Eastern Orthodoxy

The ancient churches of the East, guarding tradition, icons, and mystical union with God.

Great Schism, 1054 CE · Eastern Europe & beyond · Abrahamic

Eastern Orthodoxy comprises the self-governing churches — Greek, Russian, Serbian, and others — that trace continuity to the apostolic church and separated from Rome in the Great Schism of 1054. It emphasizes unchanging tradition, the transformative goal of theosis (becoming united with God), and worship rich in icons, incense, and the Divine Liturgy.

Key figures

• The Ecumenical Patriarch
• The Church Fathers
• Saints and icons

Texts

• The Bible
• The Church Fathers
• Liturgical tradition

Beliefs

• Unchanging apostolic tradition
• Theosis — union with God
• Mystery and beauty in worship

Rituals

• The Divine Liturgy
• Veneration of icons
• Fasting seasons

Grew from

• Christianity

Connections in the atlas

• Gregory Palamas
• Mikhailovsky Castle
• The Garima Gospels
• Mount Athos
• Domovoi
• Hagia Sophia: winter solstice sunrise
• The word shaman
• The king who will return
• Cyril and Methodius to the Slavs
• Alpha and Omega
• The Roma
• ? Is Noah’s ark on Mount Ararat?