Journey through Orthodox belief, worship, and daily devotion
Move seamlessly from the language of the Divine Liturgy to the theology of the Fathers. This guide mirrors the rich layout of our glossary while organizing doctrines, mysteries, and practices into a cohesive learning path for catechumens and lifelong Orthodox faithful alike.
How to travel this page
Begin with core doctrine, then cycle through the mysteries, worship, and the liturgical year. Each section echoes the structure of the Orthodox glossary, helping you connect vocabulary with lived practice.
For catechumens
Pair each concept with something tangible: attend the service it references, memorize a prayer, or journal how the teaching shows up in parish life. Revisit the glossary for parallel definitions as you go.
For teachers & clergy
Use the sections as ready-made modules for parish classes. Invite learners to explore a term here, then confirm its nuance via the glossary or original patristic sources.
How to work through this guide
Use this simple sequence each time you revisit the page so your study, worship, and glossary lookups reinforce one another.
- Scan the five sections: Read the short descriptions for doctrine, mysteries, worship, tradition, and the liturgical year to map the landscape.
- Pair with services and prayers: Attend a Liturgy or Vespers and notice how the terms appear; echo them in your personal prayer rule.
- Cross-reference the glossary: Open the linked glossary entries to confirm pronunciations and additional meanings while you study.
- Discuss and reflect: Share one insight with a mentor or priest and note how the concept shapes your practice during the week.
Concepts quick answers
- Where should I begin?
- Start with Foundational Doctrine, then pair each mystery and worship term with its matching glossary entry so the vocabulary feels familiar in church.
- How can catechumens use this page?
- Work through one section per week with your priest’s blessing—read the summaries, attend the related service, and journal what you noticed.
- What if a term seems advanced?
- Open the linked glossary page for extra context, then revisit the concept after you’ve heard it in the Divine Liturgy or in parish classes.
Foundational Doctrine
Core theological convictions that ground every other Orthodox concept.
Holy Trinity
Confession that the one God eternally exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three divine Persons (hypostases) sharing the one essence.
Incarnation
The mystery that the eternal Word (Logos) assumed human nature from the Theotokos, uniting divinity and humanity in the one Person of Jesus Christ.
Hypostatic Union
Doctrine that Christ's divine and human natures remain without confusion, change, division, or separation in the one hypostasis of the Son.
Theosis (Deification)
Goal of the Christian life in which believers participate in the uncreated energies of God, becoming by grace what God is by nature.
Divine Energies and Essence
Distinction articulated by the Cappadocian Fathers and St. Gregory Palamas affirming God's unknowable essence and His knowable, life-giving energies.
Divine Economy
The entire history of salvation through which the Trinity reveals, reconciles, and restores humanity and creation.
Image and Likeness
Anthropology that humanity is created in God's image with a vocation to grow into His likeness through grace and ascetic struggle.
Holy Mysteries (Sacraments)
The sacramental life that unites believers to Christ and His Church.
Baptism
Entrance into Christ's death and resurrection through triple immersion, washing away sin and incorporating the faithful into the Body of Christ.
Chrismation
Anointing with holy chrism that seals the newly baptized with the gift of the Holy Spirit and grants participation in Pentecost.
Holy Eucharist (Divine Communion)
Reception of the true Body and Blood of Christ in the Divine Liturgy, the source and summit of Orthodox life.
Confession (Repentance)
Sacrament of reconciliation where sins are confessed before Christ in the presence of a priest who grants absolution.
Holy Unction
Anointing with blessed oil for healing of soul and body, especially during Great Lent and for the sick.
Marriage (Crowning)
Mystery that joins husband and wife in Christ through the crowning service, calling them to mutual sanctification.
Holy Orders
Ordination of deacon, presbyter, and bishop through apostolic succession for service in the liturgical and pastoral life of the Church.
Worship and Prayer
Liturgical rhythms, hymnography, and devotional practices that shape Orthodox spirituality.
Divine Liturgy
Principal Eucharistic service, chiefly the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom and St. Basil, where heaven and earth unite in thanksgiving.
Great Entrance
Procession in the Divine Liturgy carrying the holy gifts to the altar, symbolizing Christ's burial procession.
Anaphora
Central Eucharistic prayer of offering and thanksgiving culminating in the epiclesis and consecration of the gifts.
Proskomedia
Preparation of the bread and wine before the Divine Liturgy, commemorating the Theotokos, saints, living, and departed.
