The faith of the Syrian Orthodx Church

The faith of the Syrian Orthodox Church includes faith in Holy Trinity, in the incarnation of the Son of God, divine origin of traditions in Holy Bible, in Nicene Creed, in the seven sacraments (Baptism, Confirmation/Mooron, Holy Eucharist, Penance, Ordination, Matrimony, Unction of the sick) intercession of St. Mary and Saints, prayer for the departed, prayers, fasting, lent, Apostolic succession of St. Peter through the throne of Antioch. The church approved the first three ecumenical councils – Nicea, Constantinople and Ephesus. The Nicene Creed is the official creed of the Syrian Orthodox Church. The Holy Qurbana (Eucharist) is the queen of all sacraments according to the Syrian Orthodox Church tradition. To perform the seven sacraments the Syrian Orthodox Church has fixed written prayers and symbolic signs. The prayers used in the sacraments and all other liturgies are fully based on the Holy Bible and filled with theological concepts. The Creed of the Syrian Orthodox Church The first ecumenical synod at Nicaea in A.D. 325 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 this day, this remains the creed of the Syriac 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, true God of true 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 worshipped 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.