Praxis (Orthodox)

Praxis is the customary use of knowledge or skills, distinct from theoretical knowledge. The term is used in Eastern Orthodox theology to refer to the practice of the faith, especially to worship. All of the principles described by praxis exist in the Catholic Church as well.

Contents

1 Orthodox praxis 2 Corresponding terminology in western traditions 3 See also 4 Footnotes and references

Orthodox praxis

Union with God, to which Christians hold that Jesus invited man, requires not just faith, but correct practice of faith. This is found in the Scriptures (1 Cor 11:2 (http://drbo.org/cgi-bin/d?b=drb&bk=53&ch=011&l=2), 2 Thes 2:15 (http://drbo.org/cgi-bin/d?b=drb&bk=60&ch=002&l=15)) and the Church Fathers, and is linked with the term praxis in Orthodox theology. [1] (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ortho-praxis/) In the context of Orthodoxy, praxis is mentioned opposite theology, in the sense of theory and practice, [2] (http://arts.tuirgin.com/) and is a word that means, globally, all that Orthodox do. [3] (http://www.orthodoxpraxis.org/article.php?id=2&menu=1) Praxis is living Orthodoxy. [4] (http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/praxis/rose_wv.aspx)

Praxis is most strongly associated with worship. "Orthopraxis" is said to mean "right glory" or "right worship" [5] (http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/praxis/index.aspx); only correct (or proper) practice, particularly the correct worship, will give the correct glory to God, which is one of the primary purposes of liturgy, the work of the people. Orthodox sources maintain that in the West, Christianity has been reduced "to intellectual, ethical or social categories", whereas (correct) worship is fundamentally important in our relationship to God, forming the faithful into the Body of Christ and providing the path to "true religious education". [6] (http://www.orthodoxonline.com/sf/TheOrthodoxDifference.htm) A "symbiosis of worship and work" is considered to be inherent in Orthodox praxis. [7] (http://www.syrianorthodoxarchdiocese.com/anagalpura.html)

Fasting, another key part of the practice of the Christian faith, is mentioned as part of Orthodox praxis, in connection with the Sermon on the Mount (Mt 6 (http://drbo.org/cgi-bin/d?b=drb&bk=47&ch=006)), [8] (http://www.holytrans.org/Catechism/2003%20Oratorical%20Festival.htm) and in comparison with the history and commemorations of Lenten fasts. [9] (http://www.monachos.net/great_lent/index.shtml)

Praxis also refers to proper religious etiquette. [10] (http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/praxis/index.aspx)

Corresponding terminology in western traditions

In both the Latin and Eastern Rite churches of the Catholic Church, the same ideas of worship exist and are given ample expression, in recent decades by Dietrich von Hildebrand, who emphasizes that the "primary intention [of the Liturgy] is to praise and glorify God, to respond fittingly to Him." ¹ It is not customary in the western traditions to use one word to refer to so many facets of faithful Christian life, but one can easily speak of practicing or living one's faith, and can refer to the various aspects of being faithful, such as worship, prayer, or fasting. In comparing the practice of faith between East and West, one must recall that not all western Catholics are identical; many traditional Catholics, for example, practice fasting much more extensively than do Novus Ordo Catholics. Also, it is not necessary for East and West to be identical.

See also

Phronema, Theosis, Theoria

Footnotes and references

• ¹ Dietrich von Hildebrand, Liturgy and Personality, Sophia Institute Press, 1993, ISBN 0918477131, p. 4.