Orthodoxy explained simply
The Orthodox faith, simply

Understanding Orthodoxy,
simply.

A clear, human and pastoral guide to the Orthodox faith, one step at a time — without losing any of its depth. For the curious, for beginners, and for those coming back from far away.

Start here Today in the Church
A few glimpses

A few windows into Orthodoxy

You don't need to know everything at once. Pick a window and start there.

About us A signpost, not a destination About the project The Orthodox faith The Liturgy and the Sacraments Discover Step by step The spiritual life A 7-step journey
Acquire a peaceful spirit, and thousands of souls around you will be saved.
St. Seraphim of Sarov
Articles The great questions Read Living examples Lives of Saints Discover Together Prayer request Send an intention
Pray without ceasing.
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Signpost

This site is a signpost, not a destination. It isn't here to keep you in front of a screen, but to point you toward the living life of the Church: a priest, a parish, the sacraments.

First steps

Start here

Three simple doors to come in without stress: a guided path, a first-visit guide, and the words of the Church explained simply.

Door 1 Discover Orthodoxy in 7 steps A gentle, unhurried path: understand, visit, pray — at your own pace. Follow the path Door 2 Your first visit to a church What to know before you open the door: what to wear, what to do, where to stand. No one will judge you. Read the guide Door 3 The Orthodox glossary Icon, liturgy, kathisma… the words you hear in church, explained simply, without jargon. Open the glossary
Wherever you are

A compass to begin

Begin gently: you don't need to understand everything at once. Choose the sentence that sounds like you — here is a simple way forward.

I am discovering Orthodoxy

Welcome. Take your time: faith is not learned in a day — it is discovered step by step, and every step counts.

The 7-step path The Orthodox library
I want to enter a church without stress

You can come in simply, just as you are. Our practical guide tells you everything, and the map helps you find a parish near you.

The first-visit guide The parish map
I want to learn how to pray

Prayer begins with very simple words. You can also entrust an intention to us: someone will pray with you.

What is the point of praying? The Psalter Ask for prayer
I want to understand Orthodox words

Icon, kathisma, troparion… These words have a simple meaning. The glossary explains them one by one, without jargon.

The Orthodox glossary Liturgical vestments
I am looking for today's readings

Every day the Church offers readings from Scripture and remembers her saints. Everything is gathered on today's page.

Today's readings Today in the Church The calendar
I have been hurt by a religious experience

What you have lived through matters. Here, no one rushes you and no one judges you: move forward only if it does you good, at your own pace.

A gentle path, no pressure Write what is on your heart
I want to ask a question

Write simply, in your own words. We read every message and answer with care — there are no stupid questions.

Ask a question Contact us

This compass works entirely on this page: no account, no cookies, no data sent anywhere.

Three paths

Where would you like to begin?

Three doors into the same faith. Pick the one that answers your question today, or follow our step-by-step guide: Discover Orthodoxy in 7 steps.

01

The great questions

Eternity, suffering, the feeling of being far from God.

Last updated: July 8, 2026

Today in the Church

The saints of the day, the Scripture readings and the fasting rule — all of today's landmarks, gathered on a single page.

See today's page
The whole site

Discover

Beyond the questions: the concrete life of the Church, day after day. The site is gradually enriched, see the updates journal.

Lives of the saints People like us, who let God work in them. Life, prayer and akathist. Calendar The 2026 Orthodox calendar: saints of the day, feasts and fasting rules. Fasting recipes Real Lenten dishes, simple and nourishing — with what's in your fridge. Prayer request Ask for a prayer, or entrust an intention to a praying community. YouTube channels A selection of trustworthy Orthodox channels, by language. Library Holy Scripture, the Psalter and reading resources, in one place. Bible The integrated Bible opens in Romanian, by books and chapters. Psalter Psalms for steady daily reading; the English integration is being prepared. Ask a question Write what is on your mind and receive a careful, simple answer. Readings of the day Today's Epistle and Gospel, from the liturgical calendar. Resources Books, PDFs and links to go further, in all three languages.
Just one more step

Can't find your question?

The best address isn't a website but a person: a priest, in a parish near you.

On the ground

Parishes & monasteries

A few markers on the map. Search a city, press “Locate me”, and draw near to a living community close to you.

Attending an Orthodox church for the first time? The map helps you locate a parish, but you can also read our practical guide for beginners first.

Romania — Patriarchate directory

Official directory of the Romanian Patriarchate eparchies.

 Western Europe — Metropolis

Parishes of the Romanian Metropolis in the diaspora.