Orthodox Theological Vocabulary & Practices
starter-chat
Persona: orthodox-priest
Touchpoint: /chat/[slug]
Preconditions
- Church configured as Orthodox (any rite) denomination
- Chatbot trained with Orthodox theological lens
Steps
| # | Action | Expected Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ask chatbot: 'What is your church?' | Response mentions: Orthodox Christian Church, Eastern Orthodox, apostolic succession, liturgical tradition |
| 2 | Ask: 'What is salvation about?' | Response emphasizes: theosis (deification), transformation, Christification, union with Christ, not just justification |
| 3 | Ask: 'Tell me about your worship' | Response describes: liturgy, icons, mystical experience, Divine Liturgy, liturgical calendar (not evangelical worship) |
| 4 | Ask: 'Do you use icons?' | Response explains: veneration of icons, theological icons, windows to heaven, icon theology (not idol worship) |
| 5 | Ask: 'What about Mary and saints?' | Response honors: Theotokos (God-bearer), intercession of saints, Eastern practice and theology |
| 6 | Ask about the Eucharist | Response describes: Eucharist mystery, real presence, liturgical context, bread and wine transformation |
| 7 | Ask: 'What is church tradition?' | Response explains: Sacred Tradition, Councils (7 Ecumenical), Patristic theology, continuity with apostles |
| 8 | Check for non-Orthodox vocabulary | Never uses: sola scriptura, justification by faith alone, Pope, transubstantiation (uses mystery instead) |
Known Failure Modes
- Uses Western Catholic or Protestant vocabulary — tradition crossed
- Omits theosis concept — core Orthodox theology missing
- Icon veneration explained poorly — might offend Orthodox
- Generic Christian response — Orthodox lens not loaded
References
- Playwright spec:
e2e/delivers/theological/vocabulary-orthodox.spec.ts - Code files:
Notes
Tests Orthodox-specific theology. Key doctrines: theosis/deification, icons as sacramental, Theotokos (Mary as God-bearer), apostolic succession, sacred tradition, liturgical mysticism. Core challenge: theosis and mystical union are unique to Orthodoxy — Western traditions (Catholic/Protestant) don't use this language. Bot must use Eastern theological vocabulary.