What We Believe
At Debre Tsion St Mary Ethiopian Orthodox Church, our faith is built upon the ancient traditions and timeless truths of Orthodox Christianity. We believe in the transformative power of God's love and the hope found in Jesus Christ. Our beliefs guide every aspect of our liturgy, traditions, and community life.
The Trinity
We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each person of the Trinity is fully God, yet there is one God, as confessed in the Nicene Creed.
Sacred Scripture & Tradition
The Bible and Sacred Tradition are God's inspired revelations. Scripture, Tradition, and the teaching authority of the Church guide our faith and Orthodox way of life.
Theosis & Salvation
Salvation is theosis - becoming partakers of the divine nature through God's grace. We are saved by grace through faith, sacraments, and a life of virtue and prayer.
Jesus Christ
Jesus is fully God and fully man, the second person of the Trinity. He became incarnate, suffered, died, rose from the dead, and will return in glory as proclaimed in our liturgy.
Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father, sanctifies the faithful, and is present in the sacraments, especially the Divine Liturgy and holy mysteries.
The Church
The Church is the mystical body of Christ, united through apostolic succession, divine liturgy, sacraments, and the communion of saints across heaven and earth.
Our Statement of Faith
We affirm the ancient Orthodox faith as expressed in the Nicene Creed and the decisions of the Seven Ecumenical Councils. Our faith is apostolic, orthodox, and rooted in nearly two millennia of unbroken tradition.
We believe that God created all things good, that humanity fell into sin, and that God provided salvation through His Son Jesus Christ and the mysteries of the Church. We believe in the power of the Divine Liturgy and sacraments to transform lives.
As Orthodox Christians, we are called to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. This love compels us to serve others through acts of mercy and share the Orthodox faith.
Want to Learn More?
We'd love to share more about our Orthodox faith and answer any questions you might have.