Eastern Orthodox Denomination

Eastern Orthodoxy Is a United Family of 13 Self-Governing Churches

Eastern Orthodox Denomination
Vol de nuit / Wikimedia Commons

Number of Eastern Orthodox Christians Worldwide

An estimated 200 million Christians are part of the Eastern Orthodox denomination today, making it the second-largest religion worldwide.

Orthodox Churches form a theologically united family of 13 autonomous bodies, denoted by their nation of origin. The umbrella of Eastern Orthodoxy includes the following: British Orthodox; Serbian Orthodox; Orthodox Church of Finland; Russian Orthodox; Syrian Orthodox; Ukrainian Orthodox; Bulgarian Orthodox; Romanian Orthodox; Antiochian Orthodox; Greek Orthodox; the Church of Alexandria; the Church of Jerusalem; and the Orthodox Church in America.

Eastern Orthodox Founding

The Eastern Orthodox denomination is one of the oldest religious establishments in the world. Until 1054 AD Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism were branches of the same body—the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. Before this time, divisions between the two branches of Christendom had long existed and were constantly increasing.

The widening schism was caused by a mix of cultural, political, and religious differences. In 1054 AD a formal split occurred when Pope Leo IX (head of the Roman branch) excommunicated the Patriarch of Constantinople, Michael Cerularius (leader of the Eastern branch), who in turn condemned the pope in mutual excommunication. The churches have remained divided and separate to the present date.

Prominent Eastern Orthodox Founders

Michael Cerularius was the patriarch of Constantinople from 1043 -1058 AD, during Eastern Orthodoxy's formal separation from the Roman Catholic Church. He played a prominent role in the circumstances surrounding the Great East-West Schism.

For more about Eastern Orthodox History visit Eastern Orthodox Church - Brief History.

Geography

The majority of Eastern Orthodox Christians reside in Eastern Europe, Russia, the Middle East, and the Balkans.

Eastern Orthodox Governing Body

The Eastern Orthodox denomination consists of a fellowship of self-governing churches (governed by their own head bishops), with the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople holding the honorary title of first in order. The Patriarch does not exercise the same authority as the Catholic Pope. Orthodox churches claim to exist as a theologically unified communion of churches with the Scriptures, as interpreted by the seven ecumenical councils, as their sole authority and Jesus Christ as the head of the church.

Sacred or Distinguishing Text

The Holy Scriptures (including the Apocrypha) as interpreted by the first seven ecumenical councils of the church are the primary sacred texts. Eastern Orthodoxy also places special importance on the works of early Greek fathers such as Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa, and John Chrysostom, who were all canonized as saints of the church.

Notable Eastern Orthodox Christians

Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople (born Demetrios Archondonis), Cyril Lucaris, Leonty Filippovich Magnitsky, George Stephanopoulos, Michael Dukakis, Tom Hanks.

Eastern Orthodox Church Beliefs and Practices

The word orthodox means "right believing" and was traditionally used to signify the true religion that faithfully followed the beliefs and practices defined by the first seven ecumenical councils (dating back to the first 10 centuries). Orthodox Christianity claims to have fully preserved the traditions and doctrines of the original Christian church established by the apostles.

Orthodox believers adhere to the doctrines of the Trinity, the Bible as the Word of God, Jesus as the Son of God and God the Son, and many other core doctrines of Christianity. They depart from Protestant doctrine in the areas of justification by faith alone, the Bible as the sole authority, the perpetual virginity of Mary, and few other doctrines. 

For more about what Eastern Orthodox Christians believe visit Eastern Orthodox Church - Beliefs and Practices.

(Sources: ReligiousTolerance.org, ReligionFacts.com, Orthodox Christian Information Center, and Way of Life.org.)

Format
mla apa chicago
Your Citation
Fairchild, Mary. "Eastern Orthodox Denomination." Learn Religions, Sep. 16, 2021, learnreligions.com/eastern-orthodox-church-denomination-700624. Fairchild, Mary. (2021, September 16). Eastern Orthodox Denomination. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/eastern-orthodox-church-denomination-700624 Fairchild, Mary. "Eastern Orthodox Denomination." Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/eastern-orthodox-church-denomination-700624 (accessed March 19, 2024).