The Universal Call Of The Gospel
Orthodox Christianity is not the faith of one people or one culture. From the beginning, the Gospel was given to all nations. Christ commanded His disciples:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”
Matthew 28:19
This command shows that the Church is not limited to one land or tongue but is a universal Body, embracing all who desire salvation in Christ.
The Psalmist foresaw this when he wrote:
“All the nations You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, and shall glorify Your name”
Psalm 85:9, LXX
Orthodox Christianity is the fulfillment of this prophecy, bringing the true worship of God to every corner of the earth.
From the first centuries, the Church spread from Jerusalem to Antioch, Alexandria, Rome, and Constantinople, and from there to the whole world.
The Church In The Acts Of The Apostles
The Book of Acts shows the Church expanding across cultures and lands.
On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles, and people from many nations heard the message in their own languages (Acts 2:5–11). This miracle shows the heart of Orthodox Christianity: one truth, many tongues.
Saint Paul traveled from city to city, preaching Christ to Greeks, Romans, Jews, and others. He taught that:
“there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus”
Galatians 3:28
The Apostolic Church was never tied to one race or nation. It is the Kingdom of God breaking into every nation, uniting all in the Body of Christ.
Orthodoxy In Africa
From the first centuries, Africa became a stronghold of Orthodox Christianity.
Alexandria gave the Church great Fathers like Saint Athanasius, who defended the divinity of Christ, and Saint Cyril, who proclaimed Mary as Theotokos.
The deserts of Egypt became the birthplace of monasticism, with Saints Anthony and Pachomius leading countless souls into a life of prayer.
Today, Orthodoxy continues to grow in Africa. The Patriarchate of Alexandria ministers to many nations, bringing the Gospel to people hungry for the truth.
New parishes, monasteries, and schools spread the light of Christ. The witness of Orthodoxy in Africa shows that the faith is not a foreign import but the universal truth of Christ, rooted in the soil of every land.
Orthodoxy In Asia
Asia was also an early field of mission. The Apostles themselves traveled eastward, with tradition holding that Saint Thomas reached India.
By the fourth century, Christian communities were present across Persia and beyond. In Armenia, Orthodoxy became the faith of the nation, making it the first Christian country.
In modern times, Orthodoxy in Asia faces challenges, but it also grows with new strength.
In India, Orthodox Christianity has deep roots in the Malankara Church.
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In the Middle East, despite persecution, the faithful keep the flame alive.
The Church in Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia shows that Christ’s truth is not bound by culture but speaks to every heart.
Orthodoxy In China
China, with its long history and great culture, has also encountered the Orthodox faith. The mission in Beijing began in the seventeenth century, when Orthodox priests served Russian communities and shared the Gospel with Chinese people. Over time, Orthodoxy took root in small communities, translating the Divine Liturgy and prayers into Chinese.
Though the Church in China has endured hardships, including political pressures and persecution, the seed of Orthodoxy remains.
Today, faithful communities continue to gather, preserving the true worship of God. Their perseverance reminds us of the Lord’s promise:
“I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”
Matthew 16:18
Orthodoxy Beyond Borders
Orthodoxy is not defined by geography. Whether in Europe, Africa, Asia, or the Americas, the same faith is confessed. Every parish prays the same Creed, celebrates the same sacraments, and honors the same Saints.
This unity across lands shows that Orthodoxy is not a local tradition but the universal Church of Christ.
Saint Ignatius of Antioch called the Church “catholic,” meaning universal, because wherever Christ is, there is the whole Church. Orthodox Christianity is catholic in this true sense, embracing all nations and languages without losing its unity in faith and worship.
Why Orthodoxy Rejects Narrow Localism
Some people think religion belongs to one culture, race, or nation. This view is foreign to Orthodox Christianity.
The Church honors the particular traditions of each people, but it never limits salvation to one group. To do so would deny Christ, who is “the Savior of the world” (John 4:42).
Localism breeds pride and division. Orthodoxy teaches humility and unity.
The Church in each land keeps its own language, music, and customs, yet all are united in the same truth.
Saint Paul taught:
“There is one body and one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all”
Ephesians 4:4–6
This unity cannot be broken by national boundaries.
The Witness Of The Saints
Throughout history, Saints have borne witness to the universal call of Orthodox Christianity.
- Saint Nicholas of Japan brought Orthodoxy to the Japanese people with respect for their culture and love for their souls.
- Saint Cosmas of Aetolia preached to villages in the Balkans, teaching people that Christ belongs to all.
- Saint Herman of Alaska lived among the Aleut people, defending them from oppression and showing them the love of Christ.
These examples show that true mission is not domination but love. The Saints did not erase cultures but baptized them, showing how every people can bring its own gifts to the worship of God.
The Prophecy Of A Worldwide Church
The Scriptures point to a worldwide Church. The Prophet Isaiah wrote:
“It shall come to pass in the last days that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and all nations shall flow unto it”
Isaiah 2:2
This prophecy is fulfilled in Orthodox Christianity, where people from all nations gather at the Lord’s table.
In the Revelation of Saint John, he saw:
“a great multitude which no man could number, from every nation, tribe, people, and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb”
Revelation 7:9
A Word For Orthodox Parents Explaining To Their Children
Parents can explain simply: Jesus Christ came for all people, not just for one country. The Church is like a big family where people from many nations pray together. In Africa, America, Asia, Europe, and everywhere, people love the same Christ. Just as many flowers can grow in one garden, so many peoples can belong to one Church.
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