What Is Orthodox Church Meaning?

Orthodox church is a branch of Christianity. It is a group of Christian believers who follow the Monotheistic doctrine and maintain the purity of the teachings. This faith is centered on the Eucharist and the Divine Offices, which are sung at specific times of the day.

Christian institution

The Orthodox church is considered the mother church of Christendom, and is one of the three major doctrinal branches of Christianity. Its beliefs are based on the Bible and the traditions of the church, which include seven ecumenical councils between 325 and 787. Its worship services are liturgically based, and are filled with art and religion. Its churches are filled with icons that symbolize the reality of God.

The Orthodox church has a much longer history than all other Christian denominations. It dates back to the time of Christ, while other denominations are relatively recent. Before the schism with Rome, there were five great patriarchal sees. Eventually, these churches were split into two and were called Eastern and Western. The Eastern Church preserved the principle of using the language of the community to conduct its worship, whereas the Western Church adopted Latin.

Monotheistic conception of God

Monotheism is the belief in one supreme deity. The concept of monotheism is sometimes confusing and has many definitions. One common definition, inclusive monotheism, accepts many gods as different names for the same deity. This type of belief can also be compatible with polytheism. On the other hand, an exclusive monotheist believes that only one god exists and that all other gods are demons, humans, or other entities that deceive believers into worshipping them.

The monotheistic conception of God originated in ancient Judaism. The Jews also recognized the existence of demons and a hierarchy of powers in heaven. In ancient Judaism, it was common for people to pray to angels in heaven, or offer sacrifices to their god.

Apostolic succession

Apostolic succession is a system by which the power to administer the sacraments is passed down through the Church. In the Orthodox church, this authority is passed on through the sacrament of Holy Orders. Only a bishop can confer holy orders, and that bishop must come from an unbroken line of apostles. While some Anglican churches have apostolic succession, others do not.

Apostolic succession is a practice in the Orthodox church that dates back to the earliest days of the Church. It is a way to establish continuity with the teaching of the apostles and ensure that true sacraments are administered. However, this system should not be interpreted as a magic formula, since no human action can compel the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Incarnation

The Incarnation is the process by which a pre-existent divine person becomes human. During the Early Church, Christians believed that Jesus was the Son of God. However, the divinity of Christ was a topic of much theological controversy. The debate involved Jewish Christians, Gnostics, and the followers of Arius of Alexandria.

According to Orthodox Christianity, the Incarnation is the process by which humanity becomes united to the divine. It is through this union that Orthodox Christians believe everything is transformed. In fact, St Basil once said that Christians should strive to become like little gods within the God, which means that they must cultivate Godly virtues. In this way, Orthodox Christians believe that God may participate in the divinity of humans.

Chrismation

Chrismation is the practice of receiving a person into the Orthodox Church. Typically, it is performed at the same time as baptism. The purpose of the ceremony is to awaken the soul and call it to Heaven. It makes a person a possessor of the Holy Spirit and a partaker of sanctity, Unwanted Light, and Divine Life. The new member of the Church is enveloped in the Holy Spirit and robed in special spiritual garments.

During the Chrismation service, Holy Chrism is used as a visible sign of the transmission of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The use of Holy Chrism was introduced by the Apostles and was continued through the Apostolic Succession. It replaced the practice of laying on of hands.

Monasticism

The Orthodox church is an example of a renaissance in monasticism. Today, there are numerous monastic centers throughout the Orthodox world. The Autonomous Monastic State of Mount Athos is the spiritual center of Eastern Orthodox monasticism. Since the collapse of the Iron Curtain, there has been a renaissance in the practice of monasticism.

Unlike in the West, Orthodox monasticism is not based on religious orders, but rather on the principles of the Holy Fathers. Monks are encouraged to study all of the Holy Fathers and emulate their virtues. The monastic life is divided into active and contemplative phases. There are three main types of monasticism in the Orthodox Church: eremitic, coenobitic, and patristic.