The Christianity It is today the most widespread religion in the worldwith over 2 billion of faithful divided into three large branches – Catholic, orthodox And Protestant – that, even by sharing the historical roots and faith in the Son of God Jesus Christ, they are differentiated over the centuries for Theological, liturgical and political reasons. Among the main differences we find the religious authority, the number of sacraments, the interpretation of the Bible and the celebrations.
The fractures of Christianity: Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants
There first big fracture In the history of Christianity he dates back toyear 1054when it occurred it Schism of the East: there Christian Church divided between theWestled by Rome, andEastwith center in Constantinople. This separation was caused by doctrinal divergencesdisputes on the Pope’s authority and cultural misunderstandings between the Latin and the Greek world: so the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox churches. Later, in 16th centuryanother fracture marked Christian history: the Protestant reformtriggered by Martin Lutherquestioned the Pope’s authority, some practices of the Roman Church and claimed the Return to the Bible as the only source of truth. Since then, numerous developed Protestant confessionslike the Lutheran, the Calvinists, the Anglicans and the Baptists.
The differences between Christians on religious authority: pope, patriarch or community
One of the main differences between these three Christian families concerns thereligious authority. There Catholic Church recognizes in Dad the successor of the apostle Peter and spiritual head of the Church; The bishops and priests follow a well -defined hierarchical structure, with Rome as a point of reference.
On the contrary, the Orthodox churches They do not recognize the Pope’s authority as the universal head of the Church, they organize themselves in a collegial and decentralized structure. Everything is fine National church (like the Russian one, Greek, Serbian, Romanian etc.) is called carMeaning what fully autonomous in the management of their internal affairs, and each is led by a Patriarch which acts as a local “primate”. Among these, the Patriarch of Constantinople (today Istanbul) is considered the “Primus Inter Percis“(the first of all peers).
THE ProtestantsInstead, refuse the idea of a centralized guide: many communities are self -managed or follow a presbyterian or synodal leadership, and the figure of the shepherd often has a different role from that of the Catholic or Orthodox priest.
The sacraments: seven to two
Also on the level of sacraments significant differences emerge. Catholics And Orthodox recognize Seven sacraments: baptism, Eucharist, confirmation, penance, anointing of the sick, order and marriage. Theology orthodoxhowever, is less systematized and prefers to talk about “Mysteries”emphasizing the spiritual dimension and less on the legal one.
THE Protestantson the other hand, generally recognize only two sacramentsthose established directly by Jesus: the baptism and dinner of the Lord (Eucharist). Furthermore, the conception of the presence of Christ in the Eucharist varies a lot: the Lutherans believe in the real presence but not in the transubstantiation (according to which the consecrated bread and wine are actually the body and blood of Christ), while for other confessions, such as Calvinists or Battisti, it is a symbolic ritual.
Tradition and Bible: who guides the interpretation
The relationship with the Bible and with the Tradition It is another distinctive element. For Tradition We mean the set of teachings, practices, liturgies and interpretations of the faith transmitted orally but not always contained directly in the Bible (for example the homily in the masses of the priests). THE Catholics give value to both Sacred Scripture that to tradition, believing that the Holy Spirit continues to guide the Church through the MagisteriumMeaning what the authority of interpretation entrusted to the pope and the bishops. Also the Orthodox enhance tradition, but without a centralized authority, in fact they prefer the consent of the Fathers of the churchAE of ecumenical councils.
THE Protestantson the other hand, are based on the principle of Solo scripture: recognizing the Bible as The only authoritative source for Christian faith and life. This vision favored the spread of the translations of the Bible in the vulgar language and the emphasis on the personal reading of the Scriptures.
Liturgy: between solemn rites and simple cult
On the liturgical floor, Catholics And Orthodox they maintain a lot of celebrations ritualized and sacralfocused on the Eucharist. The liturgy orthodoxin particular, is known for its symbolic and sensory beauty: long, sung, full of icons and incense, it is considered a window on the divine. There Catholic massafter the Council Vatican II, took more accessible forms to the faithful, for example with the use of local languages at the expense of Latin, but remains based on one precise liturgical structure. Cult Protestant it is also very varied: in some denominations, such as that Anglicankeeps one traditional liturgical formwhile in others, how asked them evangelicalsimpler forms are preferred, with preaching, songs Community and prayers spontaneous.
Mary and saints: veneration or idolatry
Finally, the three confessions differ in cult of the saints and of Mary. There Catholic Church It attributes an important role to the mother of Jesus, venerated with titles such as “Immaculate” and “Assunta”, and recognizes the intercession of Saints as an expression of the communion of believers. Also the Orthodox Mary venerate, they call Theotokos (Mother of God)and have a rich calendar of saints; the Protestantson the other hand, tend to reject these veneration practicesconsidering them not based on the Bible, and underline the direct relationship between every believer and God.
Despite the differences, Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants share the foundations of the Christian faith: the centrality of Jesus Christreading the Biblethe prayerthe charity and the announcement of the Gospel. In recent decades, attempts have grown by Dialogue and reconciliation Among the different confessions, in the sign of ecumenism. Understanding the differences, but also the common points, helps to grasp the complexity and richness of a religion which, although divided, remains deeply linked by one same spiritual root.
