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The head of the Orthodox Church is Jesus Christ. The spiritual heads on earth are the four ancient Patriarchates (Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem) together with the Autocephalous (self-governing) Churches such as Moscow, Serbia, Romania, Greece, and so on. The Orthodox Church has a collegial system of government, similar to a democratic government. It does not have one world leader like the Pope in Rome. The supreme authority in the Orthodox Church rests with an Ecumenical Council or Synod, with representatives from the Orthodox Churches around the world, similar to a Congress of bishops or Parliament. The Ecumenical Patriarch in Constantinople is regarded as the 'first patriarch among equals' but he cannot interfere in the jurisdiction of another Patriarchate or Autocephalous Church, without the authority of a world-wide church Council or Synod. The reason for this is to safeguard against any one person taking control of the Church and leading it astray, and also to provide a system of 'checks and balances' in case the spiritual head of one church makes an incorrect theological statement or preaches a heretical belief. In this way, the other spiritual heads from Orthodox Churches (usually Archbishops or Patriarchs) will censure or correct the false beliefs of that individual. That is how the structure of the Orthodox Church has remained intact for over 2,000 years.
Wiki User
∙ 16y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoMost Orthodox Churches are shaped like a cross. At the front is the altar, the back is the narthex and nave, with the pews in the middle.
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How many Greek Orthodox Churches are there in Australia?
There are approximately 125 Greek Orthodox churches in Australia, but this does not include the other Orthodox churches, such as the Russian, Serbian, Romanian, Antiochian, Ukrainian Orthodox, etc.
How many Greek orthodox churches are in Australia?
There are approximately 125 Greek Orthodox churches in Australia, but this does not include the other Orthodox churches, such as the Russian, Serbian, Romanian, Antiochian, Ukrainian Orthodox, etc.
Are orthodox churches Church of England churches?
No, Orthodox churches are where persons of Greek or Russian Orthodox faith worship. Like the Church of England, the Orthodox also separated from the Roman Catholic Church on matters of doctrine.
What are two calendars in the eastern orthodox churches?
Some Orthodox Churches use the new Gregorian calendar, but most Orthodox Churches continue to use the old Julian calendar.
Which are a Slavic-based churches of Eastern Orthodoxy?
The Russian Orthodox, Serbian Orthodox, and Carpatho-Russian churches
What types of orthodox churches exist?
Russian orthodox. Greek orthodox. Coptic orthodox. Antiochia orthodox. Eastern orthodox. Ethiopian orthodox.
Are there still orthodox churches what name do they go by now?
Yes, there are still Orthodox churches, and they go by "Orthodox Church," although in western countries this may often be preceded by the ethnicity of the founders of the parish - "Greek Orthodox," "Antiochian Orthodox," "Russian Orthodox," etc. A list of the canonical orthodox churches of the world can be found at http://aggreen.net/autocephaly/autoceph.html
Do the Roman Catholic and Orthodox church buildings differ?
I see a lot of domes on Orthodox churches but rarely see them on Catholic churches.
When was Orthodox Christian Reformed Churches in North America created?
Orthodox Christian Reformed Churches in North America was created in 1979.
When did Orthodox Christian Reformed Churches in North America end?
Orthodox Christian Reformed Churches in North America ended in 2008.
What religion did the eastern orthodox church belong to?
The Orthodox Churches and the Catholic Church were once united. The Orthodox Churches separated from the Catholic Church over political and doctrinal differences.
The Different Types of Orthodox?
Most Orthodox Christians are part of the Eastern Orthodox Church (commonly referred to as the Greek, Russian, Serbian churches, etc) but a smaller group exists of Oriental Orthodox (such as the Coptic and Armenian churches).
