What We Believe
In the Episcopal Church, our faith is rooted in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and nurtured in the worship, teaching, and fellowship of the Church. As Episcopalians, we cherish the rich heritage of the Anglican tradition — holding together Scripture, tradition, and reason as we seek to follow Christ in our daily lives. The beliefs we share are expressed in our worship and lived out in our community. Here you can learn more about some of the central elements of our faith: the Eucharist, Holy Baptism, Holy Scripture, the Book of Common Prayer, and the ancient creeds of the Church.
The Eucharist
We believe the Eucharist is the heart of our common worship — the place where we meet Christ in the sacrament of His Body and Blood. Through the mystery of this holy meal, the bread and wine become for us the real presence of Christ, given to nourish us in faith. In sharing this gift, we remember Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, and we are strengthened to go into the world as His people. All who seek Christ are welcome at His table.
Holy Baptism
In the waters of baptism, we are joined to Christ in His death and resurrection, adopted as God’s beloved children, and marked as Christ’s own forever. Through this sacrament, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and are made members of the Body of Christ. We also become part of an extended family — the “one, holy, catholic [meaning ‘universal’], and apostolic Church” — united with Christians across the ages and around the world.
The Bible: Holy Scripture
Holy Scripture is the foundation of our faith, containing all things necessary for salvation. We read the Bible in light of tradition and reason, trusting that God continues to speak through these sacred writings. Our worship is steeped in Scripture from beginning to end — in fact, about 70% of the Book of Common Prayer comes directly from the Bible. In Sunday worship, Episcopalians hear more of God’s Word read aloud than almost any other Christian tradition, reminding us that the story of God’s love is still unfolding in our lives today.
The Book of Common Prayer
The Book of Common Prayer shapes our worship and anchors our life of prayer. Rooted in ancient Christian tradition and written in language both beautiful and clear, it offers prayers, Scripture readings, and liturgies that guide us in praising God, seeking forgiveness, and living faithfully. Whether in Sunday worship or in daily devotions, the Prayer Book helps us pray together with one voice, joining the Church across time and around the world.
Our Creeds
The Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed are historic statements of Christian faith, uniting us with believers of every generation and place. In saying them together, we affirm the core truths of the Gospel — the love of the Father, the saving work of the Son, and the life-giving presence of the Holy Spirit. The creeds keep us grounded in the faith we have received, and they call us to live that faith with courage and joy.
In 2025, Christians around the world will mark the 1,700th anniversary of the adoption of the Nicene Creed at the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D.
