The Greek Orthodox Church is a holy institution that has been successfully preaching, teaching and living the message of Jesus Christ Crucified and Resurrected for over 2,000 years. “In the beginning was the Word (Jesus Christ is known as the Word of God), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). In our Orthodox Tradition we recognize and worship the Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are three persons (hypostasis) that share one essence, they never work separately of one another. Therefore, by saying the Word was God, we as Orthodox are affirming that Jesus Christ (who is the word of God) is indeed God, as is the Holy Spirit.

Often times Orthodoxy is called the “best hidden or kept secret.” Why is this so? We are known as an Evangelical Church, but not Protestant. The word Evangelical finds its roots in the Greek word Evangelion (Gospel). We as an Orthodox Church are solely centered around the Word of God, and its message of salvation to all. As Orthodox Christians we do not knock on doors and announce our faith, we do not stand and street corners and proclaim the scriptures, rather we invite you to our worship services to come and experience our unchanged, undefiled worship and adoration of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ.

The word “Orthodox” means “correct glory” and our expression of that to Christ Himself. We use the title of Greek before Orthodoxy not only because of our ethnic and cultural heritage, but also because Greek is the original language of the New Testament. Due to the wide variety of converts and multi-ethnic parishioner base that we have at our Church, there is a steady balance of both the Greek and English languages used during our worship services.

As Greek Orthodox Christians we recognize that Jesus Christ is the head of our Church. He is called the Great High Priest. Our Theology (teachings) tells us that Jesus Christ has two natures, fully Man and fully God. Through our reading of Holy Scripture we notice that Christ is God because he heals people from the dead, He restores sight to the blind and He also walks on water, manifesting His dominance over creation. In addition to Christ’s Divinity, Holy Scripture also reminds us that at the tomb of His friend Lazarus Christ wept and while being crucified on the Cross He bled. By ascending the cross to be crucified Jesus Christ offered Himself as the redemption of humankind and through His Third-Day Resurrection He destroyed the power of death and offered salvation to all who follow Him.

THERE ARE SEVEN MYSTERIA (SACRAMENTS) IN ORTHODOXY:

BAPTISM:
The complete immersion in water three times in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit - for the cleansing of sins and the beginning of a new life in Christ (Mt. 28:19-20).

CHRISMATION:
The newly baptized servant is then confirmed into the Faith being anointed and sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:14-17, 19:2-7).

HOLY COMMUNION:
Receiving the precious Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. A rededication to a more Christian way of life (Mt. 26:26-28, Mk. 14:22-25, Lk. 22:19-20, 1 Cor.11:23-25).

HOLY CONFESSION:
The act of confessing one’s sins in repentance, thereby asking forgiveness from the Lord (Jn. 20:21-23, Mt. 16:19, 18:17-18, Acts 19:18).

HOLY UNCTION:
Receiving the Grace of God through Holy Oil unto healing of body and soul (James 5:13-15).

HOLY MATRIMONY:
The holy union of man and woman (Jn. 2:1-12, Eph. 5:22-32, 1 Cor. 7:14-39).

HOLY ORDERS:
The ordaining by God, those men, wishing to serve the Lord as shepherds of His flock (1 Tim. 4:14, 2 Tim. 1:6, 10:17).
The foundation of these beliefs is based on Holy Scripture and Holy Tradition; Holy Tradition derived, not by custom, but rather through the teachings of the Church from the time of the Apostles to the decision of the Ecumenical Synods: The Greek Orthodox Church has not changed! It remains as it was, when there was but ONE CHRISTIAN CHURCH!