Hours, Vespers, and Matins
Daily cycle of services sanctifying time with psalms, hymns, and readings morning, evening, and throughout the day.
Akathist Hymn
Standing hymn of praise often offered to the Theotokos, saints, or Christ, composed in kontakion style.
Paraklesis
Supplicatory canon, especially to the Theotokos, chanted for comfort, healing, and intercession.
Jesus Prayer
Heartfelt invocation, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner," central to hesychastic practice.
Icon Corner
Domestic prayer space adorned with icons, vigil lamps, and prayer books where families gather for worship.
Antidoron
Blessed bread distributed at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy as a sign of fellowship for all present.
Scripture and Holy Tradition
The sources, teachers, and interpretive principles that preserve the apostolic faith.
Holy Scripture
Inspired writings of the Old and New Testaments proclaimed, interpreted, and lived within the liturgical life of the Church.
Holy Tradition
Living transmission of the faith through Scripture, liturgy, canons, icons, patristic teaching, and the witness of the saints.
Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed
Symbol of Faith formulated by the first two Ecumenical Councils confessing the Trinity, Incarnation, and eschatological hope.
Ecumenical Councils
Seven great councils of bishops defending orthodox doctrine against heresies and defining dogma.
Church Fathers
Saints whose inspired writings and holy lives articulate Orthodox theology and spiritual wisdom.
Philokalia
Anthology of ascetic and mystical texts guiding the purification of the heart and the prayer of the mind.
Apophatic and Cataphatic Theology
Approaches that honor both the mystery beyond words and the affirmations revealed by God.
Oikonomia
Pastoral application of canonical principles with mercy for the salvation of souls.
The Liturgical Year
Fasts and feasts that immerse the faithful in the life of Christ and the Theotokos.
Great Lent
Forty-day fast leading to Holy Week, marked by increased prayer, prostrations, Presanctified Liturgies, and almsgiving.
Holy Week and Pascha
Culmination of the liturgical year commemorating the Passion, Cross, Descent into Hades, and Resurrection of Christ.
Twelve Great Feasts
Principal feasts celebrating events in the life of Christ and the Theotokos, including the Nativity and Transfiguration.
Nativity Fast
Forty-day preparation for the feast of the Lord's Nativity with dietary abstinence and intensified prayer.
Dormition Fast
Fourteen-day fast honoring the Falling Asleep of the Theotokos, culminating in her Dormition feast.
Apostles' Fast
Variable-length fast between Pentecost and the feast of Saints Peter and Paul, modeling missionary zeal.
Theophany
Feast of Christ's Baptism revealing the Trinity, celebrated with the Great Blessing of Waters.
Ascetic and Spiritual Life
Practices that purify the heart and guard the mind in Christ.
Fasting
Voluntary abstinence from foods, passions, and self-will to cultivate watchfulness, repentance, and charity.
Prayer Rule
Daily pattern of psalms, the Jesus Prayer, and intercessions developed with guidance from a spiritual father or mother.
Confession of Thoughts
Monastic practice of disclosing logismoi to a spiritual guide for healing and humility.
Hesychasm
Inner stillness achieved through repentance, unceasing prayer, and the guarding of the heart.
Spiritual Fatherhood
Relationship of obedience and counsel offered by experienced pastors and elders (startsi).
Watchfulness (Nepsis)
Vigilant awareness that discerns thoughts and temptations, enabling sobriety of heart.
Virtues and Passions
Ascetical teaching that cultivates faith, hope, love, humility, and dispassion while healing the passions.
Ecclesial Life
Structure, governance, and mission of the Orthodox Church throughout the world.
Apostolic Succession
Continuity of episcopal ordination from the apostles ensuring the integrity of sacramental life.
Hierarchy of Bishop, Presbyter, and Deacon
Threefold ministry serving the unity of the Church through teaching, sanctifying, and governance.
Patriarchate and Synod
Conciliar leadership of autocephalous churches gathered in synods under patriarchs or archbishops.
Parish and Diocese
Local communities gathered around the bishop and his presbyters for worship, catechesis, and charity.
Canonical Tradition
Body of church canons guiding discipline, worship, and pastoral practice.
Mission and Evangelization
Proclamation of the Gospel through witness, hospitality (philoxenia), and service to the world.
Saints and the Theotokos
Communion of those who reveal God's glory and intercede for the faithful.
