The emergence of Orthodoxy
Historically, it so happened that on the territory of Russia, for the most part, several Great world religions have found their place and have peacefully coexisted from time immemorial. Paying tribute to other Religions, I want to draw your attention to Orthodoxy as the main religion of Russia.
Christianity(originated in Palestine in the 1st century AD from Judaism and received a new development after the break with Judaism in the 2nd century) - one of the three main world religions (along with Buddhism And Islam).
During the formation Christianity broke up into three main branches:
- Catholicism,
- orthodoxy,
- Protestantism,
in each of which the formation of its own, practically not coinciding with other branches, ideology began.
ORTHODOXY(which means - to praise God correctly) - one of the directions of Christianity, isolated and organizationally formed in the XI century as a result of the division of churches. The split occurred in the period from the 60s. 9th century until the 50s. 11th century As a result of the split in the eastern part of the former Roman Empire, a confession arose, which in Greek began to be called orthodoxy (from the words “orthos” - “straight”, “correct” and “doxos” - “opinion”, “judgment”, “teaching”) , and in Russian-speaking theology - Orthodoxy, and in the western part - a confession, which its followers called Catholicism (from the Greek "catholikos" - "universal", "universal"). Orthodoxy arose on the territory of the Byzantine Empire. Initially, it did not have a church center, since the church power of Byzantium was concentrated in the hands of four patriarchs: Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem. As the Byzantine Empire collapsed, each of the ruling patriarchs headed an independent (autocephalous) Orthodox Church. Subsequently, autocephalous and autonomous churches arose in other countries, mainly in the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
Orthodoxy is characterized by a complex, elaborate cult. The most important postulates of Orthodox doctrine are the dogmas of the trinity of God, the incarnation, redemption, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. It is believed that dogmas are not subject to change and clarification, not only in content, but also in form.
The religious basis of Orthodoxy isHoly Scripture (Bible) And sacred tradition
.
The clergy in Orthodoxy is divided into white (married parish priests) and black (monastics who take a vow of celibacy). There are men's and nunneries. Only a monk can become a bishop. Currently in Orthodoxy highlighted
- Local Churches
- Constantinople
- Alexandria
- Antioch
- Jerusalem
- Georgian
- Serbian
- Romanian
- Bulgarian
- Cypriot
- Helladic
- Albanian
- Polish
- Czecho-Slovak
- American
- Japanese
- Chinese
Orthodoxy in Rus'
The history of the Orthodox Church in Russia still remains one of the least developed areas of Russian historiography.
The history of the Russian Orthodox Church was not unambiguous: it was contradictory, replete with internal conflicts, reflecting social contradictions throughout its path.
The introduction of Christianity in Rus' was a natural phenomenon for the reason that in the VIII - IX centuries. the early feudal class system begins to emerge.
Major events in history Russian Orthodoxy. In the history of Russian Orthodoxy, nine main events, nine main historical milestones can be distinguished. Here's what they look like in chronological order.
First milestone - 988. This year's event was called: "The Baptism of Rus". But this is a figurative expression. But in fact, the following processes took place: the proclamation of Christianity state religion Kievan Rus and education of the Russian christian church(in the next century it will be called the Russian Orthodox Church). A symbolic action that showed that Christianity had become the state religion was the mass baptism of the people of Kiev in the Dnieper.Second milestone - 1448. Russian this year Orthodox Church(ROC) became autocephalous. Until this year, the ROC was integral part Patriarchate of Constantinople. Autocephaly (from the Greek words “auto” - “self” and “mullet” - “head”) meant complete independence. This year, Grand Duke Vasily Vasilyevich, nicknamed the Dark One (in 1446 he was blinded by his rivals in the interfeudal struggle), ordered not to accept the metropolitan from the Greeks, but to choose his metropolitan at the local council. At a church council in Moscow in 1448, Ryazan Bishop Jonah was elected the first metropolitan of the autocephalous church. Patriarch of Constantinople recognized the autocephaly of the Russian Orthodox Church. After the fall of the Byzantine Empire (1553), after the capture of Constantinople by the Turks, the Russian Orthodox Church, being the largest and most significant among the Orthodox Churches, became a natural stronghold of Universal Orthodoxy. And to this day the Russian Orthodox Church claims to be the "Third Rome".
