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THE ORTHODOX FAITH:
What's Orthodoxy?
Who started it?
Is it 2000 year old,
before catholicism
and protestantism?

BYZANTINE HYMNS:
Athos Monks[play]
Meteora[play]
Th. Vassilikos[play]

Religion — joy.


In any of the philosophical systems, there could be some pessimism existing in its foundation. However, in the religion’s basis, there always was and will be a feeling of joy. No matter how distorted many religions are (having replaced God’s truth with lies — revering creatures instead of God), they were all nevertheless expressions of joy for life. It was Man’s fallen nature that often dragged it into crude and base forms of expression. It is totally natural that the pure enjoyment of nature’s beauty by sensitive people would evoke hymns of praise to God.

Christianity is a true and pure religion, and is the source of elevated and holy joy. Christian ordeals appear as proof of the indomitable, bright basis of Christianity, showing that no amount of deprivation and physical constraints are capable to eclipse the blessedness of life in Christ. "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing" (1 Thes. 5:16,17) — as the Apostle directs. "Blessed are all they that fear the Lord; who walk in his ways," (Ps. 128:1) — is repeated in prayers and Psalms. "May we arise in spiritual joy to praise Thee." And the most potent, sorrowfully repentant 50th Psalm "Have mercy upon me, O God" thrice enunciates about joy, asking for the return of a soul that has sinned. 

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