About the Anglican Diocese of the Eastern United States
We Are a Biblical Church
We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the inerrant and infallible Word of God, and that they contain all doctrine necessary for salvation.
While there are a great many worthwhile translations of the Holy Bible, the texts that are authorized for use in our parishes are the King James Version (KJV). Other translations are used frequently for Bible study and other purposes as approved by the Bishop Ordinary.
We Are a Sacramental Church
The Anglican Church in America regards the two Gospel Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion as being 'necessary to salvation'. Five other Sacraments including: Confirmation, Penance, Holy Matrimony, Holy Orders, and Holy Unction complete the primary seven Sacraments of the undivided Church.
We Are a Liturgical Church
Our churches worship God using the timeless services of the 1928 Book of Common Prayer and the American or Anglican Missals. Both of these have texts that go back to the very earliest liturgies of the Christian tradition. Other service booklets or texts, such as the "Traditional St. Augustine Prayerbook", are used as approved by the Bishop Ordinary.
The primary authorized hymnal is the "1940 Hymnal of the Episcopal Church". "Hymns Ancient and Modern" is also used upon approval. Other musical texts are also widely used to enhance our classical Anglican worship.
We Are a Creedal Church
“I believe in one God…” so begins the Nicene Creed. The Anglican Church in America accepts the Apostles’ Creed, Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed as succinct summaries of the Christian faith. The statements made in these creeds are both our personal and corporate expression of our faith.
We Are An Apostolic Church
The Anglican Church in America maintains the three major catholic orders of deacon, priest, and bishop. Our bishops are consecrated within the historic apostolic succession that traces back to the original Apostles of Jesus Christ.
In addition to the major orders, we uphold the minor orders of reader and subdeacon as well as the ancient lay vocation of deaconesses. These minor orders are not ordained but are “called and set apart” lay ministries for the good of the Church.
We Are A Timeless Church
From our faith to our governance of the Church, we haven’t changed much over the two millennia history of the Church. Our worship services are timeless and our focus on the Holy Scriptures set us apart as the antidote for the struggles and foolishness of modern society.
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
Hebrews 13:8