Maria wrote:TheTruthOfGod wrote:
The Feasts and Fasts of the Orthodox Christian Church are faithfully observed by its clergy and monastics.
Laity observe the feast days as much as they are able.
Nevetheless, all of us in True Orthodoxy follow the Julian Calendar, and we have been blessed by God for adhering faithfully to the Old Calendar--the calendar of our Saints.
So then it does seem mandatory. Only the laity have more leeway but are still required as much as they are able on their free time, or whatever. So then I ask my previous question again:
"Also many Protestants don't believe that it matters at all which days Christians do or do not keep as per Romans 14, and they do not believe anyone has the right to judge anyone about it as per Colossians 2. But it seems that the Orthodox have mandatory holy days that one has to observe to be Orthodox and therefore do not follow this interpretation. Therefore, what is your interpretation of these texts if this is so?"
Thank you,
Tony
We do not view the Julian Calendar aka the Old Calendar in the same light as do Roman Catholics.
In other words, before Vatican II, if a Roman Catholic were to miss a Sunday Mass or that of a special feast day, like Christmas and Easter, then they would have committed a mortal sin and if they had died unrepentant, they would have gone to Hell. Before Vatican II, the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) tended to be very legalistic. Today, however, the RCC has swung 180 degrees and are quite liberal and modernistic. Pre-Vatican II and circa-Vatican II Catholics were encouraged to attend Mass even when sick. And yes, I was left home alone even as a child when I was sick. In fact, I was left home to take care of my sick siblings even as a child under the age of 12.
In Holy Orthodoxy, we try to attend the Divine Liturgy (our Eucharistic celebration) every Sunday if possible. However, if a family member becomes very ill, we should stay home and take care of that person. Charity comes first. If we become ill, then it would be best to stay home rather than go to church and spread germs to everyone present. Nevertheless, the love of God compels us to pray everyday, even on Sundays when we cannot attend Divine Liturgy.
If we truly love God, we will read the Bible, attend Divine Liturgy, pray throughout the day everyday, and fast on the days appointed.