Theotokos (God-bearer)
Title of Mary affirmed at the Third Ecumenical Council, honoring her role in the Incarnation.
Ever-Virgin (Aeiparthenos)
Confession that Mary conceived, gave birth, and remained Virgin before, during, and after Christ's birth.
Intercession of the Saints
Communion of saints who pray for the faithful and manifest God's grace through miracles.
Relics
Holy remains of saints venerated as vessels of sanctifying grace.
Wonderworking Icons
Icons through which Christ and His saints offer healings, protection, and consolation.
Synaxis of the Saints
Liturgical gatherings commemorating groups of saints, such as the Synaxis of Archangels or the All Saints Sunday.
Expanded Glossary Highlights
Sample the terminology that threads through Orthodox hymnography, theology, and pastoral care. For the full alphabetized reference, explore the dedicated glossary library.
Akolouthia
TermOrder of a liturgical service, including hymns, psalmody, and rubrics.
Anamnesis
TermRemembrance within the Divine Liturgy that makes present the saving acts of Christ.
Antimension
TermConsecrated altar cloth signed by the bishop permitting the celebration of the Divine Liturgy.
Apodosis
TermLeave-taking of a feast, repeating its hymns on the final day of celebration.
Apophatic Theology
TermWay of speaking about God through negation, acknowledging the mystery beyond human words.
Asceticism
TermDisciplined practices of prayer, fasting, vigil, and charity undertaken for purification.
Catechumen
TermPerson preparing for baptism through instruction and participation in the services.
Catechesis
TermProcess of teaching the faith through Scripture, doctrine, liturgy, and spiritual mentoring.
Chant (Byzantine and Slavic)
TermModal musical traditions that carry the theology of hymnography.
Diaspora
TermOrthodox faithful living outside historically Orthodox lands, cultivating unity through local synods.
Doxology
TermOffering of glory to God, especially the Great Doxology at Matins.
Ectype
TermIconographic representation that points to the heavenly prototype.
Eikonostasis (Iconostasis)
TermIcon screen separating nave and sanctuary, revealing the communion of saints and heavenly worship.
Encyclical
TermPastoral letter from a bishop or synod addressing the faithful on doctrinal or ethical issues.
Epiclesis
TermInvocation of the Holy Spirit upon the gifts and the faithful during the Divine Liturgy.
Eremitic and Cenobitic Monasticism
TermSolitary (eremitic) and communal (cenobitic) forms of monastic life.
Exapostilarion
TermMatins hymn proclaiming the radiance of Christ and the illumination of the apostles.
Holy Synod
TermAssembly of bishops governing an autocephalous Orthodox Church.
Ikos
TermHymn stanza in the kontakion structure elaborating the theme of a feast.
Kenosis
TermSelf-emptying of the Son of God in the Incarnation, modeling humility for believers.
Kontakion
TermShort hymn summarizing the theological meaning of a feast or saint.
Logismoi
TermThoughts or temptations that must be discerned and rejected through prayer.
Mystagogy
TermDeep catechesis that unveils the mysteries experienced in the sacraments and liturgy.
Noetic Prayer
TermPrayer of the mind in the heart cultivated through stillness and grace.
Panagia
TermTitle honoring the All-Holy Theotokos; also a small medallion worn by bishops.
Pentecostarion
TermLiturgical book covering the period from Pascha through All Saints Sunday.
Philokalia
TermCollection of texts by spiritual masters on prayer and sobriety, forming a manual for hesychasts.
Philoxenia
TermChristian hospitality, literally love of the stranger, expressed in parish life.
Prosphora
TermLeavened bread offered in the Divine Liturgy, stamped with the seal IC XC NIKA.
Synaxis
TermLiturgical gathering of the faithful; also a feast celebrating a saint connected to a major event.
Theotokion
TermHymn stanza addressed to the Theotokos, often concluding a set of troparia.
Troparion
TermShort hymn capturing the heart of a feast, saint, or event, repeated throughout services.
Typikon
TermBook prescribing the order of services, readings, and hymns for the liturgical year.
Vestments
TermLiturgical garments signifying the grace and ministry of clergy and servers.
Vigil (Agrypnia)
TermAll-night service combining Great Vespers, Matins, and First Hour, especially for major feasts.
Watchfulness
TermMindful attention of the heart cultivated through repentance and the Jesus Prayer.
Western Rite Orthodoxy
TermParishes received into Orthodoxy preserving an approved Western liturgical tradition.