What is Orthodox Christianity? What is Orthodoxy? Orthodox understanding of Christ's sacrifice
Name: Orthodoxy (“correct service”, “correct teaching”)
Orthodoxy took shape in the first millennium AD under the leadership of the see of the bishop of Constantinople, the capital of the eastern Roman Empire. Currently, Orthodoxy is practiced by 225–300 million people worldwide. In addition to Russia, the Orthodox religion has become widespread in the Balkans and Eastern Europe.
Orthodox believe in God the Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is believed that all three divine hypostases exist in indissoluble unity. God is the creator of the world, which he created initially sinless. Evil and sin are understood as distortions of the world created by God. The original sin of Adam and Eve's disobedience to God was atoned for through the incarnation, earthly life and suffering on the cross of God the Son Jesus Christ.
In the understanding of the Orthodox, the Church is a single divine-human organism headed by the Lord Jesus Christ, uniting the society of people with the Holy Spirit, the Orthodox Faith, the Law of God, the hierarchy and the Sacraments.
The hierarchical structure of the Orthodox Church accepts certain democratic governance procedures, in particular, criticism of any clergy is encouraged if he deviates from Orthodox faith.
There are two ways to achieve salvation. The first is monastic, which consists of solitude and renunciation from the world. This is a path of special service to God, the Church and neighbors, associated with a person’s intense struggle with his sins. The second way of salvation is serving the world, especially the family. The family plays a huge role in Orthodoxy and is called a small church or home church.
The source of internal law of the Orthodox Church - the main document - is Sacred Tradition, which contains the Holy Scriptures, the interpretation of the Holy Scriptures compiled by the Holy Fathers, the theological writings of the Holy Fathers (their dogmatic works), dogmatic definitions and acts of the Holy Ecumenical and Local Councils of the Orthodox Church, liturgical texts, icon painting, spiritual continuity, expressed in the works of ascetic writers, their instructions on spiritual life.
TO Orthodox sacraments include: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Priesthood, honest Marriage and Blessing of Anointing. The sacrament of the Eucharist or communion is the most important; it contributes to a person’s communion with God. The sacrament of baptism is a person’s entry into the Church, deliverance from sin and the opportunity to begin new life. Confirmation (usually immediately following baptism) consists of imparting to the believer the blessings and gifts of the Holy Spirit, which strengthen the person in the spiritual life. During the Blessing of Anointing, a person’s body is anointed with consecrated oil, which allows one to get rid of bodily ailments and gives remission of sins. Unction is associated with the forgiveness of all sins committed by a person, a request for liberation from illnesses. Repentance is forgiveness of sin subject to sincere repentance. Confession provides grace-filled opportunity, strength and support for cleansing from sin.
The Orthodox Church believes that the history before the great schism (the separation of Orthodoxy and Orthodoxy) is the history of Orthodoxy. In general, relations between the two main branches of Christianity have always been quite complicated, sometimes reaching the point of outright confrontation. Moreover, even in the 21st century it is still too early to talk about complete reconciliation. Orthodoxy believes that salvation can only be found in Christianity: at the same time, non-Orthodox Christian communities are considered partially (but not completely) deprived of God's grace. Unlike Catholics, the Orthodox do not recognize the dogma of the infallibility of the Pope and his supremacy over all Christians, the dogma of the immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary, the doctrine of purgatory, the dogma of bodily ascension Mother of God. An important difference between Orthodoxy and Catholicism, which had a serious impact on political history, is a thesis about the symphony of spiritual and secular powers. The Roman Church stands for complete ecclesiastical immunity and, in the person of its High Priest, has sovereign secular power.
The Orthodox Church is organizationally a community of local Churches, each of which enjoys complete autonomy and independence on its territory. Currently, there are 14 autocephalous Churches, for example, Constantinople, Russian, Greek, Bulgarian, etc.
Ortodoxy) is a Christian doctrine that developed in Byzantium as the Eastern Christian Church, in contrast to Catholicism that arose in the West. Historically, P. arose in 395 - with the division of the Roman Empire into Western and Eastern. Its theological foundations were determined in the 9th-11th centuries. in Byzantium. Finally formed as an independent church in 1034 with the beginning of the division christian church into Catholic and Orthodox. It has existed in Rus' since the end of the 10th century. Since 1448 - Russian Orthodox Church.
