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The '''Orthodox Church''' claims to be the [[church]] founded by [[Jesus]]. This one Church has various local expressions and is organized in to many local autocephalous churches, each headed by a primate.
The '''Orthodox Church''' is the second largest body of Christians, with an estimated membership between 250 million and 350 million people. The Orthodox Church claims to be the original Church founded by Jesus Christ. It is notable for its use of icons, candles, incense, relics of saints, and beautiful vestments during its rich liturgical services. It is often confused with the Byzantine-rite Catholics who are in communion with the Pope of Rome. The Orthodox are not in communion with the Roman Catholics, whom they view as holding several false doctrines. While in the west the Orthodox Church thought of as the church in Russia, Greece, and other eastern European countries, it is present on all continents and in most countries of the world.
== Beliefs of Orthodox Christians ==
While the Orthodox Church draws its beliefs from a very wide variety of sources, including the Gospels, the other books of the Old and New Testaments, the writings and sayings of saints, the Seven Ecumenical Councils, angelic communication and other direct spiritual experiences, icons, the Holy Mysteries (sacraments) and many other things besides, the core of what they believe is contained in the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed.
The Creed
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only-begotten, begotten of the Father before all ages. Light of Light; true God of true God; begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man. And He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried. And the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; whose Kingdom shall have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. In one Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
This creed is professed by all Orthodox Christians prior to baptism, and at every celebration of the Divine Liturgy (the main service of the Orthodox Church).
The Bible
The Orthodox regard the Bible as the main source of and rule against which the life, actions, words, and thoughts of the Church and here members are judged. Its role in the life of the church can not be overstated. It is read from at every service, in fact, most of the services of the Orthodox Church consist, at least in part, of chanting large portions of the Bible.
The Gospels are accorded a special place in the worship of the orthodox Church. They are afforded great honor. For example, they are bound in Gold often beset with gems, separately from the rest of the Bible. They are carried in processions, they are kissed , they are bowed to, and they are censed. All stand when the Gospel is read during a service. When the Gospel is not being venerated or being read from it is kept on the Altar.
All Orthodox Christians are expected to read from the Gospels and the Epistles every day, except during Lent when Old Testament readings are assigned.
== The Autocephalous Churches==
== The Autocephalous Churches==