OUR CREED

We believe in one God,the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages; Light from Light, Very God from Very God; begotten, not made; of one Essence with the Father, through Whom all things were made. Who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from Heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary; and became man. And was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried. And He arose on the third day, according to the Scriptures; And ascended into Heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father; And He is coming again with glory to judge the living and the dead; and His Kingdom will have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, Who proceedes from the Father,Who with the Father and the Son is equally worshipped and glorified; Who speaketh by the prophets. And in One, Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the remission of Sins. I look for the Resurrection of the Dead; and the life of the Ages to come. Amen

We profess the Orthodox Catholic Christian Faith, as handed down to us by our Fathers in Christ in the Apostolic Sacred Tradition of the Holy Church. We promise to observe the decisions, dogmatic utterances and canons, and the degrees of the Seven Ecumenical Councils, the Canons of the Holy Apostoles, the Canons of the Regional Councils and of the Holy Fathers; and the Holy Churchs' interperation of Scripture according to the standard of faith included in the Nicene Creed, the Symbol of Faith.

We revere symbolically, but not idolatrously, the sacred Icons of Christ,of His Holy Mother Mary, and of all the Saints and Angels of Heaven, addressing to their originals the honour shown their images. We confess our Ever-Virgin Lady, Saint Mary, The Theotokos (Mother of God), having borne in the flesh one Person of the Holy Trinity, namely Christ our God.

We believe there can be no innovations in the Faith and we accept the Vincentian Canon of universality, antiquity, and consent: "In the Catholic Church we must especially take heed to hold that which we believe everywhere, at all time, and by all."

We agree with the ancient principle of the Undivided Church regarding the hierarchy of importance of matters of discipline: " In Necessary Things, Unity; In doubtful Things, Liberty, In All things, Charity."

WHO WE ARE

The Orthodox Church of Canada is an autocephalous Metropolia in the apostolic lineage of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church. Our ministry is directed to all persons, regardless of cultural, ethnic or lingustic heritage. In addition to established Parishes and Missions in Canada, North America & the United States of America, we continue to embrace growth by meeting both spiritual and temporal needs.  

We are an Orthodox Christian Church with both Eastern and Western components. As a daughter church of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, we are rooted canonically and historically in the traditions of this venerable jurisdiction.

Our Mission-as mandated by Christ Himself-is to bring the Gospel "to all peoples", regardless of ethnic, linguistic, racial or cultural background. Consequently, our Parishes and Missions reflect a rich mosaic of all peoples. In order to fulfill our responsibilities to Christ and the Gospel, a large majority of our Parishes and Missions worship in modern English. We are however, open to accepting and providing ministries in other languages to reflect specific needs in the multi-cultural milieu of Canada and North America.

For information E-mail us at:

occ1@telus.net

WHAT WE BELIEVE

The Orthodox Church of Canada  - as a mission-oriented  Orthodox Christian Church  - is  theologically traditionalist, upholding the inspiration of Scripture, the teachings of the Church Fathers, the theological determinations of the Seven Ecumenical Councils (best summarized in the unadultered Nicene Creed) and the spirit of the Holy Canons as interpreted for local usage. 

What we believe is  expressed through the Sacramental life of the Church in worship and prayer, reflecting the various & devout spiritual customs of the Orthodox Christian faithful we serve,  following the established traditions of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church. 

Each of our Parish Churches or Missions celebrate according to the Old Style (Julian) Calendar or New Style (Gregorian) Calendar (based on need) and we are governed according to "Subornopravnist" or "Council Ruled" model. Reflecting the fulness of the Holy, Catholic & Apostolic Orthodox faith, we have both Eastern and Western Rite ministries.

OUR LEGAL STANDING IN CANADA & THE USA

The Orthodox Church of Canadais a Federally incorporated "not-for-profit" organization,
civially and legally registered as a charity with the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency.
(Reg # 885733337RR001). This means that we can legally operate as a religious denomination in all Canadian provinces and territories (and outside Canada where Canadian Sovereignty is recognized), and are authorized to raise funds and issue income-tax donation receipts under Canadian law. In addition, our clergy are registered
under applicable provincial law to perform matrimony and witness some legal documents. In all regards we are a legal religious entity, recognized fully by all levels of the Canadian government.