The Greek Orthodox Church is a large group of churches within the Eastern Orthodox Church that usually conduct their services in Koine Greek (or “common Greek” – the language of the New Testament). It traces its roots back to the churches founded by the Apostles in the Balkans and the Middle East during the first century.
The current territory of the Greek Orthodox Churches covers most of the region of Greece, Turkey, and the Eastern Mediterranean that used to be a part of the Byzantine Empire. The majority of Greek Orthodox parishioners live in Greece and its neighboring countries, but they also reside in large numbers in Asia and the Americas. Many ethnic Greeks in other countries like Russia worship comfortably in the regional Orthodox church despite the different language and other variations because of the unified theology and traditions.
At the center of the life of the Church is the Holy Eucharist, which is the principal celebration of the church’s faith. It’s the means by which they acknowledge the Holy Trinity. The major sacraments are closely related to the Eucharist, and speak to the continuing presence of Christ in the lives of His people.
The Church blesses individuals, events such as trips, and objects such as icons, churches, flowers, fields, animals, and food. All of these things are seen as coming from God, and therefore the churches acknowledges and gives thanks for them.