THE 0RTHODOX CHURCH by His Eminence Michael

THE 0RTHODOX CHURCH
His Eminence Michael
Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Church
in North and South America

Foreword

0ften, a generation will look back at a preceding one with awe and wonder. Regardless of our walk of life or belief of faith, we all owe a debt of gratitude to those who came before us, paving the way for this generation and future ones. Orthodox Christians, in particular, feel this within their bones and no where is this more evident than in the experience of our pioneering forefathers, here on the American continent, who sacrificed and struggled to establish our Greek Orthodox Church in the Western hemisphere.

One such "pioneer" was my distinguished predecessor Archbishop Michael, whose journey from his homeland of Greece brought him to Great Britain and eventually the United States, where he would ascend the Archiepiscopal throne and help secure the Orthodox presence and tradition we now enjoy today.

We are indeed fortunate to be able to experience, once again, the wisdom and faith of His Eminence Michael, through the letters and words of his written works—works which, through reprints such as this, allow us to appreciate our forefathers anew and to enjoy the fruits of their efforts. The Orthodox Church, when it was first published in 1931 was an important text, used as a primer for numerous Orthodox Christians in Great Britain, where it was first published, and later in the United States. Revised and updated by the Rev. Protopresbyter Dr. George Dion. Dragas, it will most assuredly enjoy even greater use as a succinct introduction to the history and teachings of our sacred faith.

It is my sincere hope that The Orthodox Church will enrich and expand your knowledge of Orthodoxy, becoming a treasured part of your library.

† SPYRIDON
Archbishop of America

[ THE 0RTHODOX CHURCH - (By) His Eminence Michael, Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Church in North and South America - Revised and Updated by Rev. Dr. George Dion. Dragas, Director, Ecumenical Office, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, July 1997, p. v ]