Eastern Orthodoxy
Greek church tradition
Eastern Orthodoxy is the branch of Christianity centered in the Eastern Mediterranean, tracing its authority to the ancient patriarchates of Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem.
It split from Roman Catholicism in 1054 over theological and jurisdictional disputes.
Eastern Orthodox churches are organized nationally—Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, Serbian Orthodox—but share common doctrine, liturgy, and the authority of ecumenical councils.
The tradition emphasizes mystical theology, iconography, and elaborate ritual.
She converted to Eastern Orthodoxy after marrying into a Greek family.
Historic Turkish metropolis
- Hagia SophiaHistoric Istanbul religious structure
- TheodoraFeminine name, Greek origin
- Cyril and MethodiusSlavic apostles from Thessaloniki
- RavennaEmilia-Romagna coastal city
Justinian · mosaics · themes · cataphract
Early church belief formula
- Cappadocian FathersThree fourth-century Trinitarian shapers
- dogmaUnchallengeable official beliefs
- canon lawReligious institutional regulations
- heresyBelief opposing official doctrine
schism · Trinity · Athanasius
Sacramental bread and wine
- vespersEvening devotional service
- matinsLiturgical dawn devotions
- chantingRhythmic repetitive vocalization
- incenseAnger greatly, or aromatic resin
vestments · altar · anaphora · antiphons · litany · sanctuary · nave · chalice
Religious recluse in enclosure
- monasteryReligious seclusion dwelling
- monkCloistered religious devotee
- nunHebrew alphabet's fourteenth
- abbotMonastery's chief cleric
asceticism · celibacy · vows · fasting · prayer · silence · solitude · obedience
Spirit's arrival celebration
- TransfigurationSacred appearance change
- AnnunciationGabriel's announcement to Mary
- Palm SundayChristian observance before Easter
- Holy WeekDays preceding Easter Sunday
Luminous ring overhead
- frescoesPaintings on fresh plaster
- mosaicsPictures made from fragments
- venerationProfound admiring respect
- temperaEgg-yolk painting method
Constantinople
Historic Turkish metropolis
- Hagia SophiaHistoric Istanbul religious structure
- TheodoraFeminine name, Greek origin
- Cyril and MethodiusSlavic apostles from Thessaloniki
Justinian · Ravenna · mosaics · themes · cataphract
Nicene Creed
Early church belief formula
- Cappadocian FathersThree fourth-century Trinitarian shapers
- dogmaUnchallengeable official beliefs
- canon lawReligious institutional regulations
heresy · schism · Trinity · Athanasius
Eucharist
Sacramental bread and wine
- vespersEvening devotional service
- matinsLiturgical dawn devotions
- chantingRhythmic repetitive vocalization
incense · vestments · altar · anaphora · antiphons · litany · sanctuary · nave · chalice · paten
anchorite
Religious recluse in enclosure
- monasteryReligious seclusion dwelling
- monkCloistered religious devotee
- nunHebrew alphabet's fourteenth
abbot · asceticism · celibacy · vows · fasting · prayer · silence · solitude · obedience
Pentecost
Spirit's arrival celebration
- TransfigurationSacred appearance change
- AnnunciationGabriel's announcement to Mary
- Palm SundayChristian observance before Easter
halo
Luminous ring overhead
- frescoesPaintings on fresh plaster
- mosaicsPictures made from fragments
- venerationProfound admiring respect
tempera · gold leaf · saints · apostles · transfiguration
Eastern OrthodoxyRoman Catholicism
Papal Christian tradition
Catholicism · Protestantism · Anglicanism · evangelicalism · Pentecostalism
Eastern Orthodoxyatheism
Rejection of deities
secularism · secular humanism · antitheism · irreligion · agnosticism
eastern, unorthodox, orthodox, eastward, orthodoxy, easterly, northeastern, southeastern, heterodoxy