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==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:
::* “ ‘Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’” ’ ” (Matthew 28:19-20)
::* “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the [[Gospel]] to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.’ ” (Mark 16:15-16)
:that all may know Thy love. . . O Lord, pour down Thy grace on the earth. Let all the nations of the earth come to know Thy love;
:to know that Thou lovest us with a mother’s love, and more than a mother’s love for even a mother may be forgetful of her children,
:but Thou forgettest never, because Thy love for Thy creation is boundless, and love cannot forget. O merciful Lord, by the riches of Thy mercy, :save all peoples” (''St Silouan the Athonite'', page 276).
:O Lord, let all Thy peoples discern Thy love, and the sweetness of the Holy Spirit, that men may forget the sorrows of this world,
:and forsake all that is evil, and cling unto Thee in love, and live in peace, doing Thy will to Thy glory… I pray Thee, O merciful Lord,
:for all the peoples of the earth, that they may come to know Thee by the Holy Spirit. As Thou didst suffer my sinful self to know Thee in Thy Holy :Spirit, :so let all the peoples of the earth know Thee, and praise Thee day and night. I know, O Lord, that Thou dost love Thy people, but men do not :comprehend Thy love, :and the nations are flung about the surface of the earth… People have forgotten Thee, their Creator, and seek after their own freedom, :not perceiving that Thou art merciful, and lovest the repenting sinner, and givest him the grace of Thy Holy Spirit. Lord, Lord, :grant the strength of Thy grace, that all nations may know Thee in the Holy Spirit, and praise :Thee in joy, :just as Thou didst give to my unclean and odious self the joy of desiring Thee, so that my soul is drawn day and night to crave Thy love” :(''St Silouan the Athonite'', pages 273-275).
