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The Greek Orthodox Church: A Manual for Converts

The Creed

I believe in one God, Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth and of everything visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all Ages. Light of Light, True God of True God, begotten not made, co-substantial with the Father, through Whom all things were made.

Who for us men and for our salvation came down from Heaven, and was incarnated by the Holy Spirit and of the Virgin Mary, and became Man.

Crucified for our salvation under Pontius Pilate, He suffered and was buried.

And was resurrected on the third day according to the Scriptures.

And ascended into Heaven, and sat at the right hand of the Father.

And He will return in glory to, judge the living and the dead; Whose Reign will have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who, together with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified; Who spoke through the Prophets.

I believe in One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.

I acknowledge One Baptism for the remission of sins.

I await for the resurrection of the dead!

And the life of the Ages to come. Amen.

Man becomes a new creature within the Church because she is the depository of grace and the means of salvation. The Orthodox Church is not a worldly organization or a social system, but a living organism with Christ as her head. Her members are animated by the common means of sanctification: The Sacraments, daily reading of Holy Scripture (the Bible), and the life of prayer. The Orthodox Church is rightly known as the Church of prayer and profound spirituality. The Faithful believe in Christ, live through Christ, worship with Christ. Their faith in Christ is sustained and guarded by the Church as a whole, the conscience of the Church, which is the totality of the faithful, laymen and clergymen alike. 

The Orthodox Church has "Mysteries," which correspond to what Western Christianity calls sacraments. There are a number of mysteries in Christianity; for example: The mysteries of faith, the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, the belief in two perfect Natures of Christ, the procession of the Holy Spirit, Redemption, and the like. But here, by Mysteries we mean the specific means of grace given by God directly or indirectly to His Church through the Holy Spirit Who penetrates into every aspect of man's life.

Through these Mysteries, or sacraments. the regenerating Justifying, and sanctifying Grace of God is bestowed upon the faithful recipient. And though these Mysteries transmit supernatural grace, they convey it to us by external and visible means and acts. That is to say, the Mysteries of the Church, like the Church herself, include both supernatural and material elements. The theanthropic, the divine and the human nature of Christ is extended to both His Church and to her means of grace as well.