“From this day, from this hour, from this minute, let us strive to love God above all, and fulfill His holy will” — St. Herman of Alaska
Orthodox Christianity is much more than a system of beliefs — it is a Way of Life. Every member of the Orthodox Church should strive to be fully involved in the life and witness of the Church as an intentional disciple of Jesus Christ. In order to live the Orthodox Way of Life as a disciple of Christ, each Orthodox Christian should strive to:
Follow the example of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in daily life, both publicly and privately, and to bear personal witness to Him.
Engage in private prayer at least mornings, evenings and at meals; and to make intercessions for the living and the dead.
Read the Holy Scriptures and spiritually edifying books regularly.
Hold the fullness of the Orthodox Christian Faith without addition or diminution, and speak to one’s pastor should questions or doubts arise.
Be a faithful member of ones parish, and attend Services there at least every Sunday and major feast day.
Hear the Church, accept her authority in matters spiritual, and support and pray for the clergy of the Church.
Make a sacramental Confession regularly.
Receive Holy Communion frequently and with careful preparation.
Keep the fasts and feasts of the Church.
Be hard working, earning one’s own living.
Be honest and trustworthy in actions and relationships, live up to one’s personal and family responsibilities, and live chastely according to ones state in life.
Return a tithe to the parish in support of its work, and give offerings in support of the parish and the wider Church, the poor and the most vulnerable in society.
Give personal service to the parish and to the community.
Be a good citizen and pray for the civil authorities, rendering unto caesar what is caesar’s and unto God what is God’s.
As far as is possible, live in peace with all men.
Uphold the standard of marriage as entrusted by Christ to His Church.
Take care that children are raised with love and are brought up to know, love and serve the Lord.
Receive the last rites of the Church and Christian burial at the end of ones earthly pilgrimage.
Leave a bequest to the parish in support of its continued work.
Do you want to live a life of serious discipleship as an intentional disciple of Jesus Christ? The Orthodox Church is the oldest Church in the world, dating back some 2,000 years to Jesus Christ and his apostles. The Orthodox Church is the original Church, the one and only Church founded by our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and she is still firmly rooted in Jerusalem, the Holy Land and the East. Jesus Christ is the Truth Revealed. Orthodox Christianity is the Truth Lived. The Orthodox Way of Life is the Way of Life in Jesus Christ our Lord. We love being Orthodox. You will too. Come and see. Everyone is welcome…
