What is the Orthodox Church?

The Eastern Orthodox Church is one of the oldest Christian traditions, tracing its roots back to the early Church in the Eastern Mediterranean. It represents the continuation of the ancient Christian communities in regions like Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria, Corinth, and Thessalonica.

The split, often called the “Great Schism,” began in the 11th century, primarily due to disagreements over the authority of the Pope (the Bishop of Rome) and changes in the Nicene Creed. While it’s commonly presented as a division between the Latin-speaking Western Church (which became the Roman Catholic Church) and the Greek-speaking Eastern Church (which became the Eastern Orthodox Church), it’s important to note that the Pope, as one of five patriarchs in the Christian world at the time, broke away from the other four. This move by the Pope, who asserted his supremacy, was seen as a significant rupture. The other four patriarchs, based in Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem, did not accept this shift in power. Understanding that the schism involved a conflict between one patriarch (the Pope) and the others clarifies the situation—it wasn’t simply East versus West, but rather a division among a group of leading patriarchs.

In the 1500s, the Western Church underwent another major split due to the Protestant Reformation. Reformers like Martin Luther and John Calvin challenged practices and doctrines in the Roman Catholic Church, leading to the creation of various Protestant denominations.

The Eastern Orthodox Church is considered the heir to the ancient Christian churches of the East, such as those in Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria, and others. These early Christian communities have maintained an unbroken continuity in faith, tradition, and practices since the time of the Apostles.

The key differences include:

• Papal Authority: The Roman Catholic Church recognizes the Pope as the supreme authority, while the Eastern Orthodox Church does not. Instead, it operates with a conciliar structure, where authority is shared among the bishops.
• The Nicene Creed: The Western Church altered the Nicene Creed (specifically the phrase “filioque”), which led to theological disagreements.
• Liturgical Practices: There are differences in the style of worship, including the use of leavened vs. unleavened bread, the languages used in services, and some rituals.

Yes, the Eastern Orthodox Church remains united in doctrine and practice, with a shared theological and liturgical tradition. There are various national churches within the Orthodox tradition (e.g., Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox), but they all remain in communion with each other.

The Eastern Orthodox Church shares many fundamental Christian beliefs, such as the belief in the Trinity, the resurrection of Jesus, and the authority of the Bible. However, it emphasizes the continuity of sacred tradition, the importance of the liturgy, and the veneration of saints.

The Eastern Orthodox Church believes that the Eucharist (Holy Communion) is the actual Body and Blood of Christ. It is considered a sacrament of the highest importance, and it is central to Orthodox worship and spirituality.

The Eastern Orthodox Church is primarily found in Eastern Europe, Russia, the Middle East, and parts of Africa. However, it also has communities worldwide due to migration and diaspora, including in North America, Australia, and Western Europe.

The Patriarch is the highest-ranking bishop in the Orthodox Church, but unlike the Pope in Roman Catholicism, the Patriarch does not have universal authority over all Orthodox Christians. There are several Patriarchs, including those of Constantinople, Moscow, Alexandria, Antioch, and others. The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople is considered “first among equals” but does not hold direct authority over the other Patriarchs.

The term “Eastern” refers to the geographic origins of the church, which emerged in the Eastern part of the Roman Empire (also known as the Byzantine Empire). It contrasts with the “Western” Church, which is centered in Rome and later became the Roman Catholic Church.

Icons play a vital role in Orthodox worship and devotion. They are considered windows into Heaven and are used in prayer, meditation, and during church services. Icons are deeply respected, but they are not worshipped; instead, they are venerated as representations of sacred figures.

In Eastern Orthodox Christianity, salvation is viewed as a process of transformation, centered on theosis or deification, where humans are called to become partakers of God’s divine life. Salvation is by God’s grace, but it requires human cooperation, as individuals must freely choose to participate in the divine life through faith, repentance, and the sacraments. Central to this process is Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, which restore humanity’s relationship with God. The Holy Mysteries, particularly Baptism and Holy Communion, are vital in this journey, providing the believer with grace and spiritual nourishment. The ultimate goal is not just forgiveness of sins but becoming united with God, growing in holiness throughout this life, and fully experiencing eternal union with God in the next.

The Eastern Orthodox Church practices baptism by full immersion, typically three times (in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). Baptism is seen as necessary for salvation and is usually performed on infants, although adult baptism is also common for converts.