Greek Orthodox Christianity

Greek Orthodox Christianity

The name Greek Orthodox Church (Monotonic Greek: Ελληνορθόδοξη Εκκλησία, Polytonic: Ἑλληνορθόδοξη Ἑκκλησία, ) is a term referring to the body of several Churches within the larger communion of Eastern Orthodox Christianity, whose liturgy is traditionally conducted in Koine Greek, the original language of the New Testament, and which share a common Greek cultural tradition. The current territory of these Churches more or less covers the areas in the Eastern Mediterranean that used to be a part of the Byzantine Empire. Their origins lie in the ancient Christian Church, and they maintain many traditions practiced in the Ancient Church. Among these traditions are the use of incense, Liturgical Worship, Priesthood, making the sign of the cross, etc. Greek Orthodox Churches, unlike the Catholic Church, have no Bishopric head, such as a Pope, and hold the belief that Christ is the head of the Church. However, they are each governed by a committee of Bishops, called the Holy Synod, with one central Bishop holding the honorary title of "first among equals."

Greek Orthodox Churches are united with each other and with the other Orthodox Churches by a common doctrine and a common form of worship, and they see themselves not as separate Churches but as administrative units of one Church (the Orthodox Church). They are notable in their veneration of the Virgin Mary and the Saints, and for their use of the Divine Liturgy on Sundays, which is a standardized worship service dating back to the fourth century A.D. in its current form. The Divine Liturgy of the Orthodox Church was written by Saint John Chrysostom (347–407 A.D.).