1. Why don’t you have icons?
Our architecture gives emphasis on simplicity and the worship of God without icons so that the worshiper focuses on the fact that God is a spirit and seeks our worship “in spirit and in truth”. Of course, we appreciate the artistic, aesthetic, and educational use of the icons, but we do not worship them.
2. Do you perform the mysteries of the church?
The Evangelical Church recognizes and performs the liturgies of Holy Communion and Baptism, following the clear commandments of the New Testament. Concerning Priesthood, Marriage, Unction, Anointing, and Confession, the Evangelical Church recognizes their usefulness in the spiritual life of the believer but does not characterize them as mysteries.
3. Do you believe in Mary?
We honor the mother of our Lord and revere her faithfulness. We beatify her for the privilege she was given to partake in the mystery of the ages, the Incarnation of the Divine Word, Jesus Christ. We see her life as an example, paying close attention to her exhortation, “do whatever He (Jesus) tells you to do”, as she said at the wedding of Cana. With her exhortation, she set all eyes on her son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
4. Do you believe in the saints and the church fathers?
We honor all human beings that were rightfully proclaimed saints as examples so that we can imitate them and be inspired by them to live a life of faith and dedication. Also, we study the writings of the church fathers with special interest, always under the light of the Bible.
5. Do you make the Sign of the Cross?
We honor the Cross of Christ, first of all with reverence, second with a rich hymnography that has the Cross as its subject, and third by positioning the symbol of the Cross on a central spot in our churches. However, we do not have the habit of making the Sign of the Cross in our prayers, but this is only a matter of tradition and habit.
6. Do you have priests?
The Evangelical Church, following the clear commandments of the New Testament, accepts the priesthood of all Christian believers. Thus, in the church’s structure, there are no priests with unique and special offices that have the power to mediate and impart God’s grace. This is the reason why, as we said earlier, Priesthood is not a “mystery” of the church. The Evangelical Church ordains pastors, giving them the responsibility of guiding the believers and caring for the work of the church, and not a special position in the church’s hierarchy. The pastor and the elders of the church are elected by the congregation and have the responsibility of the church’s governance, spiritual overseeing, and coordination of the work of the church, and they are accountable to the congregation as the latter actively takes part in making all the important decisions.
7. How can somebody be a Greek and not a Christian Orthodox?
We recognize the important role of the Orthodox Church in Greece. We love our country and we claim the recognition of the Greek Evangelicals. The Greek Evangelicals were and are present in all the agones of Hellenism. We accept the special relationship between Orthodoxy and Hellenism as a historic fact, but we could not theologically agree with the identification of these two concepts, due to the fact that the Christian Church cannot and should not be identified with just one specific nation.
8. What is your stance towards Orthodox Christians?
We show respect and love both to the clergy and the people, despite our doctrinal differences. We are sincerely glad and we glorify God for all conscious pious believers in the Orthodox Church.
9. Which is the correct name? Evangelicals, Protestants, or Evangelists?
The first two out of three in the question are correct. The name “Protestant” connects us to the religious Reformation Movement of the 16th century. We prefer the name “Evangelicals” because it is in accordance with the emphasis we give to the Evangelion, the Gospel. Ιnadvertently, in the Media some Evangelicals are called “Evangelists”, but this term is wrong as Evangelists are the four Gospel writers, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
10. How is the liturgy performed in the Evangelical Church?
The liturgy in the Evangelical Church has three basic elements: first, the preaching of the Gospel, with the goal of teaching and encouraging the believers. Second, the partaking in the Holy Eucharist. Third, the participation of all believers in the singing of the hymns. Worship (hymns, prayers, reading, and preaching of the Bible, the Holy Eucharist, etc) is in Greek so that our congregation can understand and actively participate. There is translation for English speakers. All our services are open to the public, and whoever wants is welcome to come and observe.