The Greek Orthodox Church primarily uses the Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, as its authoritative version of the Old Testament. For the New Testament, they commonly use the Byzantine text-type, which includes variants not found in other versions.
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The Greek Orthodox Church, with its rich history and unique traditions, places great significance on the version of the Bible it uses for worship and spiritual guidance. While the Septuagint serves as the authoritative version of the Old Testament, the New Testament is commonly based on the Byzantine text-type, which presents specific variations not found in other versions.
Here are a few fascinating details regarding the Greek Orthodox Church’s use of the Bible:
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Septuagint: The Greek Orthodox Church gives paramount importance to the Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible completed in the 3rd century BCE. This translation holds significance due to its ancient origin and its use as the primary text for the Greek-speaking Jewish community and early Christian church.
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Byzantine Text-Type: For the New Testament, the Greek Orthodox Church relies on the Byzantine text-type, also known as the Majority Text or Textus Receptus. This textual tradition is characterized by certain distinct variations when compared to other versions, such as the Alexandrian text-type.
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Spiritual Significance: The choice of the Septuagint and the Byzantine text-type aligns with the Greek Orthodox Church’s belief in preserving the integrity and authenticity of the early Christian tradition. These texts are seen as theological and spiritual treasures that connect the faithful with their historical roots.
As requested, here is a table illustrating the key versions of the Bible used by different Christian denominations:
| Denomination | Old Testament | New Testament |
|---|---|---|
| Greek Orthodox Church | Septuagint | Byzantine Text-Type |
| Roman Catholic Church | Septuagint, Masoretic Text | Vulgate |
| Protestant Churches | Masoretic Text | Various translations (e.g., King James Version, New International Version) |
Reflecting on the importance of ancient translations like the Septuagint, the renowned theologian Jaroslav Pelikan once said, “Tradition is the living faith of the dead; traditionalism is the dead faith of the living.”
In conclusion, the Greek Orthodox Church cherishes the Septuagint as its authoritative version of the Old Testament, while drawing from the Byzantine text-type for the New Testament. These choices reflect the Church’s commitment to its historical and theological heritage, intertwining their worship and faith with the ancient texts that have shaped their tradition for centuries.
Video answer to your question
The role of the Bible in Eastern Orthodoxy is distinct from Western Christian traditions, as it is considered a communal text and is interpreted within the context of church traditions. The Bible’s authority is derived from the church, rather than the other way around, and its role in Orthodox worship differs from Protestant practices. While Orthodox Bibles include the Old Testament, New Testament, and Deuterocanonical books, the Book of Revelation is notably excluded from prominent Orthodox liturgies.
Here are some other responses to your query
It features an English translation of the St. Athanasius Academy Septuagint edition for the Old Testament, and utilizes the New King James Version for the New Testament.
The Greek Orthodox version of the Bible is based on the Septuagint, which is a Greek translation of the Old Testament that includes the deuterocanonical books. The Septuagint was used by Christ, the Apostles, and the early church. The New Testament books are the same as in other Christian denominations. The version commonly used in Greece is published by the Apostoliki Diakonia.
The version of the Bible that is used includes the Septuagint, which is an established version of all the books in the Old Testament, the Apocryphal works (which aren’t accepted in other Christian denominations), and established books in the New Testament.
The Septuagint is the Greek version of the Bible used by Christ, the Apostles, and the early church.
The Old Testament text used by the Orthodox Church has been the version based on the Septuagint and includes all of the deuterocanonical books. The version commonly used in Greece is that published by the Apostoliki Diakonia.
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