12 - Theme: Christianity
Jesus Christ
How many Christians, as the debate continues about the identity of the base ¬
shipment. How much is the historical figure of Jesus Christ? Jesus - name, fairly
common among the ancient Jews. Christ - the Greek translation of the Hebrew
word "Messiah," "Messiah," which means "anointed one." The ancient Jews
considered the anointed king, who ascended the throne when anointed with the
holy oil, by means of which, in view of the time, he was mysteriously
communicated to the special power of God. After destruction of the Jewish state in
the VI. BC there is the expectation of the coming of the Messiah who would save
his people from slavery.
His coming was foretold. Hundreds of years before the birth of Christ in the Bible
were written words of the great prophets of Israel predicting His coming. The Old
Testament, written by many people, for the 1500-year period more than 300
prophetic predictions of His coming. All of them were filled as it was predicted,
including: His miraculous birth, His sinless life, His many miracles. His death and
His resurrection.
The life of Jesus, the miracles - They committed, words - They ska ¬ zannye. His
death on the cross, His resurrection - all points to the fact that he was not just an
ordinary person. He was more than a man. Jesus claimed, "I and the Father - one"
(Jonah 10:30) "... He who has seen Me has seen the Father ..." (Ion 14:9) and "I am
the way and the truth and the life: no man comes to the Father , but by me "(Jonah
14:6).
Stories about Jesus in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, as well as in
the epistles and Acts of God the Son, yavivshemsya to the world in the image of
Sauveur ¬ shennogo person to take on the sins of the people and save them for
eternal of life, raises many doubts. Ultimately, the debate about Jesus Christ led to
the formation of two major schools - the mythological and historical.
Representatives of the mythological school believe that science does not have
reliable data about Jesus as a historical figure. Gospel stories about him, written
many years after the events described in them, contain no real historical basis. In
addition, the historical sources I began to. nothing about such an extraordinary
event as the resurrection, the miracles Christ accomplishments, his preaching. One
of the main arguments in favor of their point of view considered mythological
school vnepalestinskoe origins of Christianity, and the presence of analogies with
tales of being born, dying and rising gods in other Eastern cultures, the presence of
a large number of gospels contradictions, inconsistencies and inaccuracies.
The second school of history finds Jesus a real person, a preacher of a new
religion, which made a number of fundamental ideas that laid the basis for
Christian teaching prob ¬. The reality of Jesus confirmed the reality of a number of
evangelical characters, such as John the Baptist, the Apostle Pa ¬ led, and other
directly related to Christ Evangelical plot. Available science now has a number of
sources, under ¬ confirmatory findings of the historical school. So, for a long time
¬ tion contained in "Antiquities" of Josephus (37 - after 100 years.) Fragment of
Jesus Christ considered late inter ¬ extrapolation. However, found in 1971 in
Egypt, the Arabic text of "antiquity", made the Egyptian Bishop Agapit in X.,
Gives every reason to believe that Flavius described one of his famous preacher
named Jesus, but in the description of Flavia and no mention of Christ committed
miracles, and his resurrection is described not as a fact, but as one of many stories
on this subject.
According to Christian tradition about Jesus Christ, the history of its occurrence is
the following. After destruction of the Jewish state in the VI. BC there is the
expectation of the coming of the Messiah who would save his people from slavery.
In this regard, the holy prophets sent down by God unto the children of Israel (so
called themselves Hebrews), predicted the imminent coming of the Divine Savior,
the Messiah. He must save mankind from all sins, and bring God the great atoning
sacrifice. It is ¬ raet evil and unjust, will give people new laws to establish the
kingdom of God, the kingdom of justice on earth. Grozny messiah became head of
the chosen people of Israel and for all make it free from foreign invaders.
And then, finally, prophesied miracle happened ¬ elk. Poor girl was Mary and the
angel Gabriel told her that she was chosen by God to be the mother of the expected
Messiah. The Virgin Mary came down the holy spirit, and she, being chaste,
virtuous, conceived of the Holy Child. Her husband, the pious old man Joseph, the
angel Gabriel also warned of the virgin birth of the divine child of the Holy Spirit,
took it all for granted. Soon the Holy Virgin Mary gave birth in a cave near the
town of Bethlehem, the savior of the human race, received the name of Jesus.
Cruel ruler of Judea - Herod learned of the birth ¬ tion prophesied king of Israel,
ordered his men to kill all the babies born in Bethlehem at the time. But the angel
of the Lord had saved holy family and helped him to escape from the persecution
of Herod to Egypt. In the years that Jesus does not show himself, and only after
reaching the age of 30 Son of God, yet God himself Jesus Christ Priest ¬ drank to
his preaching. He gathered a few faithful disciples, the apostles, and with them
went to preach a new religion in the country.
At the same time, according to tradition, the prophet John (born, by the way, in the
same miraculous way) became ¬ schat proclaim the imminent coming of the
savior. After meeting with John, near the Jordan River, Jesus Christ and his
disciples were baptized.
As recounted in Christ ¬ stianskih "sacred" CED ¬ gah, when John the Baptist
made this ceremony were opened ¬ heaven and Jesus with the Holy Spirit, was in
the form of ¬ lubya and a voice from heaven said, "This is My Beloved Son ¬
lenny, and which my blah ¬ govolenie "(Matt. III, 17).
Christ began to preach ¬ lead the new teaching. ¬ stvuya Travelling around the
country, it is, according to the Gospels, made some fantastic chu-des: raise the
dead, izle ¬ Chiva crippled, blind, chronic ¬ Mykh, cast out evil spirits from
people obsessed demon (that is crazy), walking on the waves Teveriadskogo raging
lake, etc. And everywhere he played with the negation of traditional ¬ tion,
supported by priests Israelite religion. First of all, Christ demanded rejection of
sacrifices to God, from the commission of complex rituals and priestly ritual. He
preached that God does not need a huge set of strict prohibitions and requirements
that the life of a man enmeshed Jewish religion, but sincere and heartfelt belief in
him. Gospel of Christ draws epitome of gentleness, forgiveness, charity, humility.
