Orthodox

Orthodox Or"tho*dox, a. [L. orthodoxus, Gr. 'orqo`doxos; 'orqo`s right, true + do`xa opinion, dokei^n to think, seem; cf. F. orthodoxe. See {Ortho-}, {Dogma}.] 1. Sound in opinion or doctrine, especially in religious doctrine; hence, holding the Christian faith; believing the doctrines taught in the Scriptures; -- opposed to {heretical} and {heterodox}; as, an orthodox Christian. [1913 Webster]

2. According or congruous with the doctrines of Scripture, the creed of a church, the decree of a council, or the like; as, an orthodox opinion, book, etc. [1913 Webster]

3. Adhering to generally approved doctrine or practices; conventional. Opposed to {unorthodox}. [1913 Webster +PJC]

He saluted me on both cheeks in the orthodox manner. --H. R. Haweis. [1913 Webster]

4. Of or pertaining to the churches of the Eastern Christian rite, especially the Greek Orthodox or Russian Orthodox churches, which do not recognize the supremacy of the Pope of Rome in matters of faith. [PJC]

Note: The term orthodox differs in its use among the various Christian communions. The Greek Church styles itself the ``Holy Orthodox Apostolic Church,'' regarding all other bodies of Christians as more or less heterodox. The Roman Catholic Church regards the Protestant churches as heterodox in many points. In the United States the term orthodox is frequently used with reference to divergent views on the doctrine of the Trinity. Thus it has been common to speak of the Trinitarian Congregational churches in distinction from the Unitarian, as Orthodox.` The name is also applied to the conservative, in distinction from the ``liberal'', or Hicksite, body in the Society of Friends. --Schaff-Herzog Encyc. [1913 Webster]