Eastern Orthodoxy Definition AP World History, It is one of the oldest, most traditional types of Christian denominations. The early years of Christianity witnessed the emergence of Eastern Orthodoxy, which even today walks hand-in-hand with Roman Catholicism in very essential ways.
While both branches share the fundamental beliefs, Eastern Orthodoxy split from Roman Catholicism on multiple theological, liturgical, and cultural differences. Understanding the Eastern Orthodox Church is crucial in setting up a context for religious, cultural, and political points of reference in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Balkans, and Slavic Europe from the earliest histories.
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Origins of Eastern Orthodoxy
The Eastern Orthodox Church has its roots in the original Christian congregations in the eastern part of the Roman Empire. Christianity itself originated in the Middle East, 1st century CE in the city of Jerusalem, where it propagated to Asia Minor, Greece, and provinces of the East of the Roman Empire. But in the 4th century, when Emperor Constantine recognized it as the state religion of the Roman Empire, he became key in devising and consolidating the church. Constantine changed the center of the Roman Empire from Rome to Byzantium, later known as Constantinople, where the central city of the rise of Eastern Christianity was established.
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In these early centuries, theological and cultural differences began to reveal themselves between the Christian communities of the West (focalized on Rome) and of the East (focalized on Constantinople). Two, holding a large set of identical beliefs, took gradually very important theological interpretations and different forms of liturgy strictly due to the cultural and linguistic differences between Latin-speaking West and Greek-speaking East.
The Great Schism of 1054
Another more infamous date in the history of Eastern Orthodoxy is the Great Schism of 1054. This schism was primarily caused by an official breakaway between the Roman Catholic Church, established in Rome, and the Eastern Orthodox Church, established in Constantinople. The schism followed years of argument over theological disputes, authority, and liturgical practices.
An important matter in contention between the two sides was regarding the Filioque clause,. Added to the Nicene Creed by the Western Church was the Latin word “Filioque” meaning “and the Son,” which, therefore indicated that it is from the Father and from the Son that the Holy Spirit proceeds. This actually led to controversy with the Eastern Church, which insisted that the Holy Spirit proceeds only from the Father. It exposed an even more fundamental difference between the two churches regarding the nature of the Holy Trinity.
Another critical question dealt with papal authority. The Roman Catholic Church accepted that the Pope should be the head of all Christians but the Eastern Orthodox Church dreamed of a less centralised form of organization. In fact, the Orthodox Church looked upon the Pope to be just the “first among equals” and not above in authority regarding regional bishops, including the Patriarch of Constantinople, who should have more power to act independently.
By 1054 the tensions finally culminated with mutual excommunications being issued from Pope and Patriarch of Constantinople. Though efforts at reconciliation followed, the break between Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism was now irreversible. The Eastern Orthodox Church would continue to develop as an independent expression of Christianity in its own right, separate both from Roman Catholicism and later, Protestantism.
Theology and Practices of Eastern Orthodoxy Definition AP World History
The main issues shared between the Eastern Orthodox Church and any of the Christian traditions also include faith in the Holy Trinity, Jesus Christ as God, and the value of the Bible. However, core emphases in theology and actions are often different between the Eastern Orthodox Church and other religious traditions.
The concept of tradition is strong in the Eastern Orthodoxy
it can be well defined as the teaching and practice handed down from generation to generation. It includes teaching of early church fathers, ecumenical councils, the liturgical practices of the church. The Eastern Orthodox Church views itself as a continuation of the original Christian Church, and it vows to keep its teachings and traditions as faithfully as possible.
Mysticism and Worship
Orthodox worship is a mystical exercise with developed liturgical practices. Icons constitute the central part of worship in Orthodoxy as being windows to the divine. Divine Liturgy is considered the most important act of communal worship encompassing prayers, hymns, and sacraments. The experience of incense, chanting, and iconography gives evidence of the Orthodox thought that worship unites the mind and the body to God.
Salvation and Theosis:
The Eastern Orthodox view of salvation comes under the concept of becoming one with God, or theosis. Theosis involves the inward transformation through the power of the Holy Spirit toward much similarity to God by humans. This doctrine deals with the quality that every person may have to be a partaker in the divine nature, as is emphasized in the New Testament. In the Orthodox teaching, the reason of humankind’s existence is union with God, and therefore means toward this union are being united through sacraments, prayer, and virtuous living.
Historical Impact of Eastern Orthodoxy
The Eastern Orthodox Church played a significant role in the making of the cultural and political landscapes of Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and Russia. After the fall of Constantinople in 1453, the church continued to mold the world of Eastern Europe as they further spread into the Slavic lands through missionary efforts. The development of original cultures in these regions helped shape the distinctive cultural identities that remain strong today.
Orthodox tradition in Russia became an integral part of Russian national identity. As the capital of Constantinople was falling, Moscow would become the new center of Orthodox Christianity. The Russian leaders would proclaim Moscow as “the Third Rome.” The Russian Orthodox Church was an integral part of the Russian state and influenced both Russian art, culture, and politics.
Eastern Orthodoxy in the Modern World
Today, Eastern Orthodoxy is the world’s second-largest Christian denomination with about 200 million followers. The Eastern Orthodox Church is a communion of autocephalous churches; that is, each church has its own bishop or patriarch who leads it. That means that liturgical practices and traditions can be pretty diverse within this great familial outline of beliefs.
Although it faces the problems of modern secularism and political change, there is life in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Its liturgical legacy is complex, its theology dense, and its cultural appreciation for tradition continues to attract multitudes throughout the world.
Conclusion
Understanding Eastern Orthodoxy will give greater insight into the greater history of Christianity, especially in the influence on broader cultural patterns that it played in its areas of development. From earliest Christian times to its current role as an agent of the schism that divided it with Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy has maintained its clear identity. Its theology, art, and cultural legacies have contributed to a profound, lasting spiritual and cultural heritage not only for Eastern Europe but for the world.
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