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ORTHODOXY
tracing paper from Greek orthodoxia, lit. “correct judgment”) is the most ancient movement in Christianity, which took shape in the east of the Roman Empire during the first millennium AD. e. under the leadership and with the leading role of the department of the Bishop of Constantinople - New Rome, which professes the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, the dogmas of the Seven Ecumenical Councils and patristic tradition.
Goes back to the first Christian community, founded by Jesus Christ himself and consisting of the apostles. Orthodoxy, like Catholicism, which fell away from it at the turn of the first and second millennia, recognizes the Holy Scripture (the Bible, including the Old and New Testaments) and the Holy Tradition, which is the living history of the first centuries of the church: the works of the holy fathers and decisions adopted by the seven Ecumenical Councils.
The Creed states:
1. Faith in God the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth.
2. Faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, born of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, crucified and risen and coming to judge both the living and the dead in the Kingdom of Heaven, which will have no end.
3. Faith in the Holy Spirit, who comes from God the Father, works miracles, and is sent to the prophets.
1. Faith in the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, created by Christ himself.
2. I believe in the resurrection of all the dead to eternal life.
The Creed was adopted at the Ecumenical Council in Nicaea in 325 AD. e. The most important dogmas of Orthodoxy also affirm the single divine nature of all three persons of God (the Holy Trinity) and, conversely, the difference between the two natures (divine and human) in the one person of Jesus Christ. Various deviations from these dogmas (namely: the assertion that God has “one person and three natures” or that Christ was “only God” or “only man” and many others) are recognized by Orthodoxy as heresies.
The contradictions between the Roman See and the See of Constantinople had been brewing for a long time, but resulted in open conflict during the reign of the bishop in Rome, Pope Nicholas. He, dissatisfied with the fact that in the Slavic countries of Moravia and Bulgaria, with the blessing of the Patriarch of Constantinople Photius, the word of God was preached in the language of the local population by the brothers Cyril and Methodius, expelled the priests from there Eastern Church and even declared the sacraments they performed, including baptism, invalid.
In 867, the patriarch convened a council in Constantinople, in which 3 bishops of the Western Church participated. This council, recognizing Pope Nicholas as unworthy of the episcopal title, excommunicated him from church communion. And then Photius wrote a letter to other eastern patriarchs - Antioch, Jerusalem and Alexandria, in which he drew their attention to the violations in the canons committed by the Western Church Christian faith. The main thing was the addition of the word “filioque” to the 8th member of the Creed, which formally meant the recognition that the Holy Spirit also comes from the Son.
When the Roman pontiffs began to claim leadership in the Universal Church, they turned the “filioque” into a dogma. The unity of churches was also not helped by the fact that in the Western world celibacy of priests and fasting on Saturday were established, which was originally apostolic church Orthodox Christians were rejected. In addition, the Orthodox deny the dogma of the “infallibility of the Pope” and his supremacy over all Christians, deny the dogma of purgatory, and recognize the rights of secular authorities (the concept of a symphony of spiritual and secular authorities).
In Catholicism, unlike Orthodoxy, there is a dogma about the immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary.
A complete split between Orthodoxy and Catholicism occurred in 1054.
In contrast to what arose in the 16th century. Protestantism, Orthodoxy recognizes the possibility of depicting God and the saints, since Christ himself revealed the image of God by becoming incarnate (Judaism and Islam do not recognize the possibility of depicting), prayers for the dead, prayers to the Virgin Mary and the Saints, as well as monasticism, fasting, faith in saints, necessity infant baptism.
There is still no single center of government in Orthodoxy; the last Ecumenical Council took place in the 8th century.
All autocephalous Orthodox churches are characterized by a hierarchical principle of governance, providing not only for the unconditional subordination of the lower clergy to the higher, but the division of the clergy into the “white” clergy (priests and deacons, who had to be married) and the “black” monastic class, from which the highest ranks of the Orthodox Church emerge, starting with bishops.
Orthodoxy, in contrast to heterodox faiths, is characterized by special attention to the design of the place of worship and diligent observance of the ritual of worship. The Orthodox Church recognizes 7 sacraments - baptism, confirmation, communion, repentance (confession), wedding, ordination to the priesthood, unction (unction is a rite performed on the sick). Orthodox Christians attach considerable importance to the rituals of funeral services for the dead and their burial.
