Eastern Orthodoxy
Eastern Orthodoxy, sometimes referred to just as Orthodoxy, is a branch of 
Christianity that upholds apostolic succession, 
Sacred Tradition alongside 
Scripture, theosis (deification), veneration of icons, the real presence of 
Christ in the Eucharist, 
Trinitarian belief in the Spirit's procession from the 
Father alone, and conciliar governance rejecting 
papal supremacy.
Eastern Orthodoxy is practiced mainly in 
Greece and 
Russia. He uses the autocephalous system, meaning every nation has their own, autonomous 
patriarch.
History
Apostolic Age & Early Church
The Eastern Orthodox branch traces his origins to Jesus Christ and the Apostles, particularly through the 
early Christian communities established in the eastern provinces of the 
Roman Empire. The 
Pentarchy, the five major patriarchates of Christianity (
Rome, 
Constantinople, 
Alexandria, Antioch, and 
Jerusalem), governed the early Church.
The Council of Jerusalem, around 50 AD, addressed the inclusion of 
Gentiles in the Christian community without requiring adherence to all aspects of 
Jewish law. Through missionary journeys, especially by 
Paul, Christianity spread throughout the 
Mediterranean basin, including 
Asia Minor, Greece, and eventually Rome. Despite numerous persecutions under Roman emperors such as 
Nero, 
Domitian, and 
Diocletian, the faith continued to grow and solidify theological foundations.
As Christianity spread through the Roman Empire, two broad traditions emerged: a 
Latin-speaking Western church centered in Rome, and a 
Greek-speaking Eastern church centered in the major cities of the East. These churches shared the same basic faith, but over centuries they developed different theological emphases, liturgical traditions, and political relationships.
Byzantine Period
It was when in 313 when Emperor 
Constantine I the Great legalized Christianity (Edict of 
Milan), 313). It was not until then that systematic Roman 
persecution of Christians stopped, although it did resurface later, though temporarily, under 
Roman Paganism (
Julian the Apostate, reigning 361-363).
In the 530s the second Church of the Holy Wisdom (Hagia Sophia) was built in Constantinople under emperor 
Justinian I, to become the center of the ecclesiastical community for the rulers of the 
Eastern Roman Empire. The first church had been destroyed during the Nika riots in 532 AD.
The 
Iconoclasm controversy, spanning from 726 to 843 AD, was a significant internal conflict over the use of icons in worship. The Second Council of 
Nicaea in 787 AD ultimately affirmed the veneration of icons, marking a critical development in Orthodox practice. During this period, missionary work also expanded Christian's influence, notably through the mission to the 
Slavs by Saints Cyril and Methodius in the 9th century, which led to the Christianization of the Slavic peoples such as 
Bulgars, 
Serbs, and the 
Kievan Rus'.
Under the 
Caliphates 
, early 
Muslim conquests starting in the 7th century also had a disastrous impact for both the Byzantine Empire and Christianity as a whole. 
Syria, 
Palestine, 
Egypt and 
North Africa were all quickly occupied, and to this day the Apostolic Sees of Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem have been under Muslim rule. The Mediterranean had ceased to be a Roman lake centuries prior, and now he has ceased to be a Christian one.
In 1054, the patriarch of Constantinople and the 
pope of Rome excommunicated each other after long disagreements about church authority, 
theology (such as the Filioque clause in the creed), and 
cultural differences. Although tensions had existed for centuries, this schism, termed the "Great Schism", is remembered as the formal split between Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism.
During the Middle Ages, Eastern Orthodoxy continued to develop independently from his western neighbour. The 
Crusades, particularly the Fourth Crusade in 1204, resulted in the sack of Constantinople by Western crusaders and deepened the divide between East and West. The Kievan Rus also fall under 
Mongol domination in 1240, with 
Kiev sacked and burned which opens a vacuum for 
Moscow's rise later on. Despite these challenges, 
monasticism flourished, with centers like 
Mount Athos becoming significant for spiritual and theological life. Theological debate continued, with figures such as 
St. Gregory Palamas (c. 1296-1359) defending the 
Hesychast practice of contemplative prayer and formulating the Essence-Energies Distinction.
These later theological ideas became officially accepted in the Orthodox doctrine during the Palamite synods (1341-1351). Because of this, Eastern Orthodoxy developed a more experiential, 
mystical way of approaching God—focused on silence, prayer, and the idea that God's energies can be known, even if His essence cannot. This contrasts with the Western (Catholic) tradition, which used a more logical, 
scholarly, and analytical style of theology.
Ottoman Period
The fall of Constantinople to Sultan 
Mehmed II in 1453 marked the beginning of the 
Ottoman period for Eastern Orthodoxy. Despite the challenges of living under Muslim rule, Eastern Orthodoxy managed to preserve his 
faith and traditions. Orthodox Christians were considered "dhimmis" (protected 
non-Muslims) under Ottoman rule, which allowed them limited 
religious freedoms in exchange for a special tax named "jizya". Sometimes this meant paying a blood tax of one's own children to become janissaries known as "devshirme".
