Greek Orthodox Church

    Through the Greek Orthodox Church, the Greek heritage has been able to survive. The heritage has lasted through the Roman Empire, through 400 years of slavery, and through other circumstances that have caused a division among the Greek people. Here, we are focusing on the Greek immigrant and the Church that he has established in the U.S.

     Without a doubt, the Church has been an important part of every Greek American's life. The Church has given the immigrants and the rest of its members hope and comfort. When Greek immigrants first come to the U.S., the first place they find that reminds them of Greece is the Church. Much of this comfort is due to stability. Only one religion, Catholicism, has ever branched off the Orthodox Church. For nearly 2000 years, the Orthodox Church has maintained many of its traditions and views on social issues, and the language of Greek is still spoken today. However, many Greek Orthodox Churches now use the English language as well as the Greek language in services. Some Churches will have two separate services; others will incorporate both languages in services. This use of two different languages seems to have become one of the biggest controversies that has arised within the Greek Orthodox Church of America.

     A quick explanation of some Greek Orthodox Church beliefs:

            Orthodoxy ..... is a Christian religion
                            ..... does not involve the ancient Greek gods
                            ..... believes in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit
                            ..... uses the Nicene Creed in services
                            ..... has 7 sacraments
                            ..... looks down upon divorces and abortions
                            ..... allows its priests to be married prior to ordination