What is Orthodox Christianity
The Orthodox Church began on Pentecost in 33 AD, when our Lord Jesus Christ sent the Holy Spirit upon His disciples. We worship God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe that Jesus Christ was born in the flesh of the Virgin Mary, was baptized, ministered to the people for three years, suffered, died, rose from the dead, and ascended to the right hand of the Father, all for our salvation.
We follow the teachings of the Holy Apostles, whether by word or in writing. This is the basis of our Holy Tradition. Our lives are grounded in God’s revelation of Himself in the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments.
In fact, it was St. Athanasius the Great, an African bishop of the Orthodox Church, who first compiled the list of 27 New Testament books that we still use today. And that list was first accepted by the Council of Hippo, North Africa, in 393 AD.
People may join the Church at any age through the Sacraments of Baptism and Chrismation (anointing). We also practice the Sacraments of Repentance, Communion, Marriage, Holy
Orders, Monastic Tonsure, and Holy Unction. The Holy Eucharist (Communion) is the center and high point of our worship cycle. Our worship includes all the senses, emphasizing music and chanting, incense, beautiful vestments, holy images (icons), and architecture.
We believe that all are alive in God, and so we communicate with the Saints, especially Mary, the Mother of God; and with the Apostles, Martyrs, Prophets, Righteous Ones; and with the Holy Angels, asking their intercession and guidance. We honor holy images made of them, but we worship God alone. The goal of our lives is to increase in the grace of the Holy Spirit, which prepares us for the Kingdom of Heaven. We work out our salvation through prayer, fasting, and God-pleasing works. We examine our consciences to root out unworthy tendencies that we find in our thoughts, words, and deeds. This practice of guarding the heart was perfected by the early Desert Fathers and Mothers of North Africa, whose wisdom continues to guide us today. Link to African Saints page.
We await the Second Coming of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, when all will be judged and rewarded according to how they lived. We have hope for the future life because Jesus Christ, our Judge, truly loves the human race and wishes us to be with Him eternally.
Also Good to Know
There are roughly 220 to 260 million Orthodox Christians around the world, making it the second-largest of all Christian bodies. In the United States, the Eastern Orthodox Faith has been
historically united in doctrine and in communion. But it is administered by bishops of various ethnic dioceses, including those of the Antiochian, Greek, Russian, Serbian, Romanian,
Ukrainian, and Bulgarian Churches, as well as the Orthodox Church in America. In addition, there are also Oriental Orthodox dioceses, especially those of the Coptic, Ethiopian, and Eritrean Churches. As of now, the Eastern and Oriental Churches are not in communion, but we pray daily for the “unity of the Church.”
Finally, in the United States, the Orthodox Church is like a tapestry. While rooted in ancient lands, today it is home to people of all backgrounds. In fact, nearly half of many American Orthodox congregations are made up of people who converted to the faith later in life. There are parishes and monasteries all across the country. Come and see.