The Holy Spirit among Catholics and Orthodox Christians. Catholicism and Orthodoxy: differences, the most important thing

On July 16, 1054, in the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, official representatives of the Pope announced the deposition of Patriarch Michael Cerularius of Constantinople. In response, the patriarch anathematized the papal envoys. Since then, there have been churches that we today call Catholic and Orthodox.

Let's define the concepts

The three main directions in Christianity are Orthodoxy, Catholicism, and Protestantism. There is no single Protestant church, since there are many hundreds of Protestant churches (denominations) in the world. Orthodoxy and Catholicism are churches with a hierarchical structure, with their own doctrine, worship, their own internal legislation and their own religious and cultural traditions inherent in each of them.

Catholicism is an integral church, all its constituent parts and all members of which are subordinate to the Pope as their head. The Orthodox Church is not so monolithic. At the moment it consists of 15 independent, but mutually recognizing each other and fundamentally identical churches. Among them are Russian, Constantinople, Jerusalem, Antioch, Georgian, Serbian, Bulgarian, Greek, etc.

What do Orthodoxy and Catholicism have in common?

Both Orthodox and Catholics are Christians who believe in Christ and striving to live according to His commandments. Both of them have one Holy Scripture - the Bible. No matter what we say further about the differences, the Christian daily life of both Catholics and Orthodox is built, first of all, according to the Gospel. The true example to follow, the basis of all life for any Christians, is the Lord Jesus Christ, and He is One and Only. Therefore, despite their differences, Catholics and Orthodox Christians profess and preach faith in Jesus Christ throughout the world and proclaim one Gospel to the world.

The history and traditions of the Catholic and Orthodox churches go back to the apostles. Peter, Paul, Mark and other disciples of Jesus founded Christian communities in significant cities of the ancient world - Jerusalem, Rome, Alexandria, Antioch, etc. Around these centers those churches were formed that became the basis of the Christian world. That is why Orthodox and Catholics have sacraments (baptism, wedding, ordination of priests), similar doctrines, venerate common saints (who lived before the 11th century), and proclaim the same Nicene-Constantinopolitan Church. Despite certain differences, both churches profess belief in the Holy Trinity.

For our time, it is important that both Orthodox and Catholics have a very similar view of the Christian family. Marriage is the union of a man and a woman. Marriage is blessed by the church and considered a sacrament. Divorce is always a tragedy. Sexual relations before marriage are relationships unworthy of the title of Christian; they are sinful. It is important to emphasize that both Orthodox and Catholics, in principle, do not recognize homosexual marriages. Homosexual relations themselves are considered a grave sin.

It should be especially said that both Catholics and Orthodox believe that they are not the same thing, that Orthodoxy and Catholicism are different churches, but Christian churches. This difference is so significant for both sides that for a thousand years now there has been no mutual unity in the most important thing - in worship and in the communion of the Body and Blood of Christ. Catholics and Orthodox Christians do not take communion together.

At the same time, which is very important, both Catholics and Orthodox Christians look at their mutual division with bitterness and repentance. All Christians are confident that the unbelieving world needs a common Christian witness to Christ.

About separation

It is not possible to describe the development of the gap and the formation of separated Catholic and Orthodox churches in this note. I will only note that the tense political situation of a thousand years ago between Rome and Constantinople pushed both sides to look for a reason to sort things out. Attention was drawn to the features of the hierarchical church structure entrenched in the Western tradition, features of religious doctrine, ritual and disciplinary customs that are not characteristic of the East.

In other words, it was political tension that revealed the already existing and strengthened originality of the religious life of the two parts of the former Roman Empire. The current situation was largely due to the difference in cultures, mentalities, and national characteristics of the West and the East. With the disappearance of the empire uniting the Christian churches, Rome and Western tradition stood apart from Byzantium for several centuries. With poor communication and an almost complete lack of mutual interest, their own traditions took root.

