Orthodoxy

Icon depicting the First Council of Nicaea

Orthodoxy refers to the adherence to accepted norms, more specifically the creeds and doctrines that are established by religious authorities. In the context of Christianity, orthodoxy is often associated with the Nicene Creed, which was formulated at the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD.

Historical Background

The term "orthodoxy" is derived from the Greek words "orthos" meaning "right" or "correct," and "doxa" meaning "opinion" or "belief." It signifies the "correct belief" as opposed to heresy, which denotes beliefs that are contrary to the accepted doctrine.

The establishment of orthodoxy in Christianity was significantly influenced by the early ecumenical councils, such as the First Council of Nicaea, which addressed the Arian controversy and affirmed the divinity of Jesus Christ.

The First Council of Nicaea

The First Council of Nicaea was convened by Emperor Constantine I in 325 AD. It was the first ecumenical council of the Christian church and aimed to achieve consensus in the church through an assembly representing all of Christendom.

The council is best known for its formulation of the Nicene Creed, which established the foundational tenets of Christian orthodoxy, particularly the doctrine of the Trinity.

Key Doctrines of Orthodoxy

Orthodox Christianity is characterized by several key doctrines:

• The Trinity: The belief in one God in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
• The Incarnation: The belief that Jesus Christ is both fully divine and fully human.
• The Resurrection: The belief in the bodily resurrection of Jesus from the dead, which is central to Christian faith.

Orthodoxy in Different Christian Traditions

Orthodoxy is a term that is used differently across various Christian traditions:

• Eastern Orthodoxy: Refers to the body of modern churches, including the Greek Orthodox Church and the Russian Orthodox Church, which follow the traditions and practices established by the early ecumenical councils.
• Oriental Orthodoxy: Includes churches such as the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Armenian Apostolic Church, which accept only the first three ecumenical councils.
• Roman Catholicism: While not typically referred to as "Orthodox," the Roman Catholic Church considers itself to be the custodian of Christian orthodoxy through its adherence to the creeds and councils.

Related Pages

• Nicene Creed
• First Council of Nicaea
• Arianism
• Trinity
• Eastern Orthodox Church
• Oriental Orthodox Churches