The conflict between Western and Eastern Christian churches dates back to the 9th century. At that time Photius was at the head of the Eastern Christians, and Nicholas I was on the papal throne. The official reasons for the conflict were questions about the legality of electing Photius as a patriarch. However, many historians believe that the political interests of the papacy in the Balkan lands became the true background.
The final split of the Christian churches occurred in 1054. Periodically, both parties attempted to overcome its consequences, but to no avail. Although mutual anathemas lost their relevance in 1965, as they were lifted both by the Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras and Pope Paul VI, the reunion of Christians never happened.
Each of the churches considers itself "one holy, catholic and apostolic." Of course, each of them brings people its own Creed. This concept includes not only the appearance of the crucifix or the manner of designing church halls, its essence is much deeper.
What is the article of faith?
The creed, Catholic and Orthodox, is a combination of the main religious dogmas, forming the core system of teaching as a whole. In other words, in Christianity this term is understood as a summary of obligatory and unchanging truths that are not subject to dispute or doubt. Accordingly, this term is in its essence similar to the concept of an axiom.
The symbol of faith is a concept in many respects similar to the Cathedral expositions, however, it is isolated from these church documents. Sobor depictions mean the result of the work of the high priests present at them. The primary tenets of religion lie at the heart of the work of all Councils that have ever taken place.
Also, the symbol of faith is the text of a special prayer that appeared in the IV century and was the result of the work of two Ecumenical Councils. This prayer expresses all the truths that are indispensable to Christians, which is why it is called so. In other words, this prayer lists the Articles of Faith in religion.
How did this concept come about?
The creed is a Western term. It is first mentioned in the texts of the Spanish bishop and theologian Ambrose Mediolansky, who baptized Augustine Aurelius. The bishop used this expression in his epistle to the Syrian Syrian I.
In the Eastern Christian tradition, another concept is accepted - teachings or confession of faith. However, many theologians, including those related to the Orthodox Church, believe that both terms should be used, because they do not contradict one another. The concepts are not and completely similar.
Over time, with the separation of certain church teachings, for example, the Anglican, the concept of the Creed expanded. Today there are several dogmas of creeds, however, each of them is based on the Symbols voiced by the disciples of Christ, the apostles. However, the Apostolic Creed was formulated only in the second century. He counterbalanced the prevailing ideas of docetism and was compiled on the basis of the catechism used in the fulfillment of the sacrament of baptism at that time.
Symbol of Faith in Catholicism
For a person who does not belong to any of the Christian denominations, the external differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy are obvious. However, it is not only in them that the difference between Orthodox and Western traditions lies. For example, the Catholic Creed, the text of the prayer expressing it, has a completely different.
The Catholic prayer expressing the basic truths of Christianity is called Credo. Translated from Latin, this means "I believe." This prayer is an ordinary part of the mass, and you can hear the Catholic Creed in Russian by attending Sunday service in any of the churches where readings are practiced not only in Latin. For example, in Moscow you can go to Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Malaya Gruzinskaya Street. The Russian version of the text of this prayer is also presented in the illustration.
At the heart of Credo lies the Nicene-Constantinople Creed. Along with it, the Afanasyevsky Creed is recognized in Catholicism. It was composed by Athanasius the Great in the fourth century and has forty paragraphs. This Catholic Creed is read at the celebration of the Trinity.
What is the main difference between the Orthodox and Catholic teachings?
There are many differences between Catholicism and orthodox religious tradition. In addition to those that are obvious in appearance, there are deeper ones that relate directly to a religious worldview.
For example, the Catholic Creed, as a combination of immutable truths, includes the concept of purgatory. The followers of the Latin rite believe not only in Paradise and Hell, but also in the presence in Heaven of a special place in which the souls of people find themselves who have not spent their lives righteously enough, but who have no terrible sins. That is, in this place there are souls in need of purification before they are admitted to the kingdom of heaven.
Those who adhere to orthodox Christian traditions, have a completely different idea of the path of the soul after the end of earthly life. Orthodoxy has the concept of Hell and Paradise, as well as the ordeals through which the human spirit passes before reuniting with the Almighty or immersing in eternal torment.
