Introduction to Orthodoxy

Orthodoxy is one of the oldest and biggest Christian denominations in the world. The term “Orthodox” comes from the Greek word “orthodoksy” which translates to “the right opinion or belief.” Adherence to this right opinion is of utmost importance to practicing Orthodox Christians who believe in the Bible and the teachings of the early church. The Eastern Orthodox Church, which is based in Constantinople/Istanbul, is the largest denominational group in the eastern part of the world and contains a wealth of spiritual and cultural influences from Greco-Roman, Slavic, Arabic and other folks traditions. It is comprised of several distinct churches, including the Greek Orthodox Church, the Russian Orthodox Church and the Romanian Orthodox Church, which have different traditions but are unified under the same hierarchy.

The History of Orthodoxy

The Eastern Orthodox Church traces its roots to the Apostolic age and its teachings to Jesus Christ. It is the historical continuation of the Christian Church established by Jesus and the Apostles. The first three Ecumenical Councils at Nicea, Constantinople and Ephesus declared the dogmatic teachings of the church and defended them against any distortion. Over time, the Eastern Orthodox Church diversified into a number of local churches, driven by language and culture. From the 11th century on, these churches were focused around five main “Patriarchates” that eventually emerged: Constantinople, Antioch, Jerusalem, Alexandria, and the Russian Orthodox Church.

Fundamental Beliefs

Orthodox Christians adhere to the creeds and confessions of faith accepted by the first seven ecumenical councils (A.D. 325–787). Orthodoxy also puts a strong emphasis on the apostolic tradition and scriptures, especially the New Testament. The basic belief of Orthodox Christianity is that believers are saved by the grace of God which comes from faith in Jesus Christ and his atoning death on the cross. But Orthodoxy also teaches that grace and faith presuppose the Church, and that believers can obtain full communion with God only through participation in the sacramental life of the Church. This is expressed in the central themes of prayer and sacramental living, known as theosis, or the deification of man. These themes demonstrate the importance of personal piety, prayer and contemplation in Orthodoxy, which leads to the renewing of the individual’s relationship with God.

Conclusion

Orthodox Christianity is a major religion worldwide with a long and rich history. It dates back to the apostolic age and has managed to stay true to its fundamental beliefs and practice, despite greatly diversifying over the centuries. The faith put great emphasis on divine grace and the need for believers to be in communion with the church in order to experience it. Through the practice of prayer, sacramental living and personal piety, the individual can become unified with God and experience ultimate spiritual renewal.