There are several autocephalous (independent, autonomous) Orthodox churches in the world, the largest of which is the Russian Orthodox Church (more than 150 million people). The oldest are the Constantinople (about 6 million people), Antioch (more than 2 million people), Jerusalem (about 200 thousand people) and Alexandria (about 5 million people) Orthodox churches. Other Orthodox churches also have a considerable number of parishioners - Hellas (Greek - about 8 million people), Cyprus (more than 600 thousand people), Serbian (more than 8.5 million people), Romanian (about 18.8 million people). ), Bulgarian (about 6.6 million people), Georgian (more than 3.7 million people), Albanian (about 600 thousand people), Polish (509.1 thousand people), Czechoslovakian (73.4 thousand people) and American (about 1 million people).
Orthodoxy has traditionally been in unbreakable relationship with Russian statehood. The Kiev prince Vladimir Svyatoslavovich became the Baptist of Rus', and for this he was canonized and received the title of Equal-to-the-Apostles. Latins and Muslims, Jews and Orthodox Greeks offered their faith to the prince. After much deliberation, in 988 Vladimir chose the Byzantine baptismal font for the Russian people.
Historical circumstances of adoption Eastern Slavs Orthodoxy were unique: by that time, the thousand-year-old Holy Catholic Apostolic Orthodox Church had accumulated colossal spiritual experience and absorbed the cultural traditions of many peoples of antiquity, including Hellenic culture.
A favorable geopolitical situation also developed: the neighboring states - Byzantium, the South Slavic countries were also Orthodox, there was Slavic writing and literary language, as well as Byzantine aesthetics, the most perfect at that time in the Christian world.
For the Russian state, the Church turned out to be not only a builder, but also a source of spiritual power. It was she who saved our country during the years of the most terrible upheavals and unrest. So, in 1380 Venerable Sergius Radonezh blessed Prince Dmitry Donskoy for the Battle of Kulikovo.
After liberation from the Tatar-Mongol yoke Orthodox religion becomes state ideology. It was then that it became clear that Rus' would forever remain in Orthodoxy. She did not follow her leader, Byzantium, either, rejecting the Union of Florence, which united the Catholic and Orthodox churches.
In 1441 Grand Duke Vasily II expelled Metropolitan Isidore, who signed it, from the country, and since then the Russian Church has become autocephalous. According to the historian S. Solovyov, this was “one of those great decisions that determine the fate of peoples for many centuries to come. Loyalty to ancient piety made it impossible for the Polish prince to ascend the Moscow throne, brought about the union of Little Russia with Great Russia, and conditioned the power of Russia.”
After the capture of Constantinople, the residence of the Ecumenical Patriarch, by the Turks in 1453, Moscow inherited his throne and the Byzantine spiritual heritage.
During the reign of Ivan III, the Pskov monk Philotheus formulated the famous formula about Moscow as the “third Rome”. On January 26, 1589, the enthronement of the first Patriarch of Moscow, Job, took place in the Assumption Cathedral. The newly formed Russian Patriarchate became the largest patriarchate of Orthodoxy.
Mid-17th century was marked by one of the most dramatic events in the history of Orthodoxy - a split into supporters of national (Old Believers) and universal (Nikonians) Orthodoxy. Among the latter was Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. In 1652, Nikon became Moscow Patriarch; he publicly taught about the “fallibility of the Russian Church” and the need for its “correction” according to Greek models. In particular, Nikon prescribed replacing traditional bows to the ground with bows, making the sign of the cross with three fingers rather than two, writing not “Isus”, but “Iesus”, religious processions carried out in the opposite direction (against the sun), and the exclamation “Hallelujah” during the service began to be pronounced not twice, but three times. All these innovations, consistent with Greek practice, were in conflict with the decrees of the Stoglavy Council (1551).
The majority of the Russian Church, including clergy and even bishops, objected to the reform of worship, but they quickly lost the ability to resist. In 1654, Nikon organized a council, at which he sought permission to hold a “book council.” In 1656, in the Assumption Cathedral, an anathema was solemnly proclaimed against those who cross themselves with two fingers.
Part of the hierarchy, led by Archpriest Avvakum, led the movement for the old faith (Old Believers). Subsequently, their followers began to be called schismatics and persecuted. Until the end of the 17th century. The Orthodox Church was the leading link in the political system of Russian society.
