A Brief Catechism of the Orthodox Church

1. An Invitation to Get to Know Us

What gives meaning to our lives? How can we love in a world where injustice, suffering, and death exist? The following text is intended for anyone who wishes to discover the Orthodox Church’s answer, without assuming any previous familiarity with Christianity.

At the center of the Orthodox Faith is Jesus Christ. We know Him not simply as a wise teacher or a model of conduct, but as the Son of God who became human for our salvation: to free us from sin and death and to unite us with God. The Christian faith is an invitation into this living relationship of love.

The word “Church” refers primarily not to a building, but to the community united with Christ. The Orthodox Church preserves and lives out the faith of the Apostles, the disciples whom He sent to share His message. Getting to know the Church involves discovering its teaching, prayer, worship, and community life.

The Orthodox Church is the Body of Christ, with Christ Himself as its head, and continues the faith and life of the Apostolic Church. Its presence extends across different peoples and cultures through the local Churches. These include the four ancient Patriarchates—the…