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Eastern Orthodox Religion
The Eastern Orthodox Religion also known as the Orthodox Catholic Church and is the second largest Christian denomination with an estimated number of adherents at 225 million. It is considered by its belivers to be the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church established by Jesus Christ and his Apostles almost 2,000 years ago. The Church is composed of several self-governing ecclesial bodies, each geographically and nationally distinct but theologically unified.
All Orthodox bishops, Oriental as well as Eastern, trace their lineage back to the Apostles through the process of Apostolic Succession, in the same manner as the Roman Catholic Church. The Orthodox Church traces its development back to the earliest church established by St. Paul and the Apostles. It practices the original ancient traditions, believing in growth without change. Orthodox Christians believe that the ultimate goal of every Christian is to become like God, to love perfectly, to become like Christ within Jesus Christ. This process is called theosis or deification.
Eastern Orthodox Christians believe in a God who is both three and one. The Father is the cause or origin of the Godhead, from whom the Son is begotten eternally and also from whom the Holy Spirit proceeds eternally. The Holy Trinity is three, distinct, divine persons without overlap or modality among them, who share one divine essence uncreated, immaterial and eternal. Eastern Orthodox doctrine regarding the Holy Trinity is summarized in the Nicene Creed (Symbol of Faith).
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