Which Eastern Orthodox Church would you consider holding the most importance?

Question

And by importance i mean, power, wealth, history & religious attributions

Answer 1

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http://foru.ms/f145-the-ancient-way-eastern-orthodox.html

Answer 2

Historically, the two most "important" Orthodox Churches are the Greek Orthodox church, under the Ecumenical Patriarch in Constantinople, and the Russian Orthodox church.

The Greek church had "primacy" in the spheres of culture, political influence, and wealth from the days of Justinian and the construction of Hagia Sophia until probably somewhere between the Fourth Crusade (1204) and the fall of Constantinople (1453), although it is difficult to pinpoint the cutoff. Certainly the Fourth Crusade greatly weakend the church but there was a revival period, and then the Turks greatly weakened it.

The Russian church had/has "primacy" between the period of Greek church decline (1204-1453, but difficult to pinpoint when exactly) until the present day. The Bolshevik revolution and Communism greatly weakened the Russian church (to the point that it was, in its own terms, "weaker" than the Greek church) but in the present day it is clear that the Russian church is once again the "dominant" Orthodox church, in terms of global and political influence, culture, and probably even wealth (not sure about that at the moment, but from the look of it, it appears to be growing in wealth also, since the fall of Communism).

Answer 3

Greek Orthodox Church had the biggest influence -- Simply because of the Byzantine Empire and Constantinople - which was then split and the Greek Church was the first Church to be Eastern Orthodox. Also Greek is considered to be "the language of Christianity", since the New Testament was written in Greek. A lot of theological words such as Christ, the Bible and baptism are Greek words. Most Orthodox icons today follow the Greek Byzantine pattern. Although the Russian Orthodox Church is the largest one ( that is with the amount of members) The Greek Church would be considered more important because of it's history and great attributions to Eastern Orthodoxy. Also Greece is the only country in the world that is officially Orthodox, and in which state and religion is united. This is why in my opinion, in think the Greek Orthodox has the biggest influence in Eastern Orthodoxy today

Answer 4

There is no most important Orthodox Church. If the Church is Orthodox than it contains the faith of the Apostles and of the One True Church. To claim one is more important is heresy. The bishops and Patriarchs of the Orthodox Churches are all equals with none holding power over the other.

To try and gauge the importance of a Church by it's power, money etc is in direct opposition to the teachings of the faith and of Christ.

Answer 5

The largest of the Orthodox communions is the Russian Orthodox Church.

They have probably contributed the most in the areas of religious art (iconography), sacred music and expansion (into Siberia, Alaska and the Americas).

However, the Greek Orthodox and Byzantine communions contributed greatly in the areas of language, architecture and Eastern monasticism.

Answer 6

The only Eastern Orthodox Church I know of is also known as the Greek Orthodox Church... which had a schism and departed from the Western / Roman Catholic Church some centuries ago.

They are steeped with their own history and traditions, too.

Peace be with you.

Answer 7

Probably Russian Orthodox.

Answer 8

If it still exists the most "holy" one would be the Byzantine orthodox church

actually i doubt it because the once byzantinian capital (Constantinople now called Istanbul) was taken over by the "turocs" erm i think thats what theyre called (Turkish empire)