The Orthodox Church was established by Jesus and his Apostles

The Orthodox Church

The Orthodox Christian Faith is considered to be the one, Holy, Christian and Apostolic church established by Jesus Christ and his Apostles over 2,000 years ago.

From there, handed down through the generations without addition, alteration, or subtraction.

Because of this tradition, the Orthodox Church claims an unbroken Apostolic Succession dating back to the Apostles.

For hundreds of years there were continual religious, cultural and political differences between the eastern and western churches that lead to the 11th century separation of eastern and western Christendom. The schism of 1054AD brought the capital of the Roman Empire back to Rome, when Pope Leo IX excommunicated the patriarch of Constantinople, thus dividing into West (Roman Catholic) and East (Greek Orthodox) from that point on.

Eastern Orthodox Cross The Orthodox Church believes that the Scriptures are without error in matters of faith only. Scripture is to be interpreted by Sacred Tradition, especially the seven Ecumenical Councils which met from AD325-787. The canon includes 49 Old Testament books (the Catholic Bible plus three more books) and the 27 books of the New Testament.

We believe there is one Creator and Lord of all, existing eternally as the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). We believe in the eternal Son incarnate, fully God and fully man, conceived and born of the Virgin Mary, died on the Cross for our sins, rose bodily from the grave, ascended into heaven, and will come again in glory to judge us all.

In Christ, God became human so that human beings might be deified, with the energy of God’s life in them. Through baptism and participation in the church, God’s people receive the benefits of Christ’s redeeming work as they persevere. Baptism initiates God’s life in us.

The Orthodox Churches are world renowned for their beauty and elaborate ornamentation. Icons, gilding, carved ornamentation, incense, and paintings depicting Jesus and particular saints, are an important part of Orthodox practice. These objects of deep reverence are considered as windows which one can catch a glimpse of the Divine during times of Prayer.
Another viewpoint on the Orthodox Church

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