Brief Facts:

  • The Orthodox Church is literally the continuation of the Church of the New Testament, founded on Jesus Christ at Pentecost.
  • The Orthodox Church is the oldest Christian Church. The Church at Jerusalem is the oldest of the Orthodox Churches, established in 33A.D.
  • The Orthodox Church faithfully preserve the complete deposit of Apostolic Christian Faith , handed down by Christ through His Apostles, without modifications.
  • The Orthodox Church is the second largest body of Christians in the world. (Over 250 million members)
  • The Orthodox Church uses the language of the people. From this we see different names such as Russian Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, and Antiochian Orthodox.
  • The Orthodox Church follows "Holy Tradition" of which the "Holy Scriptures" are a large part.
  • The Orthodox Church's Bible consists of the New Testament and the Septuagint as the Old Testament.
  • The Orthodox Church is conciliar (run by council) and has no head nor centralized authority except Christ God himself.
  • The Orthodox Church is canonical. (The canon is the collection of measurements.)
  • The Orthodox Church's baptism is by triple immersion, in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, followed by Chrismation .  
  • The Orthodox Church is a forgiving Church.
  • The Orthodox Church worships the "The Holy Trinity".
  • The Orthodox Church is a Sacramental Church.
  • The Orthodox Church celebrates The Eucharist as the central Sacrament. The wine and leavened bread mystically become the Body and Blood of Christ.
  • The Orthodox Church is a praying and worshiping Church.
  • The Orthodox Church is a Liturgical Church, based on the worship service of Jerusalem in the 1st century.
  • The Orthodox Church uses the old calendar to calculate the date of Pascha (Easter), the central Liturgical service around which the  calendar year of services flow.
  • The Orthodox Church venerates icons and relics. Holding them reverently in high regard and respect, not to be confused with worship which is for God alone.
  • The Orthodox Church venerates Saints. Holding them reverently in high regard and respect, because they have gone before us, completing a righteous course.
  • The Orthodox Church asks the Saints to pray for us as intercessors. We do not regard Saints as dead. Christ defeated death . They are part of the Heavenly hosts.
  • The Orthodox Church uses incense, candles, bells, chants and songs during worship.
  • The Orthodox Church has Monks.
  • The Orthodox Church refers to Bishops, Priests and Saints as "Spiritual Fathers ". (Not to be confused with the Heavenly Father, the source of all creation.)