Original sin in Orthodoxy is one of those provisions that is unclear to a person who is just starting to get acquainted with the Christian doctrine. You can find out what this is, what its consequences are for all of us, and also what interpretations of original sin exist in different branches of Orthodoxy, from this article.
What is original sin?
At first glance, this looks absurd: in the Christian tradition, it is believed that a child is born into the world with an already damaged human nature. How can this happen if he has not yet had time to commit sins, if only because he has not yet entered a conscious age? In fact, the problem is different: the essence of original sin lies in the fact that every person is born into the world initially damaged (primarily in the spiritual sense, but not only) due to the act of the first ancestor of Adam. It is through him, as you know, that a spiritual illness entered the world, which all his descendants inherit.
Many make the mistake of trying to explain what original sin is. Do not assume that in this case we are responsible for the fact that Adam and Eve ate the fruit from the tree of knowledge. Everything is not so literal, and if you read the Holy Fathers, it will become clear. The sin of Adam is no longer our sin, the fact is that for us it lies in the mortality of man. According to the Bible, the Lord God told Adam that he would die if he eats the forbidden fruit, and the serpent - that he and Eve will become equal to God. The snake-tempter did not deceive the first people, but together with the knowledge of the world they became mortal - this is the main consequence of original sin. Thus, this sin was not transmitted to other people, but had disastrous results for them.
The Consequences of Sin Adam and Eve
Theologians believe that the results were so difficult and painful precisely because the original commandment of God was not difficult to fulfill. If Adam and Eve really wanted to fulfill it, they could calmly refuse the tempter's offer and remain in paradise forever - pure, holy, sinless and, of course, immortal. What is original sin? Like any sin, this is disobedience to the Creator. In fact, Adam created death with his own hands, moving away from God and subsequently bogged down in it.
His act not only brought death to his life, but also clouded the initially crystal-clear human nature. She became distorted, more prone to other sins, her love for the Creator gave way to fear of him and his punishment. John Chrysostom pointed out that before the animals bowed before Adam and saw him as a master, but after being expelled from paradise they ceased to recognize him.
Thus, a man from the highest creation of God, pure and beautiful, himself turned himself into dust and dust, which his body will become after the inevitable death. But, as follows from the Bible, after the first ancestors ate the fruit from the tree of knowledge, they hid from the Lord not only because they began to fear his wrath, but also because they felt guilty before him.
What came before original sin
Before the fall, Adam and Eve had a very close relationship with the Lord. In a sense, they were one with him, their souls were so deeply connected with God. Even saints do not have such a connection, especially other Christians who are not so sinless. Therefore, it seems extremely difficult for us to understand it. However, this does not mean that this union does not need to be sought.
Man was a reflection of God's image, and his heart was immaculate. The original ancestors' sin is called original because before it they did not know other sins and were absolutely pure.
How to escape from the consequences
Baptism from original sin does not save, as is commonly believed. It only gives a person the opportunity to become a different, true Christian. After baptism, a person remains mortal, imprisoned in a mortal body shell, and at the same time possesses an immortal soul. It is important not to destroy it, because, according to the Orthodox tradition, the Last Judgment will come at the end of time, at which it will become clear what fate awaits every soul.
Thus, baptism helps to restore lost connection with God, even if not to the full extent. In any case, original sin has made the essence of man more prone to evil than to good, as it was originally, and therefore it is extremely difficult to reconnect with the Creator in this world. However, judging by the examples of the saints, apparently, it is possible.
In fact, this is precisely why baptism is necessary for those who consider themselves to be a Christian - only in this way, and nothing else, they can be with God and be saved from the death of their souls.
Original Sin in Protestantism
It is worthwhile to understand what original sin is in the understanding of Protestants, namely Calvinists. They, unlike the Orthodox, believe that the consequences of Adam's sin are not only the death of all his descendants, but also their inevitable bearing of guilt for the sin of their ancestor. For this, each person, in their opinion, deserves punishment. The nature of man in Calvinism is completely corrupted and saturated with sinfulness.
This view most closely matches the Bible, although it is bewildering.
Original Sin in Catholicism
Catholics believe that the sin of the original people lies in disobedience and weak trust in the Creator. This event entailed a large number of different consequences: Adam and Eve lost the favor of God, as a result, the relationship between the two was broken. Previously pure and sinless, they became lascivious and tense. This responded to other people moral and physical damage. However, Catholics believe in the possibility of its correction and atonement.