The Confession of the Faith

To confess the faith means openly to acknowledge that we are Christians who hold the Orthodox faith, “ready to give a verbal defense to everyone who asks you to give an explanation for the hope that is in you; and do so with humility and fear” (1Pe 3:15; see Q307, Q607).

We should do this with such sincerity and firmness that neither seductions, nor threats, nor tortures, nor death itself may be able to make us deny our faith in the true God and Father and in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Moreover, our manner of living should itself make evident that we are disciples of Jesus Christ, so that “in case non-Christians speak against you as wrongdoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation” (1Pe 2:12; see Q406).

As the Lord himself commanded: “Let your light shine before all, so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Mat 5:16; see Q406).