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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 107 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
- Baptism Aspersion ValidRejectsTradition defaultBaptism by sprinkling (aspersion) is a fully valid mode.Estimated, not verified
- Baptism Confers Holy SpiritStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe Holy Spirit is given/sealed to the recipient in water baptism itself.Estimated, not verified
- Baptism Indelible MarkAffirmsTradition defaultBaptism imprints an indelible spiritual mark/character on the soul that can never be repeated or removed.Estimated, not verified
- Baptism Mode Immersion RequiredStrongly affirmsTradition defaultValid baptism requires full immersion of the body in water.Estimated, not verified
- Baptism Mode IndifferentRejectsTradition defaultThe mode of baptism (immersion, pouring, or sprinkling) is a matter of indifference and does not affect validity.Estimated, not verified
- Baptism Necessary For SalvationStrongly affirmsTradition defaultBaptism is necessary for salvation (ordinarily required to be saved).Estimated, not verified
- Baptism Of Desire Or BloodAffirmsTradition defaultThose who die unbaptized may still be saved through "baptism of desire" or martyrdom ("baptism of blood").Estimated, not verified
- Baptism Remits Original SinStrongly affirmsTradition defaultBaptism removes the guilt of original sin.Estimated, not verified
- Baptism Triple ImmersionStrongly affirmsTradition defaultBaptism should be administered by three immersions, one for each person of the Trinity.Estimated, not verified
- Baptism Validity Depends On Administering ChurchAffirmsTradition defaultBaptism performed outside the one true Church is invalid and must be redone upon entry.Estimated, not verified
- Baptismal RegenerationStrongly affirmsTradition defaultIn baptism God regenerates the recipient: the new birth/washing away of sin actually occurs in the rite.Estimated, not verified
- Believers Baptism OnlyStrongly rejectsTradition defaultOnly those who personally profess faith should be baptized; infant baptism is not true baptism.Estimated, not verified
- Body Eaten By MouthStrongly affirmsTradition defaultCommunicants receive Christ's body orally with the mouth (manducatio oralis), not merely spiritually by faith.Estimated, not verified
- Chrismation Immediately After BaptismStrongly affirmsTradition defaultChrismation/confirmation should be administered immediately with baptism, even to infants.Estimated, not verified
- Closed CommunionStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe Supper should be restricted to members of one's own church/confession in good standing.Estimated, not verified
- Communion Efficacious For ForgivenessStrongly affirmsTradition defaultWorthy reception of the Supper conveys forgiveness of sins and nourishes the soul unto eternal life.Estimated, not verified
- Communion In Both Kinds For LaityStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe laity should receive both the bread and the cup (not bread alone).Estimated, not verified
- Confession Directly To God SufficientRejectsTradition defaultConfession of sin directly to God is fully sufficient for forgiveness; no human mediator is needed.Estimated, not verified
- Confirmation Imparts Holy Spirit SealStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThrough anointing with chrism the recipient receives the seal/gift of the Holy Spirit not given in water baptism alone.Estimated, not verified
- Confirmation Is A SacramentStrongly affirmsTradition defaultConfirmation (chrismation) is a distinct sacrament that completes baptismal initiation and imparts the Holy Spirit.Estimated, not verified
- Consubstantiation Sacramental UnionRejectsTradition defaultChrist's body and blood are truly present "in, with, and under" the bread and wine, which remain bread and wine.Estimated, not verified
- Efficacy Requires Faith RecipientRejectsTradition defaultA sacrament benefits the recipient only when received with faith; without faith it conveys no grace (or conveys judgment).Estimated, not verified
- Eucharist Central To WorshipStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe Eucharist/Supper should be the central act of every Lord's Day worship service.Estimated, not verified
- Eucharist Re Presents One SacrificeStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe Eucharist makes present (re-presents), without repeating, the one sacrifice of Calvary.Estimated, not verified
