841
edits
Changes
no edit summary
==Theological Foundations==
[[Image:Rublev Trinity.jpg|left|thumb|399 × 500 pixels|Rublev's Icon of the Trinity]]
In Orthodox theology, the missionary vocation of the Orthodox Church originates from the Trinitarian relations of the Godhead, in that the Father sent the Son into the world for the salvation of mankind (cf. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+57%3A3&version=NKJV Psalm 57:3], [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+4%3A34&version=NKJV John 4:34], [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+6%3A44&version=NKJV John 6:44], [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+6%3A57&version=NKJV John 6:57], [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+12%3A49-50&version=NKJV John 12:49], [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+17%3A18&version=NKJV John 17:18], [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%204%3A4-5&version=NKJV Galatians 4:4-5], [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%203%3A1&version=NKJV Hebrews 3:1]). The Holy Spirit is was likewise sent into the world to sanctify it (cf. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20104%3A30&version=NKJV Psalm 104:30], [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+24%3A49&version=NKJV Luke 24:49], [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A26&version=NKJV John 14:26], [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+15%3A26&version=NKJV John 15:26], [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+16%3A7&version=NKJV John 16:7], [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%204:6&version=NKJV Galatians 4:6]).
Christ passed His mission on to the Apostles when He commanded them to share the Good News of salvation with all peoples: “This [[Gospel]] of the Kingdom shall be preached throughout the whole world as a witness to all nations; and then the end of the world shall come” (Matthew 24:14). The Lord’s final commandment before ascending to the Father is known as the Great Commission and is recorded in all four [[Gospel]] accounts:
