What Are Orthodox Christian Beliefs?
What are Orthodox Christian beliefs?
The Orthodox Church has an unbroken tradition of worship and teaching that dates back to the Apostles. It embodies and expresses the rich spiritual treasures of Eastern Christianity. It is a community of faith, not a denomination or a movement; it is the original Christian Church and is all over the world.
There are three fundamental beliefs that the Orthodox believe to be true: The Trinity, original sin, and the resurrection of Christ. These are central to the life of the Christian and have been affirmed and defended by the Church throughout the centuries.
1. The Trinity – One God in three Divine Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
For Orthodox Christians, the Bible is the word of God and is a divinely inspired collection of sacred writings that is the basis of their beliefs and practice. It is also a source of inspiration and encouragement to live a virtuous, faithful, and fruitful life.
2. The Resurrection of Jesus – It was the central event in the Christian liturgical year, and is understood as a real historical event.
The Orthodox believe that the Resurrection of Christ is an actual historical event that took place at a specific time and place in history. They also believe that this is what the Bible means when it says that Jesus rose from the dead.
3. The sacrament of baptism is important in the Church’s life and is a sign that indicates that a person is part of Christ’s body and has been baptized into the Church.
4. The Holy Virgin Mary – She is blessed and honored by the Orthodox Church, as she was born of a virgin and bore and raised the Lord Jesus in His human flesh.
5. Man is made in the image and likeness of God, and therefore can sin if he does not live a righteous life.
6. The sacrament of communion is important in the Church’s life and should be practiced daily, whether a person is a member or not.
7. The sacrament of marriage is also important in the Church’s life and should not be seen as merely a contract between a man and a woman.
8. The saints are a part of the Church, and will be with us in heaven.
9. The Eucharist is a memorial of the death and Resurrection of Jesus, and an act of worship.
10. The sacrament of penance is an important part of the Orthodox Church’s life and should be practiced regularly, as it is a powerful tool in helping a person to make amends for his or her sins.
12. The sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is also an important part of the Orthodox Church’s lives, and should be observed on a regular basis, as it is a way to nourish a person’s relationship with God.
13. Baptism is an important part of the Orthodox Church’s practices and should be performed on a regular basis by those who are members of the Church.
