| The Greek Orthodox Church is the one
holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. Our Christian faith is the mother church of
Christianity revealed by God the Father, founded by God the Son and is guided
through time and history by God the Holy Spirit. On Pentecost, Christ
commissioned his followers to “go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and surely I am with you
always, to the end of time” (Matthew 28:18-20). |
| The Church was propagated throughout the
world by the holy apostles, martyrs and faithful followers. The great
theologians, fathers, healers, hierarchs, monastics, believers and civil
authorities organized it. It was protected, disciplined and guarded from heresy
by episcopal conferences called Ecumenical Councils or Synods. Holy Scripture
and Sacred Tradition are its source of doctrine and teaching. Bishops, priests,
and deacons who minister the sacraments of the faith guide the Church. The
sacraments are:
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Baptism,
Chrismation, Eucharist, Ordination, Penance, Marriage, and Holy Unction. The
Church venerates the saints and commemorates them on feast days during the
Ecclesiastical year. The Church has male and female monastic communities and
permits priests to marry prior to Ordination. The Greek Orthodox Church of
America is under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of |
