The Orthodox Churches today as heirs to the Early Eastern Church (Early Church Hellenistic Paradigm):
• “Orthodox” identity means fidelity to tradition, especially the tradition of a rich sacramental and liturgical life fostering personal religious experience.
• Impressive artistic traditions in church architecture, icon-painting and liturgical music.
• Devotion to Mary and the saints as symbols of participation in the heavenly Church.
• Mystical spirituality practiced by monks and nuns but also by many laypersons.
• An ethic of personal asceticism, prayer and care for the poor.
• Close association with national identity resulting in a plurality of jurisdictions in communion with each other but without a common voice.
