Beliefs and Practices

We stand firmly rooted in the Apostolic and Orthodox tradition. Our Church, a proud member of the Oriental Orthodox family, carries forward the living faith shaped by the first three Ecumenical Councils (Nicea 325 A.D., Constantinople 381 A.D., and Ephesus 431 A.D.). Guided by the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, we celebrate the mystery of Incarnation – God the Word becoming flesh to heal and elevate all creation, drawing us into deification through the Sacraments and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

Our identity is both “right believing” and “right worshipping.” The word Orthodox signifies this dual dimension, reflecting our commitment to doctrinal truth and vibrant liturgical life. We do not merely confess the faith; we live it in beauty and reverence through the Holy Qurbana, symbols, hymns, incense, and communal prayer.

Salvation for us is profoundly communal. While it begins within each person, it is woven into the community; unity in the Church – the Body of Christ – is essential for faith to live and grow. Theosis, or divinisation, is not an abstract ideal but a real process within the sacramental life and the community of faith, realized through Scripture, Tradition, and the company of the Saints.

Our practices are grounded in Tradition. We honour the rich heritage transmitted through the Fathers, the Liturgy, and the liturgical cycle rooted in the Syriac heritage of the St. Thomas Christians. The Shehimo (canonical hours of prayer) is an example of how prayer shapes our daily life and spiritual discipline.

We live out our faith as a diaspora community. Dispersed across Germany, we sustain our identity through Sunday School, youth fellowships, prayer groups, and cultural expressions that embrace our Indian Orthodox heritage within the wider stillness of life abroad.

We build bridges across Christian traditions. In the spirit of Christ who prayed “that they all may be one”, our parish actively fosters ecumenical relationships. Through joint services, theological dialogue, and community outreach, we witness Christian unity amid diversity.

To journey deeper into our faith and its practices, especially the mysteries of the Qurbana, the spiritual significance of icons, and the rhythm of the liturgical year, click here to read more.