For the observance of ethical and moral norms in society, as well as for the regulation of relations between an individual and the state or the highest form of spirituality (Cosmic mind, God), world religions were created. Over time, splits occurred within each major religion. As a result of such a split, Orthodoxy formed.
Orthodoxy and Christianity
Many make the mistake of believing 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 a world religion that originated in the 1st century. BC e. awaiting the coming of the Savior. Its formation was influenced by the philosophical doctrines of that time, Judaism (God alone replaced polytheism) and endless military-political skirmishes.
Orthodoxy is only one of the branches of Christianity that arose in the 1st millennium AD in the eastern Roman Empire and received its official status after the split of the Christian Church in 1054.
History of Christianity and Orthodoxy
The history of Orthodoxy (orthodoxy) began already in the 1st century A.D. This was the so-called apostolic creed. After the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the loyal apostles began to preach the teachings to the masses, attracting new believers to their ranks.
In the II-III centuries, orthodoxy was engaged in an active confrontation with Gnosticism and Arianism. The former rejected the Old Testament scriptures and interpreted the New Testament in their own way. The second, under the leadership of Elder Arius, did not recognize the consubstantiality of the Son of God (Jesus), considering him to be a mediator between God and people.
Seven Ecumenical Councils convened with the support of Byzantine emperors from 325 to 879 helped to remove the contradictions between the rapidly developing heretical teachings and Christianity. The axioms established by the Councils regarding the nature of Christ and the Theotokos, as well as the affirmation of the Creed, helped shape the new movement into the most powerful Christian religion.
Not only heretical concepts contributed to the development of Orthodoxy. The split of the Roman Empire into Western and Eastern had an impact on the formation of new directions in Christianity. Different political and social views of the two empires cracked in a single pan-Christian church. Gradually, it began to decay into Roman Catholic and Eastern Catholic (later Orthodox). The final split between Orthodoxy and Catholicism occurred in 1054, when the Patriarch of Constantinople and the Pope made mutual excommunication of each other from the church (anathema). The division of the common Christian church in 1204 ended, along with the fall of Constantinople.
Russian land converted to Christianity in 988. Officially, there was still no division into the Roman and Greek Orthodox churches, but due to the political and economic interests of Prince Vladimir, the Byzantine trend, Orthodoxy, was spread in the territory of Russia.
The essence and foundations of Orthodoxy
The foundation of any religion is faith. Without it, the existence and development of divine teachings is impossible.
The essence of Orthodoxy lies in the Creed adopted at the second Ecumenical Council. At the Fourth Ecumenical Council, the Nicene Creed (12 dogmas) was approved as an axiom, not subject to any change.
The Orthodox believe in God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Holy Trinity). God the Father is the creator of all things earthly and heavenly. The Son of God, incarnated from the Virgin Mary, is consubstantial and only begotten in relation to the Father. The Holy Spirit proceeds 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 belong to a single church. Baptism is a required ritual. When it is committed, liberation from original sin occurs.
The observance of moral standards (commandments), which are transmitted by God through Moses and voiced by Jesus Christ, is mandatory. All "rules of conduct" are based on help, compassion, love and patience. Orthodoxy teaches to bear any burdens of life meekly, to accept them as the love of God and trials for sins, and then to 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 a direction in Christianity that originated in the Eastern Roman Empire. The following table is presented to your attention:
| Orthodoxy | Catholicism |
Relations with the authorities | The Orthodox Church, for two millennia, was in collaboration with the secular government, then in its submission, then in exile. | The empowerment of the Pope of Rome, both secular and religious. |
the Virgin Mary | The Virgin Mary is considered the bearer of original sin, because its nature is human. | The dogma of the integrity of the Virgin Mary (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 commits a "tribulation". Earthly life defines eternal. | The existence of the Last Judgment and purgatory, where the purification of the soul takes place. |
Scripture and Holy Tradition | Scripture is part of Holy Tradition | Equivalent. |
Epiphany | Triple immersion (or dousing) in water with communion and anointing. | Sprinkling and dousing. All the sacraments after 7 years. |
Cross | 6-8th final cross with the image of the conquering God, legs nailed with two nails. | Four-pointed cross with the Martyr God, legs nailed with one nail. |
Co-believers | All brothers. | Each person is unique. |
Relation to rituals and sacraments | The Lord performs through the clergy. | It is performed by a priest 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 can not agree on the use of yeast or yeast-free bread in the sacraments), reconciliation is constantly delayed. In the near future, reunification is out of the question at all.
The attitude of Orthodoxy to other religions
Orthodoxy is a direction that, having stood out from common Christianity as an independent religion, does not recognize other teachings, considering them false (heretical). Only one can be truly faithful.
Orthodoxy is a trend in religion that does not lose popularity, but on the contrary, gains. Nevertheless, in the modern world, it quietly coexists in the neighborhood of other religions: Islam, Catholicism, Protestantism, Buddhism, Shintoism and others.
Orthodoxy and modernity
Our time has given freedom to the church and is supporting it. Over the past 20 years, the number of believers, as well as those who consider themselves 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 ceremonies and attend church mechanically, that is, without faith.
The number of temples and parish schools visited by believers has increased. An increase in external factors only partially affects the internal state of a person.
The metropolitan and other clergymen hope that, after all, those who consciously adopted Orthodox Christianity will be able to spiritually take place.