St Agape Orthodox Church

“We are descendants of the “Original, Un-Divided” Apostolic Orthodox Catholic Church

The ŒCOCW/OCOC is a pre-denominational, pre- schismatic Orthodox-Catholic jurisdiction dedicated to the preservation and continuance of the authentic “ancient faith” ‘once delivered to the saints’ (Jude 1:3).

The ŒCOCW/OCOC does not contend or compete with other religious bodies or expressions along denominational lines, nor does she denounce those Christian organizations that find their identities in denominational isolation rather than the resurrection of Christ.

The ŒCOCW/OCOC embraces and lives the triune charism of Holy Priesthood:  deacon, priest, and bishop.  This charism is delineated further into voluntary celibate and matrimonial priesthood.  Our clergy live and practice their vocations in the world by holding traditional employment, living matrimonial fidelity, volunteering locally, ministering to all human needs, and bringing the “live” Gospel to the masses.

We are multicultural, multi-lingual, multi-ethnic, practice diversity of rites, as well as “diversity in unity and unity in diversity.”

We are conservative, traditional, morally grounded, faithful, authentic, and committed to living the “ancient faith” in the modern world.

We are “One” in spirit, belief, practice, perspective, values, and faith.

We are committed to planting and growing “Ancient Faith” communities domestically and internationally.

STATEMENT OF BELIEFS 

    The Orthodox Church         

 

  The Orthodox Church is the one Church founded by Jesus Christ and his apostles, begun at the day of Pentecost with the descent of the Holy Spirit in the year 33 A.D. It is also known (especially in the contemporary West) as the Eastern Orthodox Church or the Greek Orthodox Church. It may also be called the Orthodox Catholic Church, the Orthodox Christian Church, the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, the Body of Christ, the Bride of Christ, or simply the Church.

The bishops of the Orthodox Churches trace unbroken succession to the very apostles themselves, therefore ultimately receiving their consecrations from our Lord Jesus Christ. All the bishops of the Eastern Orthodox Churches, no matter their titles, are equal in their sacramental office. The various titles given to bishops are simply administrative or honorific in their essence. At an ecumenical council, each bishop may cast only one vote, whether he is the Ecumenical Patriarch or simply an auxiliary bishop without a diocese..