What are some of the principle beliefs emphasized by Orthodoxy?
Principle beliefs of Orthodoxy are mostly common through both sub groups although the fact that Eastern Orthodoxy beliefs are based of the seven ecumenical councils while Oriental Orthodoxy is based off only the first three. Some common beliefs of Orthodoxy are;
- The belief in the holy trinity and seeing God as three divine persons and recognizing that the father is the head of the trinity, the son as being fully god and fully man and the holy spirit.
- They believe that the bread and wine of the Eucharist is actually transformed into the body and blood of Christ during holy communion. This is known as Transubstantiation.
- Unlike some other religions they do not believe in scripture alone and instead argue that holy tradition and holy scriptures are of equal importance in the journey to the kingdom of heaven.
- They believe that baptism is the initiator of our lives leading to the salvation experience, a lifelong process which enables Christians to become more and more like Christ and leads them into the kingdom of heaven.
- Orthodox Christians believe that when a person dies the soul is temporarily separated from the body. It may linger for a short time on Earth, but it is then escorted either to paradise (heaven) or the darkness of Hades (hell). Orthodox do not accept the doctrine of Purgatory, held by Roman Catholicism.
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The holy trinity is a difficult concept to understand, the diagram shows what Orthodox Christians believe in regards to what God is. While God is the three persons of the father, the son and the holy spirit. The father is not the son or the holy spirit, the son is not the father or the holy spirit and the holy spirit is not the father or the son.
A good example to explain this is water. Having three different forms of; ice, water and steam, they are all different but yet they are still water.
A good example to explain this is water. Having three different forms of; ice, water and steam, they are all different but yet they are still water.