LibGuides: Ecumenism: Eastern Orhodox

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Brief, basic information laid out in an easy-to-read format. May use informal language. (Includes most news articles)

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Lengthy, detailed information. Frequently uses technical/subject-specific language. (Includes most analytical articles)

Explainer: Orthodox Churches

Eastern Orthodox Church (BBC)
Orthodox Churches
The Orthodox Church is one of the three main Christian groups (the others being Roman Catholic and Protestant). Around 200 million people follow the Orthodox tradition.
Comparison between Catholic and Orthodox Churhces
Short article contrasting history, hierarchy, beliefs, customs and calendar.
Russian Orthodox
Explore the drop down menus along the top tool bar for relevant information.

Beliefs

Beliefs and Worship of the Orthodox Church
Eastern Christianity emphasizes a way of life and belief that is manifested especially through worship. By preserving the conventional method of worshipping God, passed on from the very beginnings of Christianity. Eastern Christians maintain that they acknowledge the true doctrine of God in the right (orthodox) way.
Life and Worship (BBC)
The Bible of the Orthodox Church is the same as that of most Western Churches, except that its Old Testament is based not on the Hebrew, but on the ancient Jewish translation into Greek called the Septuagint.

Leadership & Structure

Eastern Orthodox Organisation
Eastern Orthodoxy is a fellowship of autonomous, or independent self-governing, churches, each of which is under the rule of a bishop. The patriarch of Constantinople (now Istanbul) is considered the first among equals, but he has no authority comparable to that of the Roman pope.

The sign of the cross, icons and traditions.

Welcome to the Orthodox Church! Join Frederica Mathewes-Green, in this video series, on a journey into the Eastern Orthodox Church. Learn about Orthodox teachings and dogma, Orthodox architecture and terminology, and what it means to live an Orthodox life.

An overview of the Divine Liturgy

Brief History

What Is the Orthodox Church? History and Beliefs of Orthodoxy
Orthodox: (of a person or their views, especially religious or political ones, or other beliefs or practices) conforming to what is generally or traditionally accepted as right or true; established and approved.
History Eastern Orthodoxy
Eastern Orthodox Christianity, also known as Eastern Orthodoxy, began as the eastern half of Christendom, the site of the former Byzantine Empire. Today, the highest concentration of Orthodox Christians remains in the former Byzantine Empire (Greece, Turkey, and nearby countries) and in Russia. But Orthodoxy is found throughout the world, and approximately 225 million people are Orthodox Christians.
Orthodox History and Schism (BBC)
The doctrine of the Christian Church was established over the centuries at Councils dating from as early as 325CE where the leaders from all the Christian communities were represented.

Rites and Rituals

Sacrements (BBC)
Sacred Mysteries (sacraments)
The seven principal Mysteries or sacraments are at the heart of the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Icons (BBC)
Icons are of great importance to Orthodox Christians. These beautiful and elaborate paintings are described as "windows into the kingdom of God". They are used in worship both in the decoration of the church and for private homes. The icon is seen as both a form of prayer and a means to prayer.
Calendar and Christmas (BBC)
The Orthodox Church calendar begins on September 1st and ends on August 31st. Each day is sacred: each is a saint's day, so at least one saint is venerated daily.

Ecumenism: Eastern Orhodox

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