Orthodox Churches
The Orthodox Church is one of the three main Christian groups (the others being Roman Catholic and Protestant). Around 200 million people follow the Orthodox tradition.

It is made up of a number of self-governing Churches which are either 'autocephalous' (meaning having their own head) or 'autonomous' (meaning self-governing).

The Orthodox Churches are united in faith and by a common approach to theology, tradition, and worship. They draw on elements of Greek, Middle-Eastern, Russian and Slav culture.

Each Church has its own geographical (rather than a national) title that usually reflects the cultural traditions of its believers.

The word 'Orthodox' takes its meaning from the Greek words orthos ('right') and doxa ('belief'). Hence the word Orthodox means correct belief or right thinking.

The Orthodox tradition developed from the Christianity of the Eastern Roman Empire and was shaped by the pressures, politics and peoples of that geographical area. Since the Eastern capital of the Roman Empire was Byzantium, this style of Christianity is sometimes called 'Byzantine Christianity'.

The Orthodox Churches share with the other Christian Churches the belief that God revealed himself in Jesus Christ, and a belief in the incarnation of Christ, his crucifixion and resurrection. The Orthodox Church differs substantially from the other Churches in the way of life and worship, and in certain aspects of theology.

The Holy Spirit is seen as present in and as the guide to the Church working through the whole body of the Church, as well as through priests and bishops.

Life and Worship
Eastern Christianity stresses a way of life and belief that is expressed particularly through worship. By maintaining the correct form of worshipping God, passed on from the very beginnings of Christianity. Eastern Christians believe that they confess the true doctrine of God in the right (orthodox) way.

Holy Trinity
How we Orthodox Christians see the Trinity
Eastern Orthodox Christians believe in a single God who is both three and one (triune); the Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit, "one in essence and undivided". The Holy Trinity is three "unconfused" and distinct divine persons (hypostases), who share one divine essence (ousia); uncreated, immaterial and eternal.

When God wanted to offer proof of himself to the people of the ancient world, He called upon Israel, his chosen nation, to give witness of His existence. “People of Israel, you are my witnesses; I chose you to be my servant, so that you would know me and believe in me and understand that I am the only God. Besides me there is no other God; there never was and never will be.” (Is. 43:10). One of the responsibilities of the people of God, therefore, was to serve as mediators of the Lord, and as living proof of the undeniable existence of the Almighty.

This is as true today as it was then. The transfigured life of God’s people still offers the most basic and convincing proof of God. A changed soul is still the best testimony of God’s power to work within us. Love which is reflected in a Christian heart that finds it possible to accept, forgive, and love others unconditionally remains the best witness of the nature of God. Faith which cannot be shaken, even in the face of death, is still the best demonstration of the immutability of God’s promises to us.

As members of the church, we have been granted the great privilege of sharing in the life of God’s people. At the same time, we are expected to accept the responsibility of being witnesses, the demonstration and living proof so to speak, of God’s continuing presence in the world. It is this God-given task which makes us mediators of God’s grace in the lives of others. St. Peter eloquently expressed this truth when he wrote, “You are a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God, who called you out of darkness into his own marvelous light.” (I Peter 2:9)

Books, lessons, creeds and sermons all share an important role in advancing God’s kingdom. Words, however, can never hope to equal the matchless eloquence with which faith-filled lives of people much like ourselves can bear witness to the upholding presence of God in the world today. Everything else is only hearsay.