Son of God, made flesh in the form of a poor carpenter, clothing slave, despised
and persecuted its nozzle exchanger, persecuted priests and priests and suffering
with extraordinary patience all these there ¬ sheniya becomes now in the eyes of
the faithful embodiment ¬ tion most pleasing to God integrity.
The main ideas attributed to Jesus Christ, with ¬ stand the following: the kingdom
of God will come soon, it does not get everything, but only those who believe in
the divinity of Jesus, who recognizes him to be the son of God, and all follow his
instructions.
Preaching of Christ, according to the Gospels, lasted about three years. Embittered
successes Christ Jerusalem priests and the priests decided to put him on trial.
Betrayed by one of his students - the apostle Judas - and caught by enemies, Jesus
was condemned to death. The inhabitants of Jerusalem, tell the gospel, without
admitting it the Son of God and savior of the human race, threw stones at him,
chased insulting cries. Accused of violating the laws and Oba ¬ teas of the country,
Jesus was handed over to the Roman governor of Judea - Pontius Pilate. Together
with the two robbers took Christ to Mount Calvary. Here, he was betrayed by a
painful punishment. Nailed him alive to a huge wooden cross, which according to
legend, he himself with humility and gentleness brought to the place of execution.
But the greatest miracle happened. Lord God, becoming his own son, and
embodied in the image of the son of man, offered himself as a sacrifice for the sins
of men. Great atoning sacrifice of Christ, made possible the salvation of every
man, if he will believe in Jesus Christ. On the third day after the death of Jesus was
resurrected for some time resided with her students, teaching them the truth and
works wonders. After that, he in front of their followers living ascended to heaven.
The remaining apostles went to the ends of the world about the wonderful tidings
of the life and deeds of Christ. On them emerged and developed according to
legend Christian Church, just as from a tiny mustard seed grows a mighty mustard
tree.
So, what information in the existence of Christ do we have? The earliest nonChristian reference occurs in the "Jewish Antiquities". In the Talmud, there are
references to Jesus of Nazareth. Of pagan literature highlighted letter of Pliny the
Younger (about 110 AD), in which he asks Trajan's advice on how he should do
with Christians. Five years later, the famous Roman historian Tacitus describes the
persecution of Christians. This passage corresponds to the "Acts of the Apostles."
In the middle of the I. Gentile Tull in a fragment, preserved by Julius Afrikantov,
argued that the unusual darkness covered the land at the time of Christ's death was
nothing more than a purely natural phenomenon and coincidence. As can be seen
from this conclusion, Tall doubted the existence of Christ. Reliability of Christ did
not reject even the most ardent heathens.
Christian sources, confirming the existence of Jesus, starting with the Apostle Paul
(Romans). In the Gospels, there is a lot of controversy, a lot of dubious historical
information, suspicious details about the life of Christ. Apparently, talks and
speeches, mentioned in the Gospels, have been distorted by insecure memory, by
correspondence. But these differences affect the particular, not the essence. In the
main features of the Gospel agree very well, consistently drawing the portrait of
Jesus. Despite the prejudices and theological orientation of the original, the
evangelists record many episodes bypassed ordinary Fibber - competition among
the apostles for high places in the Kingdom, their flight after the arrest of Jesus,
Peter's denial, the failure of the chudotvorstvom in Galilee, the comments of some
students about his madness, cry of despair on the cross, his early uncertainty in its
mission. To many ordinary people could dream up such a powerful and attractive
personality, so lofty ethics - all of this would bόlshim miracle than the miracles of
the Gospel.
Today, most modern studies recognize the historicity of Jesus. Since the first half
of the I. BC in Palestine, mainly in Galilee, wandering "teacher" by the name of
Jesus, the way of life and social status which had much in common with the rabbis
and the ascetics of the time, although he is in their circle not included.
Environment from which Jesus came, took his first sermon. This poor Galilee, out
of the midst of which I c. BC published many Libertarian and rebels.
Holidays and mystery of Christianity
Baptism symbolizes taking people to the fold of the Christian Church. According
to Christian doctrine, in the sacrament of baptism, "the man of original sin is
forgiven." The ritual is performed in the temple by immersion or perfusion.
To preserve the purity of soul, received in Baptism, to grow and mature in the
spiritual life, need special help from God, which, as Christians believe, served in
tainstvemiropomazaniya. Is a sacrament in that person's body smeared with special
perfumed oil (chrism). Before anointing the priest recites prayers for the Holy
Spirit to man, and then lubricate it crosswise forehead, eyes, nose, lips, ears, chest,
arms and legs.
Sacrament of Holy Communion, or the Holy Eucharist (which means "thankoffering"), has an important place in Christian worship. This mystery is that the socalled believers partake of the sacrament, consisting of bread and wine, in the
belief that they may taste the body and blood of Christ, and thus, as it approached
the deity.
Orthodox and Catholics are obliged periodically to confess their sins to a priest,
which is essential for the remission of sins, forgiveness guilty church the name of
Jesus Christ. Ritual to practice and absolution is the basis of the sacrament of
penance. Originally confession was made public. Believers who violated church
regulations were to be presented before the court of their co-religionists and
churchmen and publicly repent of sins. Later entered the seal of confession.
Believer confesses his sins "confessor," one priest. In this case, the Church
guarantees the secrecy of confession.
The seven sacraments of the Christian Church is the sacrament of marriage, during
which time he be sent to the couple to live together in the name of Jesus Christ.
Sanctifying union people, the Christian church as it takes on a new family under
his wing. It teaches how to behave in the family, husband and wife, as they should
raise their children, etc.
Sacrament of Holy Unction is performed over the sick man, and it is lubricated
wooden maslomeleem. It is believed that the person goes to the extreme unction
divine grace, healing him from physical and mental illnesses.
When ordained the sacrament of the priesthood, in which the bishop of the initiate
passes miraculously special kind of grace, which from now on, the new priest
budetobladat whole life.
Along with the worship of God, the Holy Trinity, the Virgin Mary in Christianity
formed the cult of saints, the veneration of persons acceptable to God and marked
them "a gift of miracles." Christians believe that the saints - is a mediator between
God and men, the heavenly patrons of living on earth, and turned to them for help
in mundane affairs.
Among the Saints recovered angels, apostles, prophets, saints, martyrs, saints,
righteous. Angels - is, according to representations of Christians, genderless,
supernatural beings, "heavenly servants of God", endowed with divine powers.
They are divided into three categories, or three so-called face. The first are the
seraphim - "ogneobraznye being flaming love of God" and cherubs - 'a being who
shine the light of knowledge of God, pour out God's wisdom. " The second face of
the angels' ranks domination "(domination over the lower angels)," forces
"(carrying out the will of God)," power "(which have authority over the devil.) The
third are the face of the "ranks", the chief of the lower angels - angels and an angel.
Seven angels are endowed with the names of the rest - blank.
Next category holy prophets are endowed with the divine gift of prophecy, and the
authors of the Old Testament prophetic books. In a special section of the Christian
Church distinguishes apostles - disciples of Jesus Christ, to preach the Gospel. It
also includes a holy saints from among the higher clergy and the martyrs who
suffered for their faith, but did not retreat from hristiantva. A special place among
the saints occupy Saints - faithful followers of Christianity, renounced life benefits,
gone to monasteries and shaded by divine grace.
In the pantheon of saints stand upright - people who do not care "from the world"
in seclusion, but continued to live "in the world", but his righteous behavior
deserve salvation and a special arrangement to his Lord. Saints are the upper limits
for the Christians of piety and role model. They literally share the holiness of God.
Plays an important role in Christian worship of the cross, the symbol of the
Christian faith. Cross crowned Christian churches, clergy apparel. It is worn on the
body of believers, without the Cross can not do any Christian rite. This character
passed the Christian church in memory of the martyrdom of Christ, who, according
to the Gospels, was crucified on the cross. Catholics recognize the four-point
crosses, Orthodox - of six-and eight-pointed.
The Catholic and Orthodox churches attach great importance to the cult of icons.
Worshipping Jesus depicted in the icons, the Virgin, the saints, believers seek to
facilitate their misfortunes in life to achieve what you want.
Object of worship, the faithful are also holy places associated with various events
of church history and deeds of Jesus Christ, the Virgin, the saints. Particularly
revered shrines in Palestine are related to the life, preaching, a martyr's death and
resurrection of Jesus Christ. In Orthodoxy revered place where you store working
icons, relics of the saints, as well as sources, the mountains, the hills, where the
people is any icon.
An important part of Christian worship are holidays. In the Orthodox and Catholic
Church calendar for each day hearth falls a particular holiday. Holidays are set to
mark the actual events of sacred history, famous dates in the history of
Christianity.
To the main, the most revered general Christian holidays are Easter and the socalled twelve great feasts of the Virgin Nativity, The Presentation of the Virgin, the
Annunciation of the Virgin, the Assumption of the Virgin, Christmas, Candlemas,
Epiphany, Transfiguration, Entry into Jerusalem, Ascension, Descent of the Holy
Spirit on the apostles, or the Trinity, the Exaltation of the Cross.
"Feast of feasts and celebration of celebrations," said Easter. This holiday is
established in memory playback Kresen crucified Christ. Easter is preceded by
Lent, which lasts for seven weeks. It is divided into two parts: the Holy Lent and
Holy Week. Lent is set to honor 40 years of the Israelites wandering in the desert
after the Exodus from Egypt, the 40-day fast of Moses on Mount Sinai, and also a
40-day fast of Jesus in the desert. The second part - Holy Week - dedicated to the
memory of the sufferings of Jesus Christ before his execution.
Christmas - general Christian holiday marking the birth of the son of God, Jesus
Christ. This event is the church calls the "mother of all celebrations." In the
Christmas days in temples emphasizes that the life of Jesus is the way to be
followed for everyone. Christmas holidays as Easter, preceded by a multi-day post.
Trinity, or Pentecost - one of the most important Christian holiday, which is
celebrated on the 50th day after Easter. It is installed in the memory of a real
historical event - the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles. Typical for this
holiday is a special sermon, the exclusive role of the Christian church as the
guardian and teacher of the covenants of Christ believers.
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Gospels is devoted to the
representation of Jesus Christ, parents Joseph and Mary of the divine infant
Bogu.Svyaschennosluzhiteli, speaking about the meaning of the Presentation call it
a holiday "meeting of Man and God." It is noted the greatest example of the
Mother of God, who not only has dedicated her life to God, but also brought to
sanctify Gd her baby.
One of the most significant for Christians is Epiphany. He is established in
memory of baptism Iiususa Christ in the Jordan River. This holiday is also another
name - Epiphany, as at the time of the baptism of Jesus Christ, "God the Father
testified from heaven, and God The Holy Spirit descended like a dove." In the
holiday is the main ritual blessing of the water in the church and in the hole, where
he served as the solemn service.
At the heart of the Transfiguration of the Lord is the Gospel account of the
transfiguration of Jesus Christ vprisutstvii faithful of his disciples. Matthew said
about this. Once Jesus Christ, accompanied by his disciples Peter, James and John,
Xia raised the mountain and suddenly changed for them, "iprosiyalo his face like
the sun, and his raiment was white as the light." And then there was the "voice out
of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear
him." On the day in the temples is a solemn service offered by the faithful fruit.
After the consecration and blessing of fruits and vegetables they were allowed to
eat. In Russia this holiday is called Apple Spas.
On the last Sunday before Easter in memory of "entry into Jerusalem" Christians
celebrate the special holiday that bears the name of another Palm Sunday. In the
holiday takes place in temples consecrated willow, which is stored in the homes of
the faithful for a whole year. This holiday reminds the faithful that it is Jesus Christ
is the Messiah, the Savior of mankind, the Old Testament prophets predicted.
In memory of the ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven is also equipped with a
special celebration. According to the Gospel narrative, after the martyrdom of
Christ miraculously resurrected and ascended to heaven. This event is finished on
the 40th day after the resurrection of Christ priests called Ascension Day holiday
complete salvation, for the salvation of all: Christmas, passion, death and
resurrection completed ascension.
The cult of the cross - a symbol of the Christian faith - is dedicated to celebration
of the Exaltation of the Cross. With the cross church connects several important
events. One of them always remember in the holiday sermons. According to
legend, the Roman emperor Constantine, who allowed the free exercise of
Christianity, while still a pagan, in front of one of the biggest battles of his had a
wonderful vision. Before him in the sky was illuminated by the glow of a cross
with the words "In this sign conquer!". That same night the Emperor appeared in a
dream Jesus Christ himself, and advised to take the battle flag with a cross.
Constantine did as Jesus commanded. In the battle Constantine won and has since
come to believe in the miraculous power of the cross.
Prominent place in Christianity is the cult of the Virgin. In her honor erected many
churches, its image is found on many icons, she devoted all four of the twelve great
feasts: Nativity of the Virgin Mary in the Temple, the Annunciation of the Virgin
and the Assumption of the Virgin.
Orthodox Bible
The Orthodox Church is composed of a series of related but independent churches,
most of them Greek and Church Slavonic. The Bible uses the Septuagint Greek
churches as the Old Testament and the original Greek text of the New Testament.
Orthodox Bible is a Greek translation of the Bible in one of the dialects of the
ancient Bulgarian language (the language of the translation is traditionally called
Old Church Slavonic). Like the Catholic, Orthodox Church bases its belief on the
Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture.
Orthodox church
Principal place right ¬ voslavnogo rite (making public and private worship,
sacraments, rites) is the temple (church). For all the variety of architectural styles
and internally ¬ th unit Orthodox churches they have a number of general ¬
mandatory elements: orientation to the east end dome, topped with a cross, a bell
tower, built in the church building, or stand alone.
Inside the temple is divided into three parts: the altar, the middle part (sometimes
called the refectory), porch.
The altar is separated from the middle part of the temple deaf negotiations ¬
rodkoy that hosts the iconostasis - a few rows ("floors") icons. Entrance to the
sanctuary is allowed only to the clergy, clergymen - men and women - nuns and
through the north and south doors, built-in firewall. Clergy in certain mo ¬ ments
of worship is the altar and leaves it through the "Royal Doors" at the center. The
altar Naho ¬ dyatsya: the throne - in the center, right in front of the gates of royal ¬
E, the high place - between the throne and the front wall of the altar, the altar - to
the left (North - East) chastialtarya.
The throne is a rectangular table covered ("dressed") by two layers of fabric. It
includes: the elite (rectangular linen or silk, random ¬ zhaschaya wrapping
antiminsa) - symbolizes pla ¬ schanitsu (sheet), which was wrapped about the
body of Christ II after having been taken down from the cross, corporal (Greek "instead of a table" ) - the fabric with the image of Christ lying in the coffin, and
sewn into it the relics of a saint - on it and hold services, monstrance - a vessel that
holds the spare Holy Gifts (bread and wine, the transubstantiation of the body and
blood of Christ); Cross and the Gospel.
High place - a protuberance with installed Chair (Greek - a chair, a bench) bishop,
he is at a certain point of worship.
The altar table right ¬ coal, closed, as the throne, a cloth on it at ¬ hodyatsya
sacred vessels (chalice, paten, etc.) used in worship. On the altar proskomedia - 1st
part of the liturgy, during which ministers prepare bread and wine for the
Eucharist.
Temple may have two, three or more altars, which in ¬ out to be aisles and to the
left and right of the main altar, or more advanced in it (the church) the middle part.
The middle part of the temple is: directly along the iconostasis - sole, ie, the
elevation at the altar, is ¬ scheesya like its continuation. On the left (north) and the
right (south) end of the solea - choirs, where usually Naho ¬ dyatsya singing
(voices) and readers. Pulpit - part solea opposite the Royal Gates, launched a semicircle in the middle of the church - with him during the service the priest delivers a
sermon, and the deacon - intones the litany (petitions) and reads the Gospel.
Porch - the last, the most western part of the church, usually separated from the
middle part of the wall. In ancient times, allowed non-Christians here who want to
hear the Word of God.
The temples are divided into parochial, cathedral, where the constant is the ruling
bishop of the diocese (usually called the cathedral), and stavropegic - are under the
direct authority of the Patriarch and the Holy Synod.
Orthodox ceremonies and celebrations
Ceremonies and celebrations are important in Orthodoxy. With this view of man is
connected only to the characteristic of Christianity the concept of "mystery" - a
special cult of action to actually enter the divine in human life. During the
sacraments, according to the teachings of the church, the faithful coming off a
special grace.
In Orthodoxy, is generally considered the seven sacraments (rituals)
baptism;
anointing;
Repentance;
Communion;
priesthood;
wedding;
Unction (anointing).
Baptism - the sacrament in which the believer with threefold immersion of the
body in the water with the invocation of God the Father and of the Son, and the
Holy Spirit becomes a spiritual birth.
In the sacrament of anointing the believer serves the gifts of the Holy Spirit, to
return and strengthen the spiritual life.
Sacrament of Penance or Confession - a recognition of their sins to a priest, who
let them in the name of Jesus Christ.
In the sacrament of communion religious guise of bread and wine tastes the very
Body and Blood of Christ for eternal life.
Accomplished through the sacrament of Holy Orders in the construction of the
episcopal ordination of a person to the rank of priest. Right to perform this
sacrament belongs only to the bishop.
In the sacrament of the wedding, which takes place in the church, blessed the
marital union of the bride and groom.
In the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick (Extreme Unction) for anointing the
body with oil called into the patient grace of God, healing mental and physical
infirmities.
It should be noted that all of these practices were known in pre-Christian times, but
Christianity is filled their deeper meaning. The general meaning of the Christian
sacraments is that under the guise of the rite, a tangible action to present invisible,
mystical gifts of the Holy Spirit. Thus, it makes sense not rite in itself, but only in
the unity of the visible and invisible (spiritual).
Sacred gesture that is an inherent part of the Orthodox Christian is a sign of the
cross. The mass use of it appeared in the VII century. Sign of the Cross is a
movement of the right hand turn: the forehead - the middle of his chest - both arms
(right to left), the Catholics - from left to right, and the cross symbolizes the
crucifixion of Christ and the Holy Cross. In Orthodoxy sign of the cross is made
with three fingers folded, the Old Believers - two, the Catholics - all fingers open
hand, Protestants do not use the sign of the cross at all. In Orthodoxy, allows you
to make the sign of the cross with his left hand the sick and crippled.
At the head of the annual cycle of Orthodox holidays is Easter - Easter Sunday. It
is set in honor of the resurrection of Christ on the third day after his crucifixion.
We know that Jesus Christ was put to death on the eve of the Jewish holiday of
Passover, and the next day after Easter the coffin was empty. The old Hebrew
name - Easter - was retained because this holiday to keep the first Christians were
Jews. Feast of Easter has strictly fixed day of celebration, the decision was taken at
the first Ecumenical Council in 325 Christian Easter falls on the first Sunday of the
first full moon after the vernal equinox. Easter opens the liturgical year in the
Orthodox Church, and Easter is the first of the 12 most important Orthodox
holidays. They are called the great feast of the (origin of the name of the number
12), which consist of "transient" and "timeless".
1. Transient holidays do not have a fixed date and is calculated from the
celebration of Easter. By passing, except Easter are two holidays - Ascension Day
and Pentecost:
Ascension. This festival is established in honor of Christ's ascension to heaven on
the 40th day after his resurrection. Before his ascension, Jesus was to his students.
Celebrated on Thursday of the sixth week after Easter.
Pentecost (also called "Pentecost"). Established in memory of the descent of the
Holy Spirit, what happened on the 50th day after Easter. This day is the day of the
founding of the Christian church. Celebrated on Sunday seven weeks after
Passover.
2. Timeless holiday, respectively, fall on a specific number of months. These
include: Nativity of the Virgin, Exaltation of the Cross, Presentation in the Temple
of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Christmas, Epiphany, Candlemas, the Annunciation,
the Transfiguration, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin.
Nativity of the Virgin (September 21). Born of the Virgin Mary - the mother of
Jesus Christ - in a family of pious righteous Ionima and Anna. This day is honored
as "the beginning of salvation."
Exaltation of the Cross - krestovozdvizhenie (September 27). Establishment of a
holiday involves finding during excavations in the IV. the cross on which Jesus
Christ was crucified. The holiday symbolizes the redemption of the sins of the
world through Jesus' suffering on the Cross.
The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (December 4). According to legend,
Mary, Mother of the future, in infancy brought to the Jerusalem temple for the rite
of consecration to God. This rite existed only for boys, so devoted to the girl was a
sign of higher Chosen.
Christmas (in Orthodoxy is celebrated January 7). Although the exact date of
Christ's birth is not established, modern researchers call 7.6 years. BC, as today,
just a date for the death of King Herod the Great - 4th BC And we remember that it
was he commanded to destroy all the children in the vicinity of the town of
Bethlehem, in the hope that some of them would be the Christ.
Epiphany (January 19). As stated in the Scriptures, Jesus Christ was baptized in the
Jordan River by John the Prophet, that is, took the ritual cleansing bath,
symbolizing the beginning of his ministry to God. The Greek word "baptisma" "bath" - translated into Slavic as "baptism" because it is believed that Jesus
sanctified ritual bath by his death on the cross.
Candlemas (February 15 - on the 40th day after Christmas). This festival is put in
the IV. in memory of the remarkable event. Brought the baby Jesus to the Temple
for the traditional dedication to God, where he met with the elder Simeon, who had
previously been predicted that it will see during the life of the Savior. As written
by the evangelist Luke, Simeon blessed Jesus.
Annunciation (April 7). Is celebrated as the day that the Virgin Mary appeared to
the angel Gabriel and told that she would bear the Son of God.
Transfiguration (August 19). During prayer on Mount Tabor Jesus was
transfigured by the divine light, and the apostles Peter, John and James saw Christ
surrounded by Moses and Elijah.
Assumption (28 August). Celebrated in memory of the death of the Virgin. It is
believed that her death was about 48 in the city of Ephesus, where John the
Evangelist (one of the Apostles) lived after the death of Jesus.
These are the twelve great feasts. In addition to honoring these are the so-called
Great Holidays:
Circumcision of Our Lord (January 14);
St. John the Baptist (July 7);
Day Apostles Peter and Paul (July 12) - in memory of their martyrdom in the
persecution under Emperor Nero in 64;
Beheading of St John the Baptist (11 September);
Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary (October 14) is established in memory of
the Mother of God, the phenomenon that occurred in the middle of the tenth
century. in Constantinople, in Vlaherna church, where he kept a robe of the Virgin.
The importance attached to the Orthodox Church positions. Fasting is usually
preceded by major church feasts. The essence of the post - this is the "purification
and renewal of the human soul", the preparation for an important event of the
religious life. Large multi-day positions in Russian Orthodoxy four: before Easter,
before the day of Peter and Paul, in front of the Assumption and before Christmas.
Catholic church
Catholic churches usually proclaim ¬ dyatsya based on having the shape of a cross.
This form is for ¬ Ranks remind the redemptive sacrifice of Christ. Sometimes
churches are built in the shape of a ship, as if I cause ¬ schego people to the quiet
harbor of the Kingdom of Heaven. ¬ are used in church architecture, and other
symbols, including the circle - a symbol of eternity of God - and the star (usually
eight ¬ gon) - heavenly body that specifies the path to human perfection.
General arrangement differs from the Catholic churches of the Orthodox that the
main part of their faces to the West. At home prayer Catholics also usually turn to
the West, which symbolizes the recognition ¬ tion is located in the western part of
Europe, Rome, the capital of Christianity ¬ ined space, and the bishop of the city the Pope - the head of the Christian church.
By tradition, the Catholic Church of the altar, and to do it the sacrament of
Communion is open to all the priests present. The dominant element of a cult in the
Catholic Church are the sculptures of Jesus Christ, the Virgin, the saints. However,
in all Catholic churches on the walls can be seen fourteen icons representing the
various stages of "Way of the Cross of the Lord."
Holy See of the Catholic Church allowed mustache ¬ tanavlivat several, three sides
of the temple - the west, south and north of its walls.
Thrones is more chemv Orthodox churches are open to the eyes attend ¬ ing,
because they have no iconography.
Absent in Catholic churches and special altars for making the Blessed Sacrament
in the Orthodox altars.
The icons in the Catholic churches are regarded as in Orthodox, but the nature of
the western, mostly Italian, painting different from Byzantine. In Western
iconography more elegant exterior form, but at the expense of less strictly
maintained purely Christian idea. Ethereal world of saints depicted in it more like
Earth, with all its turmoil and suffering.
Catholic rites and holidays
Catholics honor, mostly, the same Christ and Bogoro ¬ dichnye holidays as
Orthodox, but say they are not in the Julian and Gregorian (new style), so the
celebration - Miscellaneous.
Concerning religious fasts, we note that the Roman Church ka ¬ systolic long
departed from the initial severity of their conduct. During Lent Catholics resolution
¬ creases to eat fish, milk, eggs and butter. In addition, the post exempt entire
groups on different grounds.
The number of posts in the strict Catholicism tended to decrease, a strict fast is
observed at the beginning of Lent, the Friday before Easter and on the eve of
giving birth ¬ properties. Limited by the requirement to abstain from eating meat.
It remains practically only to Friday. Provided that the believer will read five
appointed priest prayers, he gets the right not to ¬ Stith these days. Changed
considerably and requirements for conducting ¬ believers during Lent. Not
prohibited visited ¬ schenie theaters and other places of entertainment, Provo ¬
Denia feasts about birthdays, etc.
Advent for Catholics (Advent) starts on the first Sunday after the day of St.
Andrew - November 30.
Christmas - the most solemn holiday. It is celebrated with three worship services:
at midnight, at dawn, and the day that symbolizes the birth of Christ in the bosom
of the Father, in the womb of the Mother of God in the soul of the believer. On this
day in churches put the baby crib with a figure of Christ for worship ¬ tion.
Christmas is celebrated on December 25.
On Christmas dinner would eat consecrated goose, bread, desserts with mandatory
addition ¬ eat honey and almonds, which was believed to "major cath ¬ faces" the Italians, promote the well-being of the family, as well as improve soil fertility
and increase pogo ¬ lovya cattle .
In many Catholic countries traditionally on Roj ¬ identity holds geese, turkeys,
jellied pig roast pigs ¬ tion head, capon, black pudding, etc.
God ¬ phenomenon Catholics called the Three Kings holiday - in memory of the
revelation of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles and worship Him ¬ nenii three kings. On
this day in temples are made thanksgiving: Jesus Christ bring in Jer ¬ TSS as king
- gold, as God - incense, as a person - myrrh, fragrant oil.
Catholics have a few spe ¬ ic Holidays: Holiday Heart of Jesus - sim ¬ ox hope for
salvation, Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
(December 8).
One of the major Marian feasts - Assumption of the Virgin - on 15th auto ¬ dense
(the Orthodox - The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin).
Feast of All Souls (November 2), established in memory of the deceased. Prayer
for them, according to Catholic doctrine ¬ Ceska, reduces length of stay and the
suffering souls in purgatory.
Sacrament of the Eucharist (communion) Ka ¬ systolic Church calls Corpus
Christi. Celebrate it on the first Thursday after Trinity.
In Catholicism, along with Christian rites, with ¬ kept many customs associated
with the ancient fertility cult obligatory feature of which is food. Ritual meal
follows the family and calendar holidays. This includes eating the first fruits of the
new harvest - pervinkov and funeral meals, and ample entertainment in specific
transitional periods of the year - New Year's Eve, for example, the characters
coming out ¬ biliya in the future.
Christmas is preceded by lengthy post, which ends Sochel ¬ nickname. For
example, in Italy, according to tradition, dinner on this day lent. On Christmas Eve,
the table must be Catholics seven dishes: lentils, white beans, chickpeas, beans and
honey, ¬ ka empty, rice cooked in almond jelly, pasta with sardines and a walnut
sauce. Oba remained ¬ serve tea on Christmas Eve for dinner acne or dishes tres ¬
ki, oysters and other seafood.
The celebration of the New Year many features akin to Christmas. Guests are
treated to a pizza hostess, dry fi ¬ nicknames and baked beans. For example, from
ancient times to the Ita ¬ Lee on New Year eating dried grapes in clusters, con ¬
diterskie products with honey and nuts, lentil soup, hard-boiled eggs. At the same
time, the Catholic Poles on New Year's table must attend 12 courses, and excludes
meat ¬ Xia. Certainly fried carp or jellied carp, ¬ tion mushroom soup (borscht),
broken, barley porridge with prunes, Klets ¬ ki with butter and poppy seeds. For
dessert - chocolate cake.
Ritual meal is accompanied by other Catholic ¬ skie Holidays associated with the
annual cycle of agri ¬ tural work, and of course, a very special time for that matter
- spring. No accident that this period is timed holding pagan in its meaning carbulk, similar Russian Shrovetide.
The main directions of Protestantism
As already noted, Protestantism is a complex religious education, including a large
number of destinations. Beginning in the XVI century., The formation of new
Christian churches has not ended to this day. Naturally, opposed itself to the
Roman Catholic Church, in developing their faith and Protestantism are various
ways of implementing new ideas. Historically, the first course in Protestantism is
Lutheran.
Lutheran (Protestant) Church. Formed under the influence of Martin Luther.
Lutheranism acknowledges Tsar grad-Nicene Creed has its doctrinal books "Augsburg Confession" (1530), Luther's catechisms, "Book of Concord" (1580).
Holy book revered only the Bible. The basic principle of Lutheranism "justification by faith" in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Sacraments of
Lutheranism recognizes only baptism and communion. The most widely spread
Lutheranism in Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, USA. Many
Lutheran parishes located in Russia. Today, there are about 80 million followers of
the Protestant.
Calvinism. Calvinism (Reformed Presbyterian Church), as well as Lutheran, is one
of the earliest forms of Protestantism. Decisive role in shaping it played religious
concept of Calvin (1509-1564 gg.).
Calvinism denies Compulsory faith. The only holy book is the Bible, but very
popular, "Institutes of the Christian faith" (1536-1559 gg.), "Church setting",
"Geneva Catechism" (1545) and other works of Calvin. In Calvinism does not
recognize such religious items as icons, candles and a cross. Baptism and
Communion for Calvinists - no more than a symbolic rites. Of great importance is
the concept of predestination in Calvinism.
Admittedly researchers Calvinism strongly reformed Catholic faith, was the most
radical trend in Protestantism.
Calvinism is widespread in France, the Netherlands, Hungary, the Czech Republic,
the USA, Canada, Australia. Calvinism of its kind so separated as
Congregationalism.
In today's world, there are about 55 million Calvinists.
Church of England. Formed by giving official status to English Protestant
kingdom. Creed of Anglicanism is a document titled "39 Articles" (1571). As in
other areas of Protestantism rejected Tradition, Sacred Scripture and is revered as
the source of doctrine. The head of the Church of England is the king or queen. In
contrast to Lutheranism and Calvinism in Anglicanism combines provisions on
personal salvation by faith to the situation of the saving role of the church, the
clergy kept hierarchy and the priests themselves are regarded as intermediaries
between God and man.
Anglicanism over other Protestant churches incorporated the Catholic tradition
(Church hierarchy, saying mass).
Except for the UK, this trend is common in Scotland, the USA, India, South
Africa, Pakistan, Canada, Australia, that is, in countries that were once part of the
British Empire. Number of Anglicans in the world - about 58.5 million people.
Baptists appeared in XVII century in England. Basis of Faith Baptist - the Bible.
Faith in Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrifice is sufficient for salvation. Believes is
the only one whom God has chosen. Of particular importance in the doctrine of
baptism becomes a "spiritual rebirth" due to the impact of human input in the
"Holy Spirit", which means unity of the spirit of each believer with Jesus Christ.
In practice baptism sacrament of baptism and communion as symbolic rites of
spiritual union with Christ. Baptism is an act of conscious reference to faith. A
distinctive feature is the rite of baptism katehimenta (approximation) before
baptism and joining the community, "approximate" are one year trial period.
Ritual and cult practices baptism different modesty nenapyschennostyu. House of
worship is not fundamentally different from its secular counterpart, are also absent
cult objects.
Baptism is one of the most common forms of Protestantism in the world and, in
particular, in Russia. The number of followers of the Baptists today reaches 72
million people.
Adventism. Adventism origin must Baptism of which stood out in the early 30-ies
of the XIX century.
Adventism is waiting feature soon coming of Jesus Christ. As part of an original
Adventist eschatological concept - the belief that the destruction of the world is
coming soon, after which the new earth will be created and installed the millennial
kingdom of Jesus Christ. Man, according to the teachings of the Adventist dies and
physically, and spiritually. But only the righteous will be resurrected - the
followers of Adventism. At the end of the reign of Christ will be resurrected also
nepravedniki, but only to serve the righteous.
The most commonly accepted trend called "Seventh-day Adventists," which made
a number of new provisions. The first clause declares the celebration of the seventh
day (Saturday). Second - "health reform" predugotovlenie body to resurrection. In
the latter case, the ban on consumption of pork, tea, coffee, tobacco, and alcohol.
Church "Seventh Day Adventist" strengthens its position in the world and is
rapidly developing in Russia. In today's world, there are 16 million Adventists.
Пятидесятничество.Пятидесятничество is another major area of Protestantism.
According to the New Testament (the book "Acts of the Apostles"), on the fiftieth
day after the death of Christ on the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, and
then they have the ability to prophesy and speak different languages. Pentecostals
close in doctrine and ritual of Baptism, but emphasize the possibility of direct
mystical communion with God. Pentecostals believe in what you can get the gift of
prophecy, like the Apostles, to each member of their church. The number of
Pentecostals in the world is coming, according to some estimates, to 119 million.
The above are the largest Protestant trends. There are many trends, such as the
Mennonites, Unitarians, Moravians, Quakers, Mormons, and etc. In the modern
world there are some (fairly widespread) branch of Protestantism, which in its
doctrine so strongly moved away from traditional Christianity, can hardly claim to
be Christian - it is the Jehovah's Witnesses, etc.
Protestant Bible
Unified Protestant Bible does not exist: all Protestant Bible are translations made
in the XVI century. during or after the Reformation. Even the King James Bible
(KingJamesVersion) have not acquired the status of an official translation of the
Anglican Church, though it is often referred to as the formal approval and transfer
(AuthorizedVersion).
In the Middle Ages, the Roman Catholic Church did not encourage the Vulgate
translation of the fear that the church leadership without text can be distorted or
that the words of the Bible may be falsely understood. However, the Protestant
reformers in the XVI. believed that God in the Bible refers to the right person and
that reading and studying the Bible - the right and the duty of every Christian.
Translations were needed in order to give the Bible to most Christians, for whom
Latin was a dead language. "As people reflect on the fact that they can not
understand?" - Asks one of the translators in the preface to the King James Bible.
Reformers were not the first translator of the Bible (after the invention of printing,
and until Luther Bible in German was released 17 books in German). Protestant
reformers or facilitate the translation, or they themselves undertook the translation
of the Bible into the languages of their countries. The basis they took no Vulgate
and Hebrew text of the Old Testament and the Greek New Testament. In the early
20-ies of the XVI century. Martin Luther translated the New Testament into
German, Jacobus Faber - in French, and William Tindal - in English. Translation
of the Old Testament were made by the same translators, but in the next decade.
Since then has been published many Protestant translations.
Protestant ceremonies and holidays
The most important element of the cult of many Protestant churches is the breaking
of bread. Most often, this is a series of ¬ as part of the more extensive "Making of
Christ" - the Lord's Supper, Prayer ¬ tion meetings held once a month.
Communion consists of two steps - breaking and distribution of Communion bread
and wine or fruit juice. The basis is a series of ritual texts for the New Testament
"recollections ¬ naniya" suffering of Jesus Christ. According to the Word of God
¬, "bread is broken," is a symbol of the body of the Lord, ¬ th battered, bruised and
disfigured for the sins of the people, and the wine - a symbol of the blood of the
Lord, also streamed over the Greek chi ¬. Communion are only allowed to those
who have already passed the rite of baptism.
In some Protestant churches ¬ skih Communion precedes the rite of foot washing.
¬ vaniem basis of this ceremony are the lines from the Gospel of John ¬ on: "... if
I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one
another's feet" (13:14). This rite ¬ rected to the fact that believers show their
"humility and love for each other." It is held at the end of the prayer meeting
follows. In the presence of pots ¬ Vaeth water, and they line up believers: First
wash your feet a second, the second - the third and the last wash the feet first, what
is usually the clergy. Water and towels are changed periodically.
