Which denomination is correct?

I've heard that you guys don't believe in the distinction between mortal and venial sins. And you guys definitely don't believe in purgatory.

Think about the context though. Paul is talking to the galatians when he tells them to follow the gospel as they've been taught it. And how they were taught it was by Paul and the other apostles relaying the word of God to them. There was no Bible written at the time, and Jesus told his disciples to "go and teach". The galatians (and everyone who heard about Jesus at that time) were taught by the disciples, among whom Peter was established as the head of the church on earth by Jesus himself. Apostolic succession is even outlined in the Bible, Peter was told to teach others as Jesus taught him, so he picked a successor to lead the church after his time on earth was up.

It's not really a matter of believing. Just a difference or more open discussion of the process. The Church fathers had varying views on it and never made any definitive council statement on the exact nature of afterlife. But they generally all acknowledge some form of "purging". Just that it isn't necessarily a "place" so much as a trial or state. I suppose in the mind of someone going through it, it may as well feel like a place, but it would be a moment in the Lord's eyes.

A shared saint (St. Macrina/Gregory of Nyssa's sister) had a story that always stuck with me. As she lay dying and teaching her younger brother not to worry about her, she told him that life is like a man who built a house. Depending on his faith in this life (or lack thereof), it could be a simple but sturdy house, or a shaky one, prone to danger.. or maybe one filled with all kinds of worthless objects and furniture and other belongings. When we all die, it's as if the house comes crashing down on all of us. Depending on your foundations or the protection you built or the attachments or lack of detachment you had in this life, that house coming down could be very smooth or very painful. Maybe some pieces of wood or nails got lodged in your sides. Maybe all of those worthless possessions fell down and cracked your skull, and you lay in agony, trapped, unable to move, unable to think about anything but the junk in your way. And when we die, the Lord comes to pick us up – and for some, it's going to be extremely painful for him to pull them out. For those who already "built their treasures in heaven", who already lived in heaven in the HERE and NOW, then the passing of life will be seamless. The Lord will easily pick them out and embrace them immediately.

The last point is important: The Kingdom of God is at hand! It is now. The Kingdom of God is within you. Not just a hope, but a reality you partake in now.. both by denying the world here, and celebrating with the Church of all saints in the here and now. How does anyone expect to get to heaven if they aren't even in it in the here and now?

Interesting. How about the mortal/venial sins distinction?

There's no categories, but we're all in danger the same if we don't repent.

Sidenote though: St. Macrina and St. Gregory were "universalists" (or partly), and a lot more optimistic than the traditional view of either church now. But I still like her illustration. It reminds me of Jesus' parables.

Ok, thanks orthodox user. You're actually the first to properly answer my question. Do you have any links or articles where I can read further?

Not really. I'd say the Orthodox wiki, but I'm still learning myself and find things there I never heard (but there are regional traditions within one church). Maybe someone else can help.

Still makes me wonder what the standard is. How much sin do you need to go heaven or the place of cleansing or hell?

The word "church" only means local in the Bible.
Any institution that claims it's authority by being a "one church", "true church", "Catholic church" is just a power grab.

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The standard are the Councils. You could call it the Church of the Councils, if you will (not other dogma or declarations by patriarchs/popes). If something wasn't said in the Councils, then it's up for discussion. And afterlife was one of those things that didn't go into too much detail. Like there's a significant number of Orthodox who believe in the idea of "aerial toll houses", as a sort of trial by fire/purging period, where you are tested by demons. Some would try to enforce it with the strength of a Council, but they'd be wrong. They're not in the Councils.