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Catechism of the Orthodox Eastern Church (1888)
Ignatios Moschakis, tr. Baker, 1894
Introduction
§ 1. The Catechism.
The term “Catechism” includes all that is to be taught concerning the Christian religion. In order that we may have a full understanding as to what the Christian religion is, it is necessary that we should learn what religion is in general.
§ 2. What is Religion?
Religion is the communion of man with God, and the relation of man towards God. Religion, which is also called piety, consists in believing in God, in fearing Him, and in loving Him, and in hoping in Him. Religion is not simply knowledge, but has its roots in the heart. True religion is shown by good works: “Show me thy faith by thy works” (St. James ii. 10).
§ 3. What is Revelation?
Revelation is the manifestation of God, and of His will toward men. God is revealed to us, first, through nature. Every man who observes nature, and sees the greatness, the fitness, and the harmony of the world, finds it impossible not to admit the existence of some being who created the world. Just as, when we see a beautiful work, we admit of necessity the existence of a skilled workman, so, when we look upon nature’s fair and wondrous handiwork, we admit of necessity the existence of its Creator: “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth his handiwork” (Ps. xix. 1).
God is revealed to us, secondly, through the conscience. When we do what is good, our conscience commends us; when we do what is evil our conscience condemns us: and this fact bears witness that there is a God, Who, by means of the conscience, points out to us the good that we must do, and the evil that we must avoid, and warns us beforehand that He will reward the good, but the evil He will punish.
The revelation which is made to us through nature and the conscience is styled the general or natural revelation. Above all, God revealed Himself to us through the Patriarchs, through Moses, and through the Prophets, and especially through His own Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. And this revelation is styled generally the Historic Revelation.
§ 4. Wherein is the Revelation Chiefly Contained?
The Revelation is contained chiefly in those sacred writings which we call Holy Scripture. Holy Scripture is divided into the Old Testament, and the New Testament; and the Old Testament contains all that God revealed to us through the Patriarchs, through Moses, and through the Prophets; and the New Testament all that God revealed to us through Jesus Christ and His Apostles. And the books of the Old Testament were for the most part written in Hebrew, but the books of the New Testament were written in Greek.
§ 5. Division of the Catechism.
All that is contained at length in Holy Scripture is gathered into the Creed and the Ten Commandments. The Creed was drawn up at the first two General Councils, that of Nicea in A.D. 325, and that of Constantinople in A.D. 381, and teaches us all that we ought to believe. But the Ten Commandments were given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai, and they teach us all that we ought to do. For this reason the Catechism is divided into two parts, of which the first explains the Creed, and is called dogmatical, because it contains the dogmas of our faith—that is, all that we ought to believe: but the second explains the Ten Commandments, and is called ethical, because it deals with Christian morality—in fact, all that we ought to do.
The Creed is contained in twelve articles, which are as follows:—
1. I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, the Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
2. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, Light of light, very God of very God; begotten, not made; of one substance with the Father; by Whom all things were made;
3. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Ghost and the Virgin Mary, and was made man.
4. And was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried,
5. And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures,
6. And ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father,
7. And He shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.
8. And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord, the Giver of life, Who proceedeth from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets.
9. I believe in One Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.
10. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins.
11. I look for the resurrection of the dead.
12. And the life of the world to come. Amen.