Question Number 28:
What is the difference between Greek Orthodox and Russian Orthodox? Is it or is it not the same Church?
ANSWER:
The "Greek Orthodox Church" and the "Russian Orthodox Church" are members of the same worldwide communion, or to use your language, they are the "same Church." This is expressed in many visible ways, for instance that the people and clergy share the sacraments (mysteries) and that the Patriarchs commemorate each other by name whenever they celebrate the Divine Liturgy.
A good way to think about this is that the "Greek Orthodox Church" is "the Orthodox Church in Greece," and the "Russian Orthodox Church" is "the Orthodox Church in Russia." Unlike the Roman Catholic Church, for example, the Orthodox Church does not have one person who is the worldwide absolute head of Orthodox Christianity, but the Patriarch of Constantinople is the first among equals among all Orthodox bishops with certain prerogatives of primacy.
Theologically speaking, each localized Church is governed by its local bishop. This localized Church ("the catholic Church" in the terminology of the first centuries) is typically called a diocese. The dioceses within the borders of one nation form what is often called a "Local Church," such as the Russian Orthodox Church (the more accurate terminology being "Moscow Patriarchate"), for example.
This model of governance dates back to the time when the Apostles planted Churches throughout the Roman Empire and appointed local bishops to govern those Churches.
Comments
What office did Timothy and Titus hold? Were they bishops?