Discover Orthodoxy
Are you interested in the Orthodox faith but do not know where to start? Here is a simple and gradual 7-step path to guide you at your own pace.
Understand what Orthodoxy is
Orthodoxy is not just an intellectual doctrine, but a living relationship with God lived within the Church. It has faithfully preserved, through the centuries, the common faith and liturgy of the Christians of the first centuries of the apostolic era. It is a path of inner transformation and communion. To deepen these historical and spiritual bases, you can visit our Orthodox library.
Visit an Orthodox church
The Orthodox faith is experienced through the senses and common prayer during the Divine Liturgy or Vespers services. You can enter an Orthodox church with complete simplicity, without stress or constraints. To know how to proceed, what to observe and how to behave, read our practical guide: First visit to an Orthodox church.
Discover prayer
Prayer is the daily breath of the soul and the intimate bond that unites us with God. Orthodoxy proposes short traditional prayers and a practice of vigilance of the heart. If you are going through difficulties, you can also request prayers or entrust us with names on our dedicated page: Request a prayer.
Follow the readings and daily life
The Church rhythms our year through Holy Scripture and daily commemorations. Getting into the habit of reading the daily Apostle and Gospel readings helps to anchor ourselves in the divine word. You can find these guidelines on the readings of the day and Today in the Church pages.
Familiarize yourself with important words
Services and theological explanations sometimes use a specific vocabulary (such as icon, troparion, fasting or Theotokos). To avoid confusion and understand these concepts simply, you can consult our Orthodox glossary at any time.
Find inspiration in the lives of saints
The saints are not inaccessible heroes, but ordinary human beings who fully let the grace of God act within them. Their struggles and their love for Christ guide and encourage us. Discover soul-profiting accounts and prayers on the Lives of the Saints page.
Ask questions and get in touch
Every spiritual journey is unique and raises legitimate questions. If you wish to clarify a point of faith or share your thoughts with our site's team, feel free to write to us via the Ask a question page or our contact form.
- This week: read the first-visit guide — ten minutes is enough.
- This Sunday: step into a church near you (the parish map can help).
- Every day: a small landmark with Today in the Church.
This website is only a humble signpost and does not replace the real life of the Church. The Orthodox faith is discovered and deepened above all in the silence of personal prayer, regular participation in the Divine Liturgy within a local parish, and the fatherly guidance of an Orthodox priest (spiritual father).
Starting from another background
Every path to the Church is unique. Here are a few entry points gently adapted to your background:
If you come from Catholicism
Orthodoxy invites you to return to the source of the faith of the Church Fathers and the seven Ecumenical Councils of the undivided Church. You will find here the Divine Liturgy preserved in its ancient form, an ecclesiology of fraternal communion (synodality and the equality of bishops), and a spirituality focused on the deification of man (theosis) through uncreated grace.
If you come from Protestantism
Orthodoxy shares with you a deep love and great reverence for Holy Scripture. It invites you to discover the Bible not in isolation, but read within the living Tradition of the Church — the very one that defined the biblical canon itself. We invite you to discover how the word of God is embodied and illuminated in liturgical life, the sacraments, and the experience of the saints.
If you come from an Islamic background
This page invites you to discover with deep respect what the Orthodox Church confesses about Christ — the eternal Word of God incarnate out of love —, about unceasing prayer (the Jesus Prayer) which descends into the heart, and about the infinite mercy of God who makes Himself personally known as a loving Father.
If you are an atheist, inquiring, or hurt by religion
You can move forward slowly, at your own pace, without any dogmatic or social pressure. Orthodoxy does not present itself primarily as a set of moral rules or obligations, but as a spiritual hospital for healing the wounds of the soul and the heart. You can start simply by appreciating silence, simple prayer, the liturgical beauty of a service, or a simple human discussion with a priest.
Last updated: July 8, 2026