Third milestone - 1589. Until 1589, the Russian Orthodox Church was headed by a metropolitan, and therefore it was called a metropolis. In 1589, the patriarch began to head it, and the Russian Orthodox Church became a patriarchy. Patriarch is the highest rank in Orthodoxy. The establishment of the patriarchate raised the role of the Russian Orthodox Church both in the internal life of the country and in international relations. At the same time, the importance of tsarist power also increased, which no longer relied on the metropolis, but on the patriarchy. It was possible to establish a patriarchate under Tsar Fyodor Ivanovich, and the main merit in raising the level of church organization in Rus' belongs to the first minister of the Tsar, Boris Godunov. It was he who invited the Patriarch of Constantinople Jeremiah to Russia and obtained his consent to the establishment of a patriarchate in Rus'.The fourth milestone - 1656. This year, the Moscow Local Cathedral anathematized the Old Believers. This decision of the council revealed the presence of a schism in the church. The denomination separated from the church and became known as the Old Believers. In its further development, the Old Believers turned into a set of confessions. main reason The split, according to historians, were social contradictions in Russia at that time. The Old Believers were representatives of those social strata of the population who were dissatisfied with their position. Firstly, many peasants became Old Believers, who were finally enserfed at the end of the 16th century, abolishing the right to transfer to another feudal lord on the so-called “St. George's Day”. Secondly, a part of the merchant class joined the Old Believer movement, because the tsar and the feudal lords, with the economic policy of supporting foreign merchants, prevented the development of trade for their own, Russian merchant class. And finally, some well-born boyars, dissatisfied with the loss of a number of their privileges, joined the Old Believers. The reason for the split was the church reform, which was carried out by the higher clergy under the leadership of Patriarch Nikon. In particular, the reform provided for the replacement of some old rites with new ones: instead of two-fingering, three-fingering, instead of bowing to the ground during worship, waist ones, instead of a procession around the temple in the sun procession against the sun, etc. religious movement advocated the preservation of the old rites, this explains its name.
Fifth milestone - 1667. The Moscow Local Council of 1667 found Patriarch Nikon guilty of blaspheming Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, deprived him of his rank (proclaimed a simple monk) and sentenced him to exile in a monastery. At the same time, the cathedral for the second time anathematized the Old Believers. The Council was held with the participation of the Patriarchs of Alexandria and Antioch.
Sixth milestone - 1721. Peter I established the highest church body, which was called the Holy Synod. This government act completed the church reforms carried out by Peter I. When Patriarch Adrian died in 1700, the tsar “temporarily” forbade the election of a new patriarch. This “temporary” term for the abolition of the election of the patriarch lasted 217 years (until 1917)! At first, the church was led by the Theological College established by the tsar. In 1721, the Holy Synod replaced the Theological College. All members of the Synod (there were 11 of them) were appointed and removed by the tsar. At the head of the Synod, as a minister, a government official appointed and dismissed by the tsar was placed, whose position was called “chief procurator of the Holy Synod”. If all members of the Synod were required to be priests, then this was optional for the chief prosecutor. So, in the 18th century, more than half of all chief prosecutors were military men. Church reforms Peter I made the Russian Orthodox Church part of the state apparatus.Seventh milestone - 1917 . This year the patriarchate was restored in Russia. On August 15, 1917, for the first time after a break of more than two hundred years, a council was convened in Moscow to elect a patriarch. On October 31 (November 13, according to the new style), the cathedral elected three candidates for patriarchs. On November 5 (18) in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, the elder monk Alexy drew lots from the casket. The lot fell on Metropolitan Tikhon of Moscow. At the same time, the Church experienced severe persecution from the Soviet authorities and underwent a series of schisms. On January 20, 1918, the Council of People's Commissars adopted a Decree on freedom of conscience, which “separated church from state.” Every person received the right to “profess any religion or not profess any.” Any infringement of rights on the basis of faith was prohibited. The decree also "separated the school from the church." The teaching of the Law of God was forbidden in schools. After October, Patriarch Tikhon at first spoke out with sharp denunciations of Soviet power, but in 1919 he took a