Pillars of Faith
Catechism & Instruction
Pillar I: Catechism (The Instruction)
Scriptural Foundations
Catechism is the "Echo of Truth." It is the process by which the vast wisdom of the Bible is organized into clear, understandable lessons.
The Church as the Rock (Matthew 16:18-19)
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"And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it..."
Holding to Holy Tradition (2 Thessalonians 2:15)
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"Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle."
The Pillar and Ground of Truth (1 Timothy 3:15)
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"...the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth."
The Authority to Forgive Sins (John 20:22-23)
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"If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
Pillar II: Divine Liturgy (The Worship)
Scriptural Foundations
Liturgy is the "Work of the People." It is not a performance to be watched, but a sacred drama to be entered into.
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Why it matters: If Catechism is learning about God, Liturgy is meeting Him. It uses all our senses—the sound of hymns, the sight of the bread and wine, and the communal prayer—to lift our hearts toward Heaven.
The Goal: To unite the earthly church with the heavenly host, participating in the "eternal worship" that happens before the throne of God.
The Opening Doxology
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Matthew 28:19, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
The Great Litany: Prayers for Peace
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Philippians 4:6-7, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
The First Antiphon: Bless the Lord
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Psalm 103:1-2, "Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits."
The Trisagion Hymn: Holy God
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Isaiah 6:3, "And one cried to another and said: 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!'"
The Words of Institution: The Eucharist
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Matthew 26:26-28, "And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, 'Take, eat; this is My body.' Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant...'"
These connect the physical actions (like kneeling and silence) to the spiritual reality of being in God's presence.
The Heart of Worship (Foundational Verses)
Kneeling Before the Maker
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Psalm 95:6 "Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker."
Silence in the Holy Temple
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Habakkuk 2:20 "But the Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him."
The Presence in the Gathering
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Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."
The Apostolic Pattern
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"And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers."
Worship with Reverence and Awe
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"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear."
The Worthiness of the Creator
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"You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created."
III. The Living Sacrifice
Romans 12:1 — Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.