Orthodox Christianity is one of the three major branches of Christianity, alongside Roman Catholicism and Protestantism. It traces its roots back to the earliest days of the Christian Church and maintains that it has preserved the original teachings of Jesus Christ and the Apostles without alteration.
Historical Context
The history of Orthodox Christianity can be traced back to the first century AD:
Core Beliefs and Practices
Orthodox Christianity emphasizes:
Church Structure
The Orthodox Church operates with a structure that includes:
Modern Challenges and Developments
In recent times, Orthodox Christianity has faced:
- **Diaspora**: The spread of Orthodox communities worldwide due to migration, leading to the establishment of parishes and dioceses in regions where Orthodoxy was previously scarce.
- **Ecumenism**: Efforts towards dialogue with other Christian denominations, particularly through the World Council of Churches.
- **Internal Disputes**: Over issues like the Ukrainian Autocephaly and relations between different Orthodox Churches.
References
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