It is clear that the division of a single church into Eastern (Orthodox) and Western (Catholic) is a long and rather complicated process, which had only its culmination at the beginning of the 11th century. The previously united church, represented by five local or territorial churches, the so-called patriarchates, split. In July 1054, mutual anathematization was proclaimed by the plenipotentiary representatives of the Pope and the Patriarch of Constantinople. After a few months, all the remaining patriarchates joined the position of Constantinople. The gap only strengthened and deepened over time. The churches of the East and the Roman Church finally separated after 1204, the time of the destruction of Constantinople by participants in the Fourth Crusade.

How are Catholicism and Orthodoxy different?

Here are the main points, mutually acknowledged by both sides, dividing the churches today:

The first important difference is the different understanding of the church. For Orthodox Christians, the one, so-called Universal Church is manifested in specific independent, but mutually recognizing local churches. A person can belong to any of the existing Orthodox churches, thereby belonging to Orthodoxy in general. It is enough to share the same faith and sacraments with other churches. Catholics recognize one and only church as an organizational structure - the Catholic one, subordinate to the Pope. To belong to Catholicism, one must belong to the one and only Catholic Church, have its faith and participate in its sacraments, and must recognize the supremacy of the Pope.

In practice, this point is revealed, first of all, in the fact that the Catholic Church has a dogma (mandatory doctrinal position) about the primacy of the pope over the entire church and his infallibility in official teaching on issues of faith and morals, discipline and government. The Orthodox do not recognize the primacy of the pope and believe that only the decisions of the Ecumenical (that is, general) Councils are infallible and most authoritative. On the difference between the Pope and the Patriarch. In the context of what has been said, the imaginary situation of subordination of the now independent Orthodox patriarchs, and with them all bishops, priests and laity, to the Pope of Rome looks absurd.

Second. There are differences on some important doctrinal issues. Let's point out one of them. It concerns the doctrine of God - the Holy Trinity. The Catholic Church professes that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. The Orthodox Church professes the Holy Spirit, which comes only from the Father. These seemingly “philosophical” subtleties of doctrine have quite serious consequences in the theological doctrinal systems of each of the churches, which sometimes contradict each other. The unification and unification of the Orthodox and Catholic faiths at the moment seems to be an unsolvable task.

Third. Over the past centuries, many cultural, disciplinary, liturgical, legislative, mental, and national features of the religious life of Orthodox and Catholics have not only strengthened, but also developed, which can sometimes contradict each other. We are talking, first of all, about the language and style of prayer (memorized texts, or prayer in one’s own words, or to music), about accents in prayer, about a special understanding of holiness and veneration of saints. But we must not forget about the benches in churches, headscarves and skirts, features of temple architecture or styles of icon painting, the calendar, the language of worship, etc.

Both the Orthodox and Catholic traditions have a fairly large degree of freedom in these quite secondary issues. It's clear. However, unfortunately, overcoming disagreements in this area is unlikely, since it is precisely this area that represents the real life of ordinary believers. And, as you know, it is easier for them to abandon some kind of “speculative” philosophizing than to abandon the usual way of life and its everyday understanding.

In addition, in Catholicism there is the practice of exclusively unmarried clergy, while in the Orthodox tradition the priesthood can be either married or monastic.

The Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church have different views on the topic of intimate relationships between spouses. Orthodoxy takes a lenient view of the use of contraceptives and non-abortive means. And in general, the issues of the sexual life of spouses are left to them themselves and are not doctrinally regulated. Catholics, in turn, are categorically against any contraception.

In conclusion, I will say that these differences do not prevent the Orthodox and Catholic Churches from conducting a constructive dialogue and jointly resisting the mass departure from traditional and Christian values; jointly implement various social projects and peacekeeping actions.

Christianity is the most widespread religion in the world, with a huge number of followers. Meanwhile, not all adherents of Christianity find a common language with each other. Over the centuries, certain traditions of Christianity were formed, which varied depending on geography. Today there are three main directions of Christianity, which, in turn, have separate branches. Orthodoxy has taken hold in the Slavic states, however, the largest branch of Christianity is Catholicism. Protestantism can be called an anti-Catholic branch.

