Our Dual Heritage: Greek Culture and Orthodox Faith

Hellenism, developed by the ancient Greeks, emphasized human scale and spirit with its belief that people could use reason to solve problems, articulate dilemmas, create beautiful objects, question, observe and compromise. The idea of democracy came from ancient Athens and is now the leading form of government around the world. These ideas and many more from Hellenism are the basis of Western civilization, because admirers of the Greeks (Philhellenes) such as the Romans, intellectuals of the Renaissance, and the founders of America recognized their universal value.

The Orthodox Church is the original Christian Church, the Church founded by the Lord Jesus Christ and described in the pages of the New Testament. Her history can be traced in unbroken continuity all the way back to Christ and His Twelve Apostles. Incredible as it seems, for over twenty centuries she has continued in her undiminished and unaltered faith and practice. Today her apostolic doctrine, worship, and structure remain intact. The Orthodox Church maintains that the Church is the living Body of Jesus Christ.

Orthodoxy proclaims the timeless Christian message of love, forgiveness, kindness, and eternal life. Of special interest is the historic connection between Hellenism and Christianity. Christianity was formulated in the Greek Language and Greek thought. Greek, therefore, is the historic language of Christianity in the way that Hebrew is the historic language of Judaism and Sanskrit of Hinduism.

Orthodoxy Christianity embraces you with love and warmth. The Hellenic tradition invites you to share its universal heritage. Isocrates, a Greek orator in the fourth and fifth centuries BC, stated in Panegyrikos (Encomium of Athens): The name "Hellenes" suggests no longer a race, but a way of thinking, and the title "Hellenes" is applied rather to those who share our culture than those who share our blood.

In this spirit we invite you to celebrate our culture and our faith.