31. Отделение Западной Церкви от Православной Вселенской Церкви

The beginning of the separation of the Western Church from the Orthodox Ecumenical Church dates back to the second half of the 9th century. At this time, in Constantinople, Patriarch Ignatius was unjustly deposed from his throne through the machinations of the regent of the empire, Vardas, whom the patriarch denounced for illegal living and once deprived of holy communion for open impiety, which caused great temptation to the people. When Patriarch Ignatius was already deposed, then Photius, one of the highest dignitaries of the state, distinguished by his extraordinary talents and rare theological learning, was elevated to the patriarchal throne in compliance with the established rules. The inhabitants of Constantinople, who had long been prone to church disputes, were divided between the patriarchs Ignatius and Photius, and the disputes that had occurred were supposed to be pacified at the local Council of Constantinople, to which the Pope was also invited. Pope Nicholas I, a highly power-hungry man, did not go to the council himself, but sent legates. The Council approved the elevation of Photius to the patriarchal throne, and the pope's legates agreed with this; but Pope Nicholas condemned his legates for taking the side of Patriarch Photius and rejected the council’s determination, thus placing his own authority above the council’s decision. At the same time, disputes arose between the Roman and Constantinople sees over the Bulgarian Church, aggravated on the basis of old quarrels between them that existed three centuries ago, because of the Thessalonian exarchate, which was once subordinate to the Roman see, but was transferred by Emperor Justinian to the jurisdiction of the Patriarch of Constantinople. The area where the Bulgarian kingdom arose previously belonged to the district of this exarchate. The Bulgarians were converted to the Christian faith by Greek preachers; but the Bulgarian Tsar Boris, having quarreled with the Emperor of Constantinople, called for Latin preachers. The bishops and priests sent by the pope began to abolish the rites of the Greek Church introduced in Bulgaria and replace them with Roman rites, such as, for example, permission for cheese and eggs on fast days, fasting on Saturday and others. Then, in 867, Patriarch Photius wrote a district letter to other eastern patriarchs, in which he denounced the illegal claims of the pope and pointed out deviations from Orthodoxy in the Western Church. On this occasion, a council was convened in Constantinople, which rejected the papal claims and condemned the apostasy of the Western Church. But this condemnation did not yet interrupt the union of the Churches - Eastern and Western. Eastern Christians continued to honor the patriarch of ancient Rome in the pope, and his name, along with the names of other patriarchs, was raised during prayers in the Eastern Churches. The final separation of the Western Church from the Orthodox East occurred in the middle of the 9th century. By this time, another apostasy from Orthodoxy had opened up in the West, namely the use in proskomedia of unleavened bread rather than leavened bread. The Patriarch of Constantinople Michael Kerullarius denounced this innovation. On this occasion, relations began between the Churches of Rome and Constantinople, which ended with the legates of Pope Leo IX, not hoping for success in the disputes, writing an act of excommunication against the patriarch and the entire Eastern Church and, during the service, placing him on the throne of the St. Sophia Church. The people became so irritated by this daring act of the Roman legates that they almost tore them to pieces. Patriarch Michael Cerullarius convened a council in Constantinople, at which the legates were excommunicated. From that time on, all Eastern Churches stopped commemorating the pope during services. Having been outside the union with the Universal Church for more than 800 years, the Western Church has allowed many new deviations from Orthodoxy. All of its differences from the Orthodox Church, including those mentioned above, can be presented in the following order. Deviations in the articles of faith: The doctrine of the procession of the Holy Spirit from the Father and the Son and the addition of the extra word “and the Son” to the Creed. The doctrine of the primacy of the pope (the Apostle Peter, prince of the Church, died in Rome, the pope is the heir to his power). The doctrine of indulgences, that is, the release of sinners from punishment for sins for the sake of the supererogatory merits of the saints, which the pope supposedly has the right to dispose of. The doctrine of purgatory (the middle state between heaven and hell). The doctrine of the non-involvement of the Mother of God in original sin. The doctrine of papal infallibility in matters of faith. The last two deviations were made recently, under Pope Pius IX. Baptism is performed by pouring instead of immersion. Confirmation is performed only by bishops and on adults. The liturgy is celebrated on unleavened bread instead of leavened bread, and the sacrament is given to the laity on one type of bread. Allowance for cheese and eggs on fasting days. The establishment of the rank of cardinals, unknown in antiquity, and the resulting confusion of the necessary degrees of the priesthood. Prohibiting laypeople from reading the Bible. Use of organs during worship. Seating areas in the church. Simultaneous celebration of masses (dinner) at different altars. Services are performed in Latin only. Bells during worship to announce its most important places to those who do not understand Latin, etc. You might be interested in: