Christianity is one of the most widespread religious movements in the world, with at least 2 billion followers. It has three main areas: Orthodoxy, Catholicism and Protestantism.
Instructions
Step 1
The split of Christianity into Orthodoxy and Catholicism took place in the 5th century during the collapse of the Roman Empire. Since then, the differences between the Roman and Constantinople churches have gradually increased. He provoked the division of the dispute about the procession of the holy spirit: only from God the father or from God the son as well. The Orthodox believed that only from God the Father comes the holy spirit. Representatives of the three branches of Christianity have different understanding of the Bible. The main criterion for understanding Catholics is the word of the Pope, Protestants - the views of the founder of this denomination or the personal opinion of the believer, Orthodox - Sacred Tradition. Sacred tradition is a transmitted tradition of spiritual life. The central idea of Christianity is to save a person from all evil. Salvation was revealed by Jesus Christ, and you can be saved by believing in him. But this fact is interpreted differently in each of the branches.
Step 2
The Orthodox Church is distinguished by the fact that it preserves the tradition of polycentrism. The existence of several Orthodox churches is allowed, at present there are fifteen. The symbol of faith in Orthodoxy is common Christian, including 12 dogmas and 7 sacraments. Orthodoxy recognizes the existence of one God, represented by three equal persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They believe in the second coming of Jesus Christ and in the fact of the original sin of the first people, in the immortality of the soul. After death, souls go to hell or heaven. Orthodoxy has its own cult system. Orthodox sacraments: baptism, communion, penance, anointing, marriage, blessing of the oil, priesthood. Various cult actions are also practiced: prayers and worship of the cross, icons, relics, relics.
Step 3
The Roman Pope is at the head of the Catholic Church, bishops began to call themselves that from the 5th century. In it, many biblical books are accepted as canonical, which the Orthodox Church does not recognize. Catholics recognize the existence of purgatory - an intermediate place between heaven and hell. In purgatory, the soul of a sinner can be purified by burning with sacred fire. There are some differences in Catholic rites and sacraments. For example, baptism is performed by pouring water, and the sign of the cross is performed from left to right.
Step 4
Protestantism includes many different churches and sects, while believers share many views of Catholicism and Christianity. At the same time, the duty of believers is to independently read and interpret Holy Scripture, the only source of doctrine. In Catholicism, Bible study is possible only under the guidance of a priest. In Protestantism, it is believed that everyone can communicate with God, not just the clergy. Sacred tradition is not recognized, salvation is attainable through personal faith. The church hierarchy is denied, and the equal sinfulness of all people before God is recognized. Protestants worship only the triune God, without the cult of saints and the Mother of God. They also believe in the existence of purgatory. Prayers do not take place in Latin, but in the native language of the believer. Cults in Protestantism are simplified, there is no external luxury, they are accessible to every person.
