Talk:Orthodoxy

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Would anyone elucidate the issue of when the term in question actually first appeared (or to be found) within the Christian context.Max 09:51, February 2, 2008 (PST)

Orthodox

Orthodox (ορθοδόξος) in Greek means correct both in worship and belief. It is derived from the combination of όρθος/orthos (correct, straight, without deviation) and δόξα/doxa (glory or worship) or δοκείν/dokein (to teach). In fact, the names of the Orthodox Church in Greek, Russian, etc. reflects and reinforces more the doxa "etymology". Thus Orthodox, in the context of a Chalcedonean article, should be understood more as correct in worship and the claim correct in belief should be regarded as implicit.

  • "Adjective" - "(Christianity) adhering to the rites of the (Chalcedonean) Orthodox Church."

Vasiliki 07:27, May 6, 2008 (UTC)

Thanks. But my question was not about etimology or semantics -- i know some Greek to understand this much. My question is about exactly when the word became an ecclesiastical term. To be entirely concrete: where is the phrase "Ορθόδοξη Εκκλησία" to be found first?Max 20:23, December 8, 2008 (UTC)
I dont think I was replying to your question cause I gave it its own heading ... I was probably just writing down what i was thinking ... to remind myself to use it at a later date ... to answer your question, however, I dont think there is a formal "date" that the term Orthodox was used ... my understanding is that in classical usage the term described the set of doctrines that then gained prominence around the fourth century. Through the Ecumenical councils they had various dogmatical debates. The most significant was the debate about Trinitarianism, Homoousion doctrine of Athanasius the Great versus the Heteroousian doctrine of Arius and which set "Orthodox" apart from "other" Christians ... The NEED to defend the Trinity is the first time a clearly political distinction is made between the two groups ... so, politically it is likely that at this Council the term switched from being an every day term to an official description to distinguish it from the heteroousian group of Christians ... a political necessity ... Vasiliki 22:26, December 8, 2008 (UTC)
Or more simply whatever the date is for the first schism ...that would likely be the date it is first 'coined' as a reference for the body continuing the trinitarian doctrine - 451? But even then did they call themselves "Orthodox" or did they call themselves "New Rome"? LOL ...it is all very confusing, and another question is .. was it "Orthodox" ... or "Greek Orthodox"? ... when did the term "Greek Orthodox' come into play and, more recently, when did the term "Greek Orthodox" switch to "Eastern Orthodox" so that it can give the political feeling of all inclusiveness (even though the official term still is Greek Orthodox)? Vasiliki 22:46, December 8, 2008 (UTC)