Orthodoxy. The term comes from the Greek orthos (right, correct) and doxa (opinion). In a general sense it is used of beliefs that conform to a given authoritative stance. "Heterodoxy" is the term given to beliefs other than those accounted orthodox. In a much more specific sense, the term "Orthodoxy" is used in Christianity to refer to that family of Churches in or for the most part originating in Eastern Europe that recognize the Patriarch of Constantinople as their common spiritual focus. Because these Churches are independent and self-governing, although in full communion with one another, and have a complex history, a full account of them would be very intricate. They include, however, the four ancient patriarchates of Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem, along with various less ancient ones such as Russia and also the Church of Greece and various other eastern countries. Eastern Orthodoxy represents a tradition that grew out of Christianity in the Byzantine Empire with deep cultural and historical roots in Greece. Eastern Orthodox Christians recognize the seven early Ecumenical Councils. The spirit of Eastern Orthodoxy tends to avoid the rigid doctrinal formulations so characteristic of the Roman Catholic Church and to express the faith of the Church in liturgy rather than in doctrinal propositions other than those embodied in the ancient Creeds and the decisions of the aforementioned Councils. In the devotional life of the Church, icons play a very special role. Since the 10th c., the great center of spirituality has been Mount Athos. The monastic life is highly revered, and bishops are generally drawn from the monasteries. The parochial clergy may marry and usually do, but they must marry before ordination and may not in any circumstances thereafter marry a second time. Eastern Orthodoxy represents a very large part of the Christian Church, and even in the West its numbers are not inconsiderable: about three million, for example, in the United States alone.

Geddes MacGregor, Dictionary of Religion and Philosophy, New York: Paragon House, 1989