Rethinking 'Orthodox' and 'Catholic': A Call for Christian Unity

Religious scholar Alexander Gyrbu recently gave a talk on the meaning and significance of the terms "Orthodox" and "Catholic" Church. His central point was that these terms, while commonly used, are human constructs, not biblical concepts. "These terms were invented by people to categorize different branches of Christianity," Gyrbu explained. He stressed that despite the various branches, the core belief in Jesus Christ unites them. Gyrbu also highlighted the existence of multiple Orthodox branches, such as the Russian, Jerusalem, Bulgarian, and Serbian churches, emphasizing their shared faith. He further argued that the terms themselves often create unnecessary division, hindering a unified understanding of Christianity. His talk underscores the importance of focusing on shared beliefs rather than denominational labels.