more restrained position, urging the clergy not to participate in the political struggle. Nevertheless, about 10 thousand representatives of the Orthodox clergy were among the victims of the civil war. The Bolsheviks shot priests who served thanksgiving services after the fall of local Soviet power. Some of the priests accepted Soviet power and in 1921-1922. started the renewal movement. The part that did not accept this movement and did not have time or did not want to emigrate went underground and formed the so-called "catacomb church". In 1923, at the local council of the Renovationist communities, programs for the radical renewal of the Russian Orthodox Church were considered. At the council, Patriarch Tikhon was deposed and full support for the Soviet government was proclaimed. Patriarch Tikhon anathematized the Renovationists. In 1924, the Supreme Church Council was transformed into a Renovationist Synod headed by the Metropolitan. Part of the clergy and believers who found themselves in exile formed the so-called "Russian Orthodox Church Abroad". Until 1928, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia maintained close contacts with the Russian Orthodox Church, but these contacts were subsequently terminated. In the 1930s, the church was on the verge of extinction. Only since 1943 did its slow revival as a Patriarchate begin. In total, during the war years, the church collected over 300 million rubles for military needs. Many priests fought in partisan detachments and the army, were awarded military orders. During the long blockade of Leningrad, eight Orthodox churches. After the death of I. Stalin, the policy of the authorities towards the church became tougher again. In the summer of 1954, the decision of the Central Committee of the party to intensify anti-religious propaganda appeared. At the same time, Nikita Khrushchev made a sharp speech against religion and the church.
The reasons for the emergence of a new religion - Christianity. Rome, having conquered many peoples, established such oppression over them, which people did not know before. But it was especially hard for the Jews who inhabited the Roman province - Syria and Palestine. Part of this province was the former state of the Jews of Judea. All means of struggle for liberation have already been tried, but have not yielded tangible results. However, the last thing remained: hope in God Yahweh. The Jews believed that he would not leave them and free them from Roman oppression.
Jesus Christ and His Teachings. The Jews believed that Jesus Christ was sent by God specifically to them, and not to other peoples, because most Jews did not know polytheism, but recognized one God, Yahweh. The Jewish religion, unlike the religion of the Greeks, Romans, Egyptians and other peoples, did not have many created gods. That is why among the Jews, initially in Palestine, and soon throughout the Mediterranean, rumors spread about the birth of Jesus Christ. Faith in Christ, and later in his teachings, was called Christianity, and those who supported this faith were called Christians.
With the birth of Jesus Christ, a new historical "era" began - our era. We still count the years before our era or our era, and in old books we meet before or after the birth of Christ (P. X.). The fact that Jesus Christ is a historical figure is evidenced by the "Bible" - the sacred book of Christians and Jews, as well as numerous sources, the reliability of which is recognized by modern science.
Jesus taught that the only way to perfect yourself spiritually was through baptism. This first step will help relieve souls and hearts and will make it possible to understand all the injustice of earthly life. People then will be able not only to have a positive attitude towards their enemies, but also to love them, forgive insults, will not return evil for evil, and will be able to despise wealth. Thus, only through faith in Jesus Christ and spiritual love for God will people be able to get rid of sins, all troubles and misfortunes.
3. Christian commandments. Moral and spiritual purification of a person is facilitated by Christian commandments - laws that were given by God to the Jews through the prophet Moses. There are ten such commandments, three of them teach how to honor God, all the following - how to treat people: honor parents, do not kill, do not steal, be fair, be faithful to husband and wife, do not lie, do not envy.
So Christianity, without calling for struggle, resolved all problems by moral and spiritual purification of man. IN real life any open protest against the harsh conditions of existence was brutally suppressed.
Organization of the Christian Church. From the very beginning, Christianity proclaimed the equality of all before God, regardless of position. Christians were organized into communities in which all believers had the same rights and enjoyed common property. The Spirit of Christ ruled over the whole community.
Christians recognized only one God and opposed sacrifices to Roman pagan gods. For this, Christians were persecuted: they were sentenced to death, thrown to predators, burned alive.
