An ancient faith for the modern world
The Syriac Orthodox Church is one of the oldest Christian churches in the world, tracing its origins directly to the apostolic church established in Antioch in the first century AD. Antioch, mentioned frequently in the Book of Acts, was where the followers of Jesus were first called "Christians" (Acts 11:26).
Our church maintains unbroken apostolic succession from the apostles through the line of the Patriarchs of Antioch. St. Peter himself was the first Bishop of Antioch before going to Rome. The current Patriarch, His Holiness Mor Ignatius, is considered the successor to this apostolic throne.
The term "Jacobite" comes from Jacob Baradaeus (c. 500-578 AD), a monk who helped preserve and organize the Syriac Orthodox Church during a period of persecution. The church is also known as the Syrian Orthodox Church or the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch.
We believe in one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - one essence, three persons, indivisible and inseparable.
We confess that Jesus Christ is truly God and truly human, one person with divine and human natures united in one incarnate nature of God the Word.
We accept the Holy Bible - both Old and New Testaments - as the inspired Word of God, along with the apostolic traditions handed down through the church.
We practice seven holy sacraments (mysteries): Baptism, Chrismation, Holy Eucharist, Confession, Marriage, Ordination, and Holy Unction.
The Divine Liturgy, called the Holy Qurbana, is the center of our worship. We primarily use the Liturgy of St. James, one of the oldest Christian liturgies still in use. The liturgy is celebrated with great reverence and includes:
Our worship features beautiful ancient melodies and hymns (beth gazo) sung in traditional tunes. The prayers are chanted following patterns that have been preserved for centuries, creating a deeply spiritual atmosphere.
Incense is used during worship as a symbol of our prayers rising to heaven, following the biblical tradition and representing the sweet fragrance of Christ.
We face eastward during prayer, following the ancient Christian tradition that symbolizes waiting for the second coming of Christ, who will come "like lightning from the east" (Matthew 24:27).
The faithful are encouraged to pray twice daily, in the morning and evening, following the tradition of the seven canonical hours observed by the church.
Fasting is an important spiritual discipline in our tradition, combining prayer with physical abstinence to draw closer to God. Major fasting periods include:
During fasting periods, the faithful abstain from meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, and usually fast until afternoon, while increasing prayer and charitable works.
We honor the saints who have exemplified Christian life, particularly the Virgin Mary (Yoldath Aloho - Mother of God), the apostles, martyrs, and holy fathers and mothers of the church. We believe in the communion of saints and ask for their intercessions while worshiping God alone.
Special reverence is given to:
We make the sign of the cross from left to right as an expression of our faith in the Holy Trinity and the crucifixion of Christ.
Our liturgical calendar is rich with feast days, commemorations, and fasting periods that guide us through the church year, helping us to live in sync with the life of Christ and the communion of saints.
Syriac is a dialect of Aramaic, the language spoken by Jesus Christ himself. Many of our prayers and liturgies are still conducted in this sacred language, connecting us directly to the earliest Christian communities. While we also use local languages for understanding, the Syriac portions preserve the ancient tradition and create a sense of unity with Syriac Orthodox Christians worldwide.
Icons and crosses are important in our worship, serving as windows to the divine. They help us focus our prayers and remind us of the communion of saints. The most prominent symbols include:
Interested in learning more about our faith and traditions? We welcome your questions.
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