Ortodoxok

Ortodoxok refers to adherents of Orthodox Christianity, a branch of Christianity that traces its history back to the early Christian Church. The Orthodox Church is characterized by its hierarchical structure, with the Patriarch of Constantinople holding a position of honor. The faith is deeply rooted in tradition, emphasizing the teachings of the Apostles, the pronouncements of the early ecumenical councils, and the writings of the Church Fathers.

Key aspects of Orthodox practice include the veneration of icons, which are sacred images used for devotion and teaching, and the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, the central act of worship. The sacraments, such as baptism, chrismation, and the Eucharist, are considered essential to the spiritual life of believers. Orthodox theology is rich and complex, with a strong focus on the concept of theosis, or deification, the process by which believers are united with God.

The Orthodox Church is not a single, unified organization in the same way as the Roman Catholic Church. Instead, it is a communion of autocephalous (self-governing) churches, each with its own synod and primate. While they share a common faith and liturgical practice, these churches operate independently. Major autocephalous churches include the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the Patriarchate of Alexandria, the Patriarchate of Antioch, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Russian Orthodox Church, the Serbian Orthodox Church, the Romanian Orthodox Church, and the Georgian Orthodox Church, among others. Differences in calendars, such as the Julian and Gregorian, can sometimes lead to variations in the dates of feasts and fasts among different Orthodox churches.