CHRISTENDOM Series: Orthodox

ORTHODOX

Orthodox are subdivided into 2 groups:

1) Eastern Orthodox

2) Oriental Orthodox

You, LORD, have abandoned your people, the descendants of Jacob.

They are full of superstitions from the East;

 they practice divination like the Philistines and embrace pagan customs.

Isaiah 2:6 NIV

* Orthodox are a sub-group inserted in the continuum between Catholic & Mainline Protestant.
See CHRISTENDOM Series Outline Link....
http://master1844-dc.blogspot.com/2015/06/christendom-series-outline.html

The difference between Eastern Orthodox (from east Europe) & Oriental Orthodox (from the middle east & north east Africa) is over the nature of Christ. ---- The Eastern Orthodox agree with Catholics & most Protestants that Christ was two distinct beings, one divine (the Logos) and one human (the man Jesus). Oriental Orthodox believe that Jesus, while both divine and human, is only one being or person. Also, the Eastern Orthodox recognize the first 7 Church councils as being authoritative for doctrine while the Oriental orthodox recognize only the first 3.
The Orthodox believe that the Bishop of Rome (Pope) can return to the Church as one among equals of the other bishops...but not as head of Christendom ("Catholic" Church, which means "universal" church).

Like Catholics, Orthodox believe in transubstantiation. --- for all intents and purposes the Orthodox Church holds to a form of transubstantiation. They see the elements of the Eucharist as becoming the real body and blood of Christ, and they see it as having sacramental value in the sense of providing reconciliation or healing.
Also, while Catholic iconography in churches are usually statues & crucifixes, in Orthodox churches they tend to be paintings.
Orthodox tend to be Amillennial, sacramental, have baptism by Immersion (rather than sprinkling like Catholics & many Mainline Protestants) & infant baptism, episcopal in church structure and even allow, like Catholicism now, glossolalia (tongues) but they generally don't promote or encourage it. Their view of a holy day stems from the catholic "Christian Sabbath" or "Lord's Day" view.
Many of them have drifted into theological liberalism, including the GREEN gospel & evolution, although they still reject women ordination.

The Orthodox split from the Catholic Church during the great schism of 1054. Some of the dividing lines were over the date of Easter ( Orthodox Church celebrates Easter on the Sunday after the first new moon full, but following a different schedule).
Also, the Filioque (a phrase included in some forms of the Nicene Creed) was injected by the

Catholic Church in 1014, which was the final straw over time between east & west. The Orthodox reject the Filioque. [basically it is the phrase that the Holy Spirit stems from the Father and Son, whereas the original Nicene Creed says just from the Father]
Orthodox rejected purgatory.
Also, rather than performing the liturgy in Latin, like the Catholics do, Orthodox preferred to say it in Greek. Orthodox also allow priests to be married if before they take their priesthood vows, but not after.
Like Catholics, Orthodox have nuns, monks and saints, saint days and venerate saints, including Mary. Catholics have their prayer rosaries & Orthodox have small glass paintings they hold while praying instead of rosary beads.
* One difference that seperates Orthodox from Catholics & Protestants is over the State of the Dead. Orthodox believe that the "soul" sits in light or dark awaiting the resurrection & then proceeds to a heaven or a hell. It's sort of like your "soul" keeps living but doesn't do anything until after the judgment after His return.

Orthodox claim Catholics are too legalistic & Catholics claim Orthodox are too mystic.
Orthodox refer to the Holy Sacraments as the Holy Mysteries.

EASTERN ORTHODOX

In the U.S., Orthodox from East Europe formed a united church called Eastern Orthodox (with the liturgy in American English).
Many of the motherlands Orthodox denominations also exist in America by those who haven't rolled into the larger Eastern Orthodox Church. They are smaller here, but 2 of the larger ones are the Greek & Russian Orthodox. Others include the Ukranian, Bulgarian, Albanian, Hungarian, Romanian, Estonian, Serbian, Slovak, Czech, Polish, Macedonian, etc. Orthodox denominations.
Catholic Church (Byzantine Rite) - A group that a few decades after the great schism of 1054, decided to follow some of the writings of the Pope but hold to Orthodox beliefs. Where they don't conflict, they listen to the Pope.

Oriental Orthodox

Some within the U.S. include the Syrian Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic Orthodox, Malabar Independent Syrian Church (from India at one time 7th day Sabbath keepers before the arrival of the Jesuits), Abyssinian Orthodox (from Ethiopia - at one time 7th day Sabbath keepers before the arrival of the Jesuits), Coptic (from Egypt - at one time 7th day Sabbath keepers before re-establishing contact with the "west"), The Assyrian Church (formerly known as the Nestorian church).