: A culmination of cultural, political, and theological differences (such as the authority of the Papacy) led to the formal break between the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches.
: The faith was nurtured in the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantium), with its capital in Constantinople. This setting provided a Hellenistic and Semitic cultural backdrop. The Orthodox Church: An Introduction to Eastern...
Orthodox theology is often characterized as rather than legalistic, emphasizing a personal encounter with God: : A culmination of cultural, political, and theological
: Significant expansion occurred through the conversion of the Slavs and the growth of the Church in Russia, creating a diverse family of self-governing (autocephalous) national churches. Core Theological Beliefs Orthodox theology is often characterized as rather than
: Between the 4th and 8th centuries, these councils defined the fundamental dogmas of the faith, including the nature of the Trinity and the divinity of Christ.