With the accession of Peter I to the throne, the situation began to change: the state was no longer going to share its role with the church. After the death of Patriarch Adrian (1700) new patriarch was not elected. Peter I instructed Bishop Feofan Prokopovich of Pskov to prepare Spiritual regulations, which established the Synod and, in fact, turned the clergy into officials serving in the spiritual department. The formal head of the Russian Orthodox Church was the chief prosecutor - a secular official. The emperor himself united in himself the highest state and religious power in the country.
For 1721–1917 marks the synodal period of the Russian Orthodox Church. After the February Revolution, a significant event occurred - Patriarch Tikhon of Moscow and All Rus' was elected. However, after the October Revolution, the Bolshevik leaders drew up one of the first documents of the young republic - the Decree on Freedom of Conscience, the first paragraph of which prescribed the separation of Church and state. Thus began perhaps the most difficult period in the history of Russian Orthodoxy.
“Popovshchina” was recognized as the most dangerous enemy of the new ideology. On the orders of V. Lenin and L. Trotsky, churches were blown up, church property was nationalized, and its ministers were killed on suspicion of organizing anti-Soviet riots. “We must suppress the resistance of the clergy with such cruelty that they will not forget this for several decades,” V. Lenin wrote in 1922.
In 1920, the Russian Orthodox Church abroad separated from the Church in the Fatherland. Organized by emigrants who fled abroad from the Bolsheviks, the ROCOR distanced itself from the Moscow Patriarchate in order to speak freely about the persecution of the Church in the USSR, which the hierarchs who remained in Soviet Russia, of course, could not do. In turn, many of those who were unable or unwilling to leave their homeland, when some of the parishes began to be cared for by pastors in New York, developed a feeling of mistrust towards their overseas brethren as deserters.
During the years of struggle against religion in the USSR, more than one generation of atheists grew up. However, even before World War II, the population census showed that about two-thirds of the country's population considered themselves to be Orthodox.
During the war years, there was a long-awaited softening of the state's position regarding religion - primarily Orthodoxy. In dire need of maintaining the patriotic spirit, the Soviet government was forced to move to cooperation with the Church. In 1943, on the personal instructions of I. Stalin, the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' was elected, the Synod was restored, the restoration of churches began, the opening of theological schools, and the Council for the Affairs of the Russian Orthodox Church was created for communication between the government and the Church. Stalin lobbied for an Ecumenical Council to be held in Moscow, which would transfer the title of “Ecumenical Patriarch” from the Patriarch of Constantinople to the Moscow Patriarch.
During the time of N. Khrushchev, the senseless persecution of the Orthodox Church resumed, which was largely caused by the apparatus struggle against the “Stalinist” team in the CPSU Central Committee. In October 1958, the Central Committee adopted a resolution to launch a propaganda and administrative offensive against “religious relics.” One of the results was the massive closure (and destruction!) of churches and the abolition of monasteries. Of the 63 monasteries operating in 1958, only 44 remained in 1959, and only 18 in 1964.
The first steps towards restoring the role of the Russian Orthodox Church in society began during the period of perestroika. In 1988, the celebration of the 1000th anniversary of the baptism of Rus' took place. Church holidays were gradually legalized at the official level.
Today the Russian Orthodox Church has a great influence on both public consciousness and public policy.
On May 17, 2007, in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow, the signing of the act of canonical unity of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad took place. It was signed by the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Alexy II, and the head of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, Metropolitan Laurus. The two parts of the Russian Church again became one.
After the death of Alexy II on December 5, 2008, the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church on January 27, 2009 elected Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad (Vladimir Mikhailovich Gundyaev, born 1946) as Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.
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To comply with ethical and moral standards in society, as well as to regulate relations between an individual and the state or the highest form of spirituality (Cosmic Mind, God), world religions were created. Over time, splits have occurred within every major religion. As a result of this schism, Orthodoxy was formed.
Orthodoxy and Christianity
Many people make the mistake of considering all Christians to be Orthodox. Christianity and Orthodoxy are not the same thing. How to distinguish between these two concepts? What is their essence? Now let's try to figure it out.
