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ABOUT THE ORTHODOX FAITH
 Volumes
have been written on the inexhaustible treasures of our Greek Orthodox
heritage. Everything we do is based upon the premise that the Orthodox
Faith is founded upon the teachings of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus
Christ, now and always.
A few of the fundamental tenets upon which our Holy Orthodox Church
functions are as follows:
1. The Orthodox Church has two great sources of
authority:
Holy Scripture and Holy Tradition
Holy Scripture is comprised of the writings of both the New and the
Old Testaments. The New Testament reveals the human and divine nature of
Jesus Christ, and His sacred teachings that we are charged to follow.
The Old Testament is a history of the Hebrew people. It contains, among
other sacred writings, the prophecies and the writings of the Prophets
that foretold the coming of the Messiah. It therefore serves as an
introduction to the revelation and the saving message of the New
Testament.
Holy Tradition, of which Holy Scripture is a part, includes the
writings, teachings, acts of the apostles, saints, martyrs, and fathers
of the Church, and her liturgical and sacramental traditions throughout
the ages, the oral tradition of the early Church and the decisions of
the Ecumenical Councils. All of this collective wisdom and experience
through the centuries are combined to form this second great source of
sacred authority.
2. The Creed
The Creed contains the Church's basic summary of doctrinal truths to
which we adhere as Orthodox Christians. It consists of the twelve
articles of the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, or the "Pistevo," which
is recited at each Divine Liturgy.
3. The Sacraments
The Sacraments are seven in number. They are the
visible means by which the invisible Grace of the Holy Spirit is
imparted to us. Four Sacraments are obligatory:
- Baptism
- Chrismation (anointment with holy oil)
- Confession, and
- Holy Communion.
Three are optional:
- Matrimony
- Holy Orders (Ordination)
- Unction (anointment of the sick).
4. The Church Calendar
The Church Calendar begins on September 1st and ends on August 31st.
Each day is sacred for the Orthodox Christian. The Church venerates at
least one saint or sacred event in the life of the Church every day of
the year. There are, however, several major feast days observed
annually, and of these Easter, or Pascha, is the most important.
5. The Divine Liturgy
The central worship service of the Church is the Divine Liturgy which
is celebrated each Sunday morning and on all holy days. The Liturgy is
also the means by which we achieve union with Jesus Christ and unity
with each other through the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
6. Ecumenism
While the Orthodox Church considers herself the Mother Church of
Christendom, she cooperates with other churches in programs of
educational, philanthropic and social endeavors insofar as this is
consistent with her theology. Orthodoxy has become a major force in the
universal ecumenical movement of which she was a prime mover through the
encyclical of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople in 1920.
7. The Major Feastdays
Nativity of the Theotokos.....................September 8
Exaltation of the Holy Cross..................September 14
Presentation of the Theotokos in the Temple...November 21
Christmas (Nativity of Jesus Christ)..........December 25
Epiphany (Baptism of Christ)..................January 6
Presentation of Christ in the Temple..........February 2
Annunciation (Evangelismos)...................March 25
EASTER (Pascha)..............................(Varies from year to year)
Ascension....................................(40 Days after Easter)
Pentecost....................................(50 Days after Easter)
Transfiguration of Christ.....................August 6
Dormition of the Theotokos (Kimissis).........August 15
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