The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, with its headquarters located in the City of New York, is an Eparchy of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, The mission of the Archdiocese is to proclaim the Gospel of Christ, to teach and spread the Orthodox Christian faith, to energize, cultivate, and guide the life of the Church in the United States of America according to the Orthodox Christian faith and tradition. . The Feast of Pentecost, which is celebrated fifty days after Easter, commemorates the "outpouring'' of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and marks the beginning of the mission of the Church to the world. In the years between the two World Wars, Orthodox Christians in Russia suffered much cruel and devastating persecution. In the Christian sense, the term means, "conforming to the Christian faith as represented in the creeds of the early Church." Orthodox Christianity.com - the most complete directory of orthodox web resources with descriptions in Russian, English, German, Serbian, Romanian and about 20 other languages. It has been observed that in recent centuries there have been more martyrs than during the great persecutions of the early Church. Yet, despite injustices and indignities, the Faith survives. The African Orthodox Church was officially recognized by the Patriarchate of Alexandria under the name “ African Greek Orthodox Church”. . Yet, all shared in the unity of the faith. What is Orthodox Christianity? Introduction | History | Doctrine. The Orthodox churches of Russia, Greece, Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria have existed for centuries as governing entities united by common practices and beliefs. Article Images Copyright © 2020 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. A History of the Orthodox Church: Outline. For nearly 500 years the two traditions lived in formal isolation from each other. There was never a battle analogous to that of the Popes versus the Emperors in the states where the Orthodox church was strong. What Is Protestantism & Why Is it Important? Following the 1054 Great Schism, both the Western Church and Eastern Church continued to consider themselves uniquely orthodox and catholic. However, a primacy of honor was accorded the Bishop of Rome, from early times. THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH. The Ecumenical Councils also sanctioned the organization of the Church about the five great ecclesiastical centers of Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem. History and Beliefs of Orthodoxy. John Matusiak Managing Editor, The Orthodox Church magazine. This was Constantine the Great, who in the year 313 granted Christians freedom of worship. Orthodox hierarchs are replaced with those loyal to Rome. Thomas Fitzgerald, a faculty member of Hellenic College-Holy Cross School of Theology. And, even today, Christians are denied their basic human rights in parts of Asia Minor. The Church itself was frequently afflicted with many grave schisms and heresies. The Orthodox Church believes that she has maintained a direct and unbroken continuity of love, faith, and order with the Church of Christ born in the Pentecost experience. Yet, unity and harmony was maintained in spite of differences in theological expression, liturgical practices, and views of authority. Orthodox Christianity.com - the most complete directory of orthodox web resources with descriptions in Russian, English, German, Serbian, Romanian and about 20 other languages. 2. Origin of Eastern Orthodoxy All Christian denominations are rooted in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ and share the same origins. The faith and love expressed by the Christians were viewed as a threat to the religion and political policies of the Empire. The most conspicuous characteristics of Orthodoxy are its rich liturgical life and its faithfulness to the apostolic tradition. Treasures Of Orthodoxy is a series of pamphlets written for the non-Orthodox, especially those who are considering becoming members of the Orthodox Church and who wish to deepen their appreciation of her faith, worship, and traditions. Although it is difficult to date the exact year of the schism, in the year 1054 official charges, known as Anathamas, were exchanged. Orthodox Church and States. History of the Eastern Orthodox Church, Eastern Orthodox Church organization, Eastern Orthodox ... Canonical hours, Fasting, Confession. After the decline of Byzantium, the Church in Russia thrived for nearly 500 years. Churches, monasteries, and schools were closed and destroyed. The Second Ecumenical Council (381) gave Constantinople a position of honor by stating, "The Bishop of Constantinople shall have the prerogative of honor after the Bishops of Rome, because Constantinople is New Rome.". Orthodox believe that fasting can be the "foundation of all good." Particularly, this occurred over the papal claim to supreme authority and the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. The earliest Church, which is described in the Epistles and the Acts of the Apostles, did not confine itself to the land of Judea. CHURCH HISTORY. He labored greatly to promote a renewed sense of collegiality among the various Orthodox Churches, as well as to inaugurate a true dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church. Relations between the two great traditions of the East and the West had often been strained since the fourth century. . Although there were attempts to restore communion in the years 1274 and 1439, there was no lasting unity achieved. We invite you to prayerfully consider sharing the resources given to you by God with a donation to the Archdiocese. Orthodox Easter primarily commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ with a series of celebrations or movable feasts. The beginning of the fourth century marked a new stage in the development of the Church. Compra Eastern Orthodox Church: Eastern Orthodox Church. These pioneers founded the colony of New Smyrna some forty miles south of St. Augustine, Florida. 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. Yet, in the determinations of majority Orthodox, a crucial significance was the conquering of Constantinople in 1204 during the (Western Christian) Fourth Crusade. The Councils did not create new doctrines, but in a particular place and time, they proclaimed what the Church always believed and taught. In Eastern Orthodox Christianity, the spiritual preparations begin with Great Lent, 40 days of introspection and fasting (including Sundays), which starts on Clean Monday and finishes on Lazarus Saturday. While the early Church received many converts from Judaism and the pagan religions, the world in which the Gospel was proclaimed was, in the words of St. Paul, "heartless and ruthless." The Archbishops of these cities came to be known as Patriarchs. Last updated 6th Dec. 2020 The term "Clean Monday" refers to cleansing from sinful behavior through the Lenten fast. Eastern Orthodox Church Orthodox Churches Orthodox prayer rope ©. Yet, in the determinations of majority Orthodox… The wisdom of the Fathers of the Church is fundamental to the Orthodox way of life as today's successors of the "true faith and Church" passed on in its most authentic form. Orthodox christianity on the Internet: churches, dioceses, monasteries, parishes, web portals, discussion boards, web boards etc. Phone: (212) 570-3500 • Contact, Download VCF • Join our Mailing Lists • Donate Lazarus Saturday occurs eight days before Easter Sunday and signifies the end of Great Lent. This possible schedule is provided for your convenience as church school directors. © 2017 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. With its capital, the Byzantine Empire came to an end; and the vast lands of Asia Minor fell subject to non-Christians. Throughout the Ottoman Empire, Christians came to be treated as second-class citizens who paid heavy taxes and wore distinctive dress. However, there were a series of vicious massacres at the beginning of this century. She has more than five million members, who are grouped into more than a dozen ecclesiastical jurisdictions. What Is Eastern Orthodox Easter? The words of Christ and the event of His saving Death and Resurrection were destined not only for the people of the first century and the Mediterranean world of which they were a part, but also for persons in all places and in every age. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. How Can I Identify Messianic Prophecies in the Old Testament? Photo from Wikipedia: Orthodox nun lighting Worship Candles. The fundamental doctrines of the Church were proclaimed and defended by the Seven Ecumenical Councils. The Great Schism is the title given to separation between the Western Church (the Roman Catholic) and the Eastern Church, (the Orthodox), which took place in the eleventh century. Christianity first spread in the predominantly Greek-speaking eastern half of the Roman Empire. The pamphlet titles are as follows: 8 East 79th Street • New York, NY 10075 One of the best introductions available.”—John Behr, author of The Mystery of Christ An insider’s account of the Eastern Orthodox Church, from its beginning in the era of Jesus and the Apostles to the modern age This summer, Alexander Kitroeff's new book The Greek Orthodox Church in America: A Modern History was published by Northern Illinois University Press.