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Our Faith

In a nutshell, we believe in the almighty God who created the world, His Holy Son Jesus Christ who saved it with His precious blood and the Holy Spirit which sustains and fulfills everything; the Holy Trinity, the one True God who established and who guides the Holy Church. The "Nicene Creed" developed by the Holy Fathers to ward off heresies of the time, voices the core faith. The Holy Bible, which was compiled by the Church Fathers for use by the Church, is the primary source of the faith of the Church. The Holy traditions reveal the works of the Holy Spirit in the history of the Church. The teachings of the Church Fathers as inspired by the Holy Spirit contribute to revealing the faith of the Church. The Holy Liturgy gives expression to the various dimensions of the faith.The Holy Sacraments are the works of the Holy Spirit which sustain the life in the Church.

Our Saints

Saint Geevarghese Mar Gregorios

or

Parumala Thirumeni

(Read Biography)

Saint Eldho Mor Baselios or Maphryono Mor Baselios Yeldho
or
Eldho Bava

Saint Geevarghese Mar Dionysius or

Vattasheril Thirumeni

  
 
 
The Creed of Syrian Orthodox Church
The first ecumenical synod was held at Nicaea in A.D. 325, which decided to state the Christian faith in words, that it would clear the doubts about what is the true faith. The synod formulated the fundamental beliefs of all Christians in what has since been known as the ‘Nicene Creed'. The second and third synods at Constantinople and Ephesus expanded this statement of faith to counter various heresies (heterodox). To this day, this remains the creed of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church .
 
We believe in one true 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, Who was begotten of the Father before all worlds; light of light, very God of very God; begotten and not made; and being of one substance with His 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 and of the Virgin Mary, Mother of God.

And He became man, and was crucified for us in the days of Pontius Pilate, and He suffered, died and was buried, and the third day He rose according to His will, and ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of His Father; and He will come again with great glory to judge both the living and the dead; and His kingdom shall have no end. 
 
And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life to all, Who proceeds from the Father; Who together with the Father and Son is worshiped and glorified, Who spoke through the Prophets and Apostles.
 
And in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. We confess one baptism for the remission of sins. And we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the new life in the world to come.   
Our liturgy has been translated from the Malankara, Syrian and Aramaic, and contains some words that are not in English.
 
 
 
Of The Grace Of Giving
 
Scriptural giving is one of the fundamentals of the Faith. 
 
2 Corinthians 8:7, "Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace
also."
 
Matthew 23:23. We are commanded to bring the tithe into the common treasury of the church.
 
 
 
 
Canonical Fasts:
 
 
 
 
3 Fasts are fixed and fall on the same dates in the calendar year
June 16 to June 29 - Apostles Fast (13 days - one day for each Apostle)
Aug 1 to Aug 15    - Fast before Soonoyo (Falling silent of the Mother of God, which is celebrated on Aug 15)
Dec 1 to Dec 25    - Fast of the Advent (before Christmas)

2 Fasts vary each year based on the date of Easter
Great Lent     - begins approximately 50 days before Easter.
Ninevah Fast - 3 day Fast - begins 3 weeks before Great Lent begins.
 
 
Glossary of Terms
Our liturgy has been translated from the Malankara, Syrian and Aramaic, and contains some words that are not in English. Here are some terms you may hear during the service, or that you may hear spoken by members:
  • Achen - Priest or Father
  • Episcopos - Bishop
  • Beskyomo(Kochamma) - Wife of the Priest
  • Barekmor - Bless me O Lord
  • Kurielaison - Lord have mercy. (In Greek, Kyrie Eleison).
  • Stomen Kalos - Let us stand well
  • Morio rahem Melyn Uadaryn - Lord have mercy upon us and help us
  • Subaho Labo Labro Vala Rooho Kadeesho - Glory be to the Father,Son and the Holy Spirit
  • Mena olam vada mela olam ol meena meen - As it was from the beginning and shall be for ever and ever amen
  • Qurbana - The service at which we celebrate the Eucharist. There is no direct translation, but some meanings include offering, dedication,and sacrifice