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The Eastern Orthodox Church dates its existence from the time of Christ and the
Apostles. The Apostle Peter founded the church in Antioch, which exists to this
day as the Antiochian Orthodox Church.
The spiritual head of this church today is Patriarch Ignatius IV, who represents
an unbroken line of patriarchs descending directly from St. Peter The spiritual
head of the Antiochian. Other early churches were established in Greece, Jerusalem,
Alexandria, and Cyprus. Later, missionaries brought the church to other orthodox
countries, such as Russia, Ukraine, Serbia, Romania, etc. This self-governing family
of churches is known today as the Eastern Orthodox Churches.
The Orthodox Church is apostolic, because it teaches what the apostles taught, and
its history can be traced through its bishops directly to the apostles and to Christ.
So, the Orthodox Church is the legitimate and historical continuation of the first
church, founded by the apostles. The Orthodox Church has preserved the full and
true faith of Jesus Christ, without adding, or subtracting from it.
Our Church service is called "Liturgy", and it celebrates the joy in the Resurrection
of Christ. We make extensive use of icons, which are religious paintings of Christ,
and the Saints. The highest earthly authority of our church is the Ecumenical Council,
whose membership are the Bishops of the church, representing all of the people of
the church. When they define a matter of faith, the lay people of the church, as
a whole must accept, otherwise it is not binding. Thus, the Orthodox Church preserves
the "Wholeness" of the church, as Christ intended.
Orthodox Christians believe that through Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of
God, God chose to get close to us, embrace us, and show His love for us. The foundation
of Orthodox Christianity is that Jesus Christ is the incarnation of the invisible
God.
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