The Orthodox Church Roman Catholic Church Anglican Church (Greek or Russian) At a Glance (Greek or Russian) At a Glance (Greek or Russian) At a Glance (Greek or Russian) At a Glance (Greek or Russian) At a Glance (Greek or Russian) At a Glance

Major Features Elements of The Orthodox Church 1) A very strong sense of historical continuity with the early church. Strongly associated with the idea of tradition – particularly the writing of the Greek fathers ( Gregory of Nyssa). Tradition is seen as a living entity, remains unchanged while capable of meeting the new challenges of each age. 2) Orthodoxy recognizes only seven Ecumenical Councils and does not accept any council after the Second Council of Nicaea in 787 CE, as having binding authority on the church. 3) Orthodoxy does not have one central authority figure, such as the Pope, rather it has a council of leaders, patriarchs, usually 15 in number, who function as a council of leaders, providing leadership to the universal aspect of the church.

Major Elements of the Orthodox Church 4) Theological distinctive ideas include the following: an insistence that the Holy Spirit proceeds from God the Father alone, rather than from the Father and the Son. salvation is seen as deification, “ God became human in order that humans might become God. Its theological foundation is in the doctrine of incarnation – God taking on human flesh in Jesus Christ and humanity in general. As a consequence, all humanity is able to share in the deification which results from the incarnation. Important idea – sharing in the being of God, but not becoming God themselves. God is still transcendent (totally other and different from humanity). Athanasius

Major Elements of the Orthodox Church 5) The use of icons – pictures of Jesus, Mary, or some other religious figure – is important. The strong emphasis on the incarnation of the Son of God is understood to have consequences for prayer and spirituality. Icons = “ windows of perception ”, through which the Xn believer may catch a glimpse of the divine reality of God. 6) Monasteries = a critically important role in the proclamation and defense of the Orthodox Church. Mt. Athos – example. Most bishops are drawn from the monasteries. 7)Orthodox clergy are permitted to marry (providing they do so before ordination) unlike their Roman Catholic colleagues. Bishops are generally unmarried (monastic background) Only males may be ordained to the priesthood.

Roman Catholicism Major Elements/Features 1) A tradition of a strong hierarchical understanding of church government, focusing on the Pope as the supreme ruling head, along with cardinals & bishops. Pope has considerable influence over the appointments of bishops, while the College of Cardinals meet in secret sessions following the death of a pope, to elect his successor. A cardinal is a priest or bishop, who is entrusted with special administrative responsibilities.

Roman Catholicism Major Features/Elements 2) Due to the importance of the Pope, Rome has a significant place within the Catholic religious faith. The Vatican City is the spiritual epicenter of Catholicism. Many Catholics will make a pilgrimage to Rome due to its historical and religious significance (the apostles Paul & Peter are believed to be martyred in Rome.) 3) The church is viewed as a visible divine institution, whose structures are grounded in divine reality. The teaching office of the Church is viewed so highly, that no one is free to interpret Scripture “ contrary to the Church ’ s interpretation of Scriptures. (The Council of Trent).

Roman Catholicism Major Features/Elements 4) Catholic clergy (priests) are of crucial local importance in everyday Catholic life. Priests are not allowed to marry. Males are only allowed to be priests, though women are permitted to perform some ministerial tasks (pastoral & liturgical). 5) Catholicism is very liturgical. The forms of worship used by the Church are fixed. The liturgy is seen as a public statement of the beliefs and values of the church, and is in continuity with the apostolic tradition upon which it is founded. 6) Catholicism is strongly sacramental (meaning the benefits of Christ, which result from his death and resurrection are communicated to the church through the sacraments. Seven sacraments are practiced by Catholics; Mass (Eucharist/Communion), Baptism, Confirmation, Penance, Marriage, Holy Orders, Anointing of the Sick (formerly known as Extreme Unction or Last Rites).

Roman Catholicism Major Features/Elements 7) Monastic life (religious orders). Present day main function – to establish and maintain educational centers (particularly as a retreat center). 8) Emphasis on the role of the saints in general and the Virgin Mary in particular. They are understood to act as intercessors for both the living and the dead. The doctrine of the immaculate conception of Mary states that Mary was conceived without her sharing in the common human condition of original sin, thus providing a theological formulation for the high place of Mary in Catholic life and devotion. Note an important distinction, here, Mary is venerated (a title of honor), worship is due to God and to Jesus as the Son of God.

Anglicanism The Protestant Episcopal Church (USA) Major Features/elements 1) Anglicanism is an episcopal church, which sees the episcopacy (bishop led church governance), as a means of demonstrating historical continuity with the early church.