Christianity is which originated in the 1st century. BC e. waiting for the coming of the Savior. Its formation was influenced philosophical teachings that time, Judaism (polytheism was replaced by one God) and endless military-political skirmishes.
Orthodoxy is just one of the branches of Christianity that originated in the 1st millennium AD. in the eastern Roman Empire and received its official status after the schism of the common Christian church in 1054.
History of Christianity and Orthodoxy
The history of Orthodoxy (orthodoxy) began already in the 1st century AD. This was the so-called apostolic creed. After the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the apostles faithful to him began to preach his teachings to the masses, attracting new believers to their ranks.
In the 2nd-3rd centuries, orthodoxy was engaged in active confrontation with Gnosticism and Arianism. The first ones rejected the scriptures Old Testament and interpreted it in their own way New Testament. The second, led by the presbyter Arius, did not recognize the consubstantiality of the Son of God (Jesus), considering him a mediator between God and people.
Seven Ecumenical Councils, convened with the support of the Byzantine emperors from 325 to 879, helped to resolve the contradictions between the rapidly developing heretical teachings and Christianity. The axioms established by the Councils regarding the nature of Christ and the Mother of God, as well as the approval of the Creed, helped to shape the new movement into a powerful Christian religion.
Not only heretical concepts contributed to the development of Orthodoxy. Western and Eastern influenced the formation of new directions in Christianity. The different political and social views of the two empires created a crack in the united all-Christian church. Gradually it began to split into Roman Catholic and Eastern Catholic (later Orthodox). The final split between Orthodoxy and Catholicism occurred in 1054, when the Pope and the Pope mutually excommunicated each other (anathema). The division of the common Christian church ended in 1204, along with the fall of Constantinople.
The Russian land adopted Christianity in 988. Officially, there was no division into Rome yet, but due to the political and economic interests of Prince Vladimir, the Byzantine direction - Orthodoxy - was widespread on the territory of Rus'.
The essence and foundations of Orthodoxy
The basis of any religion is faith. Without it, the existence and development of divine teachings is impossible.
The essence of Orthodoxy is contained in the Creed, adopted at the Second Ecumenical Council. On the fourth, the Nicene Creed (12 dogmas) was established as an axiom, not subject to any change.
Orthodox believe in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Holy Trinity). is the creator of everything earthly and heavenly. The Son of God, incarnate from the Virgin Mary, is consubstantial and only begotten in relation to the Father. The Holy Spirit comes from God the Father through the Son and is revered no less than the Father and the Son. The Creed tells of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, pointing to eternal life after death.
All Orthodox Christians belong to one church. Baptism is a mandatory ritual. When it is completed, there is a release from original sin.
Compliance is mandatory moral standards(commandments), which were transmitted by God through Moses and voiced by Jesus Christ. All “rules of behavior” are based on help, compassion, love and patience. Orthodoxy teaches us to endure any hardships of life without complaint, to accept them as the love of God and trials for sins, in order to then go to heaven.
Orthodoxy and Catholicism (main differences)
Catholicism and Orthodoxy have a number of differences. Catholicism is a branch of Christian teaching that arose, like Orthodoxy, in the 1st century. AD in the western Roman Empire. And Orthodoxy is Christianity, which originated in the Eastern Roman Empire. Here is a comparison table:
Orthodoxy | Catholicism |
|
Relations with authorities | For two millennia, it was either in collaboration with secular power, or in its subordination, or in exile. | Empowering the Pope with both secular and religious power. |
the Virgin Mary | The Mother of God is considered the bearer of original sin because her nature is human. | Dogma of the purity of the Virgin Mary (there is no original sin). |
Holy Spirit | The Holy Spirit comes from the Father through the Son | The Holy Spirit comes from both the Son and the Father |
Attitude towards the sinful soul after death | The soul undergoes “ordeals.” Earthly life defines eternal. | Existence Last Judgment and purgatory, where the purification of the soul takes place. |
Holy Scripture and Holy Tradition | Holy Scripture - part of Holy Tradition | Equal. |
Baptism | Triple immersion (or dousing) in water with communion and anointing. | Sprinkling and dousing. All sacraments after 7 years. |
6-8-pointed cross with the image of the victorious God, the legs are nailed with two nails. | 4-pointed cross with God the Martyr, legs nailed with one nail. |
|
Fellow believers | All brothers. | Every person is unique. |
Attitude to rituals and sacraments | The Lord does it through the clergy. | It is performed by a clergyman endowed with divine power. |
Nowadays, the question of reconciliation between churches very often arises. But due to significant and minor differences (for example, Catholics and Orthodox Christians cannot agree on the use of yeast or unleavened bread in the sacraments), reconciliation is constantly postponed. There can be no talk of a reunion in the near future.
