What is Orthodox Christianity?

That is a great question! The truth is that most people in the United States of America have never heard of Orthodox Christianity.

In a nutshell, “The Orthodox Christian Church is Evangelical but not Protestant. It is Orthodox, but not Jewish. It is not non-denominational; it is pre-denominational. It has believed, preserved, defended, taught and died for the faith of the apostles for 2000 years.” (quote from ‘Our Life In Christ’, radio program. Ancient Faith Radio).

The word Orthodoxy means “Both ‘true teaching’ (literally ‘straight doctrine’) and ‘true worship’ (literally ‘straight glory’). Orthodox Christianity is the life of faith given by Jesus Christ to the apostles and then passed down within the Orthodox Church from generation to generation. It is not possible to be Orthodox outside the historical community of the Orthodox Church. (Damick, Fr. Andrew Stephen. Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy. 12. Ben Lomond, CA: Conciliar Press, 2011 Conciliar Press)

“The Church is one and the same with the Lord—of His Body, of His flesh and of His bones. The Church is the living vine, nourished by Him and growing in Him. Never think of the Church apart from The Lord Jesus Christ, from the Father and Holy Spirit.” -St. John of Kronstadt

In his brief letter, Jude writes to the Christians in the early Church “I felt it needful to write to you in order to encourage you to fight hard for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” (Jude 3, EOB)

It is this Faith that Jesus brought and taught His disciples—the Faith that they passed on to faithful men.

Jesus, while talking to the Apostle Peter said, “. . . I will build my Church and the gates of hades will not prevail against it (Matt. 16:18, EOB) The church is the depository of those who would hear of Jesus’ way, believe in Him and His death and resurrection and believe in the Holy Trinity and the written and spoken traditions of His apostles. It is the Kingdom of God on Earth.

Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all the things that I have commanded you. . .” (Matt. 28:18-19, EOB).

And this is exactly what the Apostles did. They spread out, starting in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria and then to the ends of the earth starting local churches that were all united as the One Holy Catholic (Catholic, meaning universal, not Roman) Church. There were many local church bodies, but only one Church.

The Apostle Paul instructs . . .”be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3, EOB), as he reminds the Christians at Ephesus: “There is one body and one Spirit, even as you also were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. . .” (Ephesians 4:4-6, EOB) This church in oneness is the Orthodox Church.

So, why have you never heard of Orthodoxy? A bit of history might be helpful . . .

The Church, which Christ started and commissioned the Apostles to build, spread rapidly throughout the world. Each regional church was headed by a bishop. Each of these churches was governed locally, but was in complete unity in theology, practice, and worship. The local churches were known by the region they were in, i.e. The Church of Jerusalem, the Church of Antioch, The Church of Cyprus, The Church of Constantinople, The Church of Rome etc. If any serious question of theology came up that challenged the established doctrines of the church that had been laid down by the apostles, then all the church would come together in a ‘council’ to work out the particular issue, following the example of the Jerusalem council held in Acts 15. For centuries, this is how the Church worked out its issues. In fact, there were seven major councils that are officially recognized in history-the seven ecumenical councils.

At the first and second ecumenical councils, the Nicene Creed was established as the expression of the doctrine of the church that had been passed down from the apostles. Among other things, it expressed the Church’s teaching on the Trinity and on the divinity of Christ. As time passed, the Church of Rome changed the creed of the Church without the consent of the rest of the Church. The Roman bishop also claimed primacy over all the other bishops. At this, the Great Schism took place. The Church of Rome separated from the rest of the universal church and has not come back yet.

This most sad situation culminated in AD 1054. This is when the original church started identifying itself as the Orthodox church, to distinguish itself from the first protesting (protestant) church, the Roman Catholic Church.

As time went on, the Roman Church spread throughout western Europe and traveled over to the Americas. Then, in the 1500’s, Martin Luther became the next Protestant. He left the Roman Church and started another ‘church’. He was followed relatively quickly by more protestants: John Calvin, Zwingli, and the Anabaptists. The divisions continued-slowly at first, but finally ending today in the current mass of division and confusion. Some estimate the number of protestant denominations upwards of 42,000 and this does not include the many small home ‘churches’ that are out there.

The explorers and immigrants to the western hemisphere have been almost exclusively Protestant. So, it is no wonder that the Orthodox Church is not well known in the west. But, Glory to God, in the 1800s small bands of Orthodox immigrants made their way into the west. Now, finally, true ancient Christianity, Orthodox Christianity, is beginning to be known.

The Orthodox Church of America wants to invite you to come and learn more about ancient Christianity. We want you to know that the Triune God loves you so much that God the Son took on flesh to teach us the way of life, to die for our sins, to crush the serpents head, to trample down death by death and to rise from the dead proving that He was God and that life has come. His Kingdom has come!

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages, Amen.

