Are we Catholic, Orthodox, or Christian? Neither, Some, or ALL?

The Eastern Orthodox Church is often mistaken for just another Christian denomination, yet it is neither a mere sect nor a branch of a fragmented whole. Rather, it is the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, preserving the fullness of the faith as handed down by Christ and the Apostles. Unlike Western Christianity, where distinctions between "Catholic" and "Orthodox" are often seen as separate identities, Eastern Orthodoxy embodies all three: we are Orthodox, Catholic, and Christian. We are Orthodox because we worship rightly through the Divine Liturgy, preserving the unbroken traditions of apostolic worship. We are Catholic because we hold the universal and complete doctrine of the faith, not as a denomination but as the Church in its fullness. We are Christian because we are called to follow Christ, taking up our cross and living in the hope of the Resurrection. Understanding these three identities together reveals the true nature of the Eastern Orthodox Church—not as one among many, but as the continuation of Christ’s Church throughout history.

The differentiation of the names Orthodox, Catholic, and Christian arose from historical, theological, and cultural developments within the Church. While all three terms originally applied universally to the early Christian community, over time, they became associated with different branches of Christianity.

• Orthodox (Ὀρθόδοξος) and the East: The term "Orthodox," meaning "right belief" and "right worship," was used to distinguish those who upheld the apostolic faith from various heresies. After the Great Schism of 1054, the Eastern Churches, which rejected certain doctrinal innovations from Rome, came to be known as the Eastern Orthodox Church to emphasize their continuity with the unaltered faith of the early Church.
  
  

• Catholic (Καθολικός) and Rome: Originally, "Catholic" meant "universal" and was used by early Church Fathers to describe the one, undivided Church. However, following the Schism, the term became closely associated with the Roman Catholic Church, which, under the papacy, claimed to be the sole custodian of catholicity, despite the Eastern Churches maintaining the same claim.
  
  

• Christian and Protestantism: The name "Christian," meaning "follower of Christ," was first given to believers in Antioch (Acts 11:26) and applied to all who professed faith in Christ. However, after the Reformation in the 16th century, many Protestant groups, rejecting both Roman Catholic and Orthodox traditions, began identifying primarily as "Christians" rather than adhering to historical church labels, emphasizing personal faith over institutional continuity.
  
  

Thus, while Orthodox, Catholic, and Christian all originate from the same early Church, historical events and theological disputes led to their distinct modern associations with the East, Rome, and Protestantism, respectively.

We are Orthodox (Ὀρθόδοξοι) because of the Divine Liturgy

The term Orthodox comes from the Greek words ὀρθός (orthos), meaning "right" or "correct," and δόξα (doxa), meaning "glory" or "worship." Thus, Orthodoxy means "right worship" or "correct belief."

1. Right Worship (Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi – "The law of prayer is the law of belief")
   
   

• Eastern Orthodox Christianity is deeply rooted in liturgical worship, which has remained unchanged in its core elements since the time of the Apostles. The Divine Liturgy, especially that of St. John Chrysostom and St. Basil the Great, is the means by which the faithful participate in the mystical reality of Heaven on Earth.
  
  

• The Orthodox Church believes that its liturgy preserves the faith of the Apostles without deviation. The Eucharist, central to Orthodox worship, is not merely symbolic but the actual Body and Blood of Christ.
  
  

• Orthodox liturgical services include chant, incense, processions, iconography, and scriptural readings, all of which contribute to the fullness of true worship.
  
  

2. Right Doctrine (Doctrine and Dogma)
   
   

• The Orthodox Church holds to the faith as it was once delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3) and refuses innovations that alter the essence of Christianity.
  
  

• It affirms the Seven Ecumenical Councils (325-787 AD) as the foundation of its theology, rejecting heresies such as Arianism, Nestorianism, Monophysitism, and Iconoclasm.
  
  

• The Orthodox faith upholds the belief in the Holy Trinity, the Incarnation of Christ, the Theotokos (Mary as Mother of God), the veneration of icons, and the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
  
  

Thus, to be Orthodox means to preserve the unchanged apostolic faith in doctrine and worship, particularly through the Divine Liturgy.

We are Catholic (Καθολικοί) because we hold the universal doctrine

The term Catholic comes from the Greek καθολικός (katholikos), which means "according to the whole" or "universal."

1. Universality of the Faith
   
   

• The Orthodox Church is not a local or ethnic sect, but the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church that Christ established.
  
  

• The universality of the Orthodox faith means that it is not limited to one culture, but is for all people, in all places, at all times.
  
  

• While different Orthodox jurisdictions (Greek, Russian, Serbian, Antiochian, etc.) may have cultural differences, the faith remains the same everywhere.
  
  

2. Catholicity of Doctrine
   
   

• The Orthodox Church does not have "private interpretations" of Christianity but holds fast to the universal (catholic) teachings of the Church Fathers and the Ecumenical Councils.
  
  

• It does not allow for personal or papal innovations, which is why it rejects doctrines like the Filioque (the addition to the Nicene Creed that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father "and the Son") and Papal Infallibility.
  
  

• The Orthodox Church teaches that salvation is not individualistic, but a communal reality—salvation happens within the Church, the Body of Christ.
  
  

Thus, to be Catholic means to belong to the wholeness of the Christian faith, not as a denomination but as the unbroken continuation of the Church founded by Christ.

We are Christian (Χριστιανοί) because we are called to be like Christ through baptism, the cross, and the resurrection

The term Christian comes from the Greek Χριστιανός (Christianos), meaning "follower of Christ" or literally "little Christ."

1. Baptism: Becoming One with Christ
   
   

• In Orthodox theology, Baptism is a true spiritual regeneration (John 3:5).
  
  

• Through Baptism, the believer is buried with Christ and raised with Him (Romans 6:3-4), receiving new life and becoming part of the Body of Christ.
  
  

• The newly baptized receives Chrismation, the gift of the Holy Spirit, which is the personal Pentecost of each Christian.
  
  

2. The Cross: A Life of Asceticism and Sacrifice
   
   

• Christ calls His followers to "take up their cross and follow Him" (Matthew 16:24).
  
  

• This means embracing a life of prayer, fasting, and repentance—the spiritual struggle of every Orthodox Christian.
  
  

• The Orthodox Church teaches that suffering is not meaningless but a means of sanctification and participation in Christ’s sufferings.
  
  

3. The Resurrection: Our Hope and Theosis
   
   

• The ultimate goal of Christian life is Theosis (θέωσις)—union with God.
  
  

• Christ's Resurrection is not only a historical event but a present and future reality—Orthodox Christians partake in the Resurrection every time they receive the Eucharist.
  
  

• The Orthodox Church emphasizes that salvation is not just being "forgiven" but being transformed into the likeness of Christ through grace.
  
  

Thus, to be Christian means to not only believe in Christ but to live as He lived, carrying the cross and embracing the power of the Resurrection.

Conclusion

In a world that often categorizes Christianity into competing denominations, the Eastern Orthodox Church stands as the living continuation of the faith established by Christ and His Apostles. Eastern Orthodoxy is not just a denomination—it is the fullness of Christianity as it was taught by Christ and handed down through the Apostles. We are Orthodox because we worship rightly through the Divine Liturgy, preserving the unaltered traditions of apostolic worship. We are Catholic because we hold the universal and apostolic faith, embracing the wholeness of Christian doctrine without deviation. We are Christian because we follow Christ in His death and resurrection, striving for transformation through the cross and the hope of eternal life. The world often misunderstands Orthodoxy, seeing it as either too exotic, too ancient, or just another branch of Christianity—but in reality, it is the Church of Christ in its fullness, calling all people to communion with Him.