The word '''''orthodoxy''''', from the [[Greek language|Greek]] ''ortho'' ('right', 'correct') and ''doxa'' ('thought', 'teaching', 'glorification'), is typically used to refer to the correct [[Theology|theological]] or [[Doctrine|doctrinal]] observance of [[religion]], as determined by some overseeing body. The term did not conventially exist with any degree of formality (in the sense in which it is now used) prior to the advent of Christianity in the Greek-speaking world, though the word does occasionally show up in ancient literature in other, somewhat similar contexts. Orthodoxy is opposed to ''[[heterodoxy]]'' ('other teaching'), ''[[heresy]]'' and ''[[Schism (religion)|schism]]''. People who deviate from orthodoxy by professing a doctrine considered to be false are most often called heretics, while those who deviate from orthodoxy by removing themselves from the perceived body of believers, i.e. from [[full communion]], are called schismatics. Not infrequently these occur together. The distinction in terminology pertains to the subject matter; if one is addressing corporate unity, the emphasis may be on schism; if one is addressing doctrinal coherence, the emphasis may be on heresy.

== Orthodox Theology ==

Various groups have laid claim to the word ''orthodox'' as part of their titles, usually in order to differentiate themselves from other, 'heretical' movements. [[Orthodox Judaism]] focuses on a strict adherence to what it sees as the correct interpretation of the [[Oral Torah]], dating from the revelation of the Torah on [[Mount Sinai]]. Within Christianity, the term occurs in the [[Eastern Orthodoxy|Eastern Orthodox]], [[Western Orthodoxy|Western Orthodox]], and [[Oriental Orthodoxy|Oriental Orthodox]] churches as well as in [[Protestantism|Protestant]] [[religious denomination|denomination]]s like the [[Orthodox Presbyterian Church]].