The attitude of Orthodoxy to other religions
Orthodoxy is a direction that, having stood out from general Christianity as independent religion, does not recognize other teachings, considering them false (heretical). There can only be one truly true religion.
Orthodoxy is a trend in religion that is not losing popularity, but on the contrary, gaining popularity. And yet in modern world peacefully coexists in the vicinity of other religions: Islam, Catholicism, Protestantism, Buddhism, Shintoism and others.
Orthodoxy and modernity
Our times have given the church freedom and support it. Over the past 20 years, the number of believers, as well as those who consider themselves to be Orthodox, has increased. At the same time, the moral spirituality that this religion implies, on the contrary, has fallen. A huge number of people perform rituals and attend church mechanically, that is, without faith.
The number of churches and parochial schools attended by believers has increased. An increase in external factors only partially affects the internal state of a person.
The Metropolitan and other clergy hope that, after all, those who consciously accepted Orthodox Christianity, will be able to fulfill themselves spiritually.
Christianity has many faces and is one of the three main religions of the world, along with Buddhism and Islam. Orthodox Christians are all Christians, but not all Christians adhere to Orthodoxy. Christianity and Orthodoxy - what is the difference? I asked myself this question when a Muslim friend asked me about the difference between the Orthodox faith and the Baptist faith. I turned to my spiritual father, and he explained to me the difference of religions.
The Christian religion was formed more than 2000 years ago in Palestine. After the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles (Pentecost), the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles in the form of tongues of flame. This day is considered the birthday of the church, as more than 3,000 people believed in Christ.
However, the church was not always united and universal, since in 1054 there was a split into Orthodoxy and Catholicism. For many centuries, enmity and mutual reproaches for hereticism reigned; the heads of the two churches anathematized each other.
The unity within Orthodoxy and Catholicism also could not be maintained, since Protestants broke away from the Catholic branch, and the Orthodox Church had its own schismatics - the Old Believers. These were tragic events in the history of the once united Ecumenical Church, which did not maintain unanimity according to the precepts of the Apostle Paul.
Orthodoxy
How is Christianity different from Orthodoxy? The Orthodox branch of Christianity officially came into being in 1054, when the Patriarch of Constantinople demonstratively trampled unleavened communion bread. The conflict had been brewing for a long time and concerned the ritual part of the services, as well as the dogmas of the church. The confrontation ended with a complete split of the united church into two parts - Orthodox and Catholic. And only in 1964 both churches were reconciled and lifted their mutual anathemas from each other.
Nevertheless, the ritual part in Orthodoxy and Catholicism remained unchanged, and the dogmas of faith too. This concerns fundamental issues of creed and worship. Even at first glance, one can notice significant differences between Catholics and Orthodox in many things:
- priests' clothing;
- order of worship;
- church decoration;
- method of applying the cross;
- sound accompaniment of liturgies.
Orthodox priests do not shave their beards.
The difference between Orthodoxy and Christianity of other denominations is the Eastern style of worship. The Orthodox Church has preserved the traditions of oriental pomp; they do not play during services. musical instruments, it is customary to light candles and burn censer, and sign of the cross lay from right to left with a pinch of fingers and make a bow from the waist.
Orthodox Christians are confident that their church originates from the crucifixion and resurrection of the Savior. The Baptism of Rus' took place in 988 according to the Byzantine tradition, which continues to this day.
Basic provisions of Orthodoxy:
- God is united in the faces of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit;
- The Holy Spirit is equal to God the Father;
- is the only begotten Son of God the Father;
- The Son of God became man, took on the image of a man;
- the resurrection is true, as is the Second Coming of Christ;
- the head of the church is Jesus Christ, not the Patriarch;
- baptism frees a person from sins;
- a believing person will be saved and gain eternal life.
An Orthodox Christian believes that after death his soul will find eternal salvation. Believers devote their entire lives to serving God and fulfilling the commandments. Any trials are accepted without complaint and even with joy, because despondency and grumbling are considered a mortal sin.
