ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE EAST AND WEST 

WHO ARE WE?

The Orthodox Church of the East and West is a growing, Spirit and mission-oriented Christian Church in the Sacramental tradition of the Eastern Orthodox Church.  We are theologically traditionalist, upholding the inspiration of Scripture, the teachings of the Church Fathers, the theological determinations of the First Seven Ecumenical Councils (best summarized in the unadulterated Nicene Creed), the spirit of the Holy Canons as interpreted for local usage, and the pious customs of the Orthodox Christian Faithful in both the East and the West.

       We are an incorporated daughter Church in the USA, under the omophor of the Primate of the Orthodox Church of the East and West (Canada), which itself is a daughter Church of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church.  Each of our Dioceses, Parish Churches and Missions follow, according to local custom and need, either the old style Julian Ecclesiastical Calendar or the new style Gregorian Ecclesiastical Calendar.  We are governed according to the Subornopravnist (Council-Ruled) model and within the Church we celebrate both Eastern and Western Liturgies.  If you wish to learn more of our background and history, please refer to the page on this web site entitled, "Our Apostolic & Canonical History".

WHAT DO WE BELIEVE?

The unchanged Nicene Creed simply and clearly expresses the core elements of our Orthodox Faith, based upon the sacrifice and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.  It reads:

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

       And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the on;ly-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages; Light from Light, Very God from Very God; begotten, not made; of one Essence with the Father, through Whom all things were made.  Who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from Heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary; and became man.  And was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried.  And He arose on the third day, according to the Scriptures; And ascended into Heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father; and He is coming again with glory to judge the living and the dead; and His Kingdom will have no end.

       And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified; Who speaketh by the prophets.  And in one, Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.  I confess one Baptism for the remission of sins.  I look for the Resurrection of the Dead; and the life of the Ages to come.  Amen. 

       We profess the Orthodox Christian Faith, as handed down to us by our Fathers in Christ in the Apostolic Sacred Tradition of the Holy Church,  We adhere to Holy Scripture, as interpreted by the Holy Fathers and Councils of the Church, in accord with the standard of faith included in the Nicene Creed, the Symbol of Faith.

       We revere symbolically, but not in an idolatrous manner, the sacred icons of Jesus Christ, His Holy Mother Mary, and of all the Saints and Angels of Heaven.  We address to their originals the honor given to their images.  We confess our Ever-Virgin Lady, Saint Mary, the Theotokos (Mother [bearer] of God), having borne in the flesh one Person of the Holy Trinity, namely Jesus Christ our Lord.

       We believe there can be no innovations in the essence of the Faith and we accept the Vincentian Canon of universality, antiquity, and consent.  It reads, in part:  "In the Catholic Church we must especially take heed to hold that which we believe everywhere, at all time, and by all".  We agree with the ancient principle of the Undivided Church, regarding the hierarchy of importance of matters of discipline:  "In necessary things, unity; in doubtful things, liberty; in all things, charity".

       Our worship is centered on the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and on the Holy Eucharist which He commanded us to celebrate as a perpetual memory of His precious death and sacrifice for our salvation.  We offer praise and adoration to our Triune God through prayer, devout worship that includes the beauty of music during our Divine Liturgy, and the seeking of the Holy Spirit's guidance and inspiration in our daily lives.

TO THOSE WHO SEEK:

       As a church dedicated to spreading the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are always seeking growth that is centered on the Spirit.  In our world, especially in our hectic, stressful culture of "consumerism, secularism, and 'me-first' ideology" that has seized our society including many mainstream denominations, we offer the faith handed down to us from the Apostles.  It is a faith that requires "acceptance of a transcendent moral authority, a commitment to regular prayer and worship, a belief in absolute truth and an allegiance to objective standrads of conduct".  If you have been disenchanted or feel disenfranchised by churches where 'political correctness' and 'feel good' religion, instead of the Holy Gospel, are the central theme, then we invite you to share and worship with us.

       May the blessing of X God the Father, X God the Son, and X God the Holy Spirit be with you now and forever more.  Amen.