Christianity is the state religion of the empire. As time went. Gradually, the ideas of Christianity about the salvation of man from all misfortunes, about eternal life his souls attracted more and more people. The ideas of Christian patience and humility, non-resistance to evil were perceived not only by the poor, but also by people of the middle and even rich strata of the population.
In 325, under Emperor Constantine, Christianity was recognized as the state religion of the Roman Empire. The new religion was supposed to help strengthen the imperial power and the empire itself.
The topic related to the emergence of early Christianity is quite interesting and deep. Let's try as briefly as possible to understand the question of who Christians are and when this arose. And it all started with gospel events since the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth.
Who are Christians
Christians are those people who believe in the teachings of Jesus and that he is the long-awaited messiah who came to save people. Christianity is the most widespread and numerous in terms of the number of adherents. world religion with more than two billion believers.
The first Christians appeared on the land of Palestine in the 1st century among the Jews as a messianic movement of Old Testament Judaism. At the time, Christianity was preached in a creed that is rooted in Old Testament Judaism.
ancient christians
Jesus Christ was circumcised, attended synagogue on the Sabbath, kept the Torah and Religious holidays, in general, he was brought up as a real Jew. His disciples, who later became apostles, were Jews. Three and a half years after the death of the First Martyr Stephen and after the crucifixion of Jesus, Christianity began to spread throughout the Holy Land and throughout the Roman Empire.
From the Gospel in the text of the Acts of the Apostles, the word “Christians” was first designated, and it was interpreted as “people who support the new faith in Antioch” (a Syrian-Hellenistic city of the 1st century).
A few decades later, a huge number of followers of the faith appeared. These were the first Christians pagan peoples, which became such, largely thanks to the apostle Paul.
Edict of Milan
For three centuries Christians were persecuted and betrayed martyrdom if they did not renounce the teachings of Jesus and refused to sacrifice to pagan idols.
Asking the question, who are Christians, it must be said that Christianity as a state religion was first approved in 301. In 313, the Edict of Milan was signed. This letter was endorsed by the Roman emperors Constantine and Licinius. The document itself has become important point on the way like official religion Empire.
Until the 5th century, Christianity spread mainly within the Roman Empire and then in the sphere of cultural influence in Armenia, Ethiopia, eastern Syria, and in the second half of the first millennium it came to the Germanic and Slavic peoples. And later, from the 13th to the 14th centuries, to the Finnish and Baltic peoples. into new and modern times outside of Europe, Christianity spread through missionary activity and colonial expansion.
Schism of the Christian Church
In the topic called "Who are Christians" it is necessary to note the fact that in 1054 there was a split: the Christian church was divided into Orthodox and Catholic. In turn, the latter, as a result of the reform movement in the 16th century, formed the Protestant branch. The Orthodox Church has retained its relative unity to this day. Thus, three major Christian movements appeared: Orthodoxy, Catholicism and Protestantism.
It has become a single organism, controlled from a common center - the Vatican. But there are many Orthodox churches, the largest of them is Russian. Among them there is Eucharistic communion, which implies the possibility of joint celebration of liturgies.
As for Protestantism, it has become that very motley Christian direction, which consists of a large number of independent denominations with varying degrees recognition by other branches of Christianity.
Russian Orthodoxy
By the 9th century, Orthodox Christians appeared in Rus' as well. Neighborhood with powerful Byzantium influenced this process. The first preachers were Cyril and Methodius, who were engaged in educational activities.
Also, the Kievan princess Olga was the first to be baptized (in 954), and then her grandson, Prince Vladimir, baptized Rus' (988).
The very word "Orthodoxy" is translated from Greek as "correct teaching", "judgment" or "glorification" ("glorification"). In Rus', the earliest use of this word in writing was found among the first Russian (1037 - 1050) in the "Sermon on Law and Grace". But the term “Orthodox” itself began to be used in the official language of the church in Rus' by the end of the 14th century and was already actively used in the 16th century.
Instruction
Christianity originated in the first century AD (modern reckoning is from the Nativity of Christ, that is, the birthday of Jesus Christ). Modern historians, religious scholars and representatives of other religions do not deny the fact that in the Palestinian Nazareth, more than two thousand years ago, he was born, who became a great preacher. In Jesus - one of the prophets of Allah - a rabbi-reformer who decided to rethink the religion of his ancestors and make it simpler and more accessible to the people. Christians, that is, followers of Christ, honor Jesus as God's anointed on earth and adhere to the version of the immaculate Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus, from the Holy Spirit, who descended to earth in the form. This is the basis of religion.
