Why Are There So Many Different Orthodox Churches?

One of the most common misunderstandings of the Orthodox Church is its interplay with ethnicity. When I tell people that I am Eastern Orthodox, most tend to automatically equate me with the Greek Church. “Oh, you’re Greek Orthodox.” In fact, someone once asked me, “Why are you Orthodox? You’re not Greek!” No, I am not Greek. But I am Orthodox. How does this work and what does this mean? Are Russian Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, and Serbian Orthodox different denominations? Not at all. We are all in communion with one another—we are a part of the same church. Frederica Mathewes-Green explains.