Orthodox Christianity is one of the worlds three major Christian traditions, along with Roman Catholicism and Protestantism. The Orthodox Christian Church is the oldest Christian Church in the world, founded by Jesus Christ. Orthodoxy believes that the Christian Faith and the Church are inseparable, and it is impossible to know Christ, to share in the life of the Holy Trinity, or to be considered a Christian apart from the Church. The Eastern Orthodox Church is defined as the Eastern Christians which recognize the seven ecumenical councils and usually are in communion with the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Patriarchate of Alexandria, the Patriarchate of Antioch, and the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
Orthodox Christians throughout the world use various ethnic or national jurisdictional titles, or more inclusively, the title "Eastern Orthodox", "Orthodox Catholic", or simply "Orthodox". The Orthodox Faith does not begin with mankind’s religious speculations, nor with the so-called “proofs” for the existence of God, nor with a human quest for the Divine. The origin of the Orthodox Christian Faith is the Self-disclosure of God. Tradition means that which is “handed on” from one generation to another. In addition to the witness of faith in the Scripture, the Orthodox Christian faith is celebrated in the Eucharist; taught by the Fathers; glorified by the Saints; expressed in prayers, hymns, and.
