What is the definition of Greek Orthodox?

Answer 1

Orthodox is made up of two Greek words "ortho" which means correct and "doxa" which means worship or glory.

In a secular sense, 'orthodox' can mean traditional or conforming with accepted standards.

In a spiritual context, the word 'Orthodox' means the correct faith or the correct worship and glory of God.

Answer 2

This refers to the Greek Orthodox Church, which is the main denomination in Greece. It is one of the fifteen autocephalous (meaning self-governing) Orthodox churches which make up the Eastern Orthodox Church. That term can also denote any Eastern Orthodox church that uses Byzantine Rite Liturgy. The national churches of Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania and Russia (as well as other countries) also belong to the Eastern Orthodox Church. Pope of Rome split away from all the other Patriarchs and Patriarch of Constantinople in particular in the early Middle Ages. The breach became definitive in 1054 from which point until now, Rome is not in communion with any of the Eastern Orthodox churches. The term "Greek Orthodox" is also sometimes used outside of Greece, in countries of the 'diaspora' such as the USA, Britain and Australia. This is not the correct Orthodox historical practice, and only exists today because the Orthodox Church in these countries began with a migrant population from Greece, with the language of the Liturgy being Greek. For this reason they kept the name "Greek Orthodox." The problem with using this name today, is that it makes the Orthodox Church look like an exclusive Greek club for Greeks only. This is certainly not the case. The Orthodox Church has no nationality, and is open to persons of every ethnic and national background. In Western countries in particular, the Orthodox people should prefer to use the correct title of "Orthodox Christian" or "Eastern Orthodox" without adding any national titles of Greek or Russian, etc. The only place where the name "Greek Orthodox" should be used (if at all) is in Greece. In other countries, such as the USA, Britain and Australia, it should be called by its proper jurisdictional tile of "Ecumenical Patriarchate" or "Holy Archdiocese of Australia" or "Holy Archdiocese of America" etc.

Answer 3

"Greek Orthodox" is the name used to describe the Church of Greece or an Orthodox person who belongs to the Church of Greece. The Church of Greece is one of the fifteen autocephalous (meaning self-governing) Orthodox churches which make up the Eastern Orthodox Church. Unfortunately, the term "Greek Orthodox" is also sometimes used outside of Greece, in countries of the 'diaspora' such as the USA, Britain and Australia. This is not the correct historical or theological practice, and only exists today because the Orthodox Church in these countries began with a migrant population from Greece, with the language of the Liturgy being Greek. For this reason they sometimes kept the name "Greek Orthodox" instead of Eastern Orthodox.

However, the problem with using this name today, is that it can make the Orthodox Church look like an exclusive club for Greeks only. This is certainly not the case. The Orthodox Church has no nationality, and is open to persons of every ethnic and national background. In Western countries in particular, the Orthodox people should use the correct title of either "Orthodox Christian" or "Eastern Orthodox" without adding any national titles such as Greek, Serbian or Russian, etc. The only place where the name "Greek Orthodox" should be used (if at all) is in Greece. In other countries, such as the USA, Britain and Australia, it should be called by its proper jurisdictional name of "Ecumenical Patriarchate" or "Holy Archdiocese of Australia" or "Holy Archdiocese of America" and so on.

Answer 4

The name ‘Greek Orthodox’ only exists in Greece. In the rest of the world, it is known as the Orthodox Christian Faith or simply Orthodoxy. The name "greek orthodox" should not be used to describe the Eastern Orthodox Church. Those people who are Greek and Orthodox are Orthodox Christians and they belong to the Orthodox Christian Faith. There is no nationality in the Orthodox Church. It is open to people of all backgrounds, races and cultures. Its purpose is to bring salvation to its members through belief in the Lord Jesus Christ as Son of God and Saviour of the world.