Greeks in America - eBooks4Greeks.gr

56 THE GREEKS IN AMERICAof its theology, and is recited daily at the Liturgyor Eucharist and other services. The candidate forbaptism or the godfather recites it before baptism.St. John Chrysostom is even to-day the main authorityin the exegesis or interpretation of Scriptureand John of Damascus in Systematic Theology.The Greek Church claims to be *^holy, catholic,and apostolic.'' But the characteristic adjectiveshe particularly and emphatically appropriates forherself is ^'Orthodox." She claims to have preservedthe teaching of Christ and the Apostles asin the early church in all its purity and integrity.In all the essentials of Christian doctrine the GreekChurch, in its official teaching, is Orthodox and conservativecompared with many another denomination.Thus, in regard to the doctrines of God, theTrinity, the Divinity of Jesus Christ, redemption,and eternal life, she holds the most orthodox position.There is no Pope, no papal supremacy, nor infallibility,no doctrine of the Immaculate Conception.Tradition is regarded as a source of revelationalong with the Scriptures and the work of the HolySpirit in the church.There is no doctrine of purgatory, but prayers aresaid for the dead. There is no doctrine of penancesnor indulgences, though pilgrims to Jerusalem canbuy papers of absolution from their sins. Thereare three orders of ministry, bishop, presbyter orpriest, and deacon. The bishops of the prominentcities are called archbishops or metropolitans. TheArchbishops of Constantinople, Antioch, Jerusalemand Alexandria are called patriarchs. Archimandriteis the title of the monastic clergy of the rankof presbyter. Bishops and monks alone must becelibate; the rest of the clergy can marry.Sacraments.—The Greek Church is strongly ritualisticand great prominence is given to ceremonial-