What Is Orthodoxy
“Stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught, whether by word or by letter.”
2 Thessalonians 2:15
“The Church is the pillar and foundation of the truth. She is entrusted with the apostolic teaching and guided by the Holy Spirit.”
St. Athanasius the GreatThe Original Christian Church
Orthodox Christianity is the ancient and unbroken life of the Church founded by Jesus Christ and His Apostles. The word Orthodox means “right belief” and “right worship.” It is the faith once delivered to the saints, preserved and handed down through the centuries by the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
For more than two thousand years, the Orthodox Church has kept the fullness of Christian faith, the same sacraments, the same prayers, the same teachings, and the same Spirit that filled the first believers in Jerusalem.
A Living Faith
Orthodoxy is not a religion of ideas but a way of life. It is the lived experience of the presence of God through prayer, fasting, worship, and love. In every generation, the Church invites the faithful to be united with Christ through repentance and transformation of heart.
The Orthodox Church is the Body of Christ on earth, a place where heaven and earth meet in the Divine Liturgy. We do not reinvent worship for each age but receive it as a living inheritance, the same worship offered by the saints and martyrs before us.
Our Worship
The Divine Liturgy is the center of Orthodox life. It is not a performance or a sermon-centered service, but the offering of the Church’s prayer to God in beauty and holiness. Surrounded by icons, incense, and hymnody, we join the angels and saints in worshiping the Holy Trinity.
Everything in the Liturgy points to the reality of Christ’s Incarnation, that God became man so that man might share in the divine life.
“Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory.”
Our Beliefs
The Orthodox Church confesses the same faith proclaimed in the Nicene Creed:
- One God in three Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man, who became incarnate for our salvation.
- The Church is the continuation of Christ’s presence in the world, guided by the Holy Spirit.
- The Scriptures, together with Holy Tradition, reveal God’s truth.
- Through the sacraments, we participate in the grace of God and are united with Him.
The Orthodox Way of Life
Orthodoxy calls us to live in faith, hope, and love, not just on Sundays but every day. We grow in Christ through prayer, fasting, confession, and participation in the Holy Mysteries.
Our goal is not merely to be good people but to be transformed, to become like Christ Himself. This process, called theosis, is the heart of Orthodox life: sharing in God’s love and light by grace.
A Universal Faith
Today, the Orthodox Church includes more than 300 million faithful across the world in every language and culture, yet all share one faith and one Liturgy. Whether in Georgia or Greece, Russia or Romania, the same prayers rise to heaven, and the same Christ is received in Holy Communion.
Wherever you go in the world, you will find the same faith, the same worship, and the same spirit of love. Orthodoxy is not limited to one nation or people; it is the life of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church that embraces all who come in faith.
You are always welcome to enter and pray, to ask questions, and to grow closer to Christ in His Church. The doors of the Orthodox Church are open to all who seek the truth, the peace of God, and the fullness of life in Him.
“In the Church there is one Body and one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.” Ephesians 4:4–6
Come and See
The Orthodox Church does not ask for blind belief but for an open heart. Faith in Christ grows not through argument or persuasion but through encounter, standing in His presence, hearing His words, and seeing His love made visible in His people.
The best way to learn about Orthodoxy is to experience it. Come and stand in the Divine Liturgy, where heaven and earth meet and the Kingdom of God is revealed. Listen to the prayers that have been offered for centuries and let them speak to your soul. Smell the incense rising in worship, see the light of the icons, and hear the hymns that proclaim the victory of Christ over death.
Here you will find a community that prays together, eats together, and carries one another’s burdens in love. We are not perfect, but we strive to live as members of Christ’s Body, growing in His grace and truth day by day.
You are always welcome at St. Mary Magdalene Orthodox Church, whether you come with questions, curiosity, or a longing to draw closer to God. Come and see the beauty, peace, and transforming presence of Christ in His ancient and living Church.
“Come and see.” John 1:46
Getting To The Church
From I-95
Take I-95 to Georgia exit 109, route 21 north. Take 21 north for 6 and a half miles, to Fort Howard Road. Turn right onto Fort Howard Road, and proceed 2.2 miles, to 1625, which is on the right side.
