Foundations of Orthodox Theology

This section covers the core dogmatic teachings of the Orthodox Church, drawn from the Ecumenical Councils, the Church Fathers, and the living Tradition. These are the foundational doctrines upon which all other Orthodox theology, liturgical practice, and spiritual life are built.

Tradition: Pan-Orthodox (with notes on Russian Orthodox and ROCOR-specific emphases where applicable)

Contents

  1. The Holy Trinity — The central dogma of Orthodox Christianity: one essence (ousia) in three hypostases (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). Covers the Cappadocian formulation, the monarchy of the Father, the distinction between essence and energies, and the relevant Ecumenical Council definitions.

  2. Christology — The doctrine of the Person of Christ: the Chalcedonian definition of two natures in one hypostasis, the communicatio idiomatum, the rejection of Nestorianism and Monophysitism, and the dyothelite teaching of Constantinople III.

  3. Pneumatology — The doctrine of the Holy Spirit: procession from the Father alone, the rejection of the Filioque, and the Spirit’s role in the economy of salvation, theosis, and the sacramental life of the Church.

  4. Ecclesiology — The doctrine of the Church: the Church as Body of Christ and Temple of the Holy Spirit, the four marks of the Church, sobornost (conciliarity), apostolic succession, and Eucharistic ecclesiology.

  5. Soteriology — The doctrine of salvation: theosis/deification as the goal of human life, the Christus Victor model of atonement, synergy of grace and free will, and the role of the sacraments in salvation.

  6. Theological Anthropology — The Orthodox doctrine of the human person: the image and likeness distinction, ancestral sin vs. original sin, the psychosomatic unity of the human person, and the role of the nous.

  7. Eschatology — The doctrine of last things: bodily resurrection, the Second Coming, final judgment, the Orthodox understanding of heaven and hell, the toll-houses debate, and particular vs. final judgment.

How to Use This Section

Each file follows a consistent format with summary, tradition markers, substantive content sections, inline citations, cross-references, and a full reference list. Where a teaching is specifically emphasized or controverted within ROCOR or the broader Russian Orthodox tradition, this is noted explicitly. Claims with lower confidence were originally marked with [Verify] tags; a web-verified citation pass is resolving these into confirmed citations, corrections, or structured [Disputed: ...] notes (see verification-log.md and the protocol in METHODOLOGY.md). Any remaining bare [Verify] tags mark claims not yet through that pass.

Key Primary Sources Across This Section

  • The Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed (325/381)
  • Definitions of the Seven Ecumenical Councils (325–787)
  • St. Athanasius of Alexandria, On the Incarnation (c. 318)
  • The Cappadocian Fathers: St. Basil the Great, St. Gregory the Theologian, St. Gregory of Nyssa (4th century)
  • St. Maximus the Confessor, various works (7th century)
  • St. John of Damascus, An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith (c. 743)
  • St. Photius the Great, Mystagogy of the Holy Spirit (c. 867)
  • St. Gregory Palamas, Triads in Defence of the Holy Hesychasts (c. 1338–1341)

Key Secondary Sources Across This Section

  • Vladimir Lossky, The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church (1944)
  • Protopresbyter Michael Pomazansky, Orthodox Dogmatic Theology (1963; English trans. 1984)
  • Georges Florovsky, The Ways of Russian Theology (1937) and collected works
  • John Meyendorff, Byzantine Theology (1974) and A Study of Gregory Palamas (1959)
  • Alexander Schmemann, For the Life of the World (1963)
  • A.S. Khomiakov, theological essays (1850s–1860s)
  • Christos Yannaras, Elements of Faith (1983)
  • John Zizioulas, Being as Communion (1985)

See Also

References

  • Lossky, Vladimir. The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church. Cambridge: James Clarke, 1957.
  • Pomazansky, Michael. Orthodox Dogmatic Theology. Translated by Seraphim Rose. Platina, CA: St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, 1984.
  • Florovsky, Georges. Collected Works. 14 vols. Vaduz: Buchervertriebsanstalt, 1972–1989.
  • Meyendorff, John. Byzantine Theology: Historical Trends and Doctrinal Themes. New York: Fordham University Press, 1974.