Origins and History of the Orthodox Church
What year did the Great Schism officially divide the Christian Church into Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic branches?
1054 CE
What central belief describes God as one being in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?
The Holy Trinity
What is the main worship service in the Orthodox Church called?
The Divine Liturgy
Which calendar does the Orthodox Church mainly follow?
The Julian Calendar
Approximately how many Orthodox Christians are there worldwide today?
About 260 million
From which empire did the Orthodox Church originate?
The Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire
What is the Orthodox belief about salvation called, which means becoming united with God?
Theosis
What does incense represent during Orthodox worship?
Prayers rising to heaven and the presence of the Holy Spirit
What is the Orthodox name for Easter, celebrating Jesus’ resurrection?
Pascha
When did the Orthodox Church first come to Canada?
Around 1903 through the Russian mission
What disagreement about the Nicene Creed helped cause the Great Schism?
The Western Church added “and the Son” (Filioque) to the Creed, which the East rejected.
What do Orthodox Christians call the combination of Scripture, worship, councils, and teachings passed down from the Apostles?
Holy Tradition
What are the two main parts of the Divine Liturgy?
The Liturgy of the Word (Catechumens) and the Liturgy of the Faithful (Eucharist)
What marks the beginning of Great Lent in the Orthodox Church?
Clean Monday
What does it mean when the Church says to live “in the world but not of the world”?
To live faithfully and morally while being part of modern society
Who excommunicated whom during the Great Schism, making the split official?
Cardinal Humbert excommunicated Patriarch Michael Cerularius, who then excommunicated the Pope’s side.
Why does the Orthodox Church reject the “filioque” phrase in the Nicene Creed?
Because it teaches that the Holy Spirit comes only from the Father, not from both the Father and the Son.
What is the wall of icons separating the altar from the congregation called?
The Iconostasis
Why is Christmas celebrated on January 7th in many Orthodox churches?
Because the Julian calendar is about 10–15 days behind the Gregorian calendar.
What is one way Orthodox believers balance modern life with church tradition?
Using local languages (like English) in services while keeping fasting, icons, and feast days
After the fall of Constantinople in 1453, which city began calling itself the “Third Rome”?
Moscow
How do Orthodox Christians believe the Holy Spirit preserves truth and unity in the Church?
By guiding the Church through time to keep its teachings faithful to the Apostles.
Why do Orthodox services use chanting and no instruments?
To help focus the mind on prayer and maintain the sacred, spiritual tone of worship.
Name three major Orthodox practices during Lent or festivals that reflect traditional Christian life.
Prayer, fasting, and charity (or participation in Divine Liturgy, confession, and Eucharist).
What modern challenge has strengthened unity among Orthodox Christians worldwide?
Migration and diaspora communities spreading Orthodoxy to the Americas and Western Europe