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THE UNITY OF THE CHURCH follows of necessity from the unity of God; for the Church is not a multitude of persons in their separate individuality, but a unity of the grace of God, living in a multitude of rational creatures, submitting themselves willingly to grace. Grace, indeed, is also given to those who resist it, and to those who do not make use of it (who hide their talent in the earth), but these are not in the Church. In fact, the unity of the Church is not imaginary or allegorical, but a true and substantial unity, such as is the unity of many members in a living body.
The Church is one, notwithstand- ing her division as it appears to a man who is still alive on earth. It is only in relation to man that it is possible to recognize a division of the Church into visible and invisible; her unity is, in reality, true and absolute. Those who are alive on earth, those who have finished their earthly course, those who, like the angels, were not created for a life on earth, those in future generations who have not yet begun their earthly course, are all united together in one Church, in one and the same grace of God; for the creation of God which has not yet been manifested is manifest to Him; and God hears the prayers and knows the faith of those whom He has not yet called out of non-existence into existence. Indeed the Church, the Body of Christ, is manifesting forth and fulfilling herself in time, without changing her essential unity or inward life of grace. And therefore, when we speak of "the Church visible and invisible," we so speak only in relation to man.
Links to Other Communions
THESE LINKS were selected on the basis of their potential interest to those who visit the Ascension and Saint Agnes Web site. Comments and suggestions will receive careful attention. When using this and any other portal, however, be sure to read with critical attention and careful judgment.
Roman Catholic
Catholic Information Center
Vatican
Saints on the Roman Calendar
Saints on the Roman Calendar-Another source
Approved Traditional Latin Masses
The Society of JesusThesaurus Precum Latinarum
The Eucharist and the Sacrifice of the Mass
New Advent Catholic Website
Eastern Catholic
Orthodox
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North America
Monachos.net
Orthodox Church in America
Orthodox Christian Information CenterOrthodox Page in America
Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral [San Francisco, CA]
Russian Orthodox Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, [Washington, D.C.]
The Icon of Life
[A Study of the Divine Liturgy of the Holy Orthodox Church]Antiochian Orthodox Church of North America
Feasts and Saints of the Orthodox Church
Orthodox Christian Resources on the Internet
Syriac Orthodox Church
Others
