WE BELIEVE
The Orthodox Christian Church is evangelical, but not Protestant. It is Orthodox, but not Jewish. It is Catholic, but not Roman. It isn’t non-denominational, it is pre-denominational.
As Orthodox Christians, we believe in one God who is revealed to us in Scripture as the Holy Trinity. God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the unbegotten creator of everything. God is three distinct persons who maintain one essence of nature.
Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Lord, the Savior of mankind. The Son of God was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary. He was crucified and raised from the dead for our salvation and shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead.
The Holy Spirit is Lord and giver of life and proceeds from the Father. The prophets spoke words given them by the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that transforms us through our faith into true disciples of Christ.
The Virgin Mary is beloved by Orthodox faithful. The Orthodox do not worship Mary but honor her as ‘Theotokos’, meaning ‘Birth-giver of God’. Mary is honored for her relationship to Jesus and her willingness to do God’s will.
The Bible is the inspired Word of God. God delivered the Scriptures for people to hear His instructions and to obey His commandments of life. Scripture is the reference of the Faith and is read in every Orthodox service.
The Church is the Body of Christ, specifically defined: One - The Church is one in faith throughout the ages. Holy - The Church was founded by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Catholic - The Church is universal. Apostolic - The Church is directly connected to the Apostles.
Icons adorn every Orthodox Church throughout the world. They serve as didactic tools and depict a saint or an important event within the life of the Church. Icons are not worshipped but venerated to honor those depicted.
Holy Tradition refers to the proper understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As found in Scripture, the Apostolic Tradition continues to be shared to this very day in the teachings, dogma and practices of the Orthodox Church.
