Orthodoxes

Orthodoxes is a plural term that can refer to people who follow orthodox beliefs or to members of churches that identify as Orthodox. The term derives from the Greek words orthos meaning “right” or “correct” and doxa meaning “opinion” or “belief,” thus conveying the sense of “correct belief.”

In Christianity, the term most often designates adherents of the two main branches of Orthodox Christianity: Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox. The Eastern Orthodox Church consists of autocephalous churches in communion under shared doctrine and sacraments, with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople as a leading, albeit primarily symbolic, figure. The Oriental Orthodox Churches, such as the Coptic, Armenian, Syriac, Ethiopian, and Eritrean churches, split from the Chalcedonian line after the Council of Chalcedon in 451. Both groups preserve ancient liturgy, sacraments, and patristic tradition, and are distinct from but related to the Roman Catholic and Protestant families.

The term is also used in Judaism to refer to Orthodox Judaism, which maintains traditional interpretations of Jewish law (Halakha) and practice as opposed to liberal movements. In secular discourse, “orthodox” contrasts with “unorthodox” or “heterodox,” describing ideas or methods that are standard, established, or widely accepted within a field, such as science, medicine, or politics. The size and distribution of adherents labeled as Orthodox vary by tradition and region, with large communities in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the global diaspora.