A brief introduction of the Holy Orthodox Church

The One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, that is the Orthodox Church,  is the oldest Christian faith. The Church was founded by Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  The Church was handed down to the Apostle's of Christ and then to the Disciples.  The Church was founded on 66 A.D., Pentecost, when God sent down tongues of fire upon the people of the land and thousands came to believe in Christ.  From there the Apostle's and their Disciples went across the land spreading the Way.

Up until 313 when St. Constantine the Great, Christians were persecuted and martyred for their confession in Christ.  When Christianity became the official religion of the Empire over the years 5 distinct Sees, or Patriarchates, came to be the heart of Christendom; they were Antioch, Constantinople, Alexandria, Jerusalem, and Rome (however Rome now is in the state of heresy and schism and thus are considered outside of the Original Church founded by Jesus Christ).

There were 7 Ecumenical Councils that were convened from which the Holy Church based doctrine, belief, prayer, and practice on.  The first Council was in Nicea in 325, the second in Constantinople in 381, the third in Ephesus in 431, the fourth in Chalcedon in 451, the fifth in Constantinople in 553, the sixth in Constantinople in 680, and the seventh in Nicea in 787.

It is from the first and second Ecumenical Councils that we have the Creed of Nicea:

I believe in one God, Father Almighty, Creator 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 ages;

Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten,
not created, of one essence with the Father
through Whom all things were made.

Who for us men and for our salvation
came down from heaven and was incarnate
of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man.

He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate,
and suffered and was buried;

And He rose on the third day,
according to the Scriptures.

He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father;

And He will come again with glory to judge the living
and dead. His kingdom shall have no end.

And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Creator of life,
Who proceeds from the Father, Who together with the
Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, Who
spoke through the prophets.

In one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.

I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

I look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the age to come.

Amen.