東正教視死亡為一樁悲劇，如同打破珍貴的瓷器，但是神，因祂愛一切，祂不容許生命完全破滅，使其存在我們則稱之為魂(靈魂)，藉著神的愛，活著，有著他的個性，他的感覺。因人格特質是獨特的，得以建立關係。我之所以是我，因為我活在這個社會中，我喜愛特定的人們。在這關係中我有我的朋友，老師，同事。我愛我的太太/丈夫。我存在因為我回應神的呼召，神也呼召其他的人。這是我名字的含義。我也回應愛我的人。
但如果是輪迴，沒有了 “我” 。然而那也沒有了愛。我無法對我的太太/丈夫說我永遠愛你。在輪迴的愛情，友情….等等。這些事件只不過是逝去時間的小插曲。那麼愛情，憐憫，友誼……..的價值觀在哪裡？在東正教，死亡也無法分隔我們的愛。我們等待耶穌再來的那日，我們將擁有肉體因此我們能夠觸摸並擁抱。愛永不止息。在愛裡期待著愛人與被愛，在輪迴沒有這樣的概念。
Resurrection or reincarnation?
The Orthodox Church always sees the death as tragic event. like the breaking of a precious china cup. But God , because he loves all, he does not allow the human being to die completely, but keeps what we call soul, his personality, his feelings, to live, by his love. But the personality is something unique. The personality is relational. I am what I am because I live in this society, I love certain people, I have relatives friends, teachers colleagues. I love my wife/husband. I exist because I am an answer to the call of God and the call of other people. This is the meaning of my name. I am an answer to the people who love me.
But if it is reincarnation, there is no “I”. But then there is no love. I cannot say to my wife/husband I love you for ever. In reincarnation love, friendship, etc.. Is just small episodes in the flow of time. Then where are the values, the love, the compassion, the friendships etc? In the Orthodox Church, even the death cannot stop our love. And we are waiting the day when Jesus will come and will give us back our bodies so to be able to touch and give a hug. Love never dies. But love presuppose lover and the beloved. In reincarnation there is not such a concept.
復活還是輪迴？
