Our Beliefs
“For God so loved the world, That He gave his Only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16
Nicene Creed
The Orthodox Church beliefs are captured in the Nicene Creed, adopted by the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, in 325. It is recited in each liturgy and is as follows:
I believe in one God, Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages. Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten, not created, of one essence with the Father; through whom all things were made.
Who for us men and our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man.
He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried. He rose on the third day, according to the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom shall have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father, who together with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who spoke through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the age to come. Amen.
The 12 Major Feasts of the Orthodox Church
Epiphany of our Lord
The Feast of the Holy Theophany (Epiphany) of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ is celebrated each year on January 6. The Feast commemorates the Baptism of Christ and the divine revelation of the Holy Trinity. At the Baptism of Christ, all three Persons of the Holy Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—were made manifest. Thus, the name of the Feast is Epiphany, meaning manifestation, or Theophany, meaning manifestation of God.
The Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the Flesh
The Feast of the Nativity of Jesus commemorates the Birth of Jesus, also known as the “Incarnation of Christ.” This feast, Christmas is celebrated on December 25th and is one of the most joyful days of the year.
Exaltation of the Holy Cross
The Feast of the Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross commemorates the finding of the True Cross of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by Saint Helen, the mother of the Emperor Constantine. It is celebrated on September 14th.
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday, celebrated the Sunday before the Feast of Great and Holy Pascha, commemorates the Entrance of our Lord into Jerusalem before His Crucifixion. Anticipating His Arrival and having heard of His Raising Lazarus from the dead, the people welcomed Him with displays of honor and shouts of praise.
Holy Pentecost
The Feast of Holy Pentecost commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles. Pentecost is celebrated on the fiftieth day after Easter and ten days after the Feast of the Ascension of Christ. This Feast is always celebrated on a Sunday.
Ascension of our Lord
The Feast of the Ascension of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ commemorates His Ascension into heaven after blessing His disciples and asking them to await the fulfillment of the promise of the Holy Spirit. Ascension is celebrated on the fortieth day after Easter. This Feast is always celebrated on a Thursday.
Transfiguration of our Lord
The Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ commemorates the metamorphosis of Christ on Mount Tabor, when Peter, James, and John witnessed our Lord in His Divine Glory. It is celebrated on August 6th.
Presentation of Christ to the Temple
The Presentation of Christ in the Temple commemorates Jesus, as the first-born son being taken to the Temple forty days after His Birth and dedicated to God, an important custom in the Jewish faith. This feast is celebrated on February 2nd.
Nativity of the Theotokos
The Feast of the Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary commemorates the birth of the Mother of Jesus Christ, our Lord. It is celebrated on September 8th each year.
Entrance of the Theotokos to the Temple
The Feast of the Entrance into the Temple of the Theotokos commemorates the Virgin Mary, as a young child, entering the Temple in Jerusalem. It is celebrated on November 21 each year.
Annunciation of the Theotokos
The Feast of the Annunciation of the Theotokos commemorates the announcement by the Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Son of God, would become incarnate and enter into this world through her womb. This Feast is celebrated on March 25th.
Dormition of the Theotokos
The Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos commemorates the repose or “falling-asleep” and assumption into heaven of the body of the Theotokos, the Mother of Jesus Christ, our Lord. It is celebrated on August 15th.
Holy Sacraments
There are seven sacraments in the Orthodox Church. These include services that touch various stages and important moments in a person’s life. They affirm God’s Presence and Movement in our lives.
The Holy Sacraments are: Eucharist, Baptism, Chrismation, Unction, Confession, Marriage and Holy Orders.