Orthodox Christianity

From Metapedia

The term Orthodox Christianity may refer to:

• The Eastern Orthodox Church: the Eastern Christian churches of Byzantine tradition that adhere to the seven Ecumenical Councils.
• The Oriental Orthodox Churches: the Eastern Christian churches adhering to the teachings of only the first three Ecumenical Councils (plus the Second Council of Ephesus).
• Eastern Christianity: Any Christian tradition tracing its origins to the East (the Balkans, Asia Minor, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, etc.) including the Eastern Catholic churches. This usage is generally considered improper although it is not uncommon.
• Any Christian faith that adheres to the teachings of one or more of the Ecumenical Councils of the Church of the Roman Empire, especially contrasted to Arianism and doctrines outlawed as heresies in the late Roman Empire. In this context, Orthodox Christianity can refer to both modern Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy. Depending on one's perspective many Protestant Churches and the Oriental Orthodox Churches may also be included.
• Any particular Christian faith believed by its followers to be correct by comparison to other faiths. In this sense every Church considers its own faith orthodox.

Note: The Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches are not in communion and do not represent a unified religious tradition. As such, the term Orthodox Christianity when used to refer to these two Churches collectively refers more to a common Byzantine influence than to doctrinal matters.