- Eucharistic Adoration ProperRejectsTradition defaultThe consecrated host may rightly be adored and worshiped as Christ himself.Estimated, not verified
- Eucharistic Change Is Mystery Not Substance TheoryStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe bread and wine genuinely become Christ's body and blood, but the manner is a mystery not to be explained by substance/accident philosophy.Estimated, not verified
- Ex Opere OperatoStrongly affirmsTradition defaultA validly performed sacrament conveys grace by virtue of the act itself (ex opere operato), independent of the worthiness of the minister.Estimated, not verified
- Exactly Two OrdinancesStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThere are exactly two ordinances/sacraments instituted by Christ: baptism and the Lord's Supper.Estimated, not verified
- Five Lesser SacramentsStrongly rejectsTradition defaultBeyond baptism and the Supper, rites like confirmation, penance, orders, marriage, and anointing are "lesser" or "commonly called" sacraments lacking dominical institution.Estimated, not verified
- Grace Conferred To Unbeliever For JudgmentAffirmsTradition defaultAn unworthy or unbelieving recipient still truly receives the sacramental substance, but to their own judgment.Estimated, not verified
- Holy Orders Is A SacramentStrongly affirmsTradition defaultOrdination (holy orders) is a sacrament that confers grace and a permanent character for ministry.Estimated, not verified
- Indulgences Remit Temporal PunishmentStrongly rejectsTradition defaultIndulgences can remit the temporal punishment due to forgiven sins, drawing on the Church's treasury of merit.Estimated, not verified
- Infant Baptism ProperStrongly affirmsTradition defaultInfants and young children of believers should be baptized.Estimated, not verified
- Intention Of Minister RequiredAffirmsTradition defaultFor a sacrament to be valid the minister must intend "to do what the Church does."Estimated, not verified
- Jesus Name Only BaptismStrongly rejectsTradition defaultBaptism should be performed in the name of Jesus alone, not with the threefold Trinitarian formula.Estimated, not verified
- Last Rites For The DyingStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe dying should receive final sacramental ministrations (final anointing, viaticum, absolution) to prepare the soul for death.Estimated, not verified
- Lay Administration Of Sacraments PermittedStrongly rejectsTradition defaultSacraments/ordinances may be administered by any believer, not only by ordained clergy.Estimated, not verified
- Lay Or Emergency Baptism ValidAffirmsTradition defaultIn an emergency, baptism by a layperson (even a non-believer) is valid.Estimated, not verified
- Marriage Holy But Not SacramentStrongly rejectsTradition defaultMarriage is a sacred, God-ordained covenant, but it is not a sacrament that conveys grace.Estimated, not verified
- Mass Is Propitiatory SacrificeStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe Eucharist is a true and propitiatory sacrifice offered for the living and the dead.Estimated, not verified
- Matrimony Is A SacramentStrongly affirmsTradition defaultMarriage between two baptized Christians is a sacrament conveying grace.Estimated, not verified
- Memorialism Symbol OnlyStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe Supper is purely a memorial; the bread and wine remain only symbols that prompt remembrance, with no presence or reception of Christ.Estimated, not verified
- Minister Worthiness Affects ValidityStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe personal sin or unbelief of the minister invalidates the sacrament he administers.Estimated, not verified
- No Outward SacramentsStrongly rejectsTradition defaultNo outward physical rites are necessary; the only true baptism and communion are inward and spiritual.Estimated, not verified
- Open Communion To All BelieversStrongly rejectsTradition defaultAll baptized believers (or all who love Christ) should be welcome at the Table regardless of denomination.Estimated, not verified
- Ordinance Obedience OnlyStrongly rejectsTradition defaultBaptism and the Supper are primarily acts of human obedience and public testimony rather than channels of divine grace.Estimated, not verified
- Ordination Confers Indelible CharacterAffirmsTradition defaultOrdination imprints an indelible character on the ordained that cannot be lost.Estimated, not verified
