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Eastern Churches do not depend on the 'deposit' of Faith, but rather believe that the Faith, in its entirety, was delivered once and for all.

To me, it is a subtle, but important concept to grasp, especially in understanding the current separation of East and West. Each Orthodox Christian bears responsibility of the preservation of that faith once delivered. Now, on its face, that may sound ridiculous - don't we need "experts" for such an important job?

But, we follow St Paul's explanation of how it's done in regard to different parts of the body having unique and vital abilities and functions in the building up of the Body.

I think the role of Bishop is more vital in the East than the West. The faithful look to the Bishop and expect (demand) a lot from them. And we expect our Bishops to be reminding us always of what has always been believed, not what they think. That is why almost every communication we get from our Bishops includes both Holy Scripture and quotes from our Holy Father, both ancient and relatively recent.

As far as the Orthodox rejecting the Nicene creed and the veneration of the Theotokos - that is one of the wrongest statements ever made in the RF and that is saying something right there.

" think the role of Bishop is more vital in the East than the West. The faithful look to the Bishop and expect (demand) a lot from them. And we expect our Bishops to be reminding us always of what has always been believed, not what they think. That is why almost every communication we get from our Bishops includes both Holy Scripture and quotes from our Holy Father, both ancient and relatively recent."

now you mentioned the word "Bishop" -- expect someone from the non-orthodoxy camp to say "oh, but bishops are supposed to be married!"

To me, it is a subtle, but important concept to grasp, especially in understanding the current separation of East and West

Each Orthodox Christian bears responsibility of the preservation of that faith once delivered

Yes, Laos tou Theou (the people of God), as Kolo reminds us, are charged with the responsibility to keep their bishops in line. :)

I think the role of Bishop is more vital in the East than the West. The faithful look to the Bishop and expect (demand) a lot from them

Yes, the role of the Bishop is central; but the people can also fire them.

And we expect our Bishops to be reminding us always of what has always been believed, not what they think

It is the eastern tradition to say that the road to hell is paved with the heads of bishops. The Orthodox are too keenly aware that bishops are fallible and human and need to be held accountable.

As far as the Orthodox rejecting the Nicene creed and the veneration of the Theotokos - that is one of the wrongest statements ever made in the RF and that is saying something right there.

Without a doubt.