| Orthodox | a. [ L. orthodoxus, Gr. 'orqo`doxos; 'orqo`s right, true + do`xa opinion, dokei^n to think, seem; cf. F. orthodoxe. See Ortho-, Dogma. ] 1. Sound in opinion or doctrine, especially in religious doctrine; hence, holding the Christian faith; believing the doctrines taught in the Scriptures; -- opposed to heretical and heterodox; as, an orthodox Christian. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. According or congruous with the doctrines of Scripture, the creed of a church, the decree of a council, or the like; as, an orthodox opinion, book, etc. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Adhering to generally approved doctrine or practices; conventional. Opposed to unorthodox. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ] He saluted me on both cheeks in the orthodox manner. H. R. Haweis. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. Of or pertaining to the churches of the Eastern Christian rite, especially the Greek Orthodox or Russian Orthodox churches, which do not recognize the supremacy of the Pope of Rome in matters of faith. [ PJC ] ☞ The term orthodox differs in its use among the various Christian communions. The Greek Church styles itself the “Holy Orthodox Apostolic Church, ” regarding all other bodies of Christians as more or less heterodox. The Roman Catholic Church regards the Protestant churches as heterodox in many points. In the United States the term orthodox is frequently used with reference to divergent views on the doctrine of the Trinity. Thus it has been common to speak of the Trinitarian Congregational churches in distinction from the Unitarian, as Orthodox.` The name is also applied to the conservative, in distinction from the “liberal”, or Hicksite, body in the Society of Friends. Schaff-Herzog Encyc. [ 1913 Webster ] |
| Orthodoxy | n. [ Gr. &unr_;: cf. F. orthodoxie. See Orthodox. ] 1. Soundness of faith; a belief in the doctrines taught in the Scriptures, or in some established standard of faith; -- opposed to heterodoxy or to heresy. [ 1913 Webster ] Basil himself bears full and clear testimony to Gregory's orthodoxy. Waterland. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Consonance to genuine Scriptural doctrines; -- said of moral doctrines and beliefs; as, the orthodoxy of a creed. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. By extension, said of any generally accepted doctrine or belief; the orthodox practice or belief. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ] |