The struggle between Catholicism and Orthodoxy

In fact, Catholicism is the original and most ancient form of Christianity. The politicization of church power and the emergence of heretical movements led to a split in the Church at the beginning of the 11th century. Disagreements between Catholics and Orthodox Christians appeared long before the official schism and have not yet been resolved, despite the official recognition of each other.

The contradictions between Western and Eastern traditions left their mark on dogmatic and ritual religious forms, which aggravated the conflict between currents.

One of the harbingers of the schism is the emergence of Islam in the 7th century, which led to a decrease in the influence of Catholic priests and an erosion of trust in church authorities. This led to the strengthening of Orthodoxy in Turkey, from where it later spread to Eastern Europe. The indignation of the Catholic world caused the emergence of new Christians among the Slavic peoples. When Christianity was adopted in Rus', the Slavs forever abandoned the opportunity to develop in the “truly true” direction of spiritual development, according to Catholics.

If both of these religious movements preach Christianity, then what is the fundamental difference between Orthodoxy and Catholicism? In the context of history, the Orthodox made the following claims against Catholics:

• participation in hostilities, desecration with the blood of the defeated;
• non-observance of Lent, including the consumption of meat, lard and the flesh of killed animals outside of fasting;
• trampling of shrines, namely: walking on slabs with images of saints;
• the reluctance of Catholic bishops to give up luxury: rich decorations, expensive jewelry, including rings, which are a symbol of power.

The schism of the Church led to a final break in traditions, doctrine and rituals. We can say that the difference between Catholics and Orthodox lies in the peculiarities of worship and the internal attitude towards spiritual life.

Dogmatic differences between Orthodoxy and Catholicism

The symbol of Faith in both movements is God the Father, but the Catholic Church does not think of God the Father without God the Son and believes that the Holy Spirit cannot exist without the other two divine manifestations.

Video about the differences between Orthodoxy and Catholicism

The difference between Orthodoxy and Catholicism lies in the church organization. In Catholicism, the main and only institution of ecclesiastical authority is the Universal Church. In the Orthodox environment, there are autonomous church entities that often exclude or do not recognize each other.

The image of the Mother of God is also perceived differently. For Catholics, this is the sacred Virgin Mary, conceived without original sin; for Orthodox Christians, this is the Mother of God, who lived a righteous, but mortal life.

The Catholic Church recognizes the existence of Purgatory, which the Orthodox reject. It is believed that this is where the souls of the dead live, awaiting the Last Judgment.

There are also differences in the sign of the cross, sacraments, rituals, and icon painting.

One of the most important differences in doctrine is the understanding of the Holy Spirit. In Catholicism, He personifies Love and is the link between the Father and the Son. The Orthodox Church identifies Love with all three Godforms.

Canonical differences between Catholics and Orthodox

The Orthodox baptismal rite includes three times immersion in water. The Catholic Church offers a one-time immersion; in some cases, sprinkling with holy water is sufficient. In addition, there are differences in the baptismal formula. The Eastern rite provides for the communion of children from childhood; the Latin Church invites children over 7 years old to receive first communion. The same applies to confirmation, which among the Orthodox is carried out after the sacrament of baptism, and among the Latins - with the child’s entry into conscious age.

Other differences include:

• Christian worship: Catholics have a mass, during which it is customary to sit, while Orthodox Christians have a liturgy, where it is important to stand before the face of God.
• Attitude to marriage - Orthodox Christians allow the dissolution of a marriage if one of the parties leads an ungodly lifestyle. The Catholic Church does not accept divorce as such. As for marriage in the priestly environment, all Catholics take a vow of celibacy; Orthodox Christians have two options: monks do not have the right to marry, priests must marry and have offspring.
• Appearance - the clothing of priests differs significantly, in addition, Latins do not wear beards, while Orthodox priests cannot be beardless.
• Commemoration of the dead - in the Eastern Church these are the third, ninth and fortieth days, in the Latin - the third, seventh and thirtieth.
• Sin of insult - Catholics believe that insulting God is one of the grave sins, Orthodox believe that it is impossible to offend God, and insulting him harms the sinner himself.
• Use of sculpture - in Orthodoxy, saints are depicted on icons; in Catholicism, the use of sculptural compositions is permissible.

