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RELIGIOUS RUN-THROUGH

What does orthodox mean, how’s it defined in Judaism and Christianity and what are the Greek and Russian Orthodox Churches?

Orthodox means adhering to accepted norms and creeds - especially in religion

CHANCES are you've heard of "orthodox" religions.

But what exactly does it mean and how is it defined in Judaism and Christianity? Here's the lowdown.

Archbishop of Thyteiri and Great Britain blesses parishioners and clergy during a traditional Greek Orthodox blessing
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Archbishop of Thyteiri and Great Britain blesses parishioners and clergy during a traditional Greek Orthodox blessingCredit: Getty Images - Getty

What does orthodox mean and how is it defined in Judaism and Christianity?

Orthodox means adhering to accepted norms and creeds - especially in religion.

In Christianity, the term means "conforming to the Christian faith as represented in the creeds of the early Church.”

The Orthodox Church is one of the three main Christian groups – the others are the Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches.

Around 200 million people across the globe follow the Orthodox tradition

The Christian Orthodoxy comprises of numerous self-governing Churches - which are either “autocephalous” (having their own head) or “autonomous” (self-governing).

A young boy rubs his eyes during a traditional Greek Orthodox service at the Church of St Michael the Archangel for the Feast of the Epiphany
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A young boy rubs his eyes during a traditional Greek Orthodox service at the Church of St Michael the Archangel for the Feast of the EpiphanyCredit: Getty Images - Getty

The Orthodox Church differs from the other Christian Churches in the way of life and worship, and in certain aspects of theology.

Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7 - which this year fell on a Sunday.

In Judaism, orthodox means adhering to a tradition of mass revelation and to the interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah - as legislated in the Talmudic texts by the Tannaim and Amoraim.

Orthodox Judaism believes that Jewish people left slavery in Egypt and met with God at Sinai.

It is there that is believed they were given the Torah, through Moses.

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Orthodox Jewish men belonging the Bobov Hasidism during Morning Prayer inside a Stamford Hill synagogue
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Orthodox Jewish men belonging the Bobov Hasidism during Morning Prayer inside a Stamford Hill synagogueCredit: Corbis - Getty

What are the Greek and Russian Orthodox Churches?

The Greek Orthodox Church refers to several churches within the larger Eastern Orthodox Christianity.

Greek Orthodox services are traditionally conducted in Koine Greek - the original language of the New Testament.

Greek Orthodox Christianity places heavy emphasis on the traditions of Christian monasticism and asceticism.

The Russian Orthodox Church, also known as the Moscow Patriarchate, currently claims authority over Orthodox Christians living in the former member republics of the Soviet Union – excluding Georgia and Armenia.

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