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Orthodox Tradition

Eastern Orthodox Church

Founded1st century ADMembers220 millionPolityEpiscopal (Conciliar)

Creeds

The Nicene CreedThe Chalcedonian Definition

Overview

The Eastern Orthodox Church is a communion of self-governing (autocephalous) churches united by shared doctrine, liturgical tradition, and the authority of the Ecumenical Councils. It traces its origins to the apostles and considers itself the continuation of the original, undivided Church.

Orthodox theology emphasizes theosis (divinization) — the process of becoming more like God through grace. The Church places great importance on the mystery of faith, sacred icons, monasticism, and the Divine Liturgy as the center of spiritual life.

Historical Context

Eastern Orthodoxy developed in the Greek-speaking eastern half of the Roman Empire. Tensions between Rome and Constantinople grew over centuries, centering on papal authority, the filioque clause (whether the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father alone or from the Father "and the Son"), and liturgical differences.

The Great Schism of 1054 formalized the split. The fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans in 1453 shifted the center of Orthodox influence to Russia and other Slavic nations. Today, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople holds a position of honor (first among equals) but not jurisdictional authority over other Orthodox churches.

Key Beliefs

The Trinity

One God in three persons. The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father alone (rejecting the Western filioque addition).

Theosis (Divinization)

The goal of Christian life is to become partakers of the divine nature — not to become God in essence, but to share in His energies through grace.

Sacred Tradition

Scripture is part of Holy Tradition, not separate from it. The seven Ecumenical Councils carry the highest doctrinal authority after Scripture.

Veneration of Icons

Icons are "windows to heaven" — venerated (not worshipped) as means of encountering the saints and Christ depicted in them.

The Mysteries (Sacraments)

The Church recognizes at least seven mysteries, though it avoids strictly numbering or defining them as the West does.

Conciliar Authority

No single bishop holds supreme authority. Doctrine is determined by ecumenical councils and the consensus of the Church (sobornost).

Sacraments

Baptism

Triple immersion in the name of the Trinity. Performed on infants, followed immediately by Chrismation and Communion.

Chrismation (Confirmation)

Anointing with holy chrism immediately after baptism, sealing the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Eucharist (Divine Liturgy)

The body and blood of Christ, received by all baptized Orthodox — including infants. The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is the most common form.

Confession

Confession before a priest, who stands as witness. Absolution is granted through a prayer rather than a juridical formula.

Anointing of the Sick (Holy Unction)

Anointing with oil for healing of body and soul, often administered during Holy Week to all faithful.

Holy Orders

Ordination of deacons, priests, and bishops. Married men may be ordained to the diaconate and priesthood; bishops must be celibate (typically monks).

Marriage (Crowning)

The couple is crowned as king and queen of a new domestic church. Divorce is permitted in limited cases, and up to three marriages are allowed.

Mass & Liturgy

Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

Sundays and feast days; daily in monasteries; the longer Liturgy of St. Basil is used 10 times per year

  1. Liturgy of Preparation (Proskomedia)

    The priest privately prepares the bread (prosphora) and wine, commemorating saints and the living and departed.

  2. Liturgy of the Catechumens

    Litanies, antiphons, the Little Entrance with the Gospel, Epistle and Gospel readings, homily, and the dismissal of catechumens.

  3. Anaphora (Eucharistic Prayer)

    The Great Entrance brings the gifts to the altar; the priest prays the Anaphora with the Epiclesis — the invocation of the Holy Spirit — asking God to "make this bread the precious Body of Thy Christ, and that which is in this cup the precious Blood of Thy Christ."

  4. Communion and Dismissal

    The Lord’s Prayer, the breaking of the Lamb, Holy Communion under both species from a spoon, the prayer of Thanksgiving, and the dismissal — "Let us depart in peace."

The liturgy is sung throughout — typically a cappella — with iconostasis, incense, and vestments. The liturgical year follows the Julian or Revised Julian calendar depending on jurisdiction, with rich seasons of Great Lent, Holy Week, Pascha, and the twelve Great Feasts.

Catechism

The Longer Catechism of St. Philaret (1830)

Eastern Orthodoxy has no single binding catechism. The faith is conveyed primarily through the Divine Liturgy, the writings of the Church Fathers, and hymnography. Among catechetical works, the Longer Catechism of St. Philaret (Drozdov), Metropolitan of Moscow (1830), is widely consulted in the Russian tradition; the earlier Orthodox Confession of Peter Mogila (1640) was approved by the Eastern Patriarchs at the Synod of Jerusalem (1672). Local jurisdictions also use modern works such as Bishop Kallistos Ware’s "The Orthodox Church."

  • On Faith — the Creed, articles of belief
  • On Hope — the Lord’s Prayer and the Beatitudes
  • On Love — the Ten Commandments and Christian life
On Theosis

"God became man so that man might become god." — St. Athanasius (echoed throughout Orthodox catechesis)

On Icons

The honor paid to the icon passes on to the prototype, and whoever venerates the icon venerates the person depicted in it. — Seventh Ecumenical Council (787)

On the Mysteries

The seven Mysteries (sacraments) — Baptism, Chrismation, Eucharist, Confession, Marriage, Ordination, Holy Unction — communicate the grace of the Holy Spirit.

On the Councils

The Seven Ecumenical Councils (325–787) carry binding dogmatic authority — defining the Trinity, the two natures of Christ, and the veneration of icons. Their canons and definitions form the Orthodox mind.

Church Governance

Episcopal (Conciliar)

The Orthodox Church is organized as a communion of autocephalous (self-governing) churches, each led by a patriarch, metropolitan, or archbishop. The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople is "first among equals" but has no jurisdictional authority over other churches. Major decisions are made through synods and councils at every level.

Distinctive Teachings

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