Post by Suryoyo on Aug 12, 2012 10:12:02 GMT 2
I don't even know if it's the same in all Orthodox churches but let's discuss it since it's a little confusing.
Let's start with before Christ. We agree that all souls before Christ were in Hades, right? Were all souls "captives" in Hades at that time (until the crucifixion and resurrection) or was there some kind of difference between the righteous and the unrighteous (did some have it better than others)?
I read a Coptic and Syrian Indian article about this and in the Coptic one they wrote that there was a distinction between the "righteous and evil spirits" (using Lazarus and the rich man as an example) but in the Syrian Indian one they wrote that all souls were "captive" and Christ set the captives free.
Indian Syrian:
Coptic:
Let's start with before Christ. We agree that all souls before Christ were in Hades, right? Were all souls "captives" in Hades at that time (until the crucifixion and resurrection) or was there some kind of difference between the righteous and the unrighteous (did some have it better than others)?
I read a Coptic and Syrian Indian article about this and in the Coptic one they wrote that there was a distinction between the "righteous and evil spirits" (using Lazarus and the rich man as an example) but in the Syrian Indian one they wrote that all souls were "captive" and Christ set the captives free.
Indian Syrian:
Prior to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, all the departed souls were captives in Hades. Jesus Christ descended into the abode of the dead (ie. Hades) and set the captives free. So in that sense the old Hades, where souls are kept captive does not exist anymore.
But Hades, where the departed souls await their final judgment, still exists.
But Hades, where the departed souls await their final judgment, still exists.
Coptic:
Due to the entrance of sin to the world, the spirits of all those who departed used to go to Hades. Nevertheless, as our Lord mentioned in the story of the rich man and Lazarus (Lk 16:19-31), there was a distinction between the righteous and evil spirits; Lazarus was comforted and the rich was tormented...After the redemptive death of our Savior on the cross, He descended into Hades and released all the spirits of the righteous and took them with Him to Paradise.
. I never really thought about it before either but came across something and started searching for more.