Exploring the Bible Used by the Orthodox Christian Church- A Comprehensive Insight
What Bible Does the Orthodox Church Use?
The Orthodox Church, one of the oldest Christian denominations, has a rich tradition and a distinct theological framework that shapes its worship and spiritual practices. Central to this tradition is the use of the Bible, which serves as the primary source of divine revelation and guidance for Orthodox Christians. However, the specific version of the Bible used by the Orthodox Church is not uniform across all jurisdictions, as there are variations in the texts and translations used.
The most widely used Bible in the Orthodox Church is the Greek Orthodox Bible, also known as the Textus Receptus. This version of the Bible is based on the original Greek manuscripts and was compiled by scholars during the 16th century. The Textus Receptus is considered the authoritative text for the Orthodox Church, and it is the basis for the majority of the translations used by Orthodox Christians worldwide.
The Greek Orthodox Bible includes the Old Testament, which is translated from the Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible completed around the 3rd century BCE. The Septuagint is the version of the Old Testament used by the early Christian Church, and it includes additional books that are not found in the Hebrew Bible, such as the Apocrypha. The Apocrypha is a collection of texts that were included in the Greek Orthodox Bible but are not considered canonical by Protestants or Jews.
The New Testament in the Greek Orthodox Bible is based on the original Greek manuscripts, which were written in Koine Greek, the common language of the eastern Mediterranean during the first centuries of the Christian era. The New Testament includes the Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, the Epistles of the Apostles, and the Book of Revelation.
In addition to the Greek Orthodox Bible, there are other versions of the Bible used by the Orthodox Church, depending on the language and tradition of the particular jurisdiction. For example, the Russian Orthodox Church uses the Russian Synodal Bible, which is a translation of the Greek Orthodox Bible into Russian. The Russian Synodal Bible includes the Apocrypha and is widely used by Orthodox Christians in Russia and other Slavic-speaking countries.
The Armenian Orthodox Church uses the Armenian Bible, which is a translation of the Greek Orthodox Bible into Armenian. The Armenian Bible is also used by the Coptic Orthodox Church, which is native to Egypt and follows the Coptic tradition. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church uses the Ethiopian Orthodox Bible, which is a translation of the Greek Orthodox Bible into Amharic.
In conclusion, the Orthodox Church uses various versions of the Bible, with the Greek Orthodox Bible being the most widely used. Each jurisdiction may have its own translation, but the core texts and teachings remain the same. The Bible serves as a cornerstone of Orthodox faith and practice, providing guidance and inspiration for the faithful in their spiritual journey.