About Us
Where are we?
St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church stands out not only for its ancient faith but also its ancient Byzantine architecture. We are easily identified as the church with the dome. We are located at 2250 East Paris Ave. SE in the city of Kentwood right outside of Grand Rapids. We are minutes from the I-96 freeway and blocks from the major thoroughfare known as 28th Street.
When is our Sunday Service?
Our principal service, the Divine Liturgy, is at 10:00 AM on Sunday. All visitors are invited and welcome! If you are unable to attend a Sunday service, consider listening online at [Divine Liturgy].
Who are we?
St. Nicholas church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is a parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. Regionally, we are part of the Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest. We are one of approximately 250 churches and missions in the USA and Canada. Our archdiocese is a part of the ancient Church of Antioch, mentioned in the New Testament. We are in full communion with the other historic Orthodox churches of Jerusalem, Alexandria, and Constantinople, as well as the other Eastern Orthodox churches throughout the world.
What do Orthodox Christians believe?
The principal tenets of the Orthodox faith are contained in the Nicene/Constantinopolitan Creed (commonly called the Nicene Creed). Orthodox Christians believe in the Blessed Trinity, the Divinity of Christ, His virgin birth and His glorious resurrection. The Orthodox church is in direct continuity with the Church founded by Jesus Christ. It does not trace its origins to any other reformer or founder. The Orthodox Church is a very traditional church in matters of faith and worship.
How does a person become a member of the Orthodox Church?
Ordinarily, a person becomes a member of the Orthodox Church by being born again of water and the Holy Spirit in the Sacraments of Baptism and Chrismation (Confirmation). Adults who have been baptized in non-Orthodox churches become members by a profession of faith and the Sacrament of Chrismation. This occurs after a period of instruction in the Orthodox faith.
