Faith and Beliefs
ORTHODOX FAITH AND WORSHIP, THE UNBROKEN CHAIN OF THE HOLY CHURCH
The faith of Believers Eastern Church is rooted in the Apostle's doctrines and Holy Tradition of the “one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.” We believe the Bible to be the inspired and infallible Word of God, given to us by the Holy Church, “the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). We believe that the Holy Church has continued unbroken through the teachings of the the Apostles’ doctrines, the Holy Tradition and the teachings of the Orthodox Fathers, as preserved in the Nicene and Apostle's Creeds and affirmed by the first seven Ecumenical Church Councils: The first council of Nicaea, first council of Constantinople, council of Ephesus, council of Chalcedon, second council of Constantinople, third council of Constantinople, and the second council of Nicaea .
Adhering to the biblical faith of the ancient Church is Orthodoxy; therefore, we hold fast to that which has been the common, Scripturally-based faith from the beginning. However, each generation needs to practice and teach this Orthodox faith without compromise in a way that is understood and applicable by its culture and era.
THE NICENE CREED, OUR SYMBOL OF FAITH
The ancient Creed established at the Councils of Nicaea (325 A.D) and Constantinople (381 A.D.), known as the Nicene Creed, is the plumb line for the true, Orthodox faith. It summarizes and preserves the over 2,000-year-old core beliefs of Christianity, especially regarding the nature of Christ, the Trinity and the Church.
Believers Eastern Church affirms the Nicene Creed as the official statement of faith for our church. It is confessed by the faithful as part of our Divine Liturgy.
We 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 only begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made; being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made. Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and died and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the living and the dead; whose Kingdom shall have no end.
And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. And we believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and we look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.
Amen.
OUR FAITH
WE BELIEVE...
That the Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God, given to us by the Church - “the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15).
The Nicene Creed to be the official Creed of the Holy Church.
In one God, Creator of all things, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and that these three are co-eternal and of equal dignity and power.
In the deity of Jesus Christ; His miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit; His virgin birth; His sinless life; His death on a cross; His bodily resurrection; His ascension to the right hand of the Father; and His personal, imminent return.
That man was created by and for God; that by man's disobeying God, every person incurred spiritual death, which meant they were no longer in communion with God, and physical death was the consequence; and that all people are given the option of being redeemed and restored to God.
The Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins and that all who believe in Him are declared righteous because of His victory over death and are, therefore, in right relationship with God.
Salvation means far more than being “saved from sin; we are saved for sonship, to be divinely adopted sons and daughters of God. Forgiveness is the precondition for God’s greater gift, the gift that will last beyond our death: the gift of divine life” (1 Corinthians 15:3-7).
Believers in Christ are destined to share in the life of the Holy Trinity. Sharing in the life of God, as God has shared in our humanity (1 Peter 1:4).
In the present ministry of the Holy Spirit indwelling all believers and thus enabling and empowering the life and ministry of the believer.
In the bodily resurrection of everyone who has lived, the everlasting blessedness of those in right relationship with God, and eternal separation for those who have rejected God's forgiveness in His Son.
The sacrament of marriage to be ordained by God as a holy union between one man and one woman as biologically defined at birth.
THEOLOGICAL FORMATION
Scattered across our various dioceses, our centres for theological formation (seminaries) train both women and men to serve God by continuing Jesus mission of love and service for the glory of God.
Ten of these centres focus on imparting special training specifically to serve the poor and needy in downtrodden areas. The rest cater to training the seminarians to study the Word of God and learn all that is required to carry on the vision and mission of the Church.
Located in our Synod Secretariat campus, the St Ignatius Orthodox Theological Seminary (SIOTS) is the flagship seminary of the Church and provides bachelor's and master's degree programs that are recognized by renowned theological accrediting agencies.
Our training focuses on building a deeper and more intimate relationship with Jesus, providing practical ministry tools, teaching the fundamental tenants of the Church and establishing the groundwork for knowing and living out God's Word. This formation effectively equips our students to grow in their pastoral calling and enables them to become the future shepherds of our church.
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ACADEMICS
SPIRITUAL
FORMATION
ACADEMICS
While the rest of our seminaries offer theological diplomas, St Ignatius Orthodox Theological Seminary offers Bachelor of Theology, Master of Divinity and Master of Theology degrees that are accredited by the the Senate of Serampore College (University) and the Asian Theological Association. SIOTS's approach to teaching the Bible focuses on actively following Jesus rather than imparting intellectual knowledge alone. Classes cover a wide range of topics including theology, Church history and liturgical training as well as providing practical ministry opportunities.
SPIRITUAL FORMATION
As in all our seminaries, SIOTS's primary concern for each student is their spiritual life and character formation. The seminary is led by a group of clergy and teachers who are deeply involved with each one of them, ensuring that the students are mentored to live as followers of Christ.
The spiritual life in the seminary includes celebration of the Eucharist thrice a week, weekly times of fasting and specific time taken for studying and meditation on God's Word, throughout the day. Students spend one day of each month in silence and meditation. Apart from this, the students join with the community in prayer on all Tuesday evenings and once in a month, for a special whole-night prayer.
