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add overview of Beliefs and Practices
Attempts at reconciliation at the councils of [[Lyon]] (1274 AD) and [[Council of Florence|Florence]] (1438-39 AD) were unsuccessful. When the papacy defined itself as infallible ([[First Vatican Council]], 1870 AD), the gulf between East and West grew wider. Only since the [[Second Vatican Council]] (1962-65) has the movement reversed, talks are bringing serious attempts at mutual understanding.
==Beliefs and Practices==
* See: [[Introduction to Orthodox Christianity]] for more.
The Orthodox Church recognizes as authoritative the decisions of the seven ecumenical councils that met between 325 AD and 787 AD and defined the basic doctrines on the [[Trinity]] and the [[Incarnation]]. In later centuries Orthodox councils also made doctrinal definitions on [[Grace]] (1341 AD, 1351 AD) and took a stand in reference to Western teachings.
The Church keeps the early traditions of Christianity, infants receive the [[Eucharist]] and [[Chrismation|confirmation]], and the [[episcopate]] and the [[priest|priesthood]] are understood in the light of [[Apostolic succession]]. (Apostolic Succession is understood to be the passing on of the Holy Tradition by right-believing Bishops). Married men may become priests, but bishops and [[monks]] may not marry. The veneration of Mary, as [[Theotokos]] (Mother of God) is central to Orthodox Incarnational Theology, and the intercession of [[saints]] is also emphasized in the Orthodox Holy Tradition.
After an early controversy on the subject, the [[Icon]]s, of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the saints are now seen as visible witnesses to the fact that God has taken human flesh in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The [[Liturgy]] used by the Orthodox Church has been translated from Greek into many languages. It is always sung, not just spoken. The faithful receive Holy Communion on a spoon. They are given both the consecrated bread (NIKA), and the sanctified wine from the gifts offered and sanctified at the given Divine Liturgy. Holy Communion is never taken from any "reserve."
[[Monasticism]], which had its origins in the Christian East (Egypt, Syria, Cappadocia), has since been considered in the Orthodox Church as a prophetic ministry of men and women, showing through their mode of life the action of the Holy Spirit. The monastic republic of Mount ATHOS, Greece, is still viewed among Orthodox Christians as a center of spiritual vitality.
== Current Church structure ==