Catholicism
This branch of the Christian church is distinguished by its approach to doctrine and worship. Head Roman- catholic church is the Pope, as opposed to the Orthodox Patriarch.
Fundamentals of Catholic Faith:
- The Holy Spirit descends not only from God the Father, but also from God the Son;
- after death, the soul of a believer goes to purgatory, where it undergoes tests;
- The Pope is revered as the direct successor of the Apostle Peter, all his actions are considered infallible;
- Catholics believe that the Virgin was ascended to heaven without seeing death;
- veneration of saints is widespread;
- indulgence (atonement for sins) is a distinctive feature of the Catholic Church;
- Communion is celebrated with unleavened bread.
Divine services in Catholic churches are called mass. An integral part of churches is the organ, on which divinely inspired music is performed. If in Orthodox churches a mixed choir sings in the choir, then in Catholic churches only men sing (boys' choir).
But the most important difference between the Catholic and Orthodox doctrines is the dogma of the purity of the Virgin Mary.
Catholics are sure that she was conceived immaculately (did not have original sin). The Orthodox claim that the Mother of God was an ordinary mortal woman who was chosen by God to give birth to the God-man.
Also a feature of the Catholic faith are mystical meditations on the torment of Christ. This sometimes leads to believers having stigmata (wounds from nails and crowns of thorns) on their bodies.
Commemoration of the dead is carried out on the 3rd, 7th and 30th day. Confirmation is not carried out immediately after baptism, as with the Orthodox, but after reaching adulthood. Children begin to receive communion after the age of seven, and in Orthodoxy - from infancy. There is no iconostasis in Catholic churches. All clergy take a vow of celibacy.
Protestantism
What is the difference between Protestant and Orthodox Christians? This movement arose within the Catholic Church as a protest against the authority of the Pope (he is considered the vicar of Jesus Christ on earth). Many people know the tragic St. Bartholomew's Night, when in France Catholics massacred Huguenots (local Protestants). These terrible pages of history will forever remain in people's memory as an example of inhumanity and madness.
Protests against the authority of the Pope swept across Europe and even resulted in revolutions. The Hussite wars in the Czech Republic, the Lutheran movement - this is just a small mention of the wide scope of protest against the dogmas of the Catholic Church. Severe persecution of Protestants forced them to flee Europe and find refuge in America.
What is the difference between Protestants and Catholics and Orthodox Christians? They only recognize two church sacraments- baptism and communion. Baptism is necessary to join a person to the church, and communion helps strengthen faith. Protestant priests do not enjoy unquestioning authority, but are brothers in Christ. At the same time, Protestants recognize apostolic succession, but attribute it to a spiritual action.
Protestants do not perform funeral services for the dead, do not worship saints, do not pray to icons, do not light candles or burn censers. They lack the Sacrament of Wedding, Confession and Priesthood. The Protestant community lives as one family, helps those in need and actively preaches the gospel to people (missionary work).
Services in Protestant churches are held in a special way. First, the community glorifies God with songs and (sometimes) dances. Then the pastor reads a sermon based on biblical texts. The service also ends with glorification. In recent decades, many modern evangelical churches composed of young people have formed. Some of them are recognized as sects in Russia, but in Europe and America these movements are allowed by official authorities.
In 1999, a historic reconciliation between the Catholic Church and the Lutheran movement took place. And in 1973, the Eucharistic unity of the Reformed churches with the Lutheran churches took place. The 20th and 11th centuries became a time of reconciliation between all Christian movements, which cannot but rejoice. Hostility and anathemas are a thing of the past, christian world found peace and quiet.
Bottom line
A Christian is a person who recognizes the death and resurrection of the God-man Jesus Christ, believes in posthumous existence and eternal life. However, Christianity is not homogeneous in its structure and is divided into many different denominations. Orthodoxy and Catholicism are the leading Christian faiths, on the basis of which other confessions and movements were formed.
In Russia, the Old Believers broke away from the Orthodox branch; in Europe, much more different movements and configurations formed under the general name of Protestants. Bloody reprisals against heretics, which horrified peoples for many centuries, are a thing of the past. In the modern world, peace and harmony reign between all Christian denominations, however, differences in worship and dogma remain.
