Churches of Christ and the Eastern Orthodox Church are two different Christian traditions. Both believe in Jesus, read the Bible, and seek to follow God. But if you visited one on Sunday and then visited the other, you might wonder how two churches that believe in the same Jesus could worship so differently.
In an Orthodox church, you might see people kissing religious pictures, lighting candles, and asking Mary or other saints to pray for them. You would also see priests wearing special clothing and leading worship in ways that have been practiced for centuries. In a church of Christ, you would find a simpler service with Bible preaching, congregational singing, prayer, and communion. Why are they so different, and how can we know which practices God wants His people to follow?
What Is the Eastern Orthodox Church?
The Eastern Orthodox Church is a worldwide fellowship of churches, including Greek, Russian, Antiochian, Serbian, and Romanian Orthodox communities. Bishops oversee its congregations, and regional churches share a common faith and sacramental life.
The Patriarch of Constantinople holds a position of honor among Orthodox bishops, although he does not govern the entire church as the Roman Catholic pope does.
Churches of Christ generally operate as independent congregations. Many share historical roots in the nineteenth-century Restoration Movement, which encouraged Christians to return to the teachings and practices of the New Testament.
What Does Each Church Believe About Biblical Authority?
One of the most important differences concerns how each church determines what Christians should believe and practice.
Orthodox Christians understand Scripture within Holy Tradition, which includes the apostles' teaching as preserved through the church's worship, early Christian writings, and historic councils. They appeal to passages such as , where Paul instructed believers to hold firmly to the traditions taught by the apostles, whether spoken or written.
Churches of Christ likewise respect the apostles' teaching. However, they understand Scripture to provide the sufficient and authoritative standard for Christian faith and practice.
Paul wrote that Scripture equips God's people "for every good work" (). Jude also spoke of "the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints" ().
Churches of Christ therefore evaluate later religious traditions against the teaching preserved in Scripture, believing that councils and historical practices must remain subject to biblical authority.
How Is Church Leadership Different?
Orthodox churches are governed through bishops who oversee multiple congregations, with priests and deacons serving under their authority. Orthodox Christians believe this structure preserves the leadership handed down from the apostles.
Churches of Christ understand the New Testament to establish local congregations overseen by qualified elders, also called shepherds or overseers.
Paul and Barnabas appointed elders in individual churches (), and Peter instructed elders to "shepherd the flock of God that is among you" ().
Churches of Christ generally have no regional bishops or governing headquarters. Jesus Christ remains the head of His church ().
Why Do Orthodox Christians Honor Icons and Pray to Saints?
Orthodox worship includes icons, which are sacred images of Christ, Mary, and other faithful Christians. Orthodox believers distinguish veneration, meaning honor shown to these images, from worship, which belongs to God alone.
They also ask Mary and other departed saints to pray for them, believing those who have died in Christ remain alive in His presence.
Churches of Christ generally avoid religious veneration of images and prayers addressed to departed Christians. Their worship follows the examples of prayer to God recorded in the New Testament.
Jesus taught His disciples to pray to the Father (), while Paul declared that Jesus Christ is the one mediator between God and humanity ().
Orthodox Christians also affirm Christ's unique mediation. The disagreement concerns whether asking departed saints for intercession is a practice Christians should follow.
How Do Baptism and Communion Differ?
Both traditions connect baptism with forgiveness and new life in Christ (; ).
Orthodox Christians baptize infants as well as adults, ordinarily through immersion. Baptism is followed by chrismation, an anointing associated with receiving the Holy Spirit. Even baptized infants may receive communion.
Churches of Christ baptize people who personally believe in Jesus and repent of their sins. They understand the conversion accounts in Acts as establishing baptism for those capable of responding to the gospel through faith and repentance.
Both observe the Lord's Supper on Sundays, although they understand it differently.
Orthodox Christians believe the consecrated bread and wine truly become Christ's body and blood, while recognizing this as a sacred mystery. Churches of Christ generally emphasize the Supper as a memorial of Jesus' sacrifice and a sharing in fellowship with Christ (; ).
What Would Worship Look Like?
An Orthodox Sunday service, called the Divine Liturgy, commonly includes chanted prayers, Scripture readings, incense, icons, and the celebration of communion.
Worship in churches of Christ is generally simpler in form. Christians sing together without instruments, pray, hear Scripture preached, observe the Lord's Supper, and contribute voluntarily toward the congregation's work.
Their practice reflects passages describing Christian worship, including , , and .
How Should Someone Evaluate These Differences?
Both traditions sincerely seek to honor Jesus Christ. Their disagreements deserve more than a comparison of familiar customs because they concern the authority Christians follow in matters of faith and worship.
When Paul preached in Berea, his listeners examined the Scriptures to determine whether his teaching was true (). That remains a worthwhile example for anyone considering these beliefs.
Read the Scriptures, consider the explanations each tradition gives, and ask whether its teachings and practices agree with what Christ and His apostles revealed. Every congregation should welcome that examination.
If you'd like to study these matters, you're welcome at Memorial Church of Christ in Port Arthur, Texas. We'd be glad to open God's Word and consider your questions together.
Plan your visit for directions and the full schedule.
To read what the Bible says about becoming a Christian, start here.
When we meet:
- Sunday: Bible Class 9am, Worship 10am, Worship 6pm
- Wednesday: Bible Class 7pm