Initially, Christianity was spread by Jesus (and after his death by his followers, that is, the apostles) among the Jews. The new religion was based on Old Testament truths, but more simplified. Thus, the 666 commandments of Judaism in Christianity turned into the main ten. The ban on the consumption of pork and the separation of meat and dairy dishes was lifted, and the principle "not a man for the Sabbath, but the Sabbath for the man" was proclaimed. But most importantly, unlike Judaism, Christianity has become an open religion. Thanks to the activities of missionaries, the first of whom was the Apostle Paul, the Christian doctrine penetrated far beyond the borders of the Roman Empire, from Jews to pagans.
At the core of Christianity is New Testament, which together with Old Testament makes up the Bible. The New Testament is based on the Gospels - the life of Christ, starting from the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary and ending with the Last Supper, at which one of the apostles Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus, after which he was declared a robber and crucified along with other offenders. Special attention is given to the miracles that Christ performed during his lifetime, and to his miraculous resurrection on the third day after death. Easter, or the Resurrection of Christ, along with Christmas, is one of the most revered Christian holidays.
Modern Christianity is considered the most popular religion in the world, has about two billion followers and branches into many currents. At the heart of all Christian teachings is the idea of trinity (God the Father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit). The human soul is considered immortal, depending on the number of lifetime sins and virtues after death, it goes either to hell or to heaven. An important part of Christianity is the Sacraments of God, such as baptism, communion and others. The discrepancy in the list of sacraments, the importance of rites and methods of prayer is observed among the main Christian branches - Orthodoxy, Catholicism and Protestantism. Catholics, along with Christ, revere the Mother of God, Protestants oppose excessive ritualism, and Orthodox (orthodox) Christians believe in the unity and holiness of the church.
After the crucifixion of Jesus, the Jewish holy council - the Sanhedrin - began
brutal reprisal against the followers of Christ.
We know from the Bible about a Pharisee named Saul who was cruel to them.
persecutor. Later he believed in Christ and gave his life for believing in Him.
Saul changed his name and became known as the apostle Paul. Persecuted
Christians went further and further from Judea, preaching their faith
pagans, until, finally, Christianity was spread throughout
Roman Empire.The first Roman emperor who began massacres against
Christians, was Nero.
A cunning and cruel man, he dreamed of building Rome in his own way.
project to raise his name. For this it was necessary to destroy
old residential buildings in the center of Rome. By his secret order in 64 was
a fire was started. Almost half of Rome burned down due to oversight. Outraged
the crowd began to demand that the emperor investigate and punish the criminals.
Nero quickly found the "guilty". They were representatives of the new
unknown religion - Christians. Christians were crucified, burned,
thrown to be eaten by wild animals.
After Nero, many emperors carried out executions for the Christian faith.
Christians hid in the catacombs, held their meetings in secret
places, and dutifully went to the execution, being discovered. But despite
persecution, Christianity grew and grew stronger.
When Emperor Constantine came to power, 
in 313 he issued the Edict of Milan, which equalized the rights of all religions.
Christians came out of the catacombs, they were given many rights, and they were returned
property taken from them by the previous emperor, Diocletian.
Later, Constantine began to lean more and more towards the Christian religion,
having built several Christian cathedrals.
Fifty years later, Emperor Theodosius
declared catholic * (* the term "Catholic Church", or Orthodox,
which means: true, was used in relation to the Christianity of Rome with
beginning of the 2nd century, and to the Christianity of Constantinople - from the end of the 4th century)
Christianity as the state religion and banned pagan worship,
converting all pagan temples into Christian ones. To help the pagans
convert to Christianity pagan holidays were announced
Christian, pagan icons and statues were given biblical names,
many pagan rituals have become rituals of the Christian church. So
the church of Rome has lost the purity of Christian teaching, distorting many
provisions of the Bible (worship of Mary, saints, statues, pagan
holidays, prayers for the dead, infant baptism, etc.).
