For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
1 John 5:4-5
1 John 5:4-5
OUR FAITH
We are members of the Holy Eastern Orthodox Christian Faith.
Ours is an ancient faith that traces its origins to the Book of Acts during the Feast of Pentecost. We have maintained a continuity of that faith and sacred tradition since the time of the Apostles. It is a scriptural
faith with a fervent prayer life; it is a sacramental faith with Divine Grace bestowed through the Holy Spirit; and it is a nurturing faith of healing, compassion, and love.
Central to our faith is our unwavering belief in the Holy Trinity. We believe in one God, one essence in whom there are three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe that God revealed Himself to us in the Revelation of our Savior Jesus Christ. And, as the Son of God promised at Pentecost, a Comforter and Spirit of Truth would remain with us always. The Holy Spirit, is that Revelation to teach us and guide us to the way of the truth.
St. Athanasius, in his treatise, The Incaration of the Word (dated in the early 4th Century) argued "for He became man so we might become Divine" as a defense against Arianism, a belief contrary to the Holy Trinity. Incarnation is a powerful belief for Orthodox Christians. In scripture, hymn and prayer, we assert our faith that Christ was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man. Divinity is united with humanity. God became a human to make humans divine; the immortal became mortal to raise mortals to immortality. In Christ's death, we can find salvation. Each week, we partake of the Body and Blood of Christ during the Holy Mystery (Sacrament) of Eucharist during Divine Liturgy. Through communion, we celebrate the Life, Death, and Resurrection of Christ and participate in the mystery of Salvation.
We believe that we are a part of one Church, founded by our Lord Jesus Christ and continued by the Apostles and disciples for the salvation of mankind. It is a Church, united in faith, and sustained by doctrines found in in the Holy Scriptures (Old and New Testaments), the writings of the Church Fathers and the canons and decrees of the Seven Ecumenical Councils. It is in the Church that the our faith is proclaimed and maintained and where the individual is nurtured in the Faith. It is catholic in that it is universal, and knows no limitations of place or time. It is apostolic because it was founded by the Holy Apostles. This is the Holy Orthodox Church - the One, Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, that we are members. Our faith and the Church are inseparable. We are joined by Saints, Martyrs, Prophets, Apostles, Holy Fathers, Ascetics, and choirs of Holy Angels and all a part of the Kingdom of God.
The proclamation of our faith is demonstrated each Divine Liturgy as we say:
The Nicene Creed
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible;
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only-Begotten, begotten of the Father before all worlds, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made;
of one essence with the Father;
by Whom all things were made:
Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit
and the Virgin Mary, and was made man;
And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried;
The third day He arose again, according to the Scriptures;
And ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father;
And He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead;
Whose Kingdom shall have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, Who proceeds from the Father;
Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, Who spoke by the prophets.
And I believe in One Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.
I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sin. I look for the Resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
The Nicene Creed
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible;
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only-Begotten, begotten of the Father before all worlds, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made;
of one essence with the Father;
by Whom all things were made:
Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit
and the Virgin Mary, and was made man;
And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried;
The third day He arose again, according to the Scriptures;
And ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father;
And He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead;
Whose Kingdom shall have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, Who proceeds from the Father;
Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, Who spoke by the prophets.
And I believe in One Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.
I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sin. I look for the Resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
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