The Orthodox Faith

St. Raphael of Brooklyn Orthodox Church

Orthodox Church in America - Diocese of the South

1277 N. Paul Dr., Inverness, FL 34453

/ About Orthodoxy / The Orthodox Faith

What is the Orthodox Church?

The Orthodox Church is the original Christian Church founded by Jesus and continued by his Apostles. It is the same Church described in the Bible as the Body of Christ and the Bride of Christ (1 Corinthians 12 : 27; Ephesians 5 : 23–25). Throughout its 2000-year history Orthodox Christianity has remained faithful to the teachings and practices passed on from the Apostles and early Church Fathers (2 Thessalonians 2 : 15).

Inquire Into Orthodox Christianity

What is Orthodox Christianity all about? How does it differ from other Christian confessions?

For a glimpse of Who We Are, What We Believe, and How We Live Our Faith, click on the image of "Introduction to Orthodox Christianity", a three session class for inquiring minds.

Come and See . . .

Take a peek into Orthodox Christianity and her rich history. Then come and see for yourself. Find a local Orthodox Church in America near you.

The Orthodox Worship Space

A Visual Journey Through Orthodoxy

The Sign of the Cross, Icons & Tradition

Timeline of Orthodox Church History

The Great Schism between the Eastern and the Western Church (1054) was the culmination of a gradual process of estrangement between the east and west that began in the first centuries of the Christian Era and continued through the Middle Ages. Linguistic and cultural differences, as well as political events, contributed to the estrangement. From the 4th to the 11th century, Constantinople, the center of Eastern Christianity, was also the capital of the Eastern Roman, or Byzantine, Empire, while Rome, after the barbarian invasions, fell under the influence of the Holy Roman Empire of the West, a political rival. In the West theology remained under the influence of St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430) and gradually lost its immediate contact with the rich theological tradition of the Christian East. In the same time the Roman See was almost completely overtaken by Franks. Read more >

Excerpt taken and adapted by the Orthodox Christian Information Center from The Orthodox Church by Bishop Kallistos (Ware).

Continue reading about the Orthodox Church and Her:

* History
* Doctrine

Further Reading

The Orthodox Study Bible

These Truths We Hold

Welcome to the Orthodox Church

Blueprints for the Little Church

Fasting as a Family

About Orthodoxy

Church History
Feasts of the Church
Orthodox Dogma and Doctrine
Orthodox Icons
Orthodox Monasticism
- The Monastic Grades
- The Monastic Tonsure
Orthodox Prayer
- Communing with God in Prayer
- The Church's Prayer for the Dead
Orthodox Scripture
Orthodox Symbolism
- The Cross
- The Other Symbols
Orthodox Worship
Sacraments of the Church
The Church Building and Its Servers

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The Misson of the Orthodox Church in America, the local autocephalous Orthodox Christian Church, is to be faithful in fulfilling the commandment of Christ to "Go into all the world and make disciples of nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. . . ."

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St. Raphael Orthodox Church is part of the Diocese of the South. Our Diocese spans 14 states and has over 100 faithful clergy and monastics serving in 78 parishes, missions, and three monastic communities. We invite you to come worship with us from Alburquerque, New Mexico to Wilmington, North Carolina! Please see our Parish Listings for more details and to find a parish near you, or click on a story above to see the latest news from from the Diocese!

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The Holy Scripture is a collection of books written over multiple centuries by those inspired by God to do so. It is the primary witness to the Orthodox Christian faith, within Holy Tradition and often described as its highest point. It was written by the prophets and apostles in human language, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and collected, edited, and canonized by the Church.

Daily Readings >

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Holiness or sainthood is a gift (charisma) give by God to man, through the Holy spirit. Man's effort to become a participant in the life of divine holiness is indispensable, but sanctification itself is the work of the Holy trinity, especially through the sanctifying power of Jesus Christ, who was incarnate, suffered crucifiction, and rose from the dead, in order to lead us to the life of holiness, through the communion with the Holy Spirit.

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