What do Orthodox Christians believe?
Orthodox Christians confess one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe that Jesus Christ is truly God and truly human, that He died and rose from the dead, and that through Him we are invited into a new life with God.
The Nicene Creed expresses the Church’s faith. Scripture is read, prayed, and interpreted within the living tradition of the Church, alongside the witness of the apostles, the councils, and the saints.
A faith you can encounter
Orthodox worship engages the whole person. You may hear sung prayers, see icons of Christ and the saints, and notice the fragrance of incense. These are ways of offering our lives and the created world to God.
The Divine Liturgy is the central Eucharistic service. The Church’s sacramental life also includes baptism, chrismation, confession, marriage, ordination, and anointing of the sick.
More than a Sunday service
Prayer, fasting, generosity, repentance, and care for others belong together. The aim is not simply to know more about God, but to become more like Christ through His grace. Orthodox Christians often call this participation in God’s life theosis.
Why so many different names?
Greek, Ukrainian, Antiochian, Romanian, and other names often describe a community’s heritage or church administration. They do not mean that you must have a particular ancestry to belong. Local customs and languages vary; the Orthodox faith is for people of every background.
A good next step: Visit a parish, experience its worship, and speak with the priest. You do not need to resolve every question before walking through the door.
Keep learning
For a fuller introduction, explore the Orthodox Church in America’s The Orthodox Faith and St. Mary’s introduction to Orthodox Christianity.