In the America Orthodox Catholic Church (AOCC), we affirm our belief in the One True God—a faith passed down through the centuries by the Church and firmly expressed in the Nicene Creed. This ancient creed unites Christians across time and space, declaring the mystery of the Trinity: one God in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
One God in Three Persons
When we speak of the Trinity, we are not talking about three gods. Instead, we believe in one God who exists in three distinct but united persons. The Father is not the Son, the Son is not the Spirit, and the Spirit is not the Father—yet all three are fully and equally God. This beautiful mystery has been embraced by Christians since the early days of the Church.
Rooted in Scripture and Tradition
The foundation of our belief in the Trinity comes from both Scripture and the testimony of the Church Fathers. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus commands His disciples to baptize "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19). This shows us that from the beginning, Christians recognized the unity of the three persons in the one name of God.
The early Church Fathers, such as St. Athanasius and St. Basil, defended the truth of the Trinity against misunderstandings and false teachings. They taught that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man, co-eternal with the Father, and that the Holy Spirit is also fully divine. These teachings were upheld at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, where Church leaders gathered to protect the truth of our faith.
Why the Trinity Matters Today
The Trinity isn’t just an ancient doctrine to be studied; it shapes how we live and understand our relationship with God. The Trinity reveals that God is love—an eternal communion of love between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. When we worship, we enter into this divine love. This truth also reminds us that we are created for relationship—with God and with one another.
A Faith That Unites
The Nicene Creed, which we proclaim, is more than words. It connects us to millions of believers past and present who have trusted in the same God. This shared faith unites us with the early Church and guides us as we continue to follow Christ.
At the AOCC, we hold fast to the unchanging truth that God is one in essence and three in person. This belief anchors our worship, strengthens our community, and inspires us to live out our calling as followers of Jesus Christ.
One God in Three Persons
When we speak of the Trinity, we are not talking about three gods. Instead, we believe in one God who exists in three distinct but united persons. The Father is not the Son, the Son is not the Spirit, and the Spirit is not the Father—yet all three are fully and equally God. This beautiful mystery has been embraced by Christians since the early days of the Church.
Rooted in Scripture and Tradition
The foundation of our belief in the Trinity comes from both Scripture and the testimony of the Church Fathers. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus commands His disciples to baptize "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19). This shows us that from the beginning, Christians recognized the unity of the three persons in the one name of God.
The early Church Fathers, such as St. Athanasius and St. Basil, defended the truth of the Trinity against misunderstandings and false teachings. They taught that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man, co-eternal with the Father, and that the Holy Spirit is also fully divine. These teachings were upheld at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, where Church leaders gathered to protect the truth of our faith.
Why the Trinity Matters Today
The Trinity isn’t just an ancient doctrine to be studied; it shapes how we live and understand our relationship with God. The Trinity reveals that God is love—an eternal communion of love between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. When we worship, we enter into this divine love. This truth also reminds us that we are created for relationship—with God and with one another.
A Faith That Unites
The Nicene Creed, which we proclaim, is more than words. It connects us to millions of believers past and present who have trusted in the same God. This shared faith unites us with the early Church and guides us as we continue to follow Christ.
At the AOCC, we hold fast to the unchanging truth that God is one in essence and three in person. This belief anchors our worship, strengthens our community, and inspires us to live out our calling as followers of Jesus Christ.
