Orthodox Christianity

Along with Catholicism and Protestantism, one of the three major branches of Christianity.

Orthodox Christianity grew out the churches established by the missionary Paul in the countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. Separate from the rule of the Roman government and the subsequent Roman Catholic Church, Orthodox Christianity developed its own Christian traditions and liturgy.

Orthodox Christianity claims to be the actual church established by Christ through missionaries like Paul. And it believes that this lineage of churches establishes its authority.

Orthodox Churches do not defer to a central conference, headquarters or a particular leader. They are, instead, self-governing bodies. Orthodox Christianity does not have a scholastic tradition.


 * Catholic Encyclopedia: Eastern Churches
 * Encyclopedia Britannica: Eastern Orthodoxy (christianity)