- PaedocommunionStrongly affirmsTradition defaultBaptized infants and young children should receive communion before a profession of faith or first confession.Estimated, not verified
- Penance Is A SacramentStrongly affirmsTradition defaultPenance/reconciliation (confession, contrition, absolution, satisfaction) is a sacrament for the forgiveness of post-baptismal sin.Estimated, not verified
- Presence Only In UseStrongly rejectsTradition defaultChrist's presence in the Supper exists only in the act of distribution and reception, not in elements set aside afterward.Estimated, not verified
- Priest Has Authority To AbsolveStrongly affirmsTradition defaultAn ordained priest has divinely given authority to forgive/retain sins in Christ's name.Estimated, not verified
- Priesthood Of All Believers Negates Special PriesthoodStrongly rejectsTradition defaultBecause all believers are priests, there is no distinct sacrificing/sacramental priesthood set apart from the laity.Estimated, not verified
- Private Confession To PriestStrongly affirmsTradition defaultSerious sins should be confessed privately to a priest, who pronounces absolution.Estimated, not verified
- Real Presence In SupperStrongly affirmsTradition defaultChrist is truly and really present in the bread and wine of the Supper, not merely symbolized.Estimated, not verified
- Real Wine RequiredStrongly affirmsTradition defaultFermented wine, not grape juice, should be used in the Supper.Estimated, not verified
- Rebaptism Of Validly Baptized ForbiddenLeans toward rejectingTradition defaultA person validly baptized in the name of the Trinity should never be rebaptized.Estimated, not verified
- Reservation Of ElementsStrongly affirmsTradition defaultConsecrated elements should be reserved/retained for the sick and for ongoing devotion.Estimated, not verified
- Sacrament Number Not FixedAffirmsTradition defaultThe exact number of sacraments is not strictly fixed by Scripture and may be counted differently.Estimated, not verified
- Sacrament Visible WordStrongly affirmsTradition defaultA sacrament is rightly defined as a visible sign of an invisible grace: a "visible word."Estimated, not verified
- Sacramental Marriage IndissolubleRejectsTradition defaultA consummated sacramental marriage is absolutely indissoluble; no divorce can break the bond before death.Estimated, not verified
- Sacraments Convey GraceStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe sacraments/ordinances are not merely symbols but are means through which God actually conveys grace.Estimated, not verified
- Sacraments Strengthen Seal FaithLeans toward rejectingTradition defaultSacraments function chiefly to confirm, seal, and strengthen a faith already given, rather than to originate grace.Estimated, not verified
- Satisfaction Works Of PenanceRejectsTradition defaultThe penitent must perform acts of satisfaction (penance) assigned by the confessor as part of reconciliation.Estimated, not verified
- Seven SacramentsStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThere are seven sacraments: baptism, confirmation/chrismation, Eucharist, penance, anointing of the sick, holy orders, and matrimony.Estimated, not verified
- Spouses Are Ministers Of The SacramentStrongly rejectsTradition defaultIn marriage the spouses themselves are the ministers of the sacrament; the priest is a witness.Estimated, not verified
- Threefold Apostolic Ministry RequiredStrongly affirmsTradition defaultValid ordained ministry requires bishops, priests, and deacons in apostolic succession.Estimated, not verified
- TransubstantiationRejectsTradition defaultIn consecration the bread and wine are changed in substance into the body and blood of Christ, the appearances alone remaining.Estimated, not verified
- Trinitarian Formula RequiredStrongly affirmsTradition defaultValid baptism must use the Trinitarian formula "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."Estimated, not verified
- Unleavened Bread RequiredStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe Eucharistic bread must be unleavened.Estimated, not verified
- Valid Orders Require Male OrdinandStrongly affirmsTradition defaultOnly men may be validly ordained to the priesthood/presbyterate.Estimated, not verified
- Weekly Communion NormStrongly affirmsTradition defaultCommunion should be observed every week.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
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