Our Faith and Traditions
The Christian Church was born in the Holy Land, what we call the Middle East today. As it spread, the Church took on the ways of the nations which accepted it. In this country, most Christian churches are 'western' because their roots are in western Europe, and their ways reflect the culture of the German, Irish or Italian immigrants who founded them. Some American churches, including ours, were started by people from Eastern Europe or the Middle East. They still keep the ways of the Holy Land” Jerusalem, where Christ founded His Church; Antioch, where the name Christian was first used; Damascus, where Saint Paul was converted. Because our ways reflect this Eastern culture, we are called 'Eastern' Churches.
What Eastern Christians Believe The mystery that God is with us is a fact in our lives. His presence has been experienced by people from the beginning right to our own day. People have reflected on this mystery and tried to express it in words: what we call Theology. Some of these teaching have been recognized by the Church as authentic reflections of its experience of God. These are the doctrines of the Church, which serve much like route markers for us, keeping us along the right road to God. Chief of these are those summarized in this article: the core teachings of our Church.
Seeing the Face of God: Icons and the Unity of Christians This wonderful article by Fr. Elias Rafaj provides a glimpse into the world of icons and how they bring East and West together.
Traditions and Spirituality Surrounding the Nativity of Jesus Christ (Christmas) and Theophany Click this link to find articles concerning the Nativity Fast, Holy Supper and Theophany House Blessings.
The Great Fast and Pascha (Easter) Traditions - New Articles Added! Click this link to find articles concerning the Great Fast, Great and Holy Week, and Pascha.
Originally written for the children of the parish, these e-books contain a great deal of information found nowhere else.
The Prothesis: Preparing Holy Things for Holy People
The Diakanon: The Deacon's Table and Its Role in Our Liturgies
Mary-Kate Makes the Sign of the Cross
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