斯拉夫人信仰的東正教與西方國家的基督教有哪些差別?

2023-12-28

斯拉夫人信仰的東正教與西方國家的基督教有哪些差別?

因為俄羅斯的入侵.烏克蘭總統澤倫斯基宣布以後烏克蘭全國都統一與西方慶祝聖誕節.而非東正教的節日同樣都是信奉耶穌這兩種宗教有哪些不同?

東正教和西方基督教在聖誕節的慶祝日期上存在差異,主要是由於不同的曆法和文化傳統。這種差異在16世紀之前並不存在,但當時曆法的改革導致西方和東正教的日曆分歧。

西方基督教主要使用的是格里曆(Gregorian calendar),而東正教使用的是修正的儒略曆(Revised Julian calendar)。

儒略曆和格里曆:最初的基督教聖誕節慶祝日期是在羅馬時代確定的,並使用的是儒略曆。然而,由於地球公轉週期並非確切的365.25天,儒略曆中的年度長度稍微過長,導致日期和季節之間的漂移。

格里曆的引入:在16世紀,教宗格里高利十三世引入格里曆,以修正儒略曆的缺陷,確保春分點在每年的3月21日。這種改革使得天主教和大多數西方基督教教會的日曆與自然的日常運動更加符合。

東正教的堅持:東正教的教會保持使用儒略曆,並沒有接受格里曆的改革。因此,東正教的聖誕節慶祝日期仍然按照儒略曆來計算。根據儒略曆,聖誕節日期落在格里曆的1月7日。

總的來說,這種日期的差異是由於不同的曆法和對於曆法改革的接受程度而產生的。西方基督教在數世紀前接受新的曆法,而東正教仍然堅持使用儒略曆。因此,西方基督教慶祝聖誕節的日期為12月25日(格里曆),而東正教慶祝聖誕節的日期為1月7日(儒略曆)。

斯拉夫人在祝賀聖誕節時強調的是「耶穌誕生了」(Христос Родився),而不是使用類似於英語中的「聖誕快樂」(Merry Christmas)。這種說法反映他們對聖誕節的宗教和神聖性的強烈重視。

這一用語的根源可以追溯到東正教的傳統和斯拉夫文化中的基督教影響。斯拉夫文化中,基督教對人們的日常生活和節慶慶祝產生了深遠的影響。在東正教教會中,聖誕節被視為基督教宗教年曆中的一個重要慶祝活動,強調耶穌基督的降生對世界的祝福和救贖。

「Христос Родився」的字面翻譯是「基督誕生了」。這種表達方式更加著重於對基督教信仰核心事件的慶祝,即耶穌基督降生的奇蹟。它強調耶穌作為上帝的兒子的降臨,為世界帶來救贖和祝福。因此,斯拉夫人在聖誕節期間更傾向於使用這種較宗教性的祝賀方式,而不是更普遍的「聖誕快樂」。

基督教(包括天主教和新教)和東正教有一些教義和實踐上的差異。以下是一些主要的區別:

1.地方性和權威結構:

基督教:基督教分為天主教和新教。在天主教中,有一個全球組織結構,由教宗作為最高領袖。新教則強調地方教會的自主性,沒有中央集權的教會組織。

東正教:東正教也有全球性的組織,但沒有一位單一的最高領袖。各個獨立的東正教教會,如希臘正教、俄羅斯正教,擁有自己的牧首,被視為教會的領袖。

2.聖像的使用:

基督教: 在天主教和新教中,聖像的使用程度有所不同。天主教教堂通常裝飾有豐富的聖像和彩繪,信徒也會在禮拜和祈禱中使用聖像。新教中,一些教派可能限制或拒絕使用聖像,強調對上帝的無形崇拜。

東正教:東正教非常重視聖像,教堂充滿了彩繪的聖像,信徒會在禮拜中向聖像行禮。這被視為一種幫助信徒集中精神,通過物質形式感受神聖的存在。

3.預定論:

基督教:新教中的某些教派,尤其是加爾文主義,強調預定論(predestination),即上帝在創造之前已經預先選擇人的得救或沉淪。

東正教:東正教通常對預定論保持較為保守的態度,強調人的自由意志和合作與上帝的恩典。

The celebration of Christmas differs between Eastern Orthodoxy and Western Christianity due to variations in calendars and cultural traditions. This difference emerged following calendar reforms in the 16th century.

