Saints Peter & Paul Orthodox Church
Meriden, Connecticut
Online Learning: a Foundation in Orthodox Christianity

On Oct. 16, we begin an online program, “A Foundation in Orthodox Christianity.” Fr. Joshua is publishing on YouTube a series of ten talks for participants to watch at their convenience. Please take careful note of questions and points to examine more closely. We meet via Zoom to discuss these topics on Wednesday evenings twice a month, starting with prayer at 8:00. All are welcome! 

Use the following link to participate via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/95077393475?pwd=eExDTVJWWFJtMHY0RlBSd1lvREdzUT09

Stay Informed with Flocknote

Receive reminders and additional resources by signing up for SS. Peter & Paul Orthodox Church's communication tool Flocknote.

Sign up for the Bible Study Group in Flocknote using this form:

In the group, you will receive updates on upcoming sessions, access recordings of previous sessions, and have the chance to ask more questions.

Plan of Topics

1. I am the Way—an introduction to the course

2. I believe in one God—a careful walk through the Creed, the Symbol of Faith

3. Jesus shows us how to be human—reconsidering our basic assumptions of what it means to be human

4. How to read the Bible—breaking down misconceptions and learning how best to understand the Scriptures

5. Church history over-simplified—2,000 years in a whirlwind tour

6. Worship in time and space—orientation to how, when and where we worship

7. The Holy Mysteries—the Sacraments, the means by which God shares himself with us

8. Personal Holiness—practical consideration of how to live as a follower of Jesus Christ

9. Loving and Leaving the World—how are we supposed to related to the broken world around us?

10. Running the Race—summing up what we’ve learned so far

Recordings of Discussions

For those who missed our discussion of previous topics, we are keeping an archive of the recordings. You will need both the link and the passcode to view each discussion.

  1. Discussion of 1. I am the Way

    Passcode: l+2^!a=z

  2. Discussion of 2. I believe in one God

    Passcode: 0s19+6a$

  3. Discussion of 3. Jesus teaches us how to be human

    Passcode: hD6y!Xpg

  4. Discussion of 4. How to read the Bible

    Passcode: *5ZZGyR8

  5. Discussion of 5. Church history over-simplified

    Passcode: ^58@cVeL

  6. Discussion of 6. Worship in Time & Space
    Passcode: K+&HxN73

  7. Discussion of 7. Holy Mysteries
    Passcode: k^Y9v*2F

  8. Discussion of 8. Personal Holiness
    Passcode: 6q.B+vup

  9. Discussion of 9. Loving and Leaving the World
    Passcode: Q@27G2g9

  10. Discussion of 10. Running the Race
    Passcode: #pRkBH9X
 
 
Further Considerations
If you are hoping to be received into the Orthodox Faith this year, please make a very serious effort to follow all these sessions, ideally participating on the day. They will be recorded and shared afterward for those who miss a session, though. 
 
(Some have already gone through this material with Father Joshua previously but have not yet finalized plans to be received. You do not have to go through these sessions, unless you want go through them again!)
 
Many of you have learned quite a bit about Orthodoxy already from various sources, but one challenge is recognizing how balanced and representative those sources may be. What I have worked hard to present is the wide middle way that is clearly marked out as safe and healthy, while avoiding narrow disputes, confusing points of contention, and distractions. 
 
By the end of this course, you will have a reasonably clear sense of the foundation of Orthodox Christianity and how to be built up together upon that foundation into a dwelling place of God. The rest of your life-time will be cooperating with the Holy Spirit in that construction project.
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