What are the basic beliefs of the Orthodox Church?  What is it that you must believe to be Orthodox?    First and foremost we find the basic tenets of the Orthodox Christian Faith in the Nicene Creed in its original form, which is called by the Ecumenical Councils "The Symbol of the Faith" I believe in one God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages, Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten, not created, of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. And He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead, Whose kingdom shall have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, Who spoke by the prophets. In One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church; I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the Life of the age to come. Amen Perhaps the best summary of beliefs after this is taken from the Office for the reception into the Orthodox Church:   After the person being received recites the Symbol of the Faith (the Nicene Creed), the Bishop/Priest questions as follows: Tell us of the other dogmas of our Orthodox Church, its traditions and ordinances; how thou holdest concerning them? And the one being received replies: I believe and confess that the Foundation, Head, and Great High Priest and Chief Shepherd of the Holy Orthodox Catholic Church is our Lord Jesus Christ: and that Bishops, Pastors, and teachers are appointed by him to rule the Church: and that the Guide and Pilot of this Church is the Holy Spirit. I believe and confess that the power hath been given by our Savior Christ unto the Holy Orthodox Catholic Church, to bind and to loose: and that whatsoever, by virtue of that power, is bound or loosed on earth will be bound or loosed in heaven. I confess that this Church is the Bride of Christ and the Pillar and Foundation of the Truth, as Scripture affirms, and that therein is true salvation. I accept and confess the Apostolic and Ecclesiastical canons, established at the Seven Holy Ecumenical and Provincial Councils, and the other traditions of the Orthodox Church of God; its rules and ordinances.   I likewise accept Holy Scripture and shall understand it in accordance with the interpretation which the Holy Orthodox Church, our Mother, hath held, and doth hold. I believe and confess that there are Seven Sacraments of the New Testament, to wit: Baptism, Chrismation, the Eucharist, Confession, the Priesthood, Marriage, and Anointing with Oil, instituted by the Lord Christ and his Church, to the end that, through their operation and reception, we may receive blessings from on high. I believe and confess that, in the Divine Liturgy, under the mystical forms of Bread and Wine, the faithful partake of the true Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, unto the remission of their sins, and unto life eternal. I believe and confess that it is proper to reverence and call upon the Saints who reign on high with Christ, according to the interpretation of the Holy Orthodox Catholic Church of God; and that their prayers and intercessions avail with the beneficent God unto our salvation: Likewise that it is well-pleasing in the sight of God that we should treat with respect and reverence their relics, glorified through incorruption, as the precious memorials of their virtues. I acknowledge that the icons of our Savior Christ, the Ever-virgin Mother of God, and of the other Saints are worthy to be kept and honored; not unto idolatry, but that, through contemplation thereof, we may be incited unto godliness, and unto emulation of the deeds of the holy persons represented by those images. I confess that the prayers of the faithful, which are offered up to God for the salvation of those who have departed this life in the faith, are favorably received, through the mercy of God.