Eastern Orthodox
The Eastern Orthodox Church is a communion of autocephalous (self-governing) national churches—including the Russian, Greek, Serbian, Romanian, and Bulgarian Orthodox churches—bound by shared doctrine, sacramental communion, and the Byzantine liturgical tradition. It understands itself as the one holy, catholic, and apostolic Church established by Christ, preserving the faith of the Seven Ecumenical Councils without the innovations of Rome. The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople holds a primacy of honor as 'first among equals' but exercises no jurisdictional authority over other autocephalous churches. Eastern Orthodox theology is characterized by Palamite theology (the distinction between God's essence and divine energies), theosis as the goal of salvation, and a conciliar model of authority.
Theology
Christology
Soteriology
Salvation
Nuanced
Salvation as theosis: deification through union with Christ in the Church
Atonement & Ransom
Nuanced
Christus Victor and recapitulation central; satisfaction theory is not primary
Predestination
Nuanced
Synergism: human free will genuinely cooperates with divine grace toward theosis
Original Sin
Nuanced
Ancestral sin: inherited mortality and corruption, not Adam's personal guilt
Eschatology
Soul & Afterlife
Affirms
Immortal soul; particular judgment; no formal purgatory; bodily resurrection
Hell
Affirms
Hell affirmed as eternal; some Orthodox theologians express hope for universal salvation
Heaven
Affirms
Theosis: eternal participation in divine life; bodily resurrection and the Kingdom
Second Coming
Affirms
Christ will return visibly in glory to judge all and establish the eternal Kingdom
Millennium
Nuanced
Amillennial; no literal millennium; Kingdom present in the Church awaiting consummation
Ecclesiology
Church Authority
Nuanced
Conciliar: seven Ecumenical Councils supreme; Patriarch of Constantinople as first among equals
Clergy & Priesthood
Nuanced
Married men may be priests; bishops celibate; Mount Athos monasticism foundational
Sacraments & Ordinances
Affirms
Seven Mysteries; unified initiation; Divine Liturgy of Chrysostom central
Scripture
Biblical Canon
Nuanced
Deuterocanonical books included; Septuagint used; exact canon varies by church
Biblical Inerrancy
Affirms
Scripture divinely inspired; interpreted within Tradition, Fathers, and seven Councils
Extra-biblical Revelation
Affirms
Scripture and Holy Tradition inseparable; seven Ecumenical Councils are authoritative
Scripture Interpretation
John 1:1 — "The Word Was God"
Affirms
John 1:1 affirms divine Word's eternal nature and full divinity
Isaiah 7:14 — "Virgin or Young Woman"
Affirms
Isaiah 7:14 is messianic prophecy; virgin birth central to Orthodox soteriology
Matthew 16:18 — "Upon This Rock"
Denies
Peter has special honor and role; papal primacy is rejected as later Western addition
Romans 9:18-21 — "God's Sovereign Choice"
Affirms
God's sovereign will and foreknowledge; human freedom maintained mysteriously
Matthew 28:19 — "Baptize in the Name"
Affirms
Trinitarian baptism in triple immersion; apostolic and patristic foundation
Hebrews 1:8 — "Your Throne, O God"
Affirms
Christ as God on eternal throne; patristic and liturgical affirmation
Mark 16:9-20 — "The Longer Ending"
Nuanced
Textual uncertainty acknowledged; Resurrection affirmation paramount
John 7:53–8:11 — "The Woman Caught in Adultery"
Nuanced
Textual status recognized; Resurrection-themed authority maintained
1 John 5:7-8 — "The Comma Johanneum"
Nuanced
Textual variant recognized; Trinity affirmed from patristic sources
Deuterocanonical Books — "Tobit, Wisdom, Sirach, Maccabees"
Affirms
Deuterocanonical texts included in broader Orthodox canon
Shepherd of Hermas — "Early Christian Text"
Nuanced
Shepherd valued as patristic literature; not fully canonical
Genesis 1:1-2 — "In the Beginning"
Affirms
God created all things; six-day narrative spiritually interpreted
Revelation 20:1-6 — "The Thousand Years"
Nuanced
Spiritual symbolism; Christ's eternal reign; no literal millennial expectation
James 2:24 — "Justified by Works"
Affirms
Faith and works inseparable; both required for salvation and theosis
Ethics & Practice
Sabbath
Nuanced
Sunday as Lord's Day; Saturday liturgically significant; Julian calendar for many
Blood Transfusions
Nuanced
No doctrinal prohibition; medical care consistent with Christian duty
Military Service
Affirms
Military service permitted; warrior saints venerated; just war tradition affirmed
Holidays
Affirms
Twelve Great Feasts; Pascha supreme; rich liturgical year; Julian calendar for many