Basic Facts About The Greek Orthodox Church
Basic Facts About The Greek Orthodox Church
Basic Facts About The Greek Orthodox Church
Founded 33 A.D. 4 Original Patriarchates: Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria & Constantinople (Later joined by
Cyprus, Moscow, Serbia, Romania, Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia, Poland, Albania & Czechoslovakia)
Traditional (Not legalistic) Allows married men ordained into priesthood. (Celibacy reserved for the Bishops
& Monastics) Priests are called Father
Believes in the Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit): Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father (alone), unal-
tered Nicaean Creed since 325 AD.
Has Seven Sacraments (Baptism, Chrismation, Communion, Confession,
Marriage, Unction, and Ordination).
Holy Communion: mystical change of elements into the Body & Blood (rejects Transubstantiation) uses leav-
ened bread & wine mingled with hot
water, Communion is administered into the mouth wI Spoon from a Chalice.
Only Christ was sinless, but great honor for the Theotokos (Virgin Mary)
as the highest of the Saints, intercession of the Saints.
Allows Church Divorce and up to 3 marriages, allows non-permanent birth control wI guidance ofa Spiritual
Father Confessor, wedding ring on right.
Clergy faces the Altar during Worship (called the Divine Liturgy)
Divine Liturgy is the same in all Churches everywhere in world
(only local language may vary)
Orthodox Easter date set using Old Calendar and always after the Jewish date for Passover (therefore is usually
a different Sunday than the Western Christians). Does not recognize Roman Catholic Saints after 1054 AD
Fasting is expected on most Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the year, in addition 48 days of Lent & Holy
Week, 40 days before Christmas, 15 days of August, Fast of the Apostles in June, August 29,
September 14 and January 5.
In addition we have certain Feast days that are fast free.
For more information check out www.goarch.org