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{{christianity}} |
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{{christianity}} |
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'''''Eastern Christianity''''' refers collectively to the ] traditions which developed in ], the ] and ]. Its division from ] has as much to do with culture, language, and politics as theology; a definitive date for the commencement of ] cannot be given (see ]), although conventionally, it is often stated that the ] became estranged from the "Great Church" of the Roman Empire in the years following the ], 431 CE, the ] separated after the ], 451 CE, and the final split between the Churches of Rome and Constantinople occurred in 1054 CE. |
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'''''Eastern Christianity''''' refers collectively to the ] traditions which developed in ], the ], and ] over several centuries of religious antiquity. Its division from ] has as much to do with ], ], and ] as ]. A definitive date for the commencement of ] cannot be given (see ]), although conventionally, it is often stated that the ] became estranged from the "Great Church" of the ] in the years following the ] (]), ] separated after the ](]), and the final split between the Churches of Rome and ] occurred in ] (often called the Great Schism). |
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== Families of Churches == |
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== Families of Churches == |
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Eastern Christians have a shared tradition, but have also known division from one another over the centuries. Eastern Christianity can be described as comprising four families of churches. |
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Eastern Christians have a shared tradition, but have also known division from one another over the centuries. Eastern Christianity can be described as comprising four families of churches. |
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* The ] accept seven ] as defining their faith (though many regard the councils of 879-80 and 1341-1351 as being the Eighth and Ninth Ecumenical Councils). Most Eastern Orthodox are united in communion with the ], though unlike in the Roman Catholic Church, this is not necessarily a touchstone of Orthodoxy or Catholicity. |
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*The ] accept seven ]s as defining their faith tradition (though many regard the councils of 879-80 and 1341-1351 as being the Eighth and Ninth Ecumenical Councils). The church is divided along national lines, made up of 14 or 15 ]al ] denominational bodies. Smaller churches are ], and have a mother church that is autocephalous. Barring small schismatic bodies, Eastern Orthodox are united in communion with the ], though unlike in the Roman Catholic Church, this is a looser connection rather than a top-down ] (see ]). |
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* The ] accept only the first three ], particularly rejecting the fourth, the ]. Oriental Orthodoxy first developed on the eastern limit of the Byzantine Empire, particularly in ] and ]. It spread into ], ] and ] as well. |
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* The ] accept only the first three ]s, particularly rejecting the fourth, the ]. Oriental Orthodoxy first developed on the eastern limit of the ], particularly in ] and ]. In those locations, there are also Eastern Patriarchs, but the rivalry between the two has largely vanished in the centuries since schism. There are autocephalous churches in full communion in ], ], ], and ] as well. |
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* The ] accepts only the ] and the ]. Developing within the ], further east, it rapidly took a different course from other Eastern Christians. |
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* The ] accepts only the ] and the ]. Developing within the ], further east, it rapidly took a different course from other Eastern Christians. |
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* The ] family of churches are in communion with the ] Church (of which Eastern Catholics form around 2%), but are rooted in the traditions of Eastern Christianity. For example, their priests need not be ], and their parish priests administer the sacrament of confirmation to newborn infants immediately after baptism, via the rite of ]; the infants are then administered ]. Many of these churches were originally part of one of the above families and are closely related to them by way of ethos and liturgical practice. |
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* The ] (or "Uniat") family of churches are in communion with the ] Church (of which Eastern Catholics form around 2%), but are rooted in the traditions of Eastern Christianity. For example, their ]s need not be ], and their parish priests administer the ] of ] to newborn infants immediately after ], via the rite of ]; the infants are then administered ]. Many of these churches were originally part of one of the above families and are closely related to them by way of ethos and ]. |
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There are also a few small Eastern Christian churches that do not fit into this scheme. |
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== External Links == |
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== External Links == |
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* A compendium of information and links related to the ] Communion. |
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* A compendium of information and links related to the ] Communion. |
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* . |
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* Information concerning Christians of eastern rites who are in communion with, and under the jurisdiction of, the ], the Bishop of Rome. |
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* Information concerning Christians of eastern rites who are in communion with, and under the jurisdiction of, the ], the Bishop of Rome. |
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{{orthodoxy-stub}} |
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{{orthodoxy-stub}} |
Eastern Christians have a shared tradition, but have also known division from one another over the centuries. Eastern Christianity can be described as comprising four families of churches.
