Term
| In Orthodox Christianity, what does the cave where Jesus was born, or in (Protestant Christianity the manger) symbolize? |
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Definition
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Term
| In the Nativity, what does the Virgin Mother of God, Theotokos symbolize? |
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Definition
The throne of the Infinite, Christ our God |
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Term
| What gift did Christ's Birth, Death and Resurrection bring to mankind? |
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Definition
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Term
| The goal of Orthodox Christians is to become Christlike by imitating Our Lord caring and responding to His love with true love of both God and mankind. Successful completion of this goal, which few attain is called: |
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Definition
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Term
| Who were the first people "notified" of Christ's Birth? |
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Definition
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Term
| Why were the Shepherds the first people notified by the Angels of Christ's Birth? |
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Definition
| Even though the world were considered them to be "lowly", God considered them great because they were "caretakers" and therefore they were one of the first to be invited by the Lord's very own messengers, the Angels, to the Nativity. |
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Term
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Definition
| The wise men (Kings) from the Orient |
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Term
| What guided the Magi to find the Christ Child? |
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Definition
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Term
| What gifts did the Magi bring? |
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Definition
Frankincense
Gold and
Myrrh |
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Term
| Who were the Virgin Mary's (the Theotokos, meaning God bearer) parents? |
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Definition
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Term
| Jesus Christ is referred to as King. Not only is He King because of His divinity, but He is of royal heritage from which human parent? |
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Definition
| Both the Theotokos (Mary), His biological mother and St. Joseph, His foster father on earth |
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Term
| What is the significance of the gift of gold from the Magi? |
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Definition
| Gold is the sign that Jesus is the King of Israel, the universe and of the kingdom of God to come. (Mt 2:16) |
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Term
| What is the significance of the gift of frankincense brought by the Magi? |
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Definition
| Frankincense is incense and is used in worship, because only God can be worshipped, this signifies that Jesus is God. |
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Term
| What is the significance of the Magi's gift of Myrrh? |
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Definition
| Myrrh is for anointing and preparing for death. Because Jesus came to die as the perfect sacrifice, Jesus was anointed with Myrrh after His death on the Cross. (Jn 19:39-40) |
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Term
| Who was the midwife who delivered the Infant Christ? |
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Definition
| Salome, St. Joseph's daughter by his pre-deceased wife. |
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Term
| Who was James at the Nativity? |
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Definition
| James was St. Joseph's youngest son by his pre-deceased wife and a step-brother to Christ. St. James also became the first Bishop of Jerusalem and the honored recipient of the First Divine Liturgy to be celebrated in Christian history because of his faithfulness from Christ's birth to His Ascension. |
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Term
| Bethlehem is also called the City of _________ |
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Definition
| David (The King from which both Mary and Joseph's royal heritage is passed to Christ) |
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Term
| In the Icon of the Nativity of Christ, who is the crippled man at the bottom of the Icon? |
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Definition
| This is the symbol for Satan. He is generally shown tempting St. Joseph into doubting the Nativity and its' significance. Some believe he feels left out of the celebration. |
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Term
| How many days are included in the Feast of the Nativity? |
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Definition
| There are 12...just like the song, The 12 days of Christmas. The Orthodox Church (new calendar) starts this Feast on December 25. |
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Term
| Theophany is at the end of the Feast of the Nativity. What are we celebrating? |
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Definition
| The official presentation or beginning of Christ's public life through the Baptism by John the Baptist. |
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Term
| Jesus' death could have taken place while He was still an infant during Herod's Martyrdom of the Innocents. However, Jesus escaped death as an infant. What significant accomplishment took place that could not have been accomplished by the prophets? |
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Definition
| Gathering the twelve Apostles and ordaining them at the "Last Supper" to start the first Christian Church...known today as the Orthodox Church - a pre-denominational church, existing before all other Protestant Christian denominations and non-denominational churches. |
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Term
| How did King Herod feel about Christ's Nativity? |
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Definition
| King Herod felt threatened and was afraid that Jesus would take over his throne. |
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Term
| What did King Herod direct the Magi to do after they found the New King? |
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Definition
| Report back to King Herod as to the location of the Infant. |
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Term
| What was King Herod's ulterior motive for directing the Magi to report the Infant Christ's location? |
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Definition
| King Herod wished to destroy the New King that he believed threatened his throne. |
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Term
| What was the Magi's response? |
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Definition
| They returned to the Orient another way and did not report back to King Herod. |
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Term
| What is the Orthodox greeting during the Feast of the Nativity (Christmas)? |
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Definition
"Christ is Born!"
"Glorify Him" |
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Term
| What was the name of the angel who announced to the Theotokos (Virgin Mary) that she would bring the Christ Child into the world? |
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Definition
| The Angel Gabriel. We call this the Annunciation and celebrate it 9 months prior to Christmas on March 25. |
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