Our Faith
Our Faith & Values
The Syriac Orthodox Church is one of the most ancient Christian traditions in the world. It traces its roots back to the early Church of Antioch, where St. Peter himself served as the first bishop. The Church has preserved the Aramaic language, the very language spoken by Jesus and His Apostles, in its liturgy and prayers
The Patriarch of Antioch and All the East lead the Church today, with the patriarchate currently based in Damascus, Syria.
Core Beliefs
Holy Trinity
The Syriac Orthodox Church stands firmly in the tradition of the Nicene Creed, affirming belief in the Holy Trinity: one God in three distinct persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are united in one divine Essence, sharing one Will, one Work, and one Lordship. Each person is revealed through a unique relationship:
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The Father through His Fatherhood
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The Son through His Sonship
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The Holy Spirit through His Procession
The Mystery of the Incarnation
At the heart of the Church’s faith is the Incarnation—the belief that the Only Son of God, the Second Person of the Trinity, became truly human. This miraculous event began at the Annunciation, when the Angel Gabriel was sent to the Virgin Mary. The Holy Spirit descended upon her, purifying her and filling her with divine grace. The Son of God entered her immaculate womb, taking flesh from her and becoming a perfect Man with a perfect Soul.
After nine months, Christ was born of Mary, and her virginity remained intact, defying natural law. In Him, true Godhead and true Manhood were united in one Person. He possessed one Nature Incarnate, one Will, and one salvific Work. This union is described as natural and indivisible, free from separation, confusion, or change.
Mary, the Bearer of God
The Church honours the Virgin Mary with the title Yoldath Aloho, meaning “Bearer of God”, for she gave birth to Christ—God truly incarnate.
The Passion and Salvation
The Church teaches that Christ’s death was the separation of His soul from His body. Yet His divine nature remained united to both. Through His death, He brought salvation from eternal death and restored reconciliation with the Heavenly Father.
Worship & Tradition
The Holy Qurbono (Eucharist) is the heart of our worship, following the ancient Liturgy of St. James. Sacraments: The Church celebrates seven sacraments — Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Confession, Marriage, Priesthood, and Anointing of the Sick.
Prayer & Music: Our prayers are offered in Syriac, enriched with hymns from the Beth Gazo, a treasury of melodies passed down for centuries.
Feasts & Fasts: The liturgical calendar is filled with seasons of fasting, feasting, and remembrance that guide the faithful in spiritual life.