Mission Statement

“Go into all the world and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything the I have commanded you.”

-This is the mission of the Church. When we confess our belief in One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church; when we say we are apostolic, we don’t just mean that we are built upon the foundation stones of the apostles and that we’re holding fast to the sacred tradition that they imparted to us, we also mean that we are continuing their mission to the world. We have an outward orientation in the Orthodox Church. We love everyone and we wish everyone to come to us. We want everyone to be washed by holy baptism. We want everyone to become the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit in chrismation. We want everyone to be deified by their participation in the holy Eucharist. This is our desire. - Fr. Josiah Trenham

We whole-heartedly agree with Justin Martyr’s description of the one true faith of the Christians to Caesar and the Roman Senate:

Concerning chastity, he uttered such sentiments as these: “whosoever looketh upon a woman to lust after her, hath committed adultery with her already in his heart before God.” And, “If thy right eye offend thee, cut it out; for it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of heaven with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be cast into everlasting fire.” And, “Whosoever shall marry her that is divorced from another husband, committeth adultery.” And, “There are some who have been made eunuchs of men, and some who were born eunuchs, and some who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake; but all cannot receive this saying.” So that all who, by human law, are twice married, are in the eye of our master sinners, and those who look upon a woman to lust after her. For not only he who in act commits adultery is rejected by him, but also he who desires to commit adultery: since not only our works, but also our thoughts are open before God. And many, both men and women, who have been Christ’s disciples from childhood, remain pure at the age of sixty or seventy years; and I boast that I could produce such from every race of men . For what shall I say, too, of the countless multitude of those who have reformed intemperate habits, and learned these things? For Christ called not the just nor the chaste to repentance, but the ungodly, and the licentious, and the unjust; his words being, “I came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance,” for the heavenly Father desires rather the repentance than the punishment of the sinner.

And of our love to all, he taught thus: “If ye love them that love you, what new thing do ye? For even fornicators do this. But I say unto you, pray for your enemies, and love them that hate you, and bless them that curse you, and pray for them that despitefully use you.”

And that we should communicate to the needy, and do nothing for glory, he said, “Give to him that asketh, and from him that would borrow turn not away; for if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what new thing do ye? Even the publicans do this. Lay not up for yourselves treasure upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where robbers break through; but lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt. For what is a man profitted if he shall gain the whole world, and lost his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for it? Lay up treasure, therefore, in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt.” And, “be ye kind and merciful, as your father also is kind and merciful, and maketh his sun to rise on sinners, and the righteous, and the wicked. Take no thought what ye shall eat, or what ye shall put on: are ye not better than the birds and the beasts? And God feedeth them. Take no thought, therefore, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall put on; for your heavenly father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But seek ye the kingdom of heaven, and all these things shall be added unto you. For where his treasure is, there also is the mind of a man.” And, “do not these things to be seen of men; otherwise ye have no reward from your father which is in heaven.”

And concerning our being patient of injuries, and ready to serve all, and free from anger, this is what he said; “To him that smiteth thee on the one cheek, offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak, or coat, forbid not. And whosoever shall be angry, is in danger of the fire. And every one that compelleth thee to go with him a mile, follow him two. And let your good works shine before men, that they, seeing them, may glorify your Father which is in heaven.” For we ought not to strive; neither has he desired us to be imitators of wicked men, but he has exhorted us to lead all men, by patience and gentleness, from shame and the love of evil. And this indeed is proved in the case of many who once were of your way of thinking, but have changed their violent and tyrannical disposition, being overcome either by the constancy which they have witnessed in their neighbors lives, or by the extraordinary forbearance they have observed in their fellow travelers when defrauded, or by the honesty of those with whom they have transacted business.

And with regard to our not swearing at all, and always speaking the truth, he enjoined as follows: “Swear not at all; but let your yea be yea, and your nay, nay; for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” And that we ought to worship God alone, he thus persuaded us: The greatest commandment is, thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve, with all thy heart, and with all thy strength, the Lord God that made thee.” And when a certain man came to him and said, “Good master,” he answered and said, “There is none good but God only, who made all things.”

And let those who are not found living as He taught, be understood to be no Christians, even though they profess with the lip the precepts of Christ; for not those who make profession, but those who do the works shall be saved, according to his word: ‘not everyone who saith to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. For whosoever heareth me and doeth my sayings, heareth Him that sent me. And many will say unto me, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not eaten and drunk in thy name, and done wonders?” And then will I say unto them, depart from me, ye workers of iniquity. Then shall there be wailing and gnashing of teeth, when the righteous shall shine as the sun and the wicked are sent into everlasting fire. For many shall come in my name, clothed outwardly in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly being ravening wolves. By their works ye shall know them. And every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewn down and cast into the fire.’”

