The Orthodox faith is held by one universal church, but instead of having a single, world-wide centralized government, it is organized generally at the level of tribe and tongue and people and nations (Revelation 5:9).

So there are Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, American Orthodox, and others, but they are all part of the same communion -- that is they share a common faith, a common liturgical and sacramental tradition, and a common history beginning at Jerusalem in approximately 33 A.D.

Our parish is within the jurisdiction (not denomination) of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA). Holy Trinity Orthodox Church was established in 1924 and is the oldest Orthodox Christian community on Long Island. You can read more about our parish here.

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We worship God in Trinity, glorifying equally the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages; that He is truly God, of one essence with the Father and the Holy Spirit. We believe that Christ Incarnate is also truly man, like us in all respects except sin. We worship the Holy Spirit as Lord and Giver of Life Who proceeds from the Father.

We honor and venerate the Saints as those who have grown "unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13). We ask their intercession before God knowing that they live in Christ and that nothing, not even death, breaks the bond of love we share with them in Christ.

Of the saints, the Ever-Virgin Mary, the Theotokos (Greek: Mother of God), holds a special place as "more honorable than the Cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim" (c.f. Luke 1:48).

 

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Baptism and Chrismation are usually administered together. Baptism by triple immersion is participation in the Death and Resurrection of Christ, purification in the washing away of sin, and birth into the life of the Holy Trinity. Chrismation, following Baptism, anoints one with the "Seal and Gift of the Holy Spirit." Through the Holy Spirit we are able to live the fullness of the Christian life. We are regenerated and given the Grace by which we are able to keep the commandments of Christ and attain unto the Kingdom of Heaven.

In Holy Communion is received the very Body and Blood of Christ for remission of sins, the sanctification of soul and body, and for life eternal. In Holy Confession the Christian, when truly repentant, receives from Christ, through the confessor, the forgiveness of sins committed after baptism.

Ordination, Marriage, and Holy Unction complete the seven traditionally accepted New Testament Sacraments. By the laying on of hands a bishop transmits Divine Grace to the person being ordained, linking him to the uninterrupted succession of Orthodox clergy from the time of Christ to the present. Divine Grace sanctifies the union of man and woman in matrimony. Orthodox parish priests are usually married but the marriage must precede ordination. The Sacrament of Holy Unction brings healing to the infirmities of both body and soul, as God sees fit, through the anointing of oil.

Within Orthodoxy, there are also many other activities which are considered sacramental, including, but not limited to liturgical singing, the painting of icons, and any other activity which bring God’s presence into our lives.

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Body Worship -- Orthodox worship encompasses all of the senses. We see the images, we hear the singing and join our voices to the choir's, we smell the sweet fragrance of the incense, and if Orthodox, we partake of Holy Communion which is the Body and Blood of the Lord. You will see people making the sign of the cross on their bodies, making bows, kissing Icons and lighting candles.

Visitors are invited to participate as much as you wish.

Holy Communion (Eucharist) is the real presence of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, not a sign or a symbol. Therefore only prepared Orthodox Christians may receive Communion since through the use of the word Communion we mean that we are one, in belief and practice. Those not yet in full union, that is, members of the Orthodox Church, may not receive the Sacred Mystery of Communion. In fact, Orthodox should not receive unless they have recently been to confession, said the pre-communion prayers and have fasted, preferably from the preceding evening, but at least from the midnight prior to morning reception of the Mystery of Holy Communion. Orthodox who are not known to the priest should speak to him before the service so he will know they are communicants; just ask a member to send word to him.

The bread (antidoron) given at the end of Liturgy is not Communion, but is given as a sign of fellowship. This is frequently given to visitors as a gift out of love. The bread is blessed and set apart before communion and should be eaten reverently.Standing (and kneeling) are the Biblical postures for prayer and Orthodox traditionally stand at Sunday services. But for most people this takes some "getting in shape," so feel free to sit as much as you wish. We kneel a good bit at weekday services during the Great Fast.

Children -- we don't have a nursery during the services because we believe it is appropriate and beneficial for children to be in the services as much as possible. It may take a few visits, but young children can learn to settle down, and it's surprising how much even toddlers absorb. It's no problem if they move about quietly but please be considerate and take them out briefly if they become very noisy.In the Orthodox Church there are numerous customs and traditions that are important parts of our worship. Some of these customs are universal to the Church, while some may vary from parish to parish, or cultural tradition.

The following article Church Etiquette, adapted from an article by Father David Barr of the Antiochian Archdiocese, addresses questions most often asked by those new to the faith, and even those not so new.

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