The 
Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople stayed the spiritual heart of Eastern Orthodoxy, but real power began shifting north to 
Moscow, to 
Russia, who were able to act more freely without outside control. Monasteries, especially those on Mount Athos, helped protect Orthodox spiritual life and learning during this time. The 
Russian Empire, founded 1721, and his rulers the 
Romanov dynasty came to see themselves as the protectors of Orthodox Christians both within Russia and beyond. Some well-known saints from this period include 
St. Peter the Aleut (?-1815), 
St. Xenia of St. Petersburg (c. 1719/1730-c. 1803), 
St. Seraphim of Sarov (1754-1833), and St. Herman of Alaska (1756-1837).
Modern Period
In modern times, Eastern Orthodoxy has gone through major changes and difficulties. As the Ottoman Empire declined in the 1700s, regions fought for independence. New Orthodox communities and diasporas formed around the world, and there was renewed interest in theology. After the Greek War of Independence (1821–1829), the 
Church of Greece became independent. In the 20th century, Eastern Orthodoxy had to deal with 
modern ideas, growing 
secularism, and 
political pressure, especially in Eastern Europe under 
communist governments such as those in 
Yugoslavia and the 
Soviet Union, all of which was brought upon this earth through the 
Bolshevik Revolution of 1917. The bloody revolution led to the formation of the 
Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) in the 1920s and countless martyrs throughout communist rule.
Despite these challenges, Eastern Orthodoxy maintained his rich liturgical and theological traditions. Eastern Orthodox texts and works have been translated into many new languages such as 
English particularly, which has helped lead to growth for many diaspora communities and parishes.
Beliefs
Notable ideas of Eastern Orthodoxy are:
- Abraham's bosom and Hades - After death, souls experience a foretaste of either rest in "
Abraham's bosom" or separation in Hades, awaiting the final resurrection and judgment - Icons - Sacred images used in worship as windows to the
divine, helping believers focus their 
prayers while honouring but not worshipping the holy figures depicted - Trinity -
God as three separate persons
Eschatology
Eastern Orthodox Christians believe that when a person dies, the soul is temporarily separated from the body. It may linger briefly on Earth but is eventually taken to either paradise (
Abraham's bosom) or 
Hades, following a temporary judgment. Unlike Catholics, Orthodox Christians do not believe in Purgatory. The soul's experience in paradise or Hades is a "foretaste" until the Final Judgment, when the soul and body will be reunited.
The state of the soul in Hades can be influenced by the 
love and prayers of the 
righteous until the Last Judgment. Therefore, the Eastern Orthodox Church offers special prayers for the dead on the third, ninth, and fortieth days, and on the first anniversary after death. There are also several days throughout the year dedicated to the general commemoration of the departed, often on Saturdays, the day Christ lay in the tomb.
After the Final Judgment, Eastern Orthodox Christians believe:
- All souls will be reunited with their resurrected bodies.
- All souls will fully experience their spiritual state.
- The saints, having been perfected, will continually grow in their love of God, equating to eternal
happiness.
Eastern Orthodoxy has a strong aversion for trying to predict the exact time/date of Christ's second coming or the 
end-times, or what is considered very 
Millenarian attitudes. This is believed to not just be unproductive, but the road to "prelest" or spiritual delusion.
Relationships
Friends
Christianity - We're have basically the same thing, you're just more generic lol!
Traditionalism - Tradition is very important to us.
Christian Mysticism - Theosis is superior to Western rationalism.
Western Orthodoxy - My child in the west, slain by that 
infernal pope.
Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo - Thanks for forgiving me and recognize it was a small mistake
Frenemies
Oriental Orthodoxy - We may be of the same origin, have a liturgy quite similar, and be of orthodox nature, sharing most of our beliefs. However, I still can't call you a brother in 
Christ for your rejection of truth and acceptance of heresy. I am open to talk and reconciliation, but I will not compromise on the truth for its sake. And, I never said there's no trinity! That was a translation error.
East Syriac Christianity - Same as the above, but with the added caveat of being 
Nestorian.- Catholicism - You broke away from the rest of the patriarchs, you edited the creed, you slayed my child, you pillaged
Constantinople. But we are getting better nowadays.
Enemies
Islam - You destroyed the Second Rome!
Gnosticism - Get out of here, freak!
Ancient Greek Religion - You foolish philosophers!
Protestantism - " Catholicism but somehow getting it even more wrong" were my first thoughts on you. I still hold that opinion.- Nestorianism - The
Theotokos shall not be slandered like this! 
Tolstoyism - So you think the 
Church is an invention of 
Satan? ANATHEMA!
Zoroastrianism - Get out of here 
Persians!
How to draw
Eastern Orthodoxy has a drawing rating of easy.
- Draw a ball.
- Fill it with orange.
- Draw a black Christian cross in the middle.
- Add a shorter extra line on top of the horizontal line of the cross.
- Add a slanted bar in the cross.
- Add eyes and done!
| Color Name | HEX | |
|---|---|---|
| Orange | #FF8C00 | |
| Black | #2E2826 | |
Navigation
| Denominations | |
|---|---|
| Philosophies | |
| Variants | |
| Theology | |
| Ideologies | |
| Churches | |
Amen. | |
