Orthodoxy and the Various Christian Denominations

Academic Objective Perspective
It can be stated academically and objectively that the Orthodox Church today maintains and continues the faith and practices of first-century and first-millennium Christianity.

It can also be stated academically and objectively that the Roman Catholic Church held that same faith and practices during the first-millennium, and that it began to evolve beyond these in the ninth century.

It can likewise be stated academically and objectively that the Protestant Church denominations began to evolve beyond the faith and practices of the Roman Catholic Church in the sixteenth century.

Orthodox perspective
From the perspective of the Orthodox Church it would appear that Western Christendom is comprised of the Roman Catholic Church and her Protestant denominations which differ from itself and thus from the faith and practices of the Christian Church during the first millennium.

Roman Catholic perspective
From the perspective of the Roman Catholic Church it would appear that Eastern Orthodox Christendom continues to maintain the faith and practices of the first millennium and, moreover, that the Orthodox Church is an inherent part of itself.

This Roman Catholic point of view is explicitly declared in its Second Vatican Council Decree On Ecumenism, Unitatis Redintegratio. Under the sub-heading, The Special Consideration of the Eastern Churches, the Decree states “These (Orthodox) Churches, although separated from us, possess true sacraments, above all by Apostolic succession, the priesthood and the Eucharist, whereby they are linked with us in closest intimacy.

“Different” does not imply “judgment” or “condemnation”
Nevertheless, from the Orthodox standpoint, the Roman Catholic Church and its Protestant Denominations are neither the same as, nor part of, itself. They are different and separate from the Orthodox Church.

Note clearly that what has been said above is in no way a judgement or condemnation. It is simply a recognition that the theology of the Orthodox Church is not the same as the theologies of the Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches.

It is a matter of theological opinion and perspective whether the changes and differences in theology – especially concerning Christology, Soteriology, and Ecclesiology – as well as in faith practices expressed by the Roman Catholic Church, and even moreso by her Protestant denominations, are “correct” or otherwise.

Nevertheless, Roman Catholic and Protestsant theologies differ from that of the first thousand years of undivided Christianity. They are different from the consistent, 2,000-year tradition of Orthodox theology.

Orthodox and Heterodox
The word “orthodox” is used to indicate “right belief” and “right worship” and also implies “correct” belief and worship. The “Orthodox” Church understands “Orthodoxy” to be the consistent continuance of the “Apostolic Faith” – by which is meant that which was taught by Christ, preached by the Apostles, and faithfully maintained by the Tradition of the Church.

The Roman Catholic Church and her Protestant Denominations are regarded by the Orthodox Church as “heterodox.” This merely means that their beliefs differ from the beliefs, teachings, and practices of its own. In other words, “Orthodox” indicates adherence to traditional doctrines whereas “heterodox” means change from that tradition.

No judgement is intended by defining Roman Catholic and Protestant beliefs as heterodox, it simply means that they differ from those of Orthodox Christianity.