Happy Easter to orthodox Christians!



Today, May 5, is Easter Sunday for 300 million Christian believers
around the world. The Eastern Orthodox tradition calculates the date for
Easter differently than Catholics and Protestants do.

Few Americans know much about Eastern Orthodoxy and how it differs from
other forms of Christianity, largely because its numbers in this country
are sparse when compared to about 150 million Protestants and 70 million
Catholics. The word 'orthodox' may be translated as 'right-believing'
and Eastern Orthodoxy teaches that it has upheld the correct tradition
of the apostolic faith since the time of Jesus.

For the first 1000 years after Christ there appeared to be a united
church, despite several major 'heresies' that were squashed and tensions
over authority, culture, language and political alignment. The 'Great
Schism" goes back to June 1054 when a cardinal representing Pope Leo IX
walked into the Cathedral of St. Sophia in Constantinople (later a
mosque, now a museum) and placed upon the altar a sentence of
excommunication directed at Patriarch Michael Cerularius and anyone who
followed him. The chasm was widened when Constantinople was attacked and
devastated by Crusaders from western Europe, en route to the Holy Land.

To most observers, Eastern Orthodoxy resembles Roman Catholicism much
more than it does Protestantism. Both are heavily liturgical in worship,
with prescribed rituals, seven sacraments, a heavy emphasis on the
Eucharist, ancient and elaborate vestments, and use of incense. Both
venerate Mary, revere saints and pray to them for intercession, have
images - icons or statues - in their churches, foster monasteries and
convents, ordain only male priests, and believe in apostolic succession.

So, where do the two traditions differ?

The most obvious is in their view of the Pope whom Catholicism considers
the Vicar of Christ on earth, the successor of St. Peter, the universal
shepherd of the church, infallible when he speaks 'ex cathedra' on
matters of faith or morals. Orthodoxy recognized him as the Bishop of
Rome, but with authority no greater nor less than any other bishop.

Mary is venerated as the Theotokos (Greek for 'Mother of God') and
ever-virgin in both traditions, and her assumption into heaven is
accepted. However, Orthodoxy rejects the dogma of the Immaculate
Conception since there is no need for it. Its position is that the guilt
of original sin is not transmitted from one generation to the next.

One of the major differences historically focused on the origin of the
Holy Spirit. The Orthodox teaching is that this third person of the
Trinity proceeded from the Father alone, as stated in the original
Nicene Creed. Catholicism added the Latin filioque ('and the son') to
the creed, contending that the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father
and the Son.

Orthodox priests may marry, though before and never after their
ordination. Bishops must be celibate. An intermediate stage is
recognized between earth and heaven, but purgatory as a place for
punishment and cleansing is not taught. Major Eastern Orthodox bodies
belong to the ecumenical World Council of Churches and National Council
of Churches, with majority Protestant membership. Roman Catholicism has
not joined either council.

Catholicism has a central government under the Pope, while Orthodoxy in
many nations is self-governing. The two most influential jurisdictions
historically have been the Greek Orthodox and the Russian Orthodox, but
there are various others. These all agree on doctrine and worship, but
may differ on such policy matters as ordination, divorce and funerals.

One of the most interesting groups is the Antiochian Orthodox Church,
which includes many Christians of Arab ethnicity. Nearly 25 years ago a
group of evangelical Protestants, among them Peter E. Gillquist, former
regional director of the Campus Crusade for Christ, became convinced
that early Christianity was best reflected in Orthodoxy, and organized
the Evangelical Orthodox Church. Gillquist and others eventually led 17
parishes and 2,000 members into the Antiochian archdiocese here in the
United States. Gillquist, who died in 2012, wrote "Becoming Orthodox",
focusing on his conversion.

Politics played a major role among Orthodox Christians during the 20th
century, as the majority live in eastern Europe. Following the Bolshevik
Revolution, and then after World War II, millions there struggled to
practice their faith under unfriendly Communist regimes. Since the
dissolution of the Soviet Union, Orthodoxy has enjoyed a resurgence in
Russia and several of its former satellite states. Meanwhile, the main
body of the Russian Orthodox Church in the United States adopted the
name Orthodox Church of America (OCA).

As for healing the divide between Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman
Catholicism, civility has replaced antagonism and some dialogue has
occurred. The new Pope Francis appears as though he could encourage it.

Happy Easter to Eastern Orthodox Christians!

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