EASTERN ORTHODOX Meaning and
Definition
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Eastern Orthodox, also known as Orthodox Christianity or simply Orthodoxy, refers to a branch of Christianity that originated in the Eastern Roman Empire during the early Christian period. It represents one of the three major divisions of Christianity, alongside Roman Catholicism and Protestantism. Eastern Orthodox believers adhere to traditional Christian doctrines and affirm the teachings of Jesus Christ and the apostles, as well as the Nicene Creed.
The Eastern Orthodox Church traces its roots back to the early Apostolic era, claiming a direct continuity with the early Christian community, particularly the followers of Jesus’ apostles. Key distinctive features of Eastern Orthodoxy include its liturgical worship style, hierarchy headed by bishops, use of icons in worship, and the primacy of the divine mysteries or sacraments, such as baptism and Eucharist. Liturgies in the Eastern Orthodox tradition are typically celebrated in ancient languages, such as Greek or Church Slavonic, and are characterized by rich symbolism and reverence.
Eastern Orthodox Christianity is geographically widespread, encompassing numerous autonomous national churches, such as the Greek, Russian, Serbian, and Armenian Orthodox Churches, to name a few. While there is a commonality of beliefs and practices, each national church operates independently, led by its own hierarchy of bishops. The spiritual leader of the Eastern Orthodox Church is the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, who is considered the “first among equals” among all the Orthodox bishops.
Common Misspellings for EASTERN ORTHODOX
- wastern orthodox
- sastern orthodox
- dastern orthodox
- rastern orthodox
- 4astern orthodox
- 3astern orthodox
- ezstern orthodox
- esstern orthodox
- ewstern orthodox
- eqstern orthodox
- eaatern orthodox
- eaztern orthodox
- eaxtern orthodox
- eadtern orthodox
- eaetern orthodox
- eawtern orthodox
- easrern orthodox
- easfern orthodox
- easgern orthodox
Etymology of EASTERN ORTHODOX
The word "Eastern Orthodox" originates from the combination of "eastern" and "orthodox".
1. Eastern: The term "eastern" is derived from the Old English word "ēast", which is related to the Proto-Germanic word "*aust-" meaning "east". It is believed to have further roots in the Proto-Indo-European root "*aus-" or "*aust-" which signifies "to shine". In various languages, such as Latin ("auster"), Greek ("ἠώς" or "ēṓs"), or Sanskrit ("uṣās"), this root word often referred to the direction of the rising sun or the concept of dawn.
2.
Similar spelling words for EASTERN ORTHODOX
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