Together with Roman Catholicism and Protestantism, Orthodoxy (at times called Eastern Orthodoxy and the Greek Orthodox Church) is one of the three principal traditions in Christianity. Orthodoxy evolved in 1054 following the climax of the major cultural, intellectual, and theosophical differences between the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church, called the Great Schism.

The schism can be traced to the Emperor Constantine (273–336), who moved the capital of the Roman Empire from Rome to Constantinople. Political matters came to a head in 1054, when Pope Leo IX excommunicated the patriarch of Constantinople, the leader of the Eastern Church. In turn, the patriarch condemned the Pope. Thus, the Christian church has been divided into the Roman Catholic West and the Eastern Orthodox East ever since.

What is the substance of the split? There were doctrinal and political factors aplenty. For one, there was the issue of the correct belief of the filioque clause (“filioque” is Latin for “and from the son”). In Roman Catholicism, the Nicene Creed includes the phrase, “And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son.” The words “and the son” were accepted in Rome around 1000 and adopted as part of the official doctrine. It is accepted by major denominations of the church, including the Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Protestant churches. But the adoption was offensive to the East. Their history made them more sensitive to the terminology of the Trinity. Their understanding of the matter emphasized the Holy Spirit, which descended through the son, not from the son.

Conflicts between East and West also resulted from their differences over the use of religious images. Christian worship included the veneration of pictures and statues symbolizing sacred figures from earliest times. Indeed, the humanity of Christ was a frequent theme of these works, and images of crucifixes were commonplace. Opponents such as Leo III the Isaurian (685–741) thought the use of such iconography led to idolatry and outlawed the veneration of icons in the eighth century. The policy came to be known as iconoclasm or icon breaking. Canon 36 of the Synod of Elivra in 305 was one of the earliest to prohibit images in the churches, “lest that which is worshipped and venerated is depicted on the walls.”

Other bones of contention between West and East include the authority of the pope, different liturgical practices, and the issue of celibacy among priests. Orthodoxy allows for parish priests to be married.

Today, the Orthodox Church numbers about 225 million adherents.

Central Beliefs

Members believe the Orthodox Church was founded by Jesus Christ, and that it is the living manifestation of his presence. Orthodoxy further believes that the Christian faith and the church are inseparable, that it is impossible to know Jesus Christ, to share in the life of the Holy Trinity, or to be considered a Christian apart from the church, and that it is through the church that an individual is nurtured in the faith.

“Orthodoxy” means “the state of being orthodox, what is authorized or accepted as right and true.” The Orthodox Church stresses “right belief and right glory.” Essentially, Orthodox adherents' beliefs are very similar to those of other Christian traditions. For instance, they recognize seven sacraments — baptism, confirmation, holy Eucharist, confession, ordination, marriage, and holy unction — but express them slightly differently than other faiths.

When death occurs, the Orthodox Church believes the person's soul, being immortal, goes to God who created it. Immediately after death, the soul is judged, called the Particular Judgment. The final reward takes place later, at the time of the General Judgment. During the time between the Particular and the General Judgment, called the Intermediate State, a soul has a foretaste of the blessings or punishments accorded.

The church today is an invaluable treasury of rich liturgical tradition handed down from early Christianity. There is grandeur in the works of art and music and mystery in the Orthodox icons. Many of the churches are rich in history, the Church of Constantinople for one. Others are relatively young, such as the Church of Finland. Some are large, like the Church of Russia; some are small, like the Church of Sinai.

The international organization of the Orthodox churches is one of auto-cephalous (self-governing) branches. The churches hold the same dogmas and faiths, although the principle of “authority with freedom” prevails. Each church is independent in internal organization and follows its own particular customs. The Orthodox Church acknowledges that unity does not mean uniformity. In America, where Orthodoxy is relatively young, there are a number of dioceses and archdioceses linked directly to one of the auto-cephalous churches.

The administration of the church is spiritual and civil in character. The laymen in the church are prominent not only in the election of candidates to the priesthood but also in the sharing of the spiritual and administrative affairs of the church. Laymen share these duties with the clergy and have a responsibility for the discipline of the membership of the church. They also have the right to participate in the tasks of the church in teaching, mission, and charitable obligations.

There is no one person who leads or speaks for the church, nor do all its members act separately; they are seen as a whole, the one “Mystical Body of Christ.”

Holy Writings

Scriptural authority is stressed, and there is an insistence upon the gospel, which is considered the foundation of the faith. It has been quoted that “scripture is fixed, it is the ground and pillar of our faith.”

The Bible, therefore, is highly regarded by the church; a portion of it is read at every service. The church sees itself as the guardian and interpreter of the scriptures. The content of the Old Testament is seen as preparation for the coming of Jesus. The New Testament, with its four gospels, twenty-one epistles, the Acts of the Apostles, and the Book of Revelation, are all accepted and part of the church. (As you will see, this is not always the case with other religions.)