What is the difference between prayers?
The Orthodox and Catholic differences in the perception of the Trinity also have a creed. The expression of difference is present in the corresponding prayer text and even has its own name - Filioque. In Russian, this term sounds like this - "Filiokwe".
What it is? This is a specific complement to the dogmatic text of the Nicene Constantinople Creed. It was adopted in the eleventh century and became one of the main reasons for the split of the Church into Western and Eastern.
The essence of this supplement is in the formulation of the origin of the Holy Spirit. In Western tradition, it sounds like this - "from the Father and the Son." The orthodox creed believes that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father.
What else distinguishes Catholicism from Orthodoxy?
Not only in the view of the afterlife and in the words of prayer has differences, as a set of dogmas, Symbol of Faith. Catholic prayer, no doubt, determines the main spiritual difference, namely the excellent perception of the Trinity. However, there is another, very important discrepancy in the creeds, relating to the earthly organization of the Church.
Although the Catholic Creed, as a prayer text, does not mention the position of the Pope, it is still on the list of immutable truths. In the Western religious tradition, the Pope is considered a priori infallible. Accordingly, each saying of the pontiff is an indisputable truth for believers, not subject to dispute or discussion.
In the Orthodox tradition, the Patriarch does not have absolute power. In the event that his statements, actions and decisions are contrary to Orthodox ideas, the Council of Bishops has the right to deprive a person of spiritual rank. The fate of Patriarch Nikon, who lost his rank in the 17th century, can become a historical example of this.
Another notable difference between the Churches is the position of ministers. In Orthodoxy, not every priesthood implies a person's renunciation of an intimate life. Catholic clergy are bound by a vow of celibacy.
Common misconceptions about external differences
As a rule, for people who do not particularly delve into the theological subtleties of dogma, the differences between Catholic and Orthodox denominations come down to seemingly obvious nuances. Indeed, there are discrepancies in the conduct of services, the appearance of priests and the arrangement of churches, but not all of them can actually be considered differences.
For example, the presence of an organ in the church and its use in worship is associated with the majority of people by Catholicism. Meanwhile, in Greece, whose lands are the cradle of orthodox denominations, the organ is used everywhere.
Very often, to the question of what is the difference between the Orthodox and Catholic church services, people respond with phrases about sitting in Western churches and standing in eastern ones. In fact, this statement is only partially true. In every Orthodox church, there are benches near the walls near the exit from the prayer hall. Every parishioner who needs to sit down has the right to use them. And in the churches of Bulgaria it is generally accepted to sit in services, just like in Catholic churches.
Are there differences between the Crucifixion and the sign of the Cross?
Although both the Orthodox and the Catholic Articles of Faith are a list of immutable truths, the basic tenets of the teachings and prayer that mentions them, most people associate the Crucifixion with this concept.
Indeed, what else can be a symbol of the Christian faith for a man, if not his pectoral cross? Moreover, it is the Crucifixion that is the main component of the church prayer hall in both faiths.
It would seem, what differences can be in the Crucifixion? The cross and Jesus are present in both Catholicism and Orthodoxy. However, there are differences between how the images of the Crucifix are executed, and there are not so few of them. Also obvious to all people is the difference in how believers overshadow themselves with the sign of the Cross.
Differences Between Crucifixes
The cross, as a symbol of faith in the Catholic Church, has a quadrangular shape. Orthodox crosses can have six or eight corners.
As for the image of the Crucifixion, the main difference lies in the number of nails. There are three of them in Catholic images, and four in Orthodox ones.
Various interpretations of the image of Jesus. In Western tradition, it is customary to portray him as a naturalist, suffering and dying person. Orthodox images represent Jesus on the cross triumphant and full of greatness.
Who is baptized?
The sign of the Cross can also be considered one of the symbols of faith, important for every Christian. This is a prayer, a special gesture by which believers invoke the blessing of God upon themselves or others.
Both Catholics and Orthodox are baptized with the right hand. In the orthodox tradition, it is customary to perform a sign over the right shoulder. In other words, the Orthodox are baptized from right to left. Catholics do the opposite, overshadowing themselves with the sign of the Cross from left to right.