Western Christianity primarily uses the Gregorian calendar, while Eastern Orthodoxy employs the Revised Julian calendar.

Julian and Gregorian Calendars:

The original celebration date for Christmas in early Christianity was determined during the Roman era and used the Julian calendar. However, due to the Earth's orbit not being precisely 365.25 days, the Julian calendar's year length was slightly too long, causing a drift between dates and seasons.

Introduction of the Gregorian Calendar:

In the 16th century, Pope Gregory XIII introduced the Gregorian calendar to rectify the flaws in the Julian calendar, ensuring that the vernal equinox occurred on March 21 each year. This reform aimed to align the calendar with the natural daily movements.

Eastern Orthodoxy's Adherence:

The Eastern Orthodox Church maintained the use of the Julian calendar and did not adopt the reforms of the Gregorian calendar. Consequently, Christmas for Eastern Orthodoxy is calculated according to the Julian calendar. According to this calendar, Christmas falls on January 7 in the Gregorian calendar.

In summary, the difference in celebration dates arises from distinct calendars and varying acceptance of calendar reforms. Western Christianity embraced a new calendar several centuries ago, while Eastern Orthodoxy persists in using the Julian calendar. As a result, Western Christianity celebrates Christmas on December 25 (Gregorian calendar), whereas Eastern Orthodoxy celebrates Christmas on January 7 (Julian calendar).

Regarding the expression used by Slavic people during Christmas, they emphasize "Christ is born" (Христос Родився) instead of using a phrase similar to "Merry Christmas" in English. This linguistic choice reflects their strong emphasis on the religious and sacred nature of Christmas.

The phrase "Христос Родився" translates literally to "Christ is born." This expression places greater emphasis on celebrating the core event of the Christian faith—the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ. It underscores Jesus as the Son of God coming into the world to bring blessings and redemption. Therefore, Slavic people tend to use this more religiously oriented greeting during Christmas, as opposed to the more general "Merry Christmas."

Other differences between Eastern Orthodoxy and Western Christianity:

Original Sin and Atonement:

Western Christianity, particularly in Catholicism and certain Protestant denominations, often emphasizes the concept of original sin and the atonement achieved through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. The doctrine of original sin suggests that humanity inherits a sinful nature from Adam and Eve's disobedience in the Garden of Eden.

Eastern Orthodoxy also acknowledges the concept of original sin but may place less emphasis on it. The focus is often on theosis, the process of becoming one with God and participating in His divine nature.

Liturgical Practices:

Liturgical practices vary between the two traditions. In Western Christianity, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church, the liturgy often involves the use of the Latin language. Western liturgy may include the use of the Roman Missal.

Eastern Orthodoxy has a rich liturgical tradition with services conducted in the vernacular languages of the local communities. The Divine Liturgy in the Eastern Orthodox Church follows a distinct structure and is often celebrated in the local language.

Filioque Controversy:

One historical theological controversy between Eastern Orthodoxy and Western Christianity is the Filioque controversy. It revolves around the phrasing of the Nicene Creed regarding the procession of the Holy Spirit. Western Christianity, including the Roman Catholic Church, added the term "Filioque" ("and the Son") to express that the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son. This addition was a source of contention with Eastern Orthodoxy, which maintains the original wording without "Filioque."

Papal Authority:

In Western Christianity, the Pope, based in Rome, is considered the supreme authority. The Pope is regarded as the spiritual leader and infallible guide on matters of faith and morals by Catholics.

Eastern Orthodoxy rejects the supremacy of the Pope and practices a conciliar model of governance. The highest authority is often ascribed to ecumenical councils where decisions are made collectively.

Icons and Religious Art:

The use of religious icons is prominent in Eastern Orthodoxy. Icons are venerated and considered a means of connecting with the divine. The use of religious images, including iconography, is deeply ingrained in the Eastern Orthodox tradition.

While Western Christianity also employs religious art, the emphasis on icons is more pronounced in Eastern Orthodoxy.

These differences highlight theological, liturgical, and structural distinctions between Eastern Orthodoxy and Western Christianity. It's important to note that within each tradition, there is a diversity of theological perspectives and practices among different denominations and local churches. Theological nuances and practices can vary, even within the broad categories of Eastern Orthodoxy and Western Christianity.

 

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