When I went to Baylor, one of the things I encountered for the first time was Eastern Orthodox theology, in my History of American Religions classes. Most fascinating to me is EO’s insistence that there is no divide between sacred & secular; EVERYTHING is supposed to be sacred.

(In Croatia, we often see a different side of EO; not its theology but its outworking in practice when corrupted by nationalism.)

Here is an AI description of the theology behind EO’s insistence that everything is sacred. This is Gemini’s wording, not mine:

In the Orthodox Church, the idea that “everything is sacred” stems from a profound theological understanding of God, creation, and humanity’s relationship with them. It’s not just a poetic sentiment but a foundational principle that shapes their worldview and practices. Here’s a breakdown of why:

1. God as Creator and Sustainer:

• Creation ex nihilo (out of nothing): The Orthodox Church believes that God created the entire universe, visible and invisible, out of nothing. This means everything owes its existence to God’s free will, goodness, wisdom, and omnipotence. As such, the created world is inherently good and bears the imprint of its divine Maker.
• God’s Presence in Creation: The Holy Spirit is understood to be “present in all places and filling all things.” While God is transcendent, He is also immanent, actively involved in and sustaining His creation. This means that God is truly near to us, and all of life and creation points to and reveals Him.

1. The Incarnation and Redemption of Creation:

• Christ’s Incarnation: The central event of Christianity, the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, where God became man, profoundly elevates the status of creation. By taking on human flesh, the Son of God united heaven and earth, demonstrating the value and potential for redemption of the material world.
• Redirection to God: Through Christ’s baptism and His entire earthly life, He revealed the inherent value of the created world and redirected it toward its Creator. This signifies that the entire creation is destined to share in the glory of redemption in Christ.

1. Sacramental Nature of Reality:

• Mysteries (Sacraments): In a broad sense, the Orthodox Church views everything within the Church as sacramental or mystical. The seven main “Holy Mysteries” (often called sacraments in the West) – Baptism, Chrismation, Eucharist, Confession, Holy Unction, Marriage, and Ordination – are seen as visible means by which invisible divine grace is imparted. However, the sacramental understanding extends beyond these specific rites.
• Blessings and Sanctification: Even blessings of homes, fields, fruits, cars, and pets have a sacramental nature. This signifies that no gift, event, or human responsibility is secular or detached from God. For the Orthodox Christian, all good things have God as their origin and goal.
• Matter as a Medium of the Spirit: The frequent use of material elements (water, oil, bread, wine, icons, incense) in Orthodox worship reinforces the belief that matter is good and can become a medium for the Holy Spirit’s action and God’s revelation.

1. The Church as a Foretaste of the Kingdom:

• Sacred Space: Orthodox churches are consecrated and set aside as sacred spaces, not merely as buildings, but as a foretaste of the Kingdom of God, a place where heaven is joined with earth. The architecture, icons, and liturgical practices are designed to communicate this sense of the divine presence through all the senses.
• Unity of the Church: When Orthodox Christians worship, they do so as part of the entire Church, which includes the living and the departed, fostering a sense of continuity and connection with those in glory.
  In essence, the Orthodox understanding of “everything is sacred” is rooted in the belief that:
• God is the ultimate source and sustainer of all things.
• The Incarnation of Christ elevated and redeemed creation.
• God’s presence permeates creation, making it a potential conduit for divine grace.
• Humanity’s purpose is to participate in this sacred reality and direct all of life back to God.
  This holistic view means that life is not divided into “sacred” and “secular” compartments; rather, all of life, when lived in Christ and directed towards God, can be a continuous act of worship and a participation in the divine.