One of the three main directions of Christianity (along with Catholicism and Protestantism). It has become widespread mainly in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Originally there was state religion Byzantine Empire. Since 988, i.e. for more than a thousand years, Orthodoxy is traditional religion in Russia. Orthodoxy shaped the character of the Russian people, cultural traditions and way of life, ethical norms (rules of behavior), aesthetic ideals (models of beauty). Orthodox, adj – something that has to do with Orthodoxy: Orthodox man, orthodox book, orthodox icon and so on.
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ORTHODOXY
one of the directions of Christianity, along with Catholicism and Protestantism. It began to take shape in the 4th century. How official religion The Byzantine Empire, completely independent from the moment of the division of the Christian Church in 1054. It did not have a single church center; subsequently several independent Orthodox churches took shape (currently there are 15 of them), each of which has its own specifics, but adheres to a common system of dogmas and rituals. The religious basis of P. is Holy Bible(Bible) and Sacred Tradition (decisions of the first 7 Ecumenical Councils and the works of the Church Fathers of the 2nd-8th centuries). The basic principles of P. are set out in the 12 points of the creed adopted at the first two ecumenical councils in Nicaea (325) and Constantinople (381). The most important postulates of the Orthodox faith are the dogmas: the trinity of God, the incarnation of God, the atonement, the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. Dogmas are not subject to change and clarification, not only in content, but also in form. The clergy is recognized as a grace-endowed mediator between God and people. P. is characterized by a complex, detailed cult. Divine services in P. are longer than in other Christian denominations. An important role is given to holidays, among which Easter takes first place. See also Russian Orthodox Church, Georgian Orthodox Church, Polish Orthodox Church, American Orthodox Church.
Unlike Catholicism, which deadened Christianity and turned it into a decorative screen for sin and vice, Orthodoxy, right up to our time, remains a living faith, open to every soul. Orthodoxy provides its members with a wide scope for scientific theology, but in its symbolic teaching it gives the theologian a fulcrum and a scale with which all religious reasoning must be conformed, in order to avoid contradiction with the “dogmas” or with the “faith of the Church.” Thus, Orthodoxy, unlike Catholicism, allows you to read the Bible in order to extract from it more detailed information about faith and the church; however, in contrast to Protestantism, it considers it necessary to be guided by the interpretative works of St. Fathers of the Church, by no means leaving the understanding of the word of God to the personal understanding of the Christian himself. Orthodoxy does not elevate human teachings that are not in the Holy Scriptures. Scripture and Holy Tradition, to the degree of revelation, as is done in Catholicism; Orthodoxy does not derive new dogmas from the previous teachings of the church through inference, does not share the Catholic teaching about the superior human dignity of the person of the Mother of God (Catholic teaching about Her “immaculate conception”), does not attribute superfluous merits to the saints, much less does not assimilate divine infallibility to man, even if he was the Roman high priest himself; The Church in its entirety is recognized as infallible, since it expresses its teaching through Ecumenical Councils. Orthodoxy does not recognize purgatory, teaching that satisfaction for the sins of people has already been brought to the truth of God once and for all through the suffering and death of the Son of God; By accepting the 7 Sacraments, Orthodoxy sees in them not only signs of grace, but grace itself; in the Sacrament of the Eucharist he sees the true Body and true Blood of Christ, into which bread and wine are transubstantiated. Orthodox Christians pray to deceased saints, believing in the power of their prayers before God; they venerate the incorruptible remains of saints and relics. Contrary to the reformers, according to the teachings of Orthodoxy, the grace of God does not act in a person irresistibly, but in accordance with his free will; our own deeds are credited to us as merit, although not in themselves, but by virtue of the assimilation of the Savior’s merits by the faithful. While not approving the Catholic teaching on ecclesiastical authority, Orthodoxy recognizes, however, church hierarchy with her grace-filled gifts and allows the laity to participate in the affairs of the church. The moral teaching of Orthodoxy does not give relief to sin and passions, like Catholicism (in indulgences); it rejects the Protestant doctrine of justification by faith alone, requiring every Christian to express faith in good deeds. In relation to the state, Orthodoxy does not want to either rule over it, like Catholicism, or submit to it in its internal affairs, like Protestantism: it strives to maintain complete freedom of activity, without interfering with the independence of the state in the sphere of its power.
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