The Orthodox Church traces its roots to 33 AD, the traditional date of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles and the Christian Church was born. From that perspective, yes—the Orthodox Church sees itself as the direct continuation of the Church established by Jesus Christ and His apostles.
But has it never changed? Not exactly.
While the Orthodox Church emphasizes continuity in doctrine, liturgy, and apostolic succession, it has certainly developed over time. Language, liturgical practices, and organizational structures have adapted to cultural and historical shifts. For example, the early Church was centered around Jerusalem and later expanded into major cities like Antioch, Alexandria, and Constantinople. Over centuries, theological debates (like the Ecumenical Councils) shaped doctrine. Political changes—such as the fall of the Roman Empire and the rise of the Byzantine Empire—also influenced the Church’s role and structure.
So while the Orthodox Church strives to preserve the original teachings and spirit of the early Christian community, it has changed in practice and form—just not in ways it considers essential to the faith. The claim isn’t that it’s frozen in time, but that its core beliefs have remained faithful to those of the apostolic Church.
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