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While the Orthodox Church draws its beliefs from a very wide variety of sources, including the [[Gospels]], the other books of the [[Old Testament|Old]] and [[New Testament]]s, the writings and sayings of saints, the Seven Ecumenical Councils, angelic communication and other direct spiritual experiences, icons, the Holy Mysteries (sacraments) and many other things besides, the core of what they believe is contained in the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed.

While the Orthodox Church draws its beliefs from a very wide variety of sources, including the [[Gospels]], the other books of the [[Old Testament|Old]] and [[New Testament]]s, the writings and sayings of saints, the Seven Ecumenical Councils, angelic communication and other direct spiritual experiences, icons, the Holy Mysteries (sacraments) and many other things besides, the core of what they believe is contained in the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed.

The Creed

The 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 ages. Light of Light; true God of true 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 became man. And He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried. And the third day He rose 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 in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the 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. In one Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.''

 

<blockquote>''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 ages. Light of Light; true God of true 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 became man. And He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried. And the third day He rose 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 in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the 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. In one Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.''</blockquote>

 

This creed is professed by all Orthodox Christians prior to baptism, and at every celebration of the Divine Liturgy (the main service of the Orthodox Church).

This creed is professed by all Orthodox Christians prior to baptism, and at every celebration of the Divine Liturgy (the main service of the Orthodox Church).

The Gospels are accorded a special place in the worship of the orthodox Church.  They are afforded great honor.  For example, they are bound in Gold often beset with gems, separately from the rest of the Bible. They are carried in processions, they are kissed , they are bowed to, and they are censed.  All stand when the Gospel is read during a service.  When the Gospel is not being venerated or being read from it is kept on the Altar.

The Gospels are accorded a special place in the worship of the orthodox Church.  They are afforded great honor.  For example, they are bound in Gold often beset with gems, separately from the rest of the Bible. They are carried in processions, they are kissed , they are bowed to, and they are censed.  All stand when the Gospel is read during a service.  When the Gospel is not being venerated or being read from it is kept on the Altar.

All Orthodox Christians are expected to read from the Gospels and the Epistles every day, except during Lent when Old Testament readings are assigned.

All Orthodox Christians are expected to read from the Gospels and the [[Epistles]] every day, except during [[Lent]] when Old Testament readings are assigned.

== The Autocephalous Churches==

== The Autocephalous Churches==

===Church of Constantinople===

===Church of Constantinople===

This church which had always had a strong missionary zeal has suffered greatly under the heel of Islam.  Also, the effect Roman Catholic invasion of Constantinople during the 4th Crusade can not be overstated.  That event saw most of the relics carted away or destroyed, and a Roman Catholic pretender put in the place of the Orthodox patriarch. Nevertheless, in the last hundred years this Church has recaptured it’s missionary heritage, establishing churches in Singapore, Malaysia, [[Australia]], and South America.  The Church of [[Constantinople]] also provides arch-pastoral services for some Orthodox in the U.S. who are not part of the Orthodox Church in America.  This Church was established by St. Andrew but was a very small and almost insignificant Church until St. Constantine moved the capitol of the Roman Empire to this city and the Council of Nicea gave the Church there second place after Rome.

This church which had always had a strong missionary zeal has suffered greatly under the heel of [[Islam]].  Also, the effect Roman Catholic invasion of Constantinople during the 4th Crusade can not be overstated.  That event saw most of the relics carted away or destroyed, and a Roman Catholic pretender put in the place of the Orthodox [[patriarch]]. Nevertheless, in the last hundred years this Church has recaptured it’s missionary heritage, establishing churches in Singapore, Malaysia, [[Australia]], and South America.  The Church of [[Constantinople]] also provides arch-pastoral services for some Orthodox in the U.S. who are not part of the Orthodox Church in America.  This Church was established by [[St. Andrew]] but was a very small and almost insignificant Church until [[St. Constantine]] moved the capitol of the [[Roman Empire]] to this city and the [[Council of Nicea]] gave the Church there second place after [[Rome]].

===Church of Alexandria===

===Church of Alexandria===

Having been devastated first by schism, and then by Islam, and also by European colonial powers, this church languished as a diaspora church for Greek speakers for a thousand years.  It is only now making remarkable strides to regain its lost footing, having expanded west into territory lost to the Roman schism, south into territory lost to the Coptic schism, and even beyond that all the way to South Africa, establishing new dioceses in Madagascar, Kenya, Congo, South Africa and many other countries and regions of [[Africa]].  Alexandria is one of the three ancient Petrine Sees, having been established by St. Mark on the instructions of St. Peter.

Having been devastated first by schism, and then by Islam, and also by European colonial powers, this church languished as a diaspora church for Greek speakers for a thousand years.  It is only now making remarkable strides to regain its lost footing, having expanded west into territory lost to the Roman schism, south into territory lost to the Coptic schism, and even beyond that all the way to South Africa, establishing new dioceses in Madagascar, Kenya, Congo, South Africa and many other countries and regions of [[Africa]].  [[Alexandria]] is one of the three ancient Petrine Sees, having been established by [[St. Mark]] on the instructions of [[St. Peter]].

