Key Features of Orthodox
Distribution of Eastern Orthodox Christians in the world by country: Main religion (more than 75%) Based on the numbers of adherents, Orthodoxy is the second largest Christian communion in the world after the Roman Catholic Church.
The Holy Orthodox Catholic Apostolic Eastern Church understands itself to preserve the faith of the original apostolic Christian church. The Orthodox stream of Christianity developed from the church’s spread across the eastern Roman, or Byzantine, empire in the first few centuries after Jesus. It was influenced more by Greek culture and language than Romans
Key Beliefs
In addition to the key beliefs common to all Christians, Orthodox Christians believe:
Holy Tradition is an important and distinct source of faith. It describes how the Holy Spirit infuses the life of the church, providing continuity and unity among the faithful.
Holy Tradition consists of:
the Bible.
the full liturgical life of the church.
the full sacramental life of the church. The seven sacraments are: baptism, confirmation, communion, penance, holy orders, marriage, and Holy unction (anointing of the sick). Of these, the first four are essential for salvation.
the dogmatic decisions and acts of the councils, including the creeds, the writings of the church fathers, the lives of the saints and iconographic traditions.
Holy icons (consecrated pictures) are important elements in both public and private devotion.
Orthodox Christians believe that saints, created through the process of canonisation, can intercede with God on behalf of people who are alive and petition for their memory.
Orthodox Christians do not believe in the Catholic teaching of the eucharist or of the immaculate conception of Mary.
The Virgin Mary is honoured as theotokos (Mother of God).
Distribution of Eastern Orthodox Christians in the world by country: Main religion (more than 75%) Based on the numbers of adherents, Orthodoxy is the second largest Christian communion in the world after the Roman Catholic Church.
The Holy Orthodox Catholic Apostolic Eastern Church understands itself to preserve the faith of the original apostolic Christian church. The Orthodox stream of Christianity developed from the church’s spread across the eastern Roman, or Byzantine, empire in the first few centuries after Jesus. It was influenced more by Greek culture and language than Romans
Key Beliefs
In addition to the key beliefs common to all Christians, Orthodox Christians believe:
Holy Tradition is an important and distinct source of faith. It describes how the Holy Spirit infuses the life of the church, providing continuity and unity among the faithful.
Holy Tradition consists of:
the Bible.
the full liturgical life of the church.
the full sacramental life of the church. The seven sacraments are: baptism, confirmation, communion, penance, holy orders, marriage, and Holy unction (anointing of the sick). Of these, the first four are essential for salvation.
the dogmatic decisions and acts of the councils, including the creeds, the writings of the church fathers, the lives of the saints and iconographic traditions.
Holy icons (consecrated pictures) are important elements in both public and private devotion.
Orthodox Christians believe that saints, created through the process of canonisation, can intercede with God on behalf of people who are alive and petition for their memory.
Orthodox Christians do not believe in the Catholic teaching of the eucharist or of the immaculate conception of Mary.
The Virgin Mary is honoured as theotokos (Mother of God).
ReferencesGoarch.org,. N.p., 2015. Web. 3 Sept. 2015.
GotQuestions.org,. 'What Is The Eastern Orthodox Church And What Are The Beliefs Of Orthodox Christians?'. N.p., 2015. Web. 30 Aug. 2015.
Orthodox.net.au,. N.p., 2015. Web. 28 Aug. 2015.
Wikipedia,. 'Orthodoxy'. N.p., 2015. Web. 1 Sept. 2015.
GotQuestions.org,. 'What Is The Eastern Orthodox Church And What Are The Beliefs Of Orthodox Christians?'. N.p., 2015. Web. 30 Aug. 2015.
Orthodox.net.au,. N.p., 2015. Web. 28 Aug. 2015.
Wikipedia,. 'Orthodoxy'. N.p., 2015. Web. 1 Sept. 2015.