Eastern Orthodox Church

From WikiMD.com Medical Encyclopedia

Christian denomination



The Eastern Orthodox Church, also known as the Orthodox Church, is the second-largest Christian church, with approximately 220 million baptized members. It operates as a communion of autocephalous churches, each governed by its bishops in local synods. The church has no central doctrinal or governmental authority analogous to the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, but the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople is recognized by all as primus inter pares (first among equals) of the bishops.

History[edit | edit source]

The Church of St. George in Istanbul, the current seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.

The history of the Eastern Orthodox Church is traced back to Jesus Christ and the Apostles, through the Byzantine Empire. The church considers itself to be the continuation of the original Christian community established by Jesus and his apostles. The Great Schism of 1054 divided the Christian church into the Western (Roman Catholic) and Eastern (Orthodox) branches.

Early Christianity[edit | edit source]

The Eastern Orthodox Church claims to be the original Christian church established by Jesus Christ and his apostles. The church's history is intertwined with the history of the Byzantine Empire, where it developed its distinctive liturgical and theological traditions.

The Great Schism[edit | edit source]

The Great Schism of 1054 was a significant event that led to the separation of the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church. The schism was the result of theological and political differences that had developed over the centuries.

Byzantine Influence[edit | edit source]

Byzantine mosaic depicting Christ Pantocrator.

The Byzantine Empire played a crucial role in the development of the Eastern Orthodox Church. The empire's capital, Constantinople, was a major center of Christianity and the seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Theology[edit | edit source]

The theology of the Eastern Orthodox Church is based on the Nicene Creed, which it considers to be the authoritative statement of Christian faith. The church emphasizes the Holy Trinity, the Incarnation, and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Holy Tradition[edit | edit source]

The Eastern Orthodox Church places a strong emphasis on Holy Tradition, which includes the writings of the Church Fathers, the decisions of the Ecumenical Councils, and the liturgical practices of the church.

Icons and Worship[edit | edit source]

Icon of Christ Pantocrator from Mount Sinai.

Icons are an integral part of Eastern Orthodox worship and theology. They are considered to be windows to the divine and are used in both public and private devotion.

Liturgy[edit | edit source]

The liturgical life of the Eastern Orthodox Church is centered around the Divine Liturgy, which is the celebration of the Eucharist. The church follows a liturgical calendar that includes numerous feasts and fasts.

The Divine Liturgy[edit | edit source]

The Divine Liturgy is the central act of worship in the Eastern Orthodox Church. It is celebrated on Sundays and feast days and includes the consecration of the Eucharist.

Feasts and Fasts[edit | edit source]

The Eastern Orthodox Church observes a liturgical calendar that includes major feasts such as Pascha (Easter), Christmas, and the Feast of the Theotokos. The church also observes periods of fasting, such as Great Lent.

Church Structure[edit | edit source]

The Eastern Orthodox Church is a communion of autocephalous churches, each governed by its bishops. The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople is recognized as the spiritual leader of the church.

Autocephalous Churches[edit | edit source]

The Eastern Orthodox Church is composed of several autocephalous churches, each with its own head bishop. These include the Greek Orthodox Church, the Russian Orthodox Church, and the Serbian Orthodox Church, among others.

Monasticism[edit | edit source]

Monasticism is an important aspect of Eastern Orthodox spirituality. Monasteries are centers of prayer and spiritual life, and monks and nuns play a significant role in the life of the church.

Related pages[edit | edit source]

WikiMD
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD