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Please read LR, 321-330.
Political Distinctiveness:
Please read LR, 321-330.
Political Distinctiveness:
Constantine built Constantinople (earlier known as Byzantium, and today Istanbul) in 330. Here the chief ecclesiastical figure (of the east) known as the Patriarch considered the Church as organized into 5 sees: Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem. This seat of political power became a center of ecclesiastical importance. Rome was accorded a “primacy of honour” but not a “supreme jurisdiction”. Already Rome had its own ecclesiastical importance, claiming a “universal authority in the church”. This is the western church.
Theological Distinctiveness:
Theological Distinctiveness:
Rome (the church in the west) altered the agreed creedal formula by including the word “and from the Son” – the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son! The church in the east stuck to the agreed – the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father!
Mutual Excommunications in 1054 over the disagreements in following matters –
1. Papal claim.
2. Creedal discrepancy.
3. Celibacy (not required in the Eastern Orthodox Churches but absolutely necessary for the Latin Rite)
Mutual Excommunications in 1054 over the disagreements in following matters –
1. Papal claim.
2. Creedal discrepancy.
3. Celibacy (not required in the Eastern Orthodox Churches but absolutely necessary for the Latin Rite)
You May Note:
1. Crusades (of 1095 to 1290) also adversely affected the east west relationship in somewhat “irreparable” way through –
a. Interfering in internal politics.
b. And finally ravaging the cities and destroying churches etc.
2. Ottomans (Turkish Muslims) captured Constantinople in 1453 and it became Istanbul, Russia became the “Third Rome”, where by now – by 998 Eastern Christianity became the state religion, with the conversion of Prince Vladimir (956-1015) – has been “evangelized by Eastern Orthodox Christians”, particularly through the missionary activities of two Greek brothers –
a. Cyril (c.827-869).
b. Methodius (c.825-885).
Flourishing of Eastern Orthodox Church:
b. Methodius (c.825-885).
Flourishing of Eastern Orthodox Church:
Eastern Orthodox Christianity flourished in places such as Russia, Serbia, and Bulgaria by the establishments of –
1. Monasteries and Christian culture.
2. Icon paintings.
Saints in Eastern Orthodox Christianity:
1. Monasteries and Christian culture.
2. Icon paintings.
Saints in Eastern Orthodox Christianity:
In an earlier lecture I requested you to look up for two Russian Saints in Pat Fisher’s, LR, p. 324:
1. Theodosius.
2. St Sergius.
1. Theodosius.
2. St Sergius.
Things to Note:
Eastern Orthodox Churches suffered much in Russia during the rule of Soviet Union. Please read Pat Fisher’s account in LR, pages 323 to 327.
Eastern Catholic Churches that are in union with the Roman Catholic Churches – We discussed this in the last lecture!
Eastern Orthodox Churches in United States are now – at least since early 1960’s - “engaged in the effort to unite all American Orthodox Churches into one church that transcends ethnic boundaries and seeks to communicate the rich traditions of Orthodoxy in the common language of American culture.”
Prominent Features of Eastern Orthodox Christianity:
Three prominent features of “Eastern Orthodox Churches –
1. Icons – An image, usually painted, representing Christ, the Virgin Mary, or other saints. The believers do not worship any of these icons but consider them sacred and venerate, express a deep respect for the person represented by the icons. They believe the icons communicate the presence of the person that it represents.
2. Iconostasis – A screen that separates the altar from the main body of the church. And the screen is adorned with various icons.
3. Philokalia, a collection of writings from 4th to 15th century.
Identity of the Orthodox Churches:
1. Icons – An image, usually painted, representing Christ, the Virgin Mary, or other saints. The believers do not worship any of these icons but consider them sacred and venerate, express a deep respect for the person represented by the icons. They believe the icons communicate the presence of the person that it represents.
2. Iconostasis – A screen that separates the altar from the main body of the church. And the screen is adorned with various icons.
3. Philokalia, a collection of writings from 4th to 15th century.
Identity of the Orthodox Churches:
Individually the Eastern Orthodox Churches are known by their national names – Greek Orthodox Church, Russian Orthodox Church, etc. – and governed by the hierarchy of the country of its origin. Special place of honour is given today to the Patriarchs of Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem with greater honour to the Patriarch of Constantinople, known as the Ecumenical Patriarch. The present Ecumenical Patriarch is All Holiness Bartholomew I.
Organizational Structure of the Orthodox Church:
Organizational Structure of the Orthodox Church:
The three major orders of Orthodox clergy are bishops, priests and deacons. There are also sub-deacons and readers to assist with the priest during the liturgy.
For pictures of Eastern Orthodox Church go to: http://www.orthodoxphotos.com/
Questions to Explore:
1. Explain the distinctive features of the Eastern Orthodox Christianity.
For pictures of Eastern Orthodox Church go to: http://www.orthodoxphotos.com/
Questions to Explore:
1. Explain the distinctive features of the Eastern Orthodox Christianity.
2. Discuss the similarities between Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodox Christianity.
3. Write brief notes on the following: Sacraments, Trinity, Purgatory, Sin, Indulgences, Religious Orders and Communities, Christology, Gnosticism, Crusades, Inquisitions, and Icons.