===Church of Antioch===

===Church of Antioch===

Like the Church of Alexandria, this Church also was much hindered by schism and Islam.  First they lost all of the Persian, all of the Indian, and most of the Assyrian dioceses to Nestorian heretics.  Then Islam invaded.  Nevertheless, this church never lost its missionary zeal.  Even while persecuted they continued to send out missionaries, reestablishing the Church in all of the countries it lost.  The Church of Antioch also provides arch-pastoral services for some Orthodox in the U.S. who are not part of the Orthodox Church in America.  Antioch is one of the three ancient Petrine Sees.

Like the Church of Alexandria, this Church also was much hindered by schism and Islam.  First they lost all of the Persian, all of the Indian, and most of the Assyrian dioceses to [[Nestorian]] heretics.  Then Islam invaded.  Nevertheless, this church never lost its missionary zeal.  Even while persecuted they continued to send out missionaries, reestablishing the Church in all of the countries it lost.  The Church of Antioch also provides arch-pastoral services for some Orthodox in the U.S. who are not part of the Orthodox Church in America.  Antioch is one of the three ancient Petrine Sees.

===Church of Jerusalem===

===Church of Jerusalem===

The early history of this church is related in the Book of Acts in the New Testament.  It too has been plagued by Islam and crusaders.  Though its missionary activity is circumscribed by its being surrounded by other Patriarchates, it does engage in missionary activity to the Jews in [[Israel]] and the Muslims in [[Palestine]].  The liturgy is served in Hebrew and in Arabic.  This is also the only one of the Orthodox churches still serving the Liturgy of St. James, the oldest and longest liturgy of the Orthodox Church. (Only a small part of the liturgy was actually written by St. James.)

The early history of this church is related in the [[Book of Acts]] in the New Testament.  It too has been plagued by Islam and crusaders.  Though its missionary activity is circumscribed by its being surrounded by other Patriarchates, it does engage in missionary activity to the Jews in [[Israel]] and the Muslims in [[Palestine]].  The liturgy is served in [[Hebrew]] and in [[Arabic]].  This is also the only one of the Orthodox churches still serving the Liturgy of [[St. James]], the oldest and longest liturgy of the Orthodox Church. (Only a small part of the liturgy was actually written by St. James.)

===Church of Russia===

===Church of Russia===

Though there were already Orthodox Christians in some of the Black Sea ports, and though Viking traders had become Christians in Constantinople and had built some churches along their Volga river trade-route, and though the Polish had begun some missionary activity along the western frontier of  Kievan state, the year conventionally recognized as the establishment of the Church of Russia is 988 when St. Prince Vladimir decreed Orthodox Christianity as the state religion.  This church, like many of the Orthodox Churches suffered from Islamic invasion, but also [[Mongol]] conquest and most recently, severe persecution under the Communists.  This last persecution produced more than 50 million holy martyrs.

Though there were already Orthodox Christians in some of the Black Sea ports, and though [[Viking]] traders had become Christians in Constantinople and had built some churches along their Volga river trade-route, and though the Polish had begun some missionary activity along the western frontier of  Kievan state, the year conventionally recognized as the establishment of the Church of Russia is 988 when [[St. Prince Vladimir]] decreed Orthodox Christianity as the state religion.  This church, like many of the Orthodox Churches suffered from Islamic invasion, but also [[Mongol]] conquest and most recently, severe persecution under the [[Communists]].  This last persecution produced more than 50 million holy [[martyrs]].

===Church of Georgia===

===Church of Georgia===

===Church of Serbia===

===Church of Serbia===

This church was devastated by communism, and later confused by the nationalist movement of Slobodon Milosivic.  Though the bishops did not fall for his “Orthodoxy is Nationalism” heresy many of the poorly-prepared Orthodox laity did.  The results were devastating.  The spiritual heartland of this Church is Kosovo where Muslim Albanians are waging a terrible war against the Orthodox Serbs.  Many centuries old monasteries and churches have been destroyed.   

This church was devastated by communism, and later confused by the nationalist movement of [[Slobodon Milosivic]].  Though the bishops did not fall for his “Orthodoxy is Nationalism” heresy many of the poorly-prepared Orthodox laity did.  The results were devastating.  The spiritual heartland of this Church is [[Kosovo]] where Muslim Albanians are waging a terrible war against the Orthodox Serbs.  Many centuries old monasteries and churches have been destroyed.   

===Church of Romania===

===Church of Romania===

===Church of Greece===

===Church of Greece===

Though part of the Church of Constantinople for most of its history, this Church emerged from the 19th and 20th century struggle for Greek independence from the Turks.  Probably, the most famous bishop of Athens is St. Dionysius who was converted by St. Paul.

