The beliefs of the Orthodox Church regarding purgatory have long been debated. Unlike Catholicism, the Orthodox Church does not explicitly teach the existence of purgatory as a distinct place of temporary punishment. Instead, it focuses on the concept of the soul’s journey after death and the process of purification. While there are varying interpretations amongst Orthodox theologians, the general consensus is that prayers, sacraments, and the transformative power of God’s love aid in the purification of the soul. Therefore, while not accepting the Catholic notion of purgatory, the Orthodox Church holds a belief in the postmortem purification of souls.