Are There Other Paths to Salvation Besides Our Lord Jesus Christ?

Absolutely not. However, unfortunately, in our times, some Christian denominations, along with people of other religions, fail to recognize this truth. In this regard, it is appropriate to recall the words spoken by Jesus Himself: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6)

Indeed, after Jesus Christ's ascension, the apostle Peter confirmed this same divine truth before the temple officials and the Sadducees (a sect of Judaism), saying:
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)

This truth, proclaimed by our Savior and upheld by the apostles, has been unwaveringly passed down to the first Christians and, through them, to us. Numerous Orthodox Church Fathers have testified to this, including St. Cyprian, who declared:
"It is impossible to reach the Father except through His Son, Jesus Christ." (St. Cyprian, 250 AD)

For centuries, our ancestors not only deeply understood the words of the Savior but also lived by them, never denying their one and only salvation—Jesus Christ. They were fully aware of the Lord’s warning:
"Whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven." (Matthew 10:33)

Can Virtuous Non-Christians Be Justified and Attain Salvation?

Based on the biblical passages mentioned earlier and the position of the Universal and Apostolic Church, the answer must be negative. Discussions on this matter have existed since the early centuries. In the writings of Lactantius (one of the Church Fathers of the Western Church, early 4th century), there is mention of a virtuous pagan named Simon the Athenian. He distributed his wealth to the poor, clothed the naked, and lived a life dedicated to charity and caring for others. However, despite his virtues, he was still considered a "body without a head" (Lactantius), because he lacked the most crucial element—true knowledge of God.

If God were truly their Father, they would accept and love Jesus, for He did not come on His own, but was sent by the Father (John 8:42). Only by accepting Christ does one become part of the One Holy Body—the Church—of which Christ Himself is the Head (Ephesians 4:15-16).

Nevertheless, the Holy Fathers of the Church, both in the past and today, deeply acknowledge the boundless mercy and compassion of our loving God. They pray and entrust the fate of souls to His infinite grace.

In this regard, it is appropriate to recall the words of St. Paul the Apostle, who said that those without true knowledge of God will be judged according to their conscience (Romans 2:14-16).

What Role and Significance Does Faith Have in God's Plan of Salvation?

Previously, we spoke of salvation as a divine gift, realized through Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. However, clarification is needed: through Jesus' crucifixion and, especially, His divine resurrection, mankind’s sins were forgiven, and the once-closed doors to the Kingdom of Heaven were opened. Through baptism, individuals are given the opportunity to be cleansed of Adam's sin. However, from that point onward, it is up to each person to walk this path—a path that is truly narrow, and not everyone can follow it (Matthew 7:13-14).

During this journey of salvation, faith plays an irreplaceable role. Jesus Himself emphasized its importance when He said that whoever believes in Him will not perish but will have eternal life (John 3:16). By believing in Jesus, we fulfill the holy and good will of God the Father:
"For My Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day." (John 6:40)

"The crown of faith is the salvation of souls." (1 Peter 1:9) For whoever believes in Jesus will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe is already condemned (John 3:18).

Finally, let us not forget the words of a blessed saint of the universal Church:
"Faith is the power of salvation and the strength of eternal life." (Clement of Alexandria, 2nd-3rd century)

How Important Are Good Works in Attaining God’s Grace of Salvation?

Just as true faith is necessary, so are virtuous deeds (works of faith) essential for attaining salvation. Many emphasize the importance of faith while downplaying human actions. To clarify such misconceptions, our Lord said:
"Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21)

When reading Jesus’ words about the Last Judgment in the Gospels, we see how the Lord calls those who neglected acts of charity "accursed." Those who did not feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, or visit the sick were condemned because, by failing to do good for others, they failed to serve the Lord, and as a result, they inherited eternal fire (Matthew 25:41-45).

Furthermore, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, clearly states in the Gospel:
"A time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice and come out—those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned." (John 5:28-29)

The apostle John, describing what was revealed to him by God, testifies:
"The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books." (Revelation 20:12)

This is why the blessed fathers and teachers of the Church have repeatedly emphasized the importance of human actions, concluding:
"To believe in Him means to do His will." (Irenaeus, 2nd century)