Introduction to the Greek Orthodox Church

The Greek Orthodox Church is the one holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. Our Christian faith is the mother church of Christianity revealed by God the Father, founded by God the Son and is guided through time and history by God the Holy Spirit. On Pentecost, Christ commissioned his followers to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and surely I am with you always, to the end of time” (Matthew 28:18-20).

The Church was propagated throughout the world by the holy apostles, martyrs and faithful followers. The great theologians, fathers, healers, hierarchs, monastics, believers and civil authorities organized it. It was protected, disciplined and guarded from heresy by episcopal conferences called Ecumenical Councils or Synods. Holy Scripture and Sacred Tradition are its source of doctrine and teaching. Bishops, priests, and deacons who minister the sacraments of the faith guide the Church. The sacraments are:

Baptism, Chrismation, Eucharist, Ordination, Penance, Marriage, and Holy Unction. The Church venerates the saints and commemorates them on feast days during the Ecclesiastical year. The Church has male and female monastic communities and permits priests to marry prior to Ordination. The Greek Orthodox Church of America is under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. The Saint Thomas Greek Orthodox Church is a parish of the Diocese of New Jersey serving the spiritual needs of communicants. The Saint Thomas Church maintains a Sunday School, Hellenic Language School, J.O.Y., H.O.P.E., G.O.Y.A. and YA.L. youth programs, Choir, Ladies Philoptochos Society, S.T.A.F., Senior Citizens Activity Group, Summer Day Camp, Altar Boys Guild, and our most recent program addition:   Parent-Child Playgroup.