After the death of Theodosius, the Roman Empire was divided between 2 of his
sons to the Western part with the center in Rome and the Eastern part - with the center in
Constantinople.In 476, the emperor of the western part of the empire, Romulus Augustus
was forced to abdicate, and all power was concentrated in the hands of
Eastern part of the empire (Constantinople).Western part of the empire
was left without state support and the army, and was often conquered
neighboring barbarian tribes. The invaders taxed the people with unbearable
and taxes, and the only authority to which the people could turn for
help, was the church. The Church has been in diplomatic negotiations with
invaders, promising them the intercession of God for their cooperation and help.
From the time that Theodosius founded the church in Constantinople,
she was constantly in conflict with the church of Rome because of differences in
rituals and dogmas, property disputes, divine services in different languages
(Latin - in the west, and Greek - in the east) and the struggle of the Pope and the Patriarch of Constantinople for primacy among Christian
patriarchs. The emperors supported the eastern church, while the western
insisted on its primacy, as allegedly founded by the Apostle Peter.
In 606, Rome succeeded in obtaining from Emperor Phocasdecree, which
legitimized that "the Diocese of the Blessed Apostle Peter should be
head of all the Churches." The decree guaranteed that the title of "Ecumenical Bishop"
may belong exclusively to the Bishop of Rome, and he
received the title of "Vicar of Jesus on Earth" and "Papa", which means "Father".
Feeling the power, already in716 Pope Gregory II excommunicated
emperor lion III who tried to ban the worship of icons
(iconoclasm) in Italy by imperial decree, without the consent of the pope. A
in 741, Pope Zachary did not even turn to the Byzantine emperor to
approve his election as pope (although this was a formality, but for
people created the appearance that the pope is subordinate to the emperor).
When the Lombards began to oppress the population of the Western part of the empire, Pope
turned for help to the King of the Franks Pepin the Short. Papa promised
support his Carlovingian dynasty, and for this King Pepin cleared
the western part of the empire from the barbarians and gave the church an extensive papal
area, and dad - privileges spiritual guide all governments. In 756
Pope crowned Pepin's son, Charles, to the throne of the Roman Empire.
The Byzantine emperor no longer claimed power over the Western part.
The Roman Empire was now considered only the Western part, the Byzantine
only the Eastern half remained an empire.
Since then, the papacy has received absolute power, and could approve or
reject any candidate for the throne of the empire. without papal approval
the emperor could not make any important decision, being under threat
excommunication from the church.
In 1054, the Church of Constantinople categorically refused to be
under the control of Rome. Both churches anathematized each other. This is how it happened
schism: the Church of Rome became Catholic, the Church of Constantinople -
Orthodox.
The Russian Church was subordinate to the Constantinople
patriarchy. In Kievan Rus Orthodox faith became a state
religion around 990, after the baptism of Rus' by Prince Vladimir.
Around the end of the 16th century, the Russian Orthodox Church received
independence from Constantinople.
After the split, from 1096 to the end of the 13th century, the Catholic Church
organizes a series of crusades to liberate the Holy Land from
Turkish Muslims who captured it.
At the beginning of the 13th century (1215), in order to combat heresy, the Catholic Church established
special judicial body "Holy Inquisition".
Armies of executioners and spies from the church, false witnesses waiting, as it were,
snatch from the property of the executed "heretic", flooded the streets of the towns.
The Church, fattened on the blood of innocent people, now, like the sword of Damocles,
hung over each. No one had protection from her, not even kings. Almost
nothing in the church is left of the teachings of Christ. The people were heavily
taxes, and the church did not pay for anything. All services were held in
Latin, and people to understand the teachings of Christ could rely only
to the explanations of the priests.
When the pope issued a bull for the forgiveness of sins by the church and the sale of indulgences,
young German theologian Martin Luther wrote and announced 95 abstracts,
in which he pointed to the extra-biblical, anti-Christian dogmas of the church.
