The Christian Trinity is perhaps one of the most controversial issues of faith. The ambiguity of interpretation brings many doubts to the classical understanding. The symbolism of the number "three", the triangle, bowls and other signs are interpreted differently by theologians and researchers. Someone associates this symbol with the Masons, someone with paganism.
Opponents of Christianity hint at the fact that this faith cannot be integral, and reproach it for having three main branches - Orthodoxy, Catholicism and Protestantism. Opinions agree on one thing - the symbol itself is one and indivisible. And God should have a place in the soul, not in the mind.
What is the Holy Trinity
The Holy Trinity is the three hypostases of the one Lord: the Holy Spirit, the Father and the Son. However, this does not mean that God is embodied in three different beings. These are all faces of one that merge into one.
It is worth noting that the usual categories are not applicable to the Almighty, in this case - numbers. It is not separated by time and space like other objects and beings. There are no gaps, gaps or distances between the three hypostases of the Lord. Therefore, the Holy Trinity represents unity.
The material embodiment of the Holy Trinity
It is generally accepted that the human mind is not given to comprehend the mystery of this trinity, but analogies can be drawn. Just as the Holy Trinity is formed, the sun also exists. His hypostases are the form of the absolute: circle, heat and light. Water is the same example: a source hidden underground, the spring itself and the stream as a form of stay.
For human nature, the trinity lies in the mind, spirit and word, which are inherent in people as the main spheres of being.
Though the three beings are one, they are still separated by origin. Spirit is without beginning. He proceeds, not is born. The Son implies birth, while the Father implies eternal existence.
Three branches of Christianity perceive each of the incarnations differently.
The Trinity in Catholicism and Orthodoxy
The interpretation of the tripartite nature of God in different branches of the Christian faith is due to historical milestones in development. The western direction was not long under the influence of the foundations of the empire. The rapid transition to the feudalization of the social way of life eliminated the need to associate the Almighty with the first person of the state - the emperor. Therefore, the procession of the Holy Spirit was not tied exclusively to God the Father. In the Catholic Trinity there is no dominant person. The Holy Spirit now proceeded not only from the Father, but also from the Son, as evidenced by the word “filioque” added to the resolution of the second ecumenical council. The literal translation means the whole phrase: “And from the son.”
The Orthodox branch has long been underthe influence of the cult of the emperor, therefore the Holy Spirit, according to priests and theologians, was directly connected with the Father. Thus, God the Father stood at the head of the Trinity, and the Spirit and the Son already proceeded from him.
But the origin of the Spirit from Jesus was not denied either. But if it comes from the Father constantly, then from the Son - only temporarily.
Trinity in Protestantism
Protestants at the head of the Holy Trinity put God the Father, and it is he who is credited with the birth of all people as Christians. Thanks to "His mercy, will, love," the Father is considered to be the center of Christianity.
But even within the same direction there is no consensus, they all differ in some aspect of understanding:
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Lutherans, Calvinists and other conservatives adhere to the dogma of the Trinity;
- Western Protestants separate the holidays of Trinity and Pentecost as two different ones: on the first they hold services, while the second is a "civil" option, during which mass festivities are organized.
Trinity in ancient beliefs
As already mentioned, the origins of the trinity are rooted in pre-Christian beliefs. To find the answer to the question "what is the Holy Trinity in Orthodoxy / Catholicism / Protestantism", you need to look into pagan mythology.
It is known that the idea of the divinity of Jesus is taken from the bastard faith. In fact, only names fell under the reforms, since the very meaning of the trinity remained unchanged.
The Babylonians, long before the advent of Christianity, divided theirpantheon into the following groups: Earth, Sky and Sea. The three elements that the inhabitants worshiped did not fight, but interacted equally, therefore the main and subordinates did not stand out.
In Hinduism, several manifestations of the Trinity are known. But this, too, was not polytheism. All hypostases were embodied in one being. Visually, God was depicted as a figure with a common body and three heads.
The Holy Trinity among the ancient Slavs was embodied in the three main gods - Dazhdbog, Khors and Yarilo.
Churches and cathedrals of the Holy Trinity. Image Discord
There are many such cathedrals throughout the Christian world, because they were built to the glory of the Lord in any of his manifestations. Almost every city built the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. The most famous are:
- Trinity-Sergius Lavra.
- Church of the Life-Giving Trinity.
- Stone Trinity Church.
The Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra, or Trinity-Sergius, was built in 1342 in the city of Sergiev Posad. The Church of the Holy Trinity was almost razed to the ground by the Bolsheviks, but in the end it was simply deprived of the status of historical heritage. In 1920 it was closed. The Lavra resumed its work only in 1946 and is open to the public to this day.
The Church of the Life-Giving Trinity is located in the Basmanny district in Moscow. When this church of the Holy Trinity was founded is not known for certain. The first written memoirs about her date back to 1610. For 405 years, the temple has not stopped its work and is open to the public. This churchThe Holy Trinity, in addition to worship, also holds a number of events to acquaint people with the Bible, the history of holidays.
The Church of the Holy Trinity existed no longer than before 1675. Since it was built of wood, it has not survived to this day. Instead of the old building from 1904 to 1913, a new church with the same name was built in the pseudo-Russian style. During the Nazi occupation, he did not stop working. You can visit the temple today.
Partly the epitome of the glory and majesty of the Holy Trinity cathedrals, churches pass. But about the graphic image of the triumvirate, opinions still differ. Many priests argue that it is impossible to depict the Holy Trinity, since it is not given to a person to comprehend the nature of the creature and see the material personification.