In our country, this rite Christians commit ¬ Gaelic gospel faith.
Almost all streams of Protestantism missing for ¬ ists, so characteristic of
Orthodoxy, but there is no special division to write lean and perilous.
In the major Protestant denominations - Lutheran, en ¬ glikanstve, Calvinism and
Methodism - no rules ¬ tion supply, reference to the prohibition of certain pro ¬
products or methods of cooking. Therefore, during the few religious holidays (eg,
birth ¬ identities), the differences in the ritual meal called the Protestant churches
in different countries due na ¬ tional food features. However, in some currents of
Protestantism food traditions are considered important. First, it refers to the
Adventist ¬ seventh day there and the Quakers.
One of the most important holidays in a number of Protestant denominations
(Baptists, Evangelicals, Adventists, etc.) - The harvest festival is celebrated in
September. This is about modern Hebrew holiday ¬ HYDRATED end agricultural
work. In the Old Testament book of "Exodus" (23:16) says: "The observation ¬ let
and holiday harvest, the firstfruits of thy labors, which thou hast sown in the field,
and the feast of ingathering ... when Uba ¬ resh with your field work." The modern
holiday va ¬ tain understood as literally - harvesting, and figurative - summing up
the annual activity of God on the field, that is missionary.
Evangelical Christians-Baptists in the former USSR ¬ th celebrate unity, another
reminder of the history of the Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists.
A brief chronology of the estimated development of Christianity
early I century AD the emergence of Christianity as a religion of self'64 First persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire by the Emperor Nero
In 313 an edict of Emperor Constantine I the termination
persecution of Christians
325, the first ecumenical council adopted the Nicene Creed
381 by the Second Ecumenical Council has developed a formula of the Trinity of
God, canonized the Nicene Creed
392, the prohibition of the pagan cult of the emperor FeodisiemI;
Christianity became the state religion of Rome
395 division of the Roman Empire into East and West
431 Third Ecumenical Council condemned the Nestorian
451 Fourth Ecumenical Council condemned monofisitov
457 appointment of Archbishop of Georgia
680 681 years. Sixth Ecumenical Council condemned for monofelistov
787, was the seventh ecumenical council
857 deposed Byzantine Emperor Michael III Patriarch Ignatius, the enthronement
of Patriarch Photios;
The confrontation between the papacy and patriarchy
988 Baptism of Kievan Rus Prince Volodymyr
1054 the division of Christianity into Orthodoxy and Catholicism
1095 1270's. crusades against Orthodox
In 1448 to form an independent (autocephalous)
Russian Orthodox Church
1517 speech by Martin Luther from 95 theses against indulgences
1545 1563's. work Triedentskogo Cathedral, during which
The Roman Church has condemned Protestantism
1562 final shape of the Anglican Church
1648 final division of Catholicism into Catholics and Protestants
1965 removal of the mutual anathemas Pope Paul VI
and Patriarch AfinagoromI
TREE OF RELIGIONS
Christianity
Orthodoxy
• Actually Orthodoxy *
o Autonomous Orthodox Church *
urkey, USA, Germany and other
countries)
Orthodox Church (Egypt)
x Church
o The Orthodox Church is not recognized by other Orthodox churches *
Christians (Russia and other CIS countries)
thodox Church
-Catholic Church (USA)
hurch of Greece, adhering to the old style
• Old Believers (Russia and other CIS countries)
o Popovtsev
thodox Church
o bespopovtsev
• Marginal sect broke away from Orthodoxy * (Russia and other CIS countries)
o Spiritual Christians
Novohristiansky Union *
o Other marginal sect broke away from Orthodoxy *
Fedorovtsev
-Ilintsy
Catholicism *
• The Roman Catholic Church
o Latin Rite Catholics (most countries of the world)
o Eastern-rite Catholics
- Melkite (Syria, Lebanon, USA)
- Greeks (Greece)
- Albanian (Albania)
- Italo-Albanians (Italy)
- Bulgaria (Bulgaria)
eek Catholics - Croatia (Croatia)
- Slovakia (Slovak Republic)
- Subcarpathian Ruthenians (Ukraine)
- Ukrainians (Ukraine, Poland)
- Belarusian (Poland, Belarus)
- Russian (Russia)
- Romania (Romania)
- Hungary (Hungary)
- Georgian (Georgia)
-Malabars (India)
-Catholics (Iraq, Syria)
-malankartsy (India)
(Lebanon, USA)
Nerimskie Catholics
(Argentina)
The National Catholic Apostolic Church * (Philippines)
Church of America * (USA)
-Roman Church *
ria)
-Pessac, Gironde] *
(France)
- West Beemskoe missionary Abbey] *
(France)
• Marginal Catholicism *
o The Apostolic Catholic
o Liberal Catholics
• Protestantism
Anglican Communion *
Episcopal Church in the United States [of the Protestant Episcopal Church
in the USA]
other countries)
the province of New Zealand]
- New Guinea *
gascar and other countries)
Congo)
f Burundi *
n Church of Nigeria [ex. Church Province of Nigeria]
e the Anglican Communion *
o Lutheran
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Germany
Church
*
Asia
urch in Russia
- Missouri Synod (USA)
n America, the Canadian office *
Church in Tanzania
(Indonesia)
- New Guinea
o Calvinism
Church of France
-Ukraine *
(USA)
Evangelical Church of Lesotho *
he Protestant Church in Western Indonesia
lical Christian Church in Sangihe and Talaude * (Indonesia)
an Church in America (USA)
New Zealand
Republic of Korea [Hankook] *
-East India *
(Pakistan)
urch in Cameroon *
(Malawi)
Council of Community Churches * (USA)
congregational church * Zulu (South Africa)
es * (Germany)
of Congo)
countries)
Church *
*
mish * (USA)
Methodism
countries)
Brazil *
of Angola *
rch
, India, Indonesia, South Korea and many other countries)
[Anderson, Indiana] (U.S., Kenya, Mexico, and other countries)
ical Holiness Church
Free Methodist congregation in the eastern Democratic