Holy Week

Originally posted by starcluster ↑

Thank you for your kind remarks. The time and effort it took for me to prepare and post the details was not significant simply because I learned much of it from our teachings in the previous fellowship meeting I attend to study the Bible and other matters pertaining to our Greek Orthodox church. I have added more details from Zechariah, Matthew, Acts and Revelation for completeness.

As to the question you posed to me, I follow the Greek Orthodox Holy Week and Pascha calendar, not the Easter calendar system used by most Western churches or the Jewish one. Please note that I do not object to what others do with regards to how they follow various Christian traditions and systems for Holy Week, Pascha or Easter. I respect all of them, including the Messianic Jewish ones. My focus is on spiritual matters, not the exact procedures on how to worship our God. If I were a Roman Catholic, Anglican, Pentecostal, or whatever, I would follow what they do, not because I felt it's the best or perfect way but because it's their tradition. When attending a particular church, I would be expected to follow at least some of its traditions. One doesn't have to follow all of them. I certainly don't in Greek Orthodoxy. That doesn't make me a heretic in that church. My priest understands and respects what I do. He understands my intentions and beliefs, in particular how Salvation is obtained, which happens to be the most important thing and he agrees with me. What surprised me was how he explained that the Orthodoxy in general (which includes the Eastern Orthodox - Greek, Russian and others as well as Oriental Orthodox - Syriac, Coptic and others) always took that approach. The criticism I had was that he and the Orthodoxy in general don't go out of their way to teach all that. I think I can understand why. After the seed is planted in peoples' hearts and minds by the church, and certain doctrinal truths are taught, it's left up to the individual to find out as much of the Truth as possible by studying the Scriptures with the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit. That's what happened to me. It took me years to figure it out. I tend to be a slow learner but at least I got there. Glory to God.

I've come to the conclusion that the various churches I've examined and in some cases attended for a time (I won't embarrass myself listing the ones I attended before I settled back into my roots - Greek Orthodoxy) that pre-suppose to be Christian, follow certain laws and rules that distinguishes them from the others. No matter how many laws we keep, we are all sinners as you know. So, the reason that we can be saved is because of who Christ is and what He did for us on the cross and beyond, not because we follow any particular law or combination of laws. Following them after coming to Christ though is good and proper. The focus on the laws and rules alone tends to steer people back onto themselves instead of Christ. For some people, this focus may be a certain style of worship. The extreme cases are those Christians who follow all the Holy Days, not just the Sabbath and/or Pentecost, and also all the dietary rules of the Old Testament, and/or don't go to funerals, and/or don't take blood transfusions, and/or don't believe in birthdays, etc.. I respect those who do all that provided they understand and believe in the way we obtain Salvation as I do. I expect in return respect for the way I conduct my worship of the Lord in the Greek Orthodoxy. God knows the hearts of all true believers and followers of our Lord and Saviour no matter which church they attend as well as how they conduct their worship, and God will judge accordingly in their rewards given their destiny is assured and safe. God Bless.

Expand

Thank you for your heartfelt message, Star. I truly appreciate the sincerity in how you've shared your journey, your time in the Greek Orthodox Church, and how you've come to your understanding of Scripture and salvation. It’s always encouraging to see someone genuinely seeking the truth and giving glory to God for that process.

I respect your honesty about the traditions you've followed and how you view the structure of various churches. I agree with you—God knows the hearts of those who seek Him, and He alone is the ultimate Judge. I also understand and appreciate your focus on spiritual matters above tradition. That kind of discernment is rare today, and I honour your openness.

That said, I’d like to gently offer my perspective—not to debate or challenge in a negative sense, but simply to express where I stand.

You mentioned that salvation isn’t tied to keeping certain laws or traditions, and I agree in the sense that salvation is not earned by works or rigid observance. It is a gift, made possible only through the sacrifice of Yeshua (Jesus), who paid the price we never could. But Scripture is also clear that once we accept that gift, our response must involve more than belief—it must involve repentance, transformation, and obedience out of love. Not out of legalism, but because our hearts are changed.
I’m reminded of what Yeshua said in John 14:15:
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.”
And again in 1 John 2:3-4:
“Now we know that we have come to know Him by this—if we keep His commandments. The one who says, ‘I have come to know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”
It’s not about following “rules” to be saved, but about walking in the Spirit in a way that reflects the holiness of the One we claim to follow. Traditions can be meaningful, but they must never overshadow the call to obedience that comes from a transformed heart. Not to earn salvation, but to walk in it.

I’m also reminded that Yeshua challenged religious traditions when they contradicted God’s Word (Mark 7:6-9). That tells me that while God sees the heart, He also cares deeply about how we respond to truth when it is revealed.

So again, I appreciate your message, and I truly believe you’re seeking to follow the Lord with your whole heart. May we both continue to grow in that walk and always remain open to what the Spirit is showing us through the Word.

Blessings to you, brother—and thank you again for the respectful dialogue. Iron sharpens iron.