When you read or hear the word “Orthodox”, you may think of the Jewish religion or of your local orthodontist. But Orthodox Christianity is completely different from these. As Christians, Orthodox believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior and that he died on the cross and resurrected three days later.
Inside any Orthodox Church you can find many colorful icons (paintings of saints). Orthodox Christians venerate icons by kissing them showing respect and thankfulness for the saint. Veneration is often mistaken as idol worshiping because the icons are painted on material, but icons are not idols. They are windows to heaven instead of being substitutes for God.
O Pascha has come! Joyous feast, rejoice, O earth! The heavenly hosts sing: holy, holy, holy, hosanna in the highest. Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace toward men. We start with lighting our candles, then we circle the church outside, singing a Paschal song. The Priest knocks on doors three times because Jesus rose on the third day. The doors crash open. And we proclaim, “CHRIST IS RISEN” in all kinds of different languages.
Like Mendicant Monks... 