Though part of the Church of Constantinople for most of its history, this Church emerged from the 19th and 20th century struggle for Greek independence from the Turks.  Probably, the most famous bishop of Athens is [[St. Dionysius]] who was converted by St. Paul.

===Church of Albania===

===Church of Albania===

===Church of Poland===

===Church of Poland===

This Church has existed since the 9th Century when it was established by Saints Cyril and Methodious but was part of the Church of Constantinople for most of its history.  In the 15th century most of the Orthodox in Poland fell away into Roman heresy and formed one of the Eastern-Rite Catholic Churches in communion with the Pope of [[Rome]].  In 1924 this much diminished Church was granted autocephaly. After WWII part of western Byelorussia was added to Poland.  With the territory came many Orthodox Christians.  Most Orthodox in Poland are descendants of these former Byelorussians.

This Church has existed since the 9th Century when it was established by [[Saints Cyril]] and [[Methodious]] but was part of the Church of Constantinople for most of its history.  In the 15th century most of the Orthodox in Poland fell away into Roman heresy and formed one of the Eastern-Rite Catholic Churches in communion with the Pope of [[Rome]].  In 1924 this much diminished Church was granted autocephaly. After WWII part of western Byelorussia was added to Poland.  With the territory came many Orthodox Christians.  Most Orthodox in Poland are descendants of these former Byelorussians.

===Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia===

===Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia===

The brothers St. Cyril and St. Methodius estabished this Church in the Czech region of Moravia in the 9th century.  But when the brothers died Pope Stephen V of Rome ordered that their mission be destroyed, and forced all of the people who converted under the Sainted brothers to leave the Moravia and settle in what is now Slovakia.  There , due to the influence of the nearby Orthodox Poles and the Kievan state the Orthodox were able to survive, barely.  In 1921 many people began leaving the Roman Catholic Church and converting to Orthodoxy under a Serbian Bishop.  On of them was a Roman Catholic priest who took the name Gorazd upon his conversion.  A few years after his conversion he was consecrated Bishop of Moravia.  Under his apostolic ministry the Church Bohemia and Moravia, as well as Slovakia experienced tremendous growth.  He was martyred by the Nazis in 1942.  The Church suffered greatly under the Nazis and the communists and is only now regaining its footing.  It was officially recognized as autocephalous sby the other autocephalous churches in 1998.   

The brothers St. Cyril and St. Methodius estabished this Church in the Czech region of Moravia in the 9th century.  But when the brothers died Pope Stephen V of Rome ordered that their mission be destroyed, and forced all of the people who converted under the Sainted brothers to leave the Moravia and settle in what is now Slovakia.  There , due to the influence of the nearby Orthodox Poles and the Kievan state the Orthodox were able to survive, barely.  In 1921 many people began leaving the Roman Catholic Church and converting to Orthodoxy under a Serbian Bishop.  On of them was a Roman Catholic priest who took the name Gorazd upon his conversion.  A few years after his conversion he was consecrated Bishop of Moravia.  Under his apostolic ministry the Church Bohemia and Moravia, as well as Slovakia experienced tremendous growth.  He was martyred by the Nazis in 1942.  The Church suffered greatly under the [[Nazis]] and the communists and is only now regaining its footing.  It was officially recognized as autocephalous sby the other autocephalous churches in 1998.   

===Orthodox Church in America===

===Orthodox Church in America===

After decades of a very cold relationship, in 1970 the Metropolia was granted autocephaly (think of it as administrative independence) by the Patriarch of Moscow and became known as the Orthodox Church in America.  When that happened, the Romanians, Bulgarians, and Albanians merged with the OCA.  There are still a few ethnic jurisdictions in America, the largest being the Greeks and the Antiochians, but they are in discussions to join the OCA, too.  

After decades of a very cold relationship, in 1970 the Metropolia was granted autocephaly (think of it as administrative independence) by the Patriarch of Moscow and became known as the Orthodox Church in America.  When that happened, the Romanians, Bulgarians, and Albanians merged with the OCA.  There are still a few ethnic jurisdictions in America, the largest being the Greeks and the Antiochians, but they are in discussions to join the OCA, too.  

 

The Present Situation - The Orthodox Church continues to grow in North America.  Most of its bishops were born in America, many having converted (either from paganism or other Christian churches) as adults.  The Orthodox church has experienced a couple of waves of mass conversions, such as when several thousand Byzantine-rite Catholics converted in the early 20th Century, and several leaders of Campus Crusade for Christ and their couple of dozen churches converted, or when Christ the Savior Brotherhood (a “Jesus People” movement from the 1960s) converted.   

The Present Situation - The Orthodox Church continues to grow in North America.  Most of its bishops were born in America, many having converted (either from paganism or other Christian churches) as adults.  The Orthodox church has experienced a couple of waves of mass conversions, such as when several thousand Byzantine-rite Catholics converted in the early 20th Century, and several leaders of Campus Crusade for Christ and their couple of dozen churches converted, or when Christ the Savior Brotherhood (a “Jesus People” movement from the 1960s) converted.