Mutual influence of religions on each other

For almost a whole millennium, the Orthodox and Catholic Churches were in opposition. Mutual claims resulted in mutual anathema, which was lifted only in 1965. However, mutual forgiveness did not give any practical result. The church authorities were never able to come to a common decision. The main claim of the Orthodox Church remains “the infallibility of the judgments of the Pope” and other issues of dogmatic content.

Video about the fundamental difference between Orthodoxy and Catholicism

Meanwhile, it is impossible to deny the mutual influence of religious movements on each other. The Latins themselves recognize that the Eastern Church has great theological traditions and spiritual traditions, from which much useful can be gleaned.

In particular, the Orthodox were able to raise interest in the liturgy among Catholics. The reformation of the Roman Mass in 1965 led to a liturgical revival.

The works of Orthodox theologians do not go unnoticed in the Latin community, and they often receive favorable reviews. In particular, the works of Archbishop Nicholas Kavasila of Thessalonica and Archpriest Alexander Men are of particular interest. True, the latter’s liberal-modernist views were the reason for his condemnation among the Orthodox community.

There is growing interest in Orthodox icons, the painting technique of which is significantly different from the Western one. Catholics especially venerate the icons of the Kazan Mother of God, the “Eastern Mother of God”, and the Czestochowa Icon of the Mother of God. The latter has a special role in the unification of the Churches - Orthodox and Catholic. This icon is located in Poland and is considered the main shrine of the country.

As for the influence of the Catholic Church on the Orthodox Church, the following points can be found here:

• Sacraments - The 7 fundamental sacraments recognized by both Churches were originally formulated by Catholics. These include: baptism, confirmation, communion, confession, wedding, unction, ordination.
• Symbolic books - they are officially denied by the Orthodox Church, however, in pre-revolutionary theology such works were “The Orthodox Confession of the Catholic and Apostolic Church of the East” and “The Message of the Patriarchs of the Eastern Catholic Church on the Orthodox Faith.” Today they are not considered mandatory study precisely because of the Catholic influence.

• Scholasticism has had a place in Orthodox theology for a long time. It is essentially a European category, centered on the philosophy of Aristotle and Catholic theology. Today, the Orthodox Church has almost completely abandoned scholasticism.
• Western rite - the emergence of Western rite Orthodox communities has become a serious challenge for the Eastern Church. Similar branches became widespread in Europe and North America, where the influence of Catholicism is strong. Within the Russian Orthodox Church there are several dozen parishes that use Western rites.

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The official division of the Christian Church into Eastern (Orthodox) and Western (Roman Catholic) happened in 1054, with the participation of Pope Leo IX and Patriarch Michael Cerularius. It became the finale in the contradictions that had long been brewing between the two religious centers of the Roman Empire that had collapsed by the 5th century - Rome and Constantinople.

Serious disagreements emerged between them both in the field of dogma and in terms of the organization of church life.

After the capital was transferred from Rome to Constantinople in 330, the clergy began to come to the fore in the socio-political life of Rome. In 395, when the empire effectively collapsed, Rome became the official capital of its western part. But political instability soon led to the fact that the actual administration of these territories was in the hands of the bishops and the pope.

In many ways, this became the reason for the claims of the papal throne to supremacy over the entire Christian Church. These claims were rejected by the East, although from the first centuries of Christianity the authority of the Pope in the West and in the East was very great: without his approval not a single ecumenical council could open or close.

Cultural background

Church historians note that in the western and eastern regions of the empire Christianity developed differently, under the powerful influence of two cultural traditions - Hellenic and Roman. The “Hellenic world” perceived Christian teaching as a certain philosophy that opens the way for the unity of man with God.

This explains the abundance of theological works of the fathers of the Eastern Church, aimed at understanding this unity and achieving “deification.” They often show the influence of Greek philosophy. Such “theological inquisitiveness” sometimes led to heretical deviations, which were rejected by the Councils.

