimated, not verified
- Private Revelation Not BindingStrongly affirmsTradition defaultEven genuine apparitions and private revelations add nothing to public revelation and bind no one's faith.Estimated, not verified
- Purgatory ExistsRejectsTradition defaultThere is an intermediate state of purification (purgatory) in which the saved are cleansed before entering full glory.Estimated, not verified
- Relic Trade And Indulgences AbuseStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe historic trafficking and multiplication of relics was a corrupting abuse to be rejected.Estimated, not verified
- Relics Can Work MiraclesStrongly affirmsTradition defaultGod works miracles, healings, or graces through the relics of saints.Estimated, not verified
- Relics May Be VeneratedStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe physical relics of saints (bones, possessions) may rightly be honored and venerated.Estimated, not verified
- Rosary And Marian Prayers DevotionRejectsTradition defaultRepeated Marian devotions such as the Rosary are a wholesome and recommended form of prayer.Estimated, not verified
- Saints And Mary Are Unconscious Until ResurrectionStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe dead, including Mary and the saints, are unconscious ("asleep") until the resurrection and so cannot hear or intercede.Estimated, not verified
- Saints Can Grant Or Help DirectlyRejectsTradition defaultSaints and Mary can themselves grant favors, protection, or healing, not merely relay requests to God.Estimated, not verified
- Saints In Heaven Pray For UsStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe departed saints in heaven are aware of and intercede in prayer for those still living on earth.Estimated, not verified
- Specialized Saints For Specific NeedsAffirmsTradition defaultParticular saints are especially efficacious for particular needs (e.g., a saint for lost objects, travel, illness).Estimated, not verified
- Statues Three Dimensional PermissibleStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThree-dimensional statues of saints and Mary are an acceptable form of sacred art and devotion.Estimated, not verified
- Subordinate Intercessory Mediation LegitimateStrongly affirmsTradition defaultCreatures (Mary, the saints) can exercise a real but wholly subordinate, intercessory mediation that does not rival Christ's unique mediation.Estimated, not verified
- Theotokos Mother Of GodStrongly affirmsTradition defaultMary may rightly be called "Theotokos" / "Mother of God" (God-bearer) because the one she bore is truly God incarnate.Estimated, not verified
- Three Fold Church Militant Suffering TriumphantLeans toward rejectingTradition defaultThe Church exists in three states: militant (on earth), suffering (being purified), and triumphant (in glory), in active mutual communion.Estimated, not verified
- Veneration Distinct From WorshipStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThere is a real and legitimate distinction between the worship (latria) owed to God alone and the veneration/honor (dulia) given to saints.Estimated, not verified
- Veneration In Practice Is IdolatryStrongly rejectsTradition defaultWhatever the theory, the actual veneration of Mary and the saints functions as idolatry and dishonors God.Estimated, not verified
- Veneration Obscures ChristStrongly rejectsTradition defaultIn practice, the honors given to Mary and the saints tend to obscure or compete with the unique glory of Christ.Estimated, not verified
- Veneration Should Be A Matter Of LibertyRejectsTradition defaultVeneration of saints and Marian devotion are matters of individual liberty: neither required nor forbidden.Estimated, not verified
- Virginal Conception Of JesusStrongly affirmsTradition defaultJesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit while Mary was a virgin, without a human father.Estimated, not verified
- We May Ask Mary To PrayStrongly affirmsTradition defaultIt is good and proper to ask Mary specifically to intercede for us with her Son.Estimated, not verified
- We May Ask Saints To PrayStrongly affirmsTradition defaultIt is good and proper to ask the saints in heaven to pray to God on our behalf.Estimated, not verified
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