There have been speeches against the papacy before (the Czech preacher Jan Hus and
his followers were executed for this by the church), but so boldly, openly and
justifiably like Luther, no one spoke. He called on the entire German
nation tofight against papal dominance. For this he was excommunicated from the church, and
sentenced to death (died a natural death before the appointed execution). He translated
Bible in German. Around the same time, the New Testament
spoken English translatesWilliam Tyndale. For this he was burned
church, and most copies of the translation were confiscated and burned
Also. However, many managed to read and understand that the church is not a saint, but
a sinner, and a great one. Another reformer, John Calvin, with his
followers complete the translation of the New Testament into French.
From this time begins a period called the Reformation. If
Luther's supporters (Lutherans) tried to remove from the church everything that
contradicts the Bible, then the followers of Calvin (Calvinists; the same
Huguenots in France) tried to remove from the church everything that is not in the Bible
mentioned.
Calvinists introduced into practice the interpretation of any passage of the Bible not from positions
any human authority, but solely through
the authority of God—i.e. other places in the Bible. They liquidated
church rituals, recognized the inspiration of only the Holy
Scriptures, and therefore the fallibility of any church councils. Calvinists
abandoned monasticism because God created men and women for
creating a family and having children. They rejected the need for help
clergy in the salvation of people, believing that salvation is given only by faith
into Christ, and the works of faith are not needed for salvation, but it is determined by them,
whether your belief is true or not. There are works, so there is faith.The Calvinists succeeded
achieve complete freedom from the papacy. Geneva became the center of the reformation.
In England, the situation was more tense. The Reformation took place
"below" and "above". King Henry VIII, a cruel and
unpredictable (had 6 wives, beheaded two of them), wanted to achieve
independence from Rome. Part of England was still Catholic, part Calvinist. Using religious conflict, Henry tried
carry out their political designs for an absolute monarchy, and
dictated his terms to the church. The unrest did not subside. There were many conflicts
around church property.
After his death, Henry's daughter, Maria, a Catholic, came to power. She
restored Rome's authority over the Church of England, heresy laws re-entered
into force, and the Inquisition began over the Protestants. After Mary's death,
nicknamed "Bloody Mary" by the people, her sister ascended the throne -
Elizabeth. She managed to achieve some balance by infringing on the rights of Catholics
and giving some rights to Protestants. However, the conflict intensified.
Catholic priests were under the authority of Rome and refused to
recognize the powers of the queen. Elizabeth ordered the execution
Catholic priests.
Somewhere in this troubled time, puritanism was born. The Puritans wanted to
greater purity of the dogmas of the Church and complete independence from Catholic
influence. When King James came to power, they hoped for reform
churches of England. However, Jacob rejected their offer because he was afraid
that the Puritans' denial of the king's absolute authority over the faithful might
lead to rebellion. At this time, in 1620, many Puritans left England and
migrated to America in the hope of establishing a state with a single religion,
cleansed of everything superficial, based only on the Word of God and free
from all Catholic inventions.
Thus was born Protestantism in America.
At the time when the Puritans were exploring America and studying the Bible, in Russia
(reform of Patriarch Nikon 1650-1660) argued about whether two or three
cross with fingers, how many bows to give, whether to bow to the ground, or
waist-deep, what kind of seal to make on the prosphora, how many times to say “Alleluia”,
in which direction to go to the procession. For this, the "Old Believers", i.e. those who
wanted to be baptized with two fingers, the church executed.
The translation of the Bible into Russian was carried out only at the end of the 19th century, and
appeared in narrow circulation decades later. subsequent wars,
revolution, Soviet authority, and in general the shortage of books - all this was thrown away
the Orthodox Church is far back in the study of the science of theology (theology).
If all English-speaking countries exchanged their achievements for centuries
knowledge and experience given by the Holy Spirit not only to priests, but also
flock of God, publishing a lot of bibles and literature for the study of the Bible,
available to anyone who wishes, the Orthodox Church "was brewed in
own juice”, rereading again and again the works of medieval elders
and occasionally publishing some theological work, available for decades
for reading only to a limited circle of monks.
Today, having become a state church again, it tries its best to
authority to suppress any desire among the people to get acquainted with the accumulated
theological experience of their English-speaking fellow believers, declaring
Protestant churches by sects and throwing mud at them.
SUMMA SUMMARUM : The facts speak for themselves.
