Orthodox Christianity 101
OC 101 Registration
The 2025/2026 Orthodoxy 101 class will begin again on September 17, 2o25
The class will be held on Wednesdays at 7 pm both in person and via Zoom.
Registration for the 2025/2026 class year is NOW OPEN!
Course text is Introducing the Orthodox Faith by Fr. Anthony Coniaris.
You can purchase the text through the Ancient Faith Store HERE .
The purpose of this class is to provide a broad overview of the Church’s faith and life, beginning with our worship. It’s intended for those who wish to explore Orthodoxy; for those who wish to become members of the Church here at St. Paul’s; and for those members of our parish family already Orthodox but interested in broadening and deepening their faith.
We will look at the Liturgy and the sacramental life: why do we worship the way we do? We’ll explore the Bible and look closely at the New Testament and who the Lord Jesus is. We’ll study the history of the Church, looking specifically at the question: where did all the many thousands of different denominations come from? We’ll discuss repentance, personal spiritual disciplines like prayer, almsgiving and fasting, stewardship, Christian moral values, dealing with our sins, the development of the virtues and living faithfully. And the most important question of all: what does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus Christ in Orange County in 21st century America?
Please join us! Content available for Fall 2025 below. (Spring 2026 will be available soon).
September 2025
WATCH THIS WEEK’S VIDEOS
WATCH THIS WEEK’S VIDEOS
October 2025
Excerpted from Orthodox Christianity 101 Notebook
WATCH THIS WEEK’S VIDEOS
oc101
Excerpted from Sacred Symbols that Speak (Volume 1)
Excerpted from The Orthodox Christianity 101 Handbook
WATCH THIS WEEK’S VIDEOS
WATCH THIS WEEK’S VIDEOS
WATCH THIS WEEK’S VIDEOS
November 2025
READ: Pages 163-196
Pages 163-196: “What We Believe About the Sacraments”
from Introducing the Orthodox Church by Anthony Coniaris
From the Orthodox Christianity 101 Handbook
oc101
From the Orthodox Christianity 101 Handbook
From the Orthodox Christianity 101 Handbook
From the Orthodox Christianity 101 Handbook
WATCH THIS WEEK’S VIDEOS
“What We Believe About Icons” from Introducing the Orthodox Church
Excerpted from the Orthodox Christianity (OC) 101 Handbook
WATCH THIS WEEK’S VIDEOS
READ: Pages 119-138
“What We Believe about the Saints and the Theotokos”
from Introducing the Orthodox Church by Anthony Coniaris

Everything Is Like an Ocean: On the Essential Role of the Saints
Everything Is Like an Ocean: On the Essential Role of [...]
The Way of the Saint
The Way of the Saints by Father Thomas Hopko [...]
Give thanks to God! Come to Liturgy! No class tonight. Come to the Vesperal Liturgy!
December 2025
READ: “What Is A Saint?”
an excerpt from The Experience of God by Father Dumitru Staniloae
WATCH THIS WEEK’S VIDEOS
READ: Pages 139-162 & 241-247
Pages 139-162: “What we believe about eschatology or life after death”
Pages 241-247: “What we believe about prayers for the dead”
from Introducing the Orthodox Church by Anthony Coniaris
WATCH THIS WEEK’S VIDEOS
READ: Pages Pages 93-110
“What We Believe about the Church Year”
from Introducing the Orthodox Church by Anthony Coniaris
Read: Epiphany and the Blessing of Water
https://stpaulsirvine.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Eiphany-and-the-Blessing-of-the-Water.pdf
WATCH THIS WEEK’S VIDEOS
Spring 2026 Course Materials will be Available soon.