Orthodox Church

American  

noun

1. the Christian church comprising the local and national Eastern churches that are in communion with the ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople; Byzantine Church.

2. (originally) the Christian church of those countries formerly comprising the Eastern Roman Empire and of countries evangelized from it; Greek Orthodox Church.

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Orthodox Church British  

noun

1. Also called: Byzantine Church.   Eastern Orthodox Church.   Greek Orthodox Church.  the collective body of those Eastern Churches that were separated from the western Church in the 11th century and are in communion with the Greek patriarch of Constantinople

2. any of these Churches

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Example Sentences

It was an unusual mission for Avraamiy, whose days are usually filled with intoning prayers, counseling his flock and leading the clergymen from the Orthodox Church of Ukraine at the monastery.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 18, 2026

The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, an 11th-century monastery with emblematic golden domes, is venerated by both the Russian and Ukrainian wings of the Orthodox Church as one of their most important spiritual centres.

From Barron's • Jun. 16, 2026

In Turkey when the Pope wanted to bring together different Christian traditions to celebrate a time when they had all been united, the Russian Orthodox Church did not send a representative.

From BBC • Nov. 30, 2025

He singled out the diminishing influence of the Russian-backed Orthodox Church in Ukraine.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 28, 2025

Meanwhile, on Hurlbut, Father Stylianopoulos, head priest of Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, has finally come over to bless the house.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides