Adherence to established or traditional religious doctrines, especially those considered correct or true by the dominant religious authority. In Christianity, it refers to beliefs accepted by the early church councils.
From Greek 'orthos' (straight, correct) and 'doxa' (opinion, belief), literally meaning 'right belief.' The term was used by early Christians to distinguish approved teachings from heretical ones, becoming standardized after the major ecumenical councils.
The word literally means 'straight thinking,' but what counts as 'straight' has shifted dramatically over centuries—yesterday's orthodoxy often becomes today's heresy! Eastern Orthodox Christianity kept this word as their official name, claiming to preserve the original 'right belief.'
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