The History of the Church

Dear Friend

I am very glad to hear that you are interested in learning more about the Orthodox Church. I know that some of the words and practices can feel unfamiliar, but I will try to explain things as simply as I can.

The Orthodox Church is the continuation of the very same Church that Jesus Christ founded through His Apostles. After His Resurrection and Ascension, the Apostles went out into the world to preach the Gospel, baptise new believers, and form local Christian communities (Matthew 28:19–20; Acts 2:42). Those communities, guided by the Apostles themselves and then by the bishops they appointed (Titus 1:5; 2 Timothy 2:2), became what we now call the Church. In other words, the Orthodox Church is not something that began later on—it is the direct life and worship of the first Christians carried forward without interruption.

For example, the Apostle Peter preached in places such as Antioch and Rome (Galatians 2:11; 1 Peter 5:13). The Apostle Paul traveled throughout the eastern part of the Roman Empire, writing letters to the churches in Corinth, Ephesus, Philippi, and many others (Acts 16:9–10; 18:1; 19:1). The Apostle John cared for the church in Asia Minor (Revelation 1:4, 11). The same pattern of worship, prayer, and faith that they taught is still kept today in the Orthodox Church. We see ourselves not as something new, but as keeping alive the faith and practice of the Apostles and the early believers.

The word “Orthodox” means “right belief” or “right worship.” Our goal has always been to remain faithful to what was handed down from Christ through His Apostles, without adding or taking away from it. As the Apostle Paul wrote, “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter” (2 Thessalonians 2:15). This is why we place such importance on history—we see ourselves as part of the very same family of faith that began in the New Testament.

In the early centuries, all Christians were one Church. Over time, divisions sadly arose. But the Orthodox Church continues to live as the ancient Church did, keeping the same Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16–17), the same sacraments or “ordinances” (1 Corinthians 10:16–17; Acts 2:38), and the same way of worship (Hebrews 13:15). When you step into an Orthodox Church today, you are stepping into a community that has prayed and worshipped in the same way for nearly two thousand years.

I hope this helps you see that Orthodoxy is not something foreign or strange. It is the life of the Church that began with the Apostles themselves. As you learn more, you will find that what may at first seem unfamiliar is actually the fruit of a very simple truth - the Church has always held fast to the faith that Jesus Christ gave to His followers at the very beginning (Jude 3).

In this series of letters I provide some scriptures so you can research on your own.

With love in Christ,
Fr. Charles

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