Eastern Orthodox Christianity is the third largest branch of Christianity. Primarily located in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, the Church has over 200 million baptised members and is larger than any individual Protestant denomination. Its members adhere to all the core tenets of Christianity, yet Orthodoxy is markedly distinct from Christian denominations practiced in other parts of the world.
Eastern Orthodoxy is also one of the oldest branches of the Christian faith and many of its traditions and practices are rooted in the faith’s deep history. For example, the practice of standing during services is based on how the earliest Christians are thought to have worshipped. Additionally, the title of the Orthodox Church’s most senior figure is still the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople – a reference to the ancient capital city of the Byzantine Empire.
The Eastern Orthodox Church also has a distinct structure. It is made up of a communion of national churches, each of which is ‘autocephalous’ (this means ‘self-headed’ in Greek). This means that while all Orthodox Christians share certain key beliefs, particular traditions and styles of worship can vary. Nonetheless, outside of countries where Orthodoxy is widespread, it is common for Orthodox Christians in the diaspora to worship together and connect through their faith, even if they belong to different churches.
There are, however, some practices and beliefs that are observed by all members of the Eastern Orthodox Church. For example, take the practice of burning incense during services. The smoke that rises from the incense towards the roof of the church symbolises worshippers’ prayers rising to God. Many Orthodox Christians also attribute the burning of incense to the creation of an intense spiritual sensory atmosphere during services, which helps them concentrate on their prayers.
Icons and iconography also occupy a prominent role in the Orthodox faith. These are the myriad stylised depictions of Jesus Christ, different biblical figures, and scenes that adorn Orthodox churches. Many Orthodox Christians refer to icons as ‘windows into heaven.’ Like the burning of incense, these intricate and ornate designs can aid focus during a service, and are a distinctive decorative feature of Orthodox churches.
As in other branches of Christianity, Jerusalem and Bethlehem are important holy sites, but there are many other sites that Eastern Orthodox pilgrims might travel to as well. For example Mount Athos, which has a particular importance for members of the Greek Orthodox Church, has been the home of Orthodox monks since 800 AD. There are approximately 1400 monks still living there today.
Eastern Orthodox Christianity, as one of the oldest branches of the Christian faith, has a unique history that makes it one of the most distinct denominations of Christianity. Understanding Eastern Orthodoxy is crucial for understanding Christianity in Eastern Europe and the Middle East today.