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Orthodox Christians worship the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—the 'The term ''Holy Trinity''', dates back at least to the one [[God]]time of Tertullian. Following It combines the [[Holy Scriptures]] concepts of tri- (three) and the [[Church Fathers]]unity (one), and refers to the Church believes that the Trinity is three divine persons (''[[hypostasis|hypostases]]'') Persons of God who share one essence are consubstantial (''[[ousia]]'')i. It is paradoxical to believe thus, but that is how God has revealed himselfe. All three persons are consubstantial with each other, that is, they are of one essence (or ''[[homoousios]]'') and coeternalwith each other. There never was a time when any of the persons Persons of the Trinity did not exist. , for God is beyond and before time and yet --though He acts within time, both moving and speaking within historythereby revealing Himself.

--==Explanation of the Trinity--=='''WHAT GOD IS ''NOT'':''' God is ''not '' an impersonal essence or mere nor merely a "higher power,." but rather each of the divine persons relates to mankind personally. Neither is are ''God a simple name '' and ''Trinity'' simply singular names for what would otherwise be considered three gods (i.e., terms which would hide polytheism), but rather . '''WHAT GOD ''IS'':''' Though the Orthodox faith Trinity is monotheist and yet [[Triadology|Trinitarian]]a mystery beyond comprehension, two analogies are often used to help explain what ''Trinity'' means. The God of the Orthodox Christian Church is first references the God of [[Abraham]]sun, [[Isaac]] and [[Jacob]], the second references man. '''I AMThe Sun:''' who revealed himself The sun is characterized by three elements.(1) The ball of burning gas is the source of all (like the Father).(2) The light is visible to [[Moses]] in all (like the Son).(3) The heat is felt, but not seen (like the [[Burning Bush|burning bush]]Holy Spirit or Comforter).

==Explanation The sun has never been the sun without its light and heat, and the light and heat cannot exist without their source. In addition, while they may co-exist, they do not produce each other in and of themselves. (ex. You can’t read by the light of a heating pad, nor can you count on getting warm wherever it is bright.)  '''Man:''' It is said that each human has been made in the image of God; and, as such, each human bears similarities to our Trinitarian Lord and God:(1) Man's ''nous'' (i.e. complete mind and heart; including intellect, creativity, feelings, morality, intuition, etc.) is like the Father.(2) Man's flesh (both tangible and a temple of the Holy Spirit), is akin to the Son who became incarnate and was filled with the Holy Spirit.(3) Man's life (or breath) is akin the Holy Spirit.  Man (any human) is all three. There is never a time that man has existed (or could exist) without all three. For a human nous cannot exist without a body and life, a human body does not exist--at least at the start--without a nous and life, and a human life cannot exist without a nous and body. '''The benefit and limitation of analogies:''' Each of these analogies is good at expressing a three-ness and one-ness with no polytheism. However, according to Saint [[Gregory the Theologian]], trying to go further to comprehend ''unbegotten-ness'' (Father), ''begotten-ness'' (Son), or ''procession'' (Holy Spirit) leads to insanity. Therefore the Church traditionally approaches God in divine mystery (and [[apophatic theology|apophatically]]), content to encounter Him rather than comprehend Him (for it is impossible for the created to comprehend the Trinity==ineffable Creator).

The source and unity of the Holy Trinity ==Image & Likeness Distinguished==It should be noted that while each human being is in the Father''image'' of God, from whom the Son is begotten and humans were also from whom the Spirit proceedscreated to be in His ''likeness''. ThusSt. Ephrem the Syrian often writes of mankind initially being "robed in glory, " referring to bearing the Father is both the ground of unity ''likeness'' of God.<ref>St. Ephrem the Trinity and also of distinctionSyrian, Hymns On Paradise, St. To try to comprehend unbegottenness (Father)Vladimir Seminary Press, begottenness (Son)Crestwood, or procession NY (Holy Spirit1997) leads to insanity, says the holy [[Gregory the Theologian]], .</ref> God is good; and so the Church approaches God in divine mystery, approaching to be ''like'' God [[apophatic theology|apophatically]], being content to encounter God personally and yet realize the inadequacy of the human mind a person needs to comprehend Himbe ''good'' as well.

==The Trinity Related to Man==Since man This, however, is made in where ''the image of GodFall'' is evident; for, man also has three naturesas St. Both man Ephrem points out, when Adam and Eve looked to themselves to determine right and woman have three parts: bodywrong (daring to become as God without God<ref>Clark Carlton, The Life, Regina Orthodox Press, Salisbury, soulMA (2000), and spiritp. 22. </ref> choosing their own leadership rather than God the Son is comparable 's by not waiting to the body since the Son is God incarnateknow all things through and with Him) they became naked--no longer bearing His likeness... no longer "robed in glory. [[God the Father]] is comparable to the soul" At this point, or mind, since he was we know the mind that created everythingtale. The Holy Spirit is comparable to man.. in God's Spiritmercy, they departed Eden. As (For giving them access to the body Tree of man is the temple of our spirit, the body of [[Jesus Christ]] is the temple to the [[Holy Spirit]] which proceeds from the Father through (''dia'Life--immortality--when not in God's likeness--would indeed have been a living hell.) the Son.