The conflict between the 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 the election of Photius as patriarch. However, many historians believe that the real reason was the political interests of the papacy in the Balkan lands.
The final split of the Christian churches occurred in 1054. Periodically, both sides made attempts to overcome its consequences, but to no avail. Although mutual anathemas lost their relevance in 1965, since they were removed by both the Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras and Pope Paul VI, the reunification of Christians never happened.
Each of the churches considers itself "one holy, catholic and apostolic". Of course, each of them carries to people their own Creed. In itthe concept includes not only the appearance of the crucifix or the manner of decorating church halls, its essence is much deeper.
What is the Creed?
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 mandatory and unchanging truths that are not subject to dispute or doubt. Accordingly, this term is essentially similar to the concept of an axiom.
The creed is a concept in many respects similar to the Synodal expositions, however, it is isolated from these church documents. Cathedral creeds imply the result of the work of the high priests present at them. The primary dogmas of religion underlie the work of all Councils that have ever taken place.
Also, the text of a special prayer, which appeared in the 4th century and became the result of the work of two Ecumenical Councils, is also a symbol of faith. In this prayer, all the truths that are immutable for Christians are expressed, which is why it is called so. In other words, this prayer lists the creeds in the religion.
How did this concept come about?
Creed is a Western term. It was first mentioned in the texts of the Spanish bishop and theologian Ambrose of Milan, who baptized Augustine Aurelius. The Bishop used this expression in his letter addressed to the then papal throne of Syria I.
In the Eastern Christian tradition, another concept is accepted - teachings or confessions of faith. However, manytheologians, including those belonging to the orthodox church, believe that both terms should be used, since they do not contradict one another. The concepts are not completely analogous either.
Over time, with the allocation of some church teachings, for example, Anglican, the concept of the Creed expanded. Today, there are several dogmas of dogma, but each of them is based on the Symbols voiced by the disciples of Christ, the apostles. However, the Apostles' Creed was formulated only in the second century. It acted as a counterbalance to the spreading ideas of docetism and was based on the catechism used in the performance of the sacrament of baptism at that time.
Catholic creed
For a person who does not identify himself with any of the Christian denominations, external differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy are obvious. However, they are not the only difference between the orthodox and Western traditions. For example, the Catholic Creed text of the prayer that expresses it has a completely different.
Catholic prayer, expressing the basic truths of Christianity, is called Credo. It means "I believe" in Latin. This prayer is an ordinary part of the Mass, and you can hear the Catholic Creed in Russian by visiting the 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. Russian version of the text of this prayeralso shown in the illustration.
The Credo is based on the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed. Along with it, the Afanasiev Creed is recognized in Catholicism. It was compiled 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 Orthodox and Catholic teachings?
There are a lot of differences between Catholicism and the orthodox religious tradition. In addition to those that are outwardly obvious, there are deeper ones that are directly related to the religious worldview.
For example, the Catholic Creed, as a set of immutable truths, includes the concept of purgatory. The followers of the Latin rite believe not only in Heaven and Hell, but also in the presence of a special place in Heaven, in which the souls of people who have not spent their lives righteously enough, but who do not have terrible sins, find themselves. That is, in this place there are souls that need to be cleansed 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. In Orthodoxy, there is the concept of Hell and Paradise, as well as ordeals through which the human spirit passes before reunion with the Almighty or immersion in eternal torment.
What is the difference between prayers?
The Orthodox and Catholic creeds also have differences in the perception of the Trinity. The expression of the difference is present in the corresponding prayer text and even has its own name - Filioque. In Russian, this term sounds like this - "Filioque".
What is this? This is a specific addition to the dogmatic text of the Niceno-Constantinopolitan 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 addition is the formulation of the procession of the Holy Spirit. In the Western tradition, it sounds like this - "from the Father and the Son." Orthodox doctrine, on the other hand, believes that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father.
What else distinguishes Catholicism from Orthodoxy?
Not only in the view of the afterlife and the words of the prayer has differences, as a set of dogmas, the Creed. Catholic prayer, without a doubt, determines the main spiritual difference, namely, a different perception of the Trinity. However, there is another very important discrepancy in the doctrines 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 included in the list of immutable truths. In the Western religious tradition, it is customary to consider the Pope 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 run counter to Orthodox ideas, the Council of Bishops has the right to deprive a person of spiritual dignity. A historical example of this can be the fate of Patriarch Nikon, who lost his title in the 17th century.
Another notable difference between the Churches is the position of the ministers. In Orthodoxy, not every spiritual dignity implies a person's refusal from intimate life. Catholic clergy are bound by a vow of celibacy.
Common misconceptions about appearance differences
As a rule, for people who do not really delve into the theological subtleties of creeds, the differences between Catholic and Orthodox denominations come down to outwardly obvious nuances. Indeed, there are discrepancies in the conduct of services, the appearance of priests and the arrangement of temples, but not all of them can actually be considered differences.
For example, most people associate the presence of an organ in a church and its use in worship with Catholicism. Meanwhile, in Greece, whose lands are the cradle of orthodox faiths, the organ is used everywhere.
Very often, when asked what is the difference between Orthodox and Catholic church services, people answer with phrases that they sit in western churches and stand in eastern ones. In fact, this statement is only partly 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 customary to sit at services, just like in Catholic churches.
Are there any differences between Crucifixes and Signs of the Cross?
Although, both the orthodox and the Catholic Creed are a list of indisputable truths, the main tenets of the doctrine and the 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 person, if not his pectoral cross? In addition, it is the Crucifixion that is the main component of the church prayer hall in both denominations.
It would seem, what differences can there be in the Crucifixion? The cross and Jesus are present in both Catholicism and Orthodoxy. However, there are differences between the way the images of the Crucifixion are performed, and they are not so few. Also obvious to all people is the difference in how believers make 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 both six and eight corners.
As for the image of the Crucifixion, the main difference lies in the number of nails. There are three of them on Catholic images, and four on Orthodox ones.
Interpretations of the image of Jesus are also different. In the Western tradition, it is customary to depict him in a naturalistic way, as a suffering and dying person. Orthodox images, however, depict Jesus on the cross triumphant and full of majesty.
Who is baptized how?
The sign of the cross alsomay well be considered one of the symbols of faith, important for every Christian. This is a prayerful, special gesture by which believers call on themselves or others the blessing of God.
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, making the sign of the cross from left to right.