The world of Roman Christianity, in the words of the historian Bolotov, experienced “the influence of the Romanesque on the Christian.” The “Roman world” perceived Christianity in a more “juridical” manner, methodically creating the Church as a unique social and legal institution. Professor Bolotov writes that Roman theologians “understood Christianity as a divinely revealed program for social order.”

Roman theology was characterized by “legalism,” including in the relation of God to man. He expressed himself in the fact that good deeds were understood here as a person’s merits before God, and repentance was not enough for the forgiveness of sins.

Later, the concept of atonement was formed following the example of Roman law, which placed the categories of guilt, ransom and merit at the basis of the relationship between God and man. These nuances gave rise to differences in dogma. But, in addition to these differences, also a banal struggle for power and personal claims of the hierarchs on both sides ultimately became the reason for the division.

Main differences

Today, Catholicism has many ritual and dogmatic differences from Orthodoxy, but we will look at the most important ones.

The first difference is the different understanding of the principle of the unity of the Church. In the Orthodox Church there is no single earthly head (Christ is considered its head). It has “primates” - patriarchs of local Churches independent from each other - Russian, Greek, etc.

The Catholic Church (from the Greek “katholicos” - “universal”) is one, and considers the presence of a visible head, which is the Pope, to be the basis of its unity. This dogma is called “the primacy of the Pope.” The opinion of the Pope on matters of faith is recognized by Catholics as “infallible” - that is, without error.

Symbol of faith

Also, the Catholic Church added to the text of the Creed, adopted at the Nicene Ecumenical Council, a phrase about the procession of the Holy Spirit from the Father and the Son (“filioque”). The Orthodox Church recognizes the procession only from the Father. Although some holy fathers of the East recognized the “filioque” (for example, Maximus the Confessor).

Life after death

In addition, Catholicism has adopted the dogma of purgatory: a temporary state in which souls who are not ready for heaven remain after death.

the Virgin Mary

An important discrepancy is also that in the Catholic Church there is a dogma about the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, which affirms the original absence of original sin in the Mother of God. The Orthodox, glorifying the holiness of the Mother of God, believe that he was inherent in Her, like all people. Also, this Catholic dogma contradicts the fact that Christ was half human.

Indulgence

In the Middle Ages, Catholicism developed the doctrine of the “extraordinary merits of the saints”: the “reserve of good deeds” that the saints performed. The Church disposes of this “reserve” in order to make up for the lack of “good deeds” of repentant sinners.

From here grew the doctrine of indulgences - release from temporary punishment for sins for which a person has repented. During the Renaissance, there was a misunderstanding of indulgence as the possibility of remission of sins for money and without confession.

Celibacy

Catholicism prohibits marriage for clergy (celibate priesthood). In the Orthodox Church, marriage is prohibited only for monastic priests and hierarchs.

External part

As for rituals, Catholicism recognizes both the Latin rite (Mass) and the Byzantine rite (Greek Catholics).

The liturgy in the Orthodox Church is served on prosphora (leavened bread), while Catholic services are served on unleavened bread (unleavened bread).

Catholics practice Communion under two types: only the Body of Christ (for the laity), and the Body and Blood (for the clergy).

Catholics place the sign of the cross from left to right, Orthodox believe it the other way around.

There are fewer fasts in Catholicism, and they are milder than in Orthodoxy.

The organ is used in Catholic worship.

Despite these and other differences that have accumulated over the centuries, Orthodox and Catholics have much in common. Moreover, something was borrowed by Catholics from the East (for example, the doctrine of the Ascension of the Virgin Mary).

Almost all local Orthodox churches (except the Russian one), like Catholics, live according to the Gregorian calendar. Both faiths recognize each other's Sacraments.

The division of the Church is a historical and unresolved tragedy of Christianity. After all, Christ prayed for the unity of His disciples, which are all who strive to fulfill His commandments and confess Him as the Son of God: “That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, so that they also may be one in Us - that the world may believe that You have sent Me.”

Catholicism is one of the three main Christian denominations. There are three faiths in total: Orthodoxy, Catholicism and Protestantism. The youngest of the three is Protestantism. It arose from Martin Luther's attempt to reform the Catholic Church in the 16th century.

