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Oriental Orthodox cross
Oriental Orthodoxy
From Heterodontosaurus Balls
Oriental Orthodoxy is a branch of 
Christianity that recognize only the first three ecumenical councils and reject the definitions of the Council of 
Chalcedon. As a result of his non-acceptance of 
Chalcedonian Christology, he separated from the mainstream church, forming a distinct Christian 
tradition. This makes him a very traditional old guy, strict as any oriental person. Doesn't usually hang around with 
Roman heretic or 
Constantinopolitan heretic.
Oriental Orthodoxy upholds apostolic succession, a 
miaphysite Christology, which teaches that 
Christ is of one united 
divine-human 
nature, theosis (deification), Sacred Tradition alongside 
Scripture, the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, and conciliar governance rejecting papal supremacy.
History
Oriental Orthodoxy broke from the mainstream church at the Council of Chalcedon in 451. The council defined that Christ exists "in two natures", divine and human, united in one person without confusion or separation. Many Christians in 
Egypt, 
Syria, 
Armenia, and 
Ethiopia rejected this formula, known as Chalcedonian Christianity, believing the doctrine divided Christ's unity, also thinking that Chalcedonian Christianity departed from the 
theology of 
Cyril of Alexandria. Oriental Orthodoxy upheld Miaphysitism, affirming that Christ has one united nature (mia physis) out of twoβfully divine and fully human.
Following Chalcedon, the 
Eastern Roman Empire attempted to enforce the council's decisions. This led to theological polarization and periods of persecution against non-Chalcedonian Christians, particularly in Egypt and Syria. Efforts at reconciliation, such as Emperor 
Zeno's Henotikon in 482, failed to restore unity.
By the 6th century, parallel hierarchies had formed, and Oriental Orthodoxy functioned independently of the imperial church. Despite 
political pressure, Oriental Christianity's 
theology and liturgical life developed internally coherent traditions rooted in 
Alexandrian and 
Syriac thought.
The 
Arab-Muslim conquests of the 7th century dramatically reshaped the landscape. In Egypt, Syria, and Armenia, Chalcedonian imperial authority collapsed. Oriental Orthodox communities often experienced relative autonomy under Islamic rule compared to prior Byzantine control, though they were subject to 
taxation and 
restrictions as 
dhimmis. Still, this period cemented Oriental Orthodoxy's distinct identity outside Byzantine structures.
During the 
medieval period, Oriental Orthodoxy existed largely outside both 
Byzantine and 
Latin Christendom. The tradition developed rich theological, liturgical, and 
monastic cultures in 
Coptic, 
Syriac, 
Armenian, 
GeΚΏez, and later 
Malayalam contexts. Contacts with the Latin West increased during the 
Crusades, and attempts at reunion were made at the Second Council of 
Lyon (1274) and the Council of 
Florence (1430s-40s), but agreements failed to produce lasting unity. Throughout this era, Oriental Orthodoxy remained a self-conscious guardian of pre-Chalcedonian Christology, preserving ancient liturgical languages and traditions while often existing as religious minorities under Islamic or other non-Christian rulers.
From the 16th century onward, increased European 
expansion brought Oriental Orthodox communities into closer contact with 
Roman Catholic and 
Protestant missionaries. Some groups entered communion with Rome, forming 
Eastern Catholic churches; others resisted and reinforced their own theological identity. Internal reforms and revivals occurred in various regions, particularly in response to external pressures and modernization. Oriental Orthodoxy maintained apostolic succession and sacramental life, but often operated within constrained political environments under 
Ottoman, 
Persian, or other regimes.
With the fall of empires and the rise of 
nation-states in the 20th century, Oriental Orthodoxy rearticulated his identity on a 
global stage. Large diaspora communities formed due to migration and political upheaval. Ecumenical dialogue began between Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Orthodox theologians, and joint commissions concluded that 
historical disputes over Chalcedon often reflected terminological differences rather than fundamental doctrinal contradictions. Agreements in the late 20th century recognized substantial common Christological faith, though full communion has not yet been restored. Oriental Orthodoxy also participated in wider Christian ecumenical movements, including involvement in the 
World Council of Churches.
Relationships
Friends
Jesus Christ - Your perfect holyness!
Christianity - The Church is the Body of Christ, founded on the apostles and prophets.
Miaphysitism - Jesus' nature is single and unified between his 
divinity and 
humanity.
Lutheranism - We considered communion at one point. Truly a blessed 
protestant.
Asceticism & 
Christian Mysticism - We deny ourselves to have greater 
mystical experiences.
Cyrilism - The greatest 
Church Father.
Frenemies
Eastern Orthodoxy - You're the 
Nestorian one who broke away from the apostolic church, I am the true Orthodoxy! But we are pretty similar and like Mysticismβ¦ Still, you shouldn't've persecuted me in the 
Byzantine era. Nowadays relations are better at least.
Catholicism - I find your filioque very absurd, to be honest. But at least you are friendly to me.
Enemies
Chalcedonian Christianity - You disturb the unity of Christ, not to mention that you also reject the ideas of Cyril!- Nestorianism - You are the reason I am called Orthodoxy!
East Syriac Christianity - Well, you're Nestorian, so of course you'd be placed here.- Protestantism - Sola Scriptura was completely alien to the apostolic Church.
Calvinism - Worst Christian denomination as you reject mysticism and are protestant.
Islam - I'M IN MY RIGHTFUL TERRITORIES YOU HEATHEN!
Christian Gnosticism - You are not Christian in any way!
Gnosticism - Above, but honest.
How to draw
Oriental Orthodoxy has a drawing rating of intermediate.
- Draw a ball.
- Fill it with beige.
- Draw a thick blue-purple plus sign (β) in the middle.
- Add three triangular points to each end of the plus.
- Add eyes and done!
| Color Name | HEX | |
|---|---|---|
| Blue-Purple | #3F48CC | |
| Beige | #EFE4B0 | |
Gallery
Navigation
| Denominations |  Anglicanism β’  Baptism β’  Calvinism β’ Catholicism β’  Christian Gnosticism β’  Early Christianity β’  East Syriac Christianity β’ Eastern Orthodoxy β’  Evangelicalism β’  Jehovah's Witnesses β’  Lutheranism β’  Methodism β’  Mormonism β’  Oriental Orthodoxy β’  Pentecostalism β’ Protestantism β’  Seventh-Day Adventism |
|---|---|
| Philosophies | |
| Variants | |
| Theologies |  Arianism β’  Christian Mysticism β’  Esoteric Christianity β’  Hesychasm β’  Nestorianism β’  Patristics β’  Pauline Theology β’  Trinitarianism |
| Ideologies | |
| Churches |  Armenian Apostolic Church β’  Armenian Catholic Church β’  Bulgarian Orthodox Church β’ Catholic Church β’  Chaldean Catholic Church β’  Church of Greece β’  Church of Iceland β’  Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople β’  Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church β’  Georgian Orthodox Church β’  Russian Orthodox Church β’  Southern Baptist Convention β’  Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church β’ World Council of Churches |
Amen. | |
