Embracing the Ancient Faith: An Invitation to Join the World Federation of Orthodox and Apostolic Churches as an Individual Observer

 

Contemporary Icon by Ioan Popa, “Jesus the Vine with Saint Martyrs Brâncoveanu” in Egg Tempera

By Bp. Joseph (Ancient Church of the West) 

Christianity is a faith rooted deeply in history, tradition, and the continuous life of the Church. Across the centuries, various Christian denominations have emerged, each focusing on a different aspect of Christ’s Gospel as seen through various cultural lenses. From the liturgical heritage of the Lutherans and Anglicans to the fervent zeal of the Evangelicals and Baptists, every tradition represents a unique approach to living out the reality of Christ’s claim to be both God and Man. Yet, there always remains a common yearning—a desire to reconnect with the foundational truths and practices of the Early Church, which are best seen in the Ancient Churches that share a common culture and language with the earliest expressions of the Gospel. 

The World Federation of Orthodox and Apostolic Churches invites individual Christians from various Protestant traditions to join us as observers. This invitation is not merely a call to dialogue but an opportunity to engage deeply with the historic Christian faith, to explore the richness of liturgical worship, and to commit to the doctrinal and moral clarity that has been preserved in the Orthodox tradition.

1. A Commitment to Apostolic Tradition

The continuity of the Apostolic witness and laying-on-of-hands is a hallmark of the Orthodox Church. It is through this unbroken line of succession that the Church maintains its doctrinal integrity and sacramental life. For those from Lutheran and Anglican backgrounds, the concept of Apostolic succession is not foreign, yet it may differ greatly in its expression and in conformity to the earliest standards. In Orthodoxy, this continuity is not simply a matter of historical lineage but a living reality that connects the Church of today with the unchanging teachings of Christ and His Apostles, expressed in the formal canonical practices of the Apostolic Canons. 

For observers from Reformed, Evangelical, Baptist, and Non-Denominational backgrounds, the Orthodox understanding of Apostolic tradition may initially seem unfamiliar. However, this is an invitation to explore how the early Church viewed authority, sacramental life, and the transmission of faith. Engaging with these ancient practices can enrich your own traditions, providing a deeper connection to the historic visible Church.

This exploration is not about abandoning your identity but about grounding it more firmly in the shared history of Christianity. By understanding and appreciating the Orthodox commitment to Apostolic tradition, observers can gain a greater sense of continuity with the Church's earliest days, fostering unity that is both historically grounded and theologically robust.

8th Century Apse Mosaic of the Crucifixion, Basilica San Clemente, Rome, Showing the Saints and Angels as Fruit of a Budding and Ever-Growing Vine, Rooted in Christ’s Eternal Sacrifice on the Cross

2. The Depth of Ancient Prayers and Liturgies

The prayers and liturgies of the Ancient Church are not mere relics of the past; they are living expressions of faith that have shaped the worship and spiritual life of Christians for centuries. By joining the Federation as observers, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in this rich liturgical tradition.

For those from liturgically inclined traditions, such as Lutherans and Anglicans, the Orthodox liturgy offers a profound continuity with the worship practices of the early Church. It is a living connection to the prayers and hymns that have been offered to God by countless generations of Christians. Engaging with these liturgies can deepen your own understanding of worship as a communal and sacred act that transcends time and space.

For those from more informal or spontaneous traditions, including Evangelicals, Baptists, and Non-Denominational Christians, the structured prayers and liturgies of Orthodoxy might initially seem unfamiliar. However, these practices offer a disciplined and communal approach to worship that is deeply rooted in the life of the early Church. This is not about replacing personal devotion but about connecting it to the broader, universal expression of the Church's faith.

In exploring these ancient liturgies, observers can gain a greater appreciation for the unity and continuity of Christian worship, recognizing it as a vital link between the past and the present, the individual and the communal, the temporal and the eternal.

3. Upholding Moral Clarity in a Complex World

The moral teachings of Christianity are increasingly challenged by contemporary culture, yet they remain central to the life of the Church. The World Federation of Orthodox and Apostolic Churches stands firmly on the moral clarity that has been preserved in the Orthodox tradition regarding human sexuality, the centrality of family, the dignity and eternal value of human life, and the sacramental and unbreakable nature of marriage. As observers, you will be asked to uphold these universal Christian teachings, affirming them with your life, and being held accountable by a greater community of fellow Christian brothers and sisters, so that we may all uphold and maintain the unchanging standards of biblical and traditional Christian values.

For those from traditions with diverse views on these issues, such as Reformed, Lutheran and Anglican communities, affected as they are by modernism and biblical critical method, this may require the individual to reassess certain modern adaptations and innovations, and reject fadish views that have corrupted modern Protestantism. The Orthodox Church’s moral teachings are not simply relics of a bygone era but are grounded in the unchanging truths of the Gospel and the consistent witness of the Early Church, and are therefore not negotiable for Christians of any denomination. 

For observers from Evangelical, Baptist, and Non-Denominational backgrounds, this invitation to moral clarity aligns with the call to live out the teachings of Christ in a world that often strays from these principles, a standard that most conservative Protestants uphold because of their love and allegiance to Holy Scripture, which we as Orthodox deeply appreciate and agree with as a foundational principle. The Orthodox moral vision offers a stable foundation that challenges the relativism and moral ambiguity that has infiltrated much of modern culture, as such, we are good allies for Baptist, Evangelical, and Bible-believing Christians. 

This commitment to moral clarity is not about exclusion but about fidelity—to the teachings of Christ, to the witness of the early Church, and to the call to live lives of holiness in a world that desperately needs a clear and unwavering Christian witness. We must be holy, even as Christ has instructed us to be holy! 

4. Working Toward a Unity Rooted in Truth

In a world where ecumenical efforts often seek unity through compromise, the Federation offers a different path—one that seeks unity through truth. This is not a call to find agreement on the lowest common denominator but to strive together towards the fullness of the Christian faith as it has been handed down through the centuries.

For those from Protestant backgrounds, this may seem like a challenging proposition, especially in many traditions that have dismissed the contribution of the Christian East. Yet it is an invitation to engage deeply with the truths of the faith, to explore how your own traditions can be enriched by the wisdom and practices of the early Church, and to seek a unity that is grounded not in compromise but in shared conviction.

This approach allows for genuine dialogue and mutual respect, without the pressure to conform or dilute one’s beliefs. It is an opportunity to find common ground in the deep and fertile soil of the historic Christian faith—a faith that is rooted in the Incarnation, the Apostolic witness, and the unchanging truths of the Gospel.

A Thoughtful Invitation

The World Federation of Orthodox and Apostolic Churches extends this invitation with a sincere hope that it will be received in the spirit of mutual respect and a shared desire for Christian unity through prayerful and appreciative dialogue. We believe that by coming together as observers, you will find not only a deeper connection to the Ancient Church but also a renewed sense of purpose and direction in your own spiritual journey.

This is an invitation to engage thoughtfully and prayerfully with the rich heritage of Orthodoxy, to explore the depths of Christian history, and to strengthen your own faith by connecting it to the visible fullness of the Christian Church. We welcome you to join us on this journey towards greater unity in truth, love, and faithfulness, as we share the fullness of life in Christ with the world.

A Contemporary Greek Icon Called “Christ the True Vine” Focusing on the Connection of All Those in the Faith to the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