What is Orthodox Christianity?

At the heart of Orthodox Christianity is the Gospel — the good news of new life in Jesus Christ. The Orthodox Church has kept a living continuity of faith, worship and sacramental life reaching back to the Apostolic Church.

The Church of Jesus Christ

The Orthodox Church does not trace its beginning to a later founder, a movement, or a school of religious thought. Her origin is in Jesus Christ and the community of Apostles He called, taught and sent into the world.

After Christ’s Resurrection and Ascension, the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles at Pentecost. Empowered by the Spirit, they proclaimed the Gospel, baptised believers, celebrated the Eucharist, established Christian communities, and appointed others to continue the ministry entrusted to them.

The Orthodox Church understands herself as continuing in that Apostolic faith and life today.

One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic

In the Nicene Creed, Orthodox Christians confess belief in “one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church”.

The Church is one because Christ established one Church, united in Him.

She is holy because Christ is her Head and the Holy Spirit dwells and works within her.

She is catholic, or universal, holding the fullness of the Christian faith and embracing people of every nation and culture.

She is apostolic because her faith is the faith received from the Apostles, and because her bishops stand in historical succession to the Apostolic ministry.

That apostolic character carries a responsibility as well: the Church is called to proclaim the Gospel and bear witness to Christ throughout the world.

What does “Orthodox” mean?

The word Orthodox comes from Greek, and carries both meanings at once: right belief and right worship.

For Orthodox Christians the two belong together. Christianity is not simply a set of doctrines to accept intellectually. The faith is lived — through worship, prayer, repentance, participation in the Holy Mysteries, love of neighbour, and a life turned more and more toward Christ.

So Orthodoxy does not seek merely to preserve information about the early Church. It seeks to go on living the faith handed down within the Church from one generation to the next.

A living faith

The Orthodox Church is ancient, but Orthodoxy is not an attempt to recreate Christianity as it existed centuries ago. The same life of the Church simply continues.

Orthodox Christians gather for the Divine Liturgy and receive the Holy Eucharist. We read and proclaim Holy Scripture, confess the Nicene Creed, baptise in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, keep the feasts and the fasts of the Church, pray together, care for those in need, and seek lives of repentance and communion with God.

The ancient faith of the Apostles is therefore not something Orthodox Christians remember. It is something we try to live.

Do I have to be Greek?

No.

The word Greek in “Greek Orthodox” names the ecclesiastical tradition and jurisdiction our parish belongs to. It does not mean that Orthodox Christianity is only for people of Greek ancestry.

Orthodox Christians around the world come from many nations, languages and cultures. You do not need to be Greek, or from any particular background, to attend a service, to take part in the life of this parish, or to explore becoming an Orthodox Christian.

The Church welcomes people from every background to encounter the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the life of His Church.

Come and see

Orthodox Christianity is best understood not only by reading about it, but by being present at the worship and life of the Church.

If you have never been to an Orthodox service, you are welcome at the Nativity of the Theotokos. You do not need to know the prayers, or when to stand, or what to do beforehand. Simply come.

If you would like to know more before you visit, see planning your visit. If you are interested in learning about the Orthodox faith, or in becoming Orthodox, we invite you to speak with our priest — the parish office will arrange the conversation. The Archdiocese also publishes an introduction to the Orthodox Church.