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Syriac Orthodox Religion
The Syriac Orthodox Religion is autocephalous Oriental Orthodox and based in the Middle East, with adherents worldwide. It is estimated that the church has about 2,250,000 members. The church originated with the Apostle Ste. Peter in the 3rd century AD and is recognized as one of the ancient churches of the world. St. Peter is considered as the first bishop of the Patriarchate of Antioch.
When he left Antioch, Evodios and Ignatius took over the charge of the Patriarchate. Both Evodios and Ignatius died as martyrs under Roman Persecution The church split with Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism over the Council of Chalcedon in 451, which the Syriac Orthodox Church rejects. It is based on Syriac Christianity and has Syriac, a dialect of Aramaic, as its official language. The church is led by the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch.
The basic Syriac Orthodox Religion belief is as stated: "We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified who spoke by the Prophets and in One, Holy, Universal, and Apostolic church. We confess one Baptism for the remission of sins and we look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the coming age, Amen." The Syria Orthodox church believes that Christ is “of” One Nature of the full humanity and full divinity. This is the Non-Chalcedonian belief system that Christ has one nature. The Chalcedonian belief is that Christ is “in” two natures, full humanity and full divinity and is a subtle distinction. Christ has two separate and distinct natures. The Fathers of the Syriac Orthodox Church tried to give a theological interpretation to the primacy of Saint Peter. They were fully convinced of the unique office of Peter in the primitive Christian community. Ephrem, Aphrahat and Marutha who were supposed to be the best exponents of the early Syriac tradition unequivocally acknowledge the office of Peter. The Syriac Orthodox Faithful are required to pray seven times a day According to the Syriac Tradition, an ecclesiastical day starts at sunset. Also the worshiper has to face the east while worshiping.
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