what is orthodoxy?

Orthodoxy In a Nutshell

Eastern Orthodox Christianity is one of the major branches of Christianity. It is characterized by its continuity with the apostolic tradition, rich liturgical worship, and adherence to ancient practices. While the Orthodox Church doesn’t have a “systematic theology,” per se, it does have some key doctrinal beliefs and traditions that undergird its theology. To fully understand the beliefs of the Orthodox Church requires learning its language and traditions and participating in worship.

  • Doctrinal Beliefs:

    • Holy Trinity: Like other Christian denominations, Eastern Orthodoxy affirms the doctrine of the Holy Trinity — the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit.

    • Incarnation: Jesus Christ is the incarnate Son of God who became fully human, born of a Virgin, for the salvation of humankind and renewal of creation.

  • Authority and Tradition:

    • Sacred Tradition: Eastern Orthodoxy places a strong emphasis on the authority of sacred tradition, which includes not only written scriptures but also liturgical practices, teachings of the Church Fathers, and decisions of ecumenical councils.

    • Authority - The Holy Spirit is the arbiter of the Church, whom we believe guides the church as a whole.

    • Ecumenical Councils: The Ecumenical Council is considered the highest ecclesiastical authority of the Church. There have been seven councils (4th-8th AD) that established the doctrine of Jesus Christ and the Holy Trinity.

  • Ecclesiastical Structure:

    • Catholicity: The Orthodox Church is not rooted in any particular culture or ethnic group. It adapts, without losing its identity, to meet the needs of each culture and people. It is open and available to all.

    • Autocephalous Churches: The Eastern Orthodox Church is organized into autocephalous (independent and self-governing) churches, each headed by a patriarch or archbishop. These churches are effectively divided amongst historical ethnic backgrounds but are united in a common faith and communion.

  • Worship and Liturgy:

    • Iconography: The use of icons (religious images) in worship is significant, and they are venerated as a means of instruction and prayer.

    • Liturgy: Liturgical worship is central to the life of the church. There are established daily services, and our daily lives are meant to be the lived within this life of the church. Liturgy itself is the receiving of gifts from God, transforming those gifts, and offering them back to God. Those gifts, in turn, are transformed again by God and offered back to the people. It is through this constant motion that we encounter God.

  • Spirituality and Mysticism:

    • Mystical Theology: Eastern Orthodoxy places a strong emphasis on mystical theology which is the experience of God through prayer, fasting, and the sacraments.

    • Mysteries: Eastern Orthodoxy does not have a set number of sacraments or mysteries. Instead, we live in the realization that all of life is sacramental; however, there are those mysteries of the church that are set apart as special, including baptism, chrismation, the Eucharist, confession, holy unction (anointing of the sick), marriage, and ordination.

The Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed

Our creed was formulated at the First and Second Ecumenical Councils held at Nicea in 325 A.D. and Constantinople in 381 A.D. respectively. Our creed is the foundation of how we understand our faith in Christ, drawn from the revelation of how God has made Himself known to us.

I believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible;

And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages;

Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten, not created, of one essence with the Father, through Whom all things were made;

Who for us and for our salvation came down from the heavens and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man;

Crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, He suffered and was buried;

Rising on the third day according to the Scriptures;

And ascending into the heavens, He is seated at the right hand of the Father;

And coming again in glory to judge the living and the dead, His Kingdom shall have no end;

And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who together with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, Who spoke through the prophets;

In one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church;

I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins;

I expect the resurrection of the dead;

And the life of the age to come.

Amen.