Why Did Jesus Breathe the Holy Spirit and Then Send It Again at Pentecost?

Tourists are oft amazed by the sparkling gold domes of Russian churches and their night, cozy mysteries inside. But some rituals and features may not be articulate to a foreigner.

1. How is it that i religion is divided into Orthodoxy and others?

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia (50) and Pope Francis (R) at a meeting in Havana, 2016

L'Osservatore Romano/AFP

Christianity was divided into Eastern and Western parts in 1054, when the Bang-up Schism happened. This event was the culmination of theological and political differences between the Christian E and West, which had developed over the preceding centuries. Since and so, the Roman Catholic Church has had its center in Rome, and the Pope as its leader. The Orthodox Church has its spiritual eye in Istanbul (formerly Constantinople). The Ecumenical Patriarch of the Church of Constantinople is considered "offset among equals" in Orthodox Christianity. The Orthodox and Cosmic churches are at peace with each other.

2. What are the main differences between Catholic & Orthodox rituals?

Tonsure of the five new monks of the Seraphim-Sarov monastery in the village of Novomakarovo in the Gribanovsky commune of the Voronezh region. The tonsure takes place one time a year during Lent.

Andrey Arkhipov/Sputnik

There are many differences betwixt Catholic and Orthodox rituals. The virtually obvious ane is the sign of the cross, performed in Catholicism from left to right shoulder, and vice versa in Orthodoxy. There are besides considerable differences in the rite of baptism, Christmas celebrations, Easter celebrations, and the fact that Catholics and Orthodox believers alive by dissimilar calendars.

3. Why exercise Orthodox icons look so weird?

Synaxis of the Saints of Murom icon, 17th century

Andrey Rublev Museum

In Orthodoxy, icons are perceived as "windows to the globe of God", and must be revered and respected as such. This is why Orthodox icon painters don't try to motion-picture show God, Virgin Mary, Jesus Christ, or saints in "real" proportions – Orthodox icons do not depict, they symbolize. Here's your curt guide on how to read and empathize Russian icons.

4. What is the significant of the forms, colors, and the number of Orthodox church domes?

Domes of the Cathedral of the Annunciation, Kremlin, Moscow, Russian federation

Uwe Kazmaier/Global Wait Printing

• Forms

There are three forms of Orthodox church domes: round (half-sphere), symbolizing the eternal kingdom of God; helmet-like, symbolizing readiness to fight for God, and one resembling a lit candle, symbolizing prayer and eternal life in God's realm. Candle-similar (or onion-like) domes are likewise peculiarly fitting for Russia – this kind of dome doesn't need cleaning in winter, as snow doesn't settle on a dome of such class. That'southward why candle-similar domes are most common.

• Colors

Aureate domes signify the temple is dedicated to Jesus Christ or the Great Feasts (of the Orthodox Church). Blue domes signify the temple is dedicated to the Mother of God. Green domes signify the Holy Ghost, and they usually crown the temples defended to the Holy Trinity or the saints. Silver domes also signify a temple consecrated in the proper noun of an Orthodox saint. Domes are usually blackness when the temple belongs to a monastery – black symbolizes monastic obedience. And the rarest kind, domes of various colors on 1 church – like the famous Saint Basil's Cathedral in Moscow – symbolizes the New Jerusalem, the joyous kingdom of God.

St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow

Legion Media

• Number

There tin can exist anywhere from i to 33 domes on an Orthodox church. But you won't detect a single church with 4 or 6 domes. One dome symbolizes God. Two domes signify the unity of humans and the divine in the image of Jesus Christ. 3 domes signify the Holy Trinity. V domes are four Evangelists and Jesus, seven domes symbolize the 7 Sacraments, ix signify the nine ranks of angels, 13 signify Jesus and his Apostles, and 33 are the number of years Jesus spent in the mortal realm.

5. Why practise women embrace their heads inside an Orthodox church?

Russian woman lights a candle during a remembering church building service in Moscow

AFP

In many religious traditions and confessions, it's compulsory to habiliment pocket-sized clothes when going to the temple – because once inside the temple, cipher should distract you from pious thoughts. This is precisely the reason women encompass their heads entering an Orthodox church. In Russia in the old days, hair was considered a very sexual part of the body, and therefore a married woman's pilus was to be covered at all times. Want to know more than? Bank check out our article on the subject.

6. Why practice Orthodox people stand in church building?

Russian Orthodox priest Father Alexander (L) speaks with a biker at a church in Kemerovo on July 31, 2010. Father Alexander, himself an avid biker, makes several religious biker pilgrimages a twelvemonth to various churches in the area

AFP

There is no strict rule that people must stand during a service in an Orthodox church. In some temples of God, there are benches for elderly, ill and  disabled people to sit on. Withal, Orthodox believers mostly stand during a service, which are sometimes excruciatingly long, up to 2-4 hours. Information technology'southward worth noting that in Greek Orthodox churches, benches and chairs are provided for all to sit on, simply like in Catholic churches.

This happens solely due to tradition, and there are several explanations. Starting time, the Russian Orthodoxy places great emphasis on the spiritual feat every believer must undertake. While praying at a church, a laic should not allow himself rest, because he is in the process of worshipping God. Also, early on Russian Orthodox temples were very small (mainly because it was extremely hard to go along warm in wintertime), and there was simply no place for any benches or chairs.

7. Who are the main Orthodox saints?

The Orthodox believers in Russia never lacked saints to worship

Public domain

One tin can become an Orthodox saint if one has lived a righteous life, full of heartfelt concern for one'southward neighbors. A deceased righteous person who has helped spread Orthodoxy, faithfully served God, and worked miracles or go a martyr in the proper name of the Christian faith tin can exist elevated to sainthood by the Russian Orthodox Church.

Orthodox people venerate John the Baptist, Saint Nicholas, just like Catholics, but Russian Orthodox church building also has its own saints: among the most worshipped are Sergius of Radonezh, Vasily the Blessed, likewise as others. Hither is our guide to the 7 most venerated Russian saints, only you tin can also find out more about the incredible feats of austerity Russian saints performed.

Read more: 3 fascinating miracles the Russian Orthodoxy believes in

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Source: https://www.rbth.com/lifestyle/331524-orthodox-christianity-for-dummies