Are you Saved?

by Molly Sabourin

I was originally saved over 2000 years ago, when God the Son took on human flesh and offered himself as a perfect sacrifice for all of mankind; defeating the power of sin by suffering on the cross and destroying death by his miraculous resurrection.

I am being saved daily, through my intentional decisions to follow Jesus’ example within each situation that I find myself. Viewing paradise, not as just a someday destination, but as the everyday experience of self denial-of being filled through the Eucharist, obedience, and love for others-with Christ

I will, Lord have mercy, be saved, at the Great and Final Judgement, when I give an account for a lifetime of actions; when it becomes clear, whether or not I cooperated with the grace so generously bestowed upon me.

Who of us, having been blessed beyond all comprehension, should feel the need to ensure that, regardless of our choices, a reward will be ours-free and clear? Who of us dares to sit idle, with our assurances, interpreting the conditions of the bridegrooms invitation, while our lamps for illumining the darkness, run out of oil?

My individual salvation is being worked out with fear and trembling, through the unique responsibilities God deems best to set before me. Based upon the model of the publican who beat his breast and begged for leniency, I am careful not to assume I have a handle on the spiritual state of others. I would do best, rather, to stay focused on my own flagrant short-comings, reverencing both friends and enemies, all of whom were created in God’s image as living icons of Christ Jesus.

I share my faith, yes, but not out of obligation. A soul that has found its meaning cannot help but be a witness to such joy. My ongoing testimony is presented through acts of service, in accordance with Christ’s commandment to love God by loving your neighbor. I pray ceaselessly for the courage to fight the good fight, staying faithful until my very last breath upon this earth.

Attitude Towards Non-Orthodox Christians

“ I will set forth briefly what I believe to be the Orthodox attitude towards non-Orthodox Christians.

"Orthodoxy is the Church founded by Christ for the salvation of mankind, and therefore we should guard with our life the purity of its teaching and our own faithfulness to it. In the Orthodox Church alone is grace given through the sacraments (most other churches don’t even claim to have sacraments in any serious sense). The Orthodox Church alone is the Body of Christ, and if salvation is difficult enough within the Orthodox Church, how much more difficult must it be outside the Church!

"However, it is not for us to define the state of those who are outside the Orthodox Church. If God wishes to grant salvation to some who are Christians in the best way they know, but without ever knowing the Orthodox Church—that is up to Him, not us. But when He does this, it is outside the normal way that He established for salvation—which is in the Church, as a part of the Body of Christ. I myself can accept the experience of Protestants being ‘born again’ in Christ; I have met people who have changed their lives entirely through meeting Christ, and I cannot deny their experience just because they are not Orthodox. I call these people “subjective” or “beginning” Christians. But until they are united to the Orthodox Church they cannot have the fullness of Christianity, they cannot be objectively Christian as belonging to the Body of Christ and receiving the grace of the sacraments. I think this is why there are so many sects among them—they begin the Christian life with a genuine conversion to Christ, but they cannot continue the Christian life in the right way until they are united to the Orthodox Church, and they therefore substitute their own opinions and subjective experiences for the Church’s teaching and sacraments.

"About those Christians who are outside the Orthodox Church, therefore, I would say: they do not yet have the full truth—perhaps it just hasn’t been revealed to them yet, or perhaps it is our fault for not living and teaching the Orthodox Faith in a way they can understand. With such people we cannot be one in the Faith, but there is no reason why we should regard them as totally estranged or as equal to pagans (although we should not be hostile to pagans either—they also haven’t yet seen the truth!). It is true that many of the non-Orthodox hymns contain a teaching or at least an emphasis that is wrong—especially the idea that when one is “saved” he does not need to do anything more because Christ has done it all. This idea prevents people from seeing the truth of Orthodoxy which emphasizes the idea of struggling for one’s salvation even after Christ has given it to us, as St. Paul says: "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" [Phil. 2:12]. But almost all of the religious Christmas carols are all right, and they are sung by Orthodox Christians in America (some of them in even the strictest monasteries!).

"The word “heretic” is indeed used too frequently nowadays. It has a definite meaning and function, to distinguish new teachings from the Orthodox teaching; but few of the non-Orthodox Christians today are consciously “heretics,” and it really does no good to call them that.

"In the end, I think, Fr. Dimitry Dudko’s attitude is the correct one: We should view the non-Orthodox as people to whom Orthodoxy has not yet been revealed, as people who are potentially Orthodox (if only we ourselves would give them a better example!). There is no reason why we cannot call them Christians and be on good terms with them, recognize that we have at least our faith in Christ in common, and live in peace especially with our own families. St. Innocent’s attitude to the Roman Catholics in California is a good example for us. A harsh, polemical attitude is called for only when the non-Orthodox are trying to take away our flocks or change our teaching.”

Fr. Seraphim Rose

virtues and vices