The concept of Orthodoxy in Christianity essentially is the abidance to the tenets of Scriptures that the early Church represented. The decrees of the seven ecumenical councils guiding Orthodox Christianity include the condemnation of views that Son (Jesus Christ) is a created being inferior to the Father, the definition of the nature of the Holy Spirit as being equal in the concept of Trinity, the confirmation of Mary as the birth giver of God, the affirmation of Jesus as being God and man, the condemnation of pre-existence of the soul, declaration of the human and divine wills of Christ and the support of veneration of icons while forbidding their worship, which is regarded as the Triumph of Orthodoxy. In Nigeria, there are several churches that adopt these beliefs.
This is a list of Orthodox Churches in Nigeria:
Saint Mark Coptic Orthodox Church, Lagos
Location: No. 144B Olabode George Street, Victoria Island, Lagos
Saint George Coptic Orthodox Church, Cross River
Location: School Housing, No. 5 Edem Street, Atekong, Calabar City, Cross River State
Saint Mary Coptic Orthodox Church, Akansco
Location: Akansco, Cross River State
Saint Mark Coptic Orthodox Church
Location: Ikot Asuquo Edem, Atimbo East City, Akpabuyo, Cross River State
Cathedral Church of Saints Peter and Paul (Orthodox Anglican Communion), Lagos
Location: Oluyole Bus Stop, No. 49 Ibijioke Street, Off Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun, Lagos State
Orthodox Archdiocese of Nigeria, Lagos
Location: Mushin, Lagos Mainland, Lagos State
Saint Stephen Indian Orthodox Church, Lagos
Location: Ilupeju, Lagos State
Antioch Christian Evangelical Assembly, Lagos
Location: No. 82 Old Ojo Road, Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos State
Byzantine Orthodox Church
Location: Makogi, Magboro Town, Magboro-Owode, Ogun State
Pan-African Orthodox Christian Church, Lagos, Victoria Island
Location: No. 1C Admiralty Road, Off Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos State
Orthodox Christian Mission Centre
Location: Lagos State
The Ecumenical Orthodox Church
Location: St. Peter’s Parish, No. 4 Alumuku- Mbele Road, Mbaga Ushongo, Benue State
Saint Anthony The Great Monastery
Location: Lagos State
Universal Orthodox Church
Location: Sagamu, Ogun State
Saint Anthony Orthodox Ecclesiastical Seminary
Location: Lagos, Lagos State
The Cathedral in honour of the Resurrection of Christ
Location: Victoria Island, Lagos State
Saint Anthony Orthodox Chapel
Location: Victoria Island, Lagos State
Saint Apostle Peter Apostle Chapel
Location: Festac Town, Lagos State
Saint Apostle Andrew Orthodox Monastery
Location: Tarkwa Bay, Lagos State
Saint Apostle Varnavas Orthodox Church, Abonnema
Location: Abonnema, Rivers State
Saint John’s Orthodox Church, Ibadan
Location: Sanyo, Ibadan, Oyo State
Holy Trinity Orthodox Church
Location: Umuhuokobia, Imo State
Saint John Chrysostom Orthodox Church, Amakohia
Location: Amakohia, Imo State
Temple in the name of Saint Christofer
Location: Awo-Idemiri, Imo State
Saint Seraphim of Sarov Orthodox Church, Port Harcourt
Location: Port Harcourt, Rivers State
Saint Archangel Orthodox Church, Neni
Location: Neni, Anambra State
Annunciation of the Theotokos Orthodox Church, Benin City
Location: Benin City, Edo State
Saint Nectaire Orthodox Church, Gboko
Location: Gboko, Benue State
Saint Andrew Orthodox Community
Location: Federal Capital Territory, Abuja
Saint John the Prodrom Orthodox Church, Ozubulu
Location: Ozubulu, Anambra State
Saint Basil Orthodox Church
Location: Etti, Ananka, Orumba North, Anambra
Saint Mark Orthodox Church, Onitsha
Location: Onitsha, Anambra State
Nakna Town Orthodox School
Location: Orumba, Anambra State
Dormition of Mary Orthodox Cathedral
Location: Nkwo-Agu, Nanka, Anambra State
Transfiguration of Our Saviour Orthodox Church, Ihiala
Location: Ihiala, Anambra State
Christ the Saviour Orthodox Church, Ihiala
Location: Ihiala, Anambra State
Saints Apostles Peter and Paul Orthodox Church, Akokwa
Location: Akokwa, Anambra State
Holy Cross Orthodox Church, Akokwa
Location: Akokwa, Anambra State
Saint Anthony Orthodox Church
Location: Akokwa, Anambra State
Saint Moses the Black Orthodox Church, Anambra
Location: Agbilagba, Anambra State
Saint John the Chrysostom Orthodox Church, Awka
Location: Ifite, Awka, Anambra State
Saint Mark Orthodox Church, Onitsha
Location: Onitsha, Anambra State
Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church, Enugwu-Agidi
Location: Enugwu Agidi, Njikoka, Anambra State
New Testament Church of the Orthodox Apostolic Faith, Abuja
Location: Federal Capital Territory, Abuja
New Testament Church of the Orthodox Apostolic Faith
Location: Edo State
New Testament Church of the Orthodox Apostolic Faith
Location: Ekiti State
New Testament Church of the Orthodox Apostolic Faith
Location: Kogi State
New Testament Church of the Orthodox Apostolic Faith
Location: Kwara State
New Testament Church of the Orthodox Apostolic Faith
Location: Niger State
New Testament Church of the Orthodox Apostolic Faith
Location: Plateau State
Genuine Orthodox Church
Location: No. 7 Association Avenue, Makogi, Ogun State
Saint Michael’s Orthodox Parish, Uli
Location: Uli, Anambra State
African Church, Abeokuta
Location: Idi Aba, Abeokuta, Ogun State
African Church, Osogbo
Location: Isale-Ijebu, Egbatedo, Osogbo, Osun State
Nigerian Diocese of the Alexandrian Orthodox Church
Location: Federal Capital Territory, Abuja
Saint Ignatius the Theophorus Orthodox Church
Location: Ukpor, Anambra State
Orthodox Church of Saint Dionysius
Location: Borno State
Y.N LCC Bulumkutu, Maiduguri
Location: Maiduguri, Borno State
Bethel Covenant International Sanctuary Inc., Kwamba
Location: No. 3 Mallam Isah Street, Kwamba, Niger State
Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, Abuja
Location: Wuse II, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja
Church of Christ (COCIN), Yola
Address: Yola, Adamawa State
Conclusion
The start of Orthodox Christianity in Nigeria stemmed from the period of colonialism and was spearheaded by the Greek nationals. However, it was in 1966 that the first Orthodox Church in Nigeria was built by Anastasia and Christoduola Levedi for the Greek community residing in the country at that time. Thereafter, Orthodox Churches sprung over the country, particularly in the Southern region, that is, South-East, South-West, and South-South of Nigeria.
The distinctive attributes of Orthodox churches are entrenched in the tenets and principles that guide them. The belief in one God, and in Jesus as Son of God, and the affirmation of Mary as the birth giver of God are values upheld by Christian Orthodoxy. Orthodox Churches also uphold the belief in the death and subsequent resurrection of Jesus, the equality of the Holy Spirit with the other members of the trinity, and the admission of baptism cleansing the filth of sins. The adherents of the orthodox doctrines rely on the observances of early churches of the apostles to guide them navigate the practice of Christianity in contemporary times.
