History of Eastern Orthodoxy

The history of Eastern Orthodoxy can be traced back to the early Christian church, with its roots in the Byzantine Empire and the patriarchates of Antioch, Alexandria, Jerusalem, Constantinople, and Rome. The Great Schism of 1054 marked the formal split between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church, leading to distinct theological and cultural differences.

Beliefs and Practices

Eastern Orthodoxy places a strong emphasis on tradition, liturgy, and the mystical experience of God. The church is governed by a hierarchy of clergy, with the patriarch or bishop of Constantinople considered the "first among equals" among the various patriarchs and bishops. The Orthodox Church also upholds the seven sacraments, including baptism, chrismation, Eucharist, confession, marriage, holy orders, and anointing of the sick.

Iconography and Religious Art

One distinctive feature of Eastern Orthodoxy is its use of icons, which are religious images that hold significant spiritual and theological meaning. Icons are venerated as a means of connecting with the divine and are often found in Orthodox churches and homes. The veneration of icons is an integral part of Orthodox worship and spirituality.

Key Figures and Influences

Important figures in Eastern Orthodoxy include early church fathers such as St. Basil the Great, St. John Chrysostom, and St. Gregory of Nyssa, as well as theologians and mystics like St. Gregory Palamas. The influence of Eastern Orthodox Christianity extends to the development of Byzantine art and architecture, as well as the preservation of ancient Christian traditions.

Comparison with Other Christian Traditions

Eastern Orthodoxy differs from other Christian traditions, such as Roman Catholicism and Protestantism, in its emphasis on divine mystery, the role of the church as the mystical body of Christ, and its distinct theological perspectives on salvation, the nature of sin, and the authority of tradition.

◂Social Studies Worksheets and Study Guides Eighth Grade. Egypt

The resources above cover the following skills:

National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies (NCSS)

TIME, CONTINUITY, AND CHANGE

SOCIAL STUDIES PROGRAMS SHOULD INCLUDE EXPERIENCES THAT PROVIDE FOR THE STUDY OF THE PAST AND ITS LEGACY.

KNOWLEDGE - Learners will understand:

Key historical periods and patterns of change within and across cultures (e.g., the rise and fall of ancient civilizations, the development of technology, the rise of modern nation-states, and the establishment and breakdown of colonial systems).

National Center for History in Schools (NCHS)

Historical Thinking Standards

Historical Comprehension

Reconstruct the literal meaning of a historical passage.

World History Content Standards

Era 2: Early Civilizations and the Emergence of Pastoral Peoples, 4000-1000 BCE

The major characteristics of civilization and how civilizations emerged in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Indus valley.

The student understands how Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Indus valley became centers of dense population, urbanization, and cultural innovation in the fourth and third millennia BCE.

The student understands how commercial and cultural interactions contributed to change in the Tigris-Euphrates, Indus, and Nile regions.

How agrarian societies spread and new states emerged in the third and second millennia BCE.

The student understands how new centers of agrarian society arose in the third and second millennia BCE.

The political, social, and cultural consequences of population movements and militarization in Eurasia in the second millennium BCE.

The student understands the social and cultural effects that militarization and the emergence of new kingdoms had on peoples of Southwest Asia and Egypt in the second millennium BCE.

Major trends in Eurasia and Africa from 4000-1000 BCE.

The student understands major trends in Eurasia and Africa from 4000 to 1000 BCE.

Era 3: Classical Traditions, Major Religions, and Giant Empires, 1000 BCE-300 CE

Innovation and change from 1000-600 BCE horses, ships, iron, and monotheistic faith.

The student understands how states developed in the upper Nile valley and Red Sea region and how iron technology contributed to the expansion of agricultural societies in Sub-Saharan Africa.