Orthodox ChurchEdit

The Orthodox Church, more formally known as the Eastern Orthodox Church, is a communion of self-governing churches that share a common faith, sacraments, and apostolic succession. Rooted in the earliest centuries of Christianity, the Orthodox tradition preserves a continuity of worship, theology, and spirituality that has shaped Christian life across Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Africa and Asia. The term orthodox derives from Greek, meaning “right praise” or “correct belief,” signaling a commitment to the consistency of doctrine and practice handed down from the apostles. The church asserts unity in essentials while allowing for a degree of local variety in liturgy, governance, and discipline. Christianity Apostolic succession Nicene Creed

The Orthodox Church is organized as a family of autocephalous (self-governing) jurisdictions united by shared doctrine, sacraments, and liturgical tradition. The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople is traditionally regarded as “first among equals” in matters of shared witness and coordination, but it does not possess universal jurisdiction in the way a centralized papacy might. Other historic centers include the Russian Orthodox Church, the Greek Orthodox Church, the Patriarchate of Antioch, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, and the Patriarchate of Alexandria, among others. National churches and regional synods collaborate through regional councils and the Synod system to discern matters of faith and discipline. Ecumenical Patriarchate Autocephaly Hagia Sophia

History and identity - Origins and continuity: The Orthodox Church traces its roots to the early Christian communities of the Mediterranean basin, preserving the decisions of the First Council of Nicaea and subsequent ecumenical councils. Shared liturgical life, such as the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom and the Synaxis of the saints, anchors the tradition in worship as well as doctrine. First Council of Nicaea Divine Liturgy - Separation from Rome: The Great Schism of 1054 marked a formal divergence between East and West over doctrinal, political, and liturgical differences that developed over centuries. The split was not only about matters of authority but also about how the church understood unity, the role of the bishop of Rome, and the relationship between church and empire. Great Schism Filioque controversy - Oriental and modern history: Later splits, such as the separation of Oriental Orthodox communities in the 5th–7th centuries, further defined a diverse landscape of Eastern Christianity. In modern times, the Orthodox Churches have confronted national awakenings, imperial legacies, and waves of migration that have carried Orthodox faith into new regions. Oriental Orthodox Churches Migration

Theological and liturgical life - Core beliefs: The Orthodox Church confesses the Nicene Creed and upholds the doctrine of the Trinity, the divine and human natures of Christ, and the authority of Scripture together with Sacred Tradition. The seven sacraments (often termed mysteries) form the core of Christian life: Baptism, Chrismation (Confirmation), Eucharist, Confession, Holy Unction, Marriage, and Holy Orders. The veneration of icons, the use of incense, and the liturgical calendar shape daily worship and feast days. Nicene Creed Sacrament Icon Liturgy - Liturgical life: Worship is rooted in ancient forms, with the Divine Liturgy as the central act of communal life. Most communities celebrate the Liturgy using a liturgical language appropriate to their tradition (for example, Greek, Church Slavonic, Arabic, or local languages) and often follow the liturgical year that includes feasts on the major events of the life of Christ and the saints. Divine Liturgy Liturgical calendar - Theotokos and saints: The Theotokos (Mary, mother of God) holds a highly honored place, and the veneration of saints is a feature of Orthodox spirituality, not an addition to worship but a prayerful witness to the communion of the faithful across time. Theotokos Saints

Structure, governance, and jurisdiction - Autonomy and unity: Each autocephalous church governs its own affairs, ordains its bishops, and oversees its parishes in its territory, while remaining in communion with the broader shared faith and common liturgical life. The balance between local authority and universal communion is a defining feature of Orthodoxy. Autocephaly Parish Episcopate - Clerical leadership: The highest ranks include patriarchs and archbishops, with metropolitans and bishops guiding dioceses. In many contexts, national churches have spiritual leadership that reflects their cultural and linguistic tradition, yet they remain part of the same theological family. Patriarch Bishop Episcopal synod - Monasticism: Monastic communities, especially those on revered landscapes like Mount Athos, play a crucial role in spiritual life, theological reflection, and liturgical expression. Monasticism has historically been a potent source of spiritual renewal and scholarly work. Mount Athos Monasticism

Geography and demographics - Global presence: The Orthodox Church is strongest in southeastern Europe, the Balkans, parts of the Middle East, and the former Soviet sphere, with substantial diasporic communities in North America, Western Europe, and beyond. Notable national and regional bodies include the Russian Orthodox Church, the Greek Orthodox Church and its diaspora, the Orthodox Church in America and various autonomous churches in Africa and Asia. Ukraine Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) Diaspora - Language and culture: Orthodox communities often reflect local languages and customs while maintaining shared doctrinal standards. This has allowed Orthodox Christianity to take on different cultural expressions without sacrificing core beliefs. Church Slavonic Greek Orthodox Church

Controversies and debates - Ecumenism and confession: Debates over ecumenical engagement reflect tensions between preserving historical doctrine and engaging broader Christian and global dialogues. Supporters argue that dialogue strengthens witness and doctrinal clarity, while critics caution against relativizing essential beliefs. Ecumenism Orthodox-Centrist Dialogue - Autocephaly and jurisdiction: Modern disputes over jurisdiction and recognition—such as the status of churches in Ukraine or other newly formed jurisdictions—highlight the ongoing negotiation between canonical order and national religious sentiment. These disputes involve questions about communion, legitimacy, and governance within the broader Orthodox world. Orthodox Church in Ukraine Autocephaly - Modern social questions: The Orthodox Church faces questions about the role of tradition in contemporary life, including issues related to family, gender roles, and engagement with modern media. The tradition generally emphasizes continuity with longstanding practice, while communities differ in pastoral approaches to contemporary circumstances. Tradition Pastoral care

Monasticism, education, and social service - Spiritual and cultural influence: Orthodox monasteries, seminaries, and centers of learning have historically been centers of theology, liturgical scholarship, art, and music, influencing broader culture and education. They contribute to charitable work, healthcare, and social welfare through church-related institutions. Seminary Charity

See also - Greco-Roman tradition - Christianity - Roman Catholic Church - Eastern Orthodoxy - Ecumenical Patriarchate - Russian Orthodox Church - Greek Orthodox Church - Ukrainian Orthodox Church - Mount Athos - Icon