The division between Orthodoxy and Catholicism has a rich history. The beginning was the events that occurred in 1054. It was then that the legates of the then reigning Pope Leo IX drew up an act of excommunication against the Patriarch of Constantinople Michael Cerullarius and the entire Eastern Church. During the liturgy in the Hagia Sophia, they placed him on the throne and left. Patriarch Michael responded by convening a council, at which, in turn, he excommunicated the papal ambassadors from the Church. The Pope took their side and since then the commemoration of popes at divine services has ceased in the Orthodox Churches, and the Latins began to be considered schismatics.

We have collected the main differences and similarities between Orthodoxy and Catholicism, information about the dogmas of Catholicism and features of the confession. It is important to remember that all Christians are brothers and sisters in Christ, therefore neither Catholics nor Protestants can be considered “enemies” of the Orthodox Church. However, there are controversial issues in which each denomination is closer or further from the Truth.

Features of Catholicism

Catholicism has more than a billion followers worldwide. The head of the Catholic Church is the Pope, and not the Patriarch, as in Orthodoxy. The Pope is the supreme ruler of the Holy See. Previously, all bishops were called this way in the Catholic Church. Contrary to popular belief about the total infallibility of the Pope, Catholics consider only the doctrinal statements and decisions of the Pope to be infallible. At the moment, Pope Francis is at the head of the Catholic Church. He was elected on March 13, 2013, and is the first Pope in many years to . In 2016, Pope Francis met with Patriarch Kirill to discuss issues of importance to Catholicism and Orthodoxy. In particular, the problem of persecution of Christians, which exists in some regions in our time.

Dogmas of the Catholic Church

A number of dogmas of the Catholic Church differ from the corresponding understanding of the Gospel truth in Orthodoxy.

• Filioque is the Dogma that the Holy Spirit proceeds from both God the Father and God the Son.
• Celibacy is the dogma of the celibacy of the clergy.
• The Holy Tradition of Catholics includes decisions taken after the seven Ecumenical Councils and Papal Epistles.
• Purgatory is a dogma about an intermediate “station” between hell and heaven, where you can atone for your sins.
• Dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary and her bodily ascension.
• Communion of the laity only with the Body of Christ, of the clergy with the Body and Blood.

Of course, these are not all differences from Orthodoxy, but Catholicism recognizes those dogmas that are not considered true in Orthodoxy.

Who are Catholics

The largest numbers of Catholics, people who profess Catholicism, live in Brazil, Mexico and the United States. It is interesting that in each country Catholicism has its own cultural characteristics.

Differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy

• Unlike Catholicism, Orthodoxy believes that the Holy Spirit comes only from God the Father, as stated in the Creed.
• In Orthodoxy, only monastics observe celibacy; the rest of the clergy can marry.
• The sacred tradition of the Orthodox does not include, in addition to the ancient oral tradition, the decisions of the first seven Ecumenical Councils, the decisions of subsequent church councils, or papal messages.
• There is no dogma of purgatory in Orthodoxy.
• Orthodoxy does not recognize the doctrine of the “treasury of grace” - the overabundance of good deeds of Christ, the apostles, and the Virgin Mary, which allow one to “draw” salvation from this treasury. It was this teaching that allowed for the possibility of indulgences, which at one time became a stumbling block between Catholics and future Protestants. Indulgences were one of those phenomena in Catholicism that deeply outraged Martin Luther. His plans included not the creation of new denominations, but the reformation of Catholicism.
• In Orthodoxy, the laity Commune with the Body and Blood of Christ: “Take, eat: this is My Body, and drink all of you from it: this is My Blood.”

The table “Comparison of the Catholic and Orthodox Churches” will help to better understand the fundamental differences when studying the history of the Middle Ages in the 6th grade, and can also be used as a review in high school.

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“Table “Comparison of the Catholic and Orthodox Churches””

Table. Catholic and Orthodox Church

Table. Catholic and Orthodox Church.

How many mistakes were made? What mistakes were made?