9+Eastern+Orthodox


 * ........................................................................................ Eastern Orthodox **
 * ............................................................................ David Figueroa & Kenia Campos **

 **When your branch started and developed**

Eastern Orthodos started until 1054 AD Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman catholism were branches of the same body.

**Where your branch is mainly located**

Orthodox Christianity is a official religion in Russia (de facto), Greece, Cyrpus, and Finland (in Finland it is a minority religion, but an official religion nonetheless). **How the branch is structured (who is in charge?)** The Orthodox Church began at Pentecost. It was founded by our Lord Jesus Christ, when after His Ascension, He sent down upon His Apostles the Holy Spirit who proceeds from God the Father as is written in the New Testament. **The major beliefs of your branch**

Their worship is highly liturgical and extremely iconographic, both of which are central to the Church's life, history, and practice. Their icons, which include depictions of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, biblical scenes, or saints, are believed to create a sense of the presence of God. Eastern Orthodoxy is strongly doctrinal and places great authority in the Bible, the Creeds (Apostles' and Nicene), and the seven ecumenical councils. Like all other Christians, Orthodoxy is Trinitarian, believing that God exists in three persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).

**An interesting belief that seems different from other branches** The process of being reunited to God, made possible by Christ, is accomplished by the **Holy Spirit**. The Spirit plays a central role in Orthodox worship: the liturgy usually begins with a prayer to the Spirit and invocations made prior to sacraments are addressed to the Spirit. media type="youtube" key="h41JmCCH7AQ" height="315" width="420" align="right"