What is the Church
The Church is called group of faithful united by the same faith, and who celebrate the same religious doctrines. Also, it is the building that consecrates God and dedicates worship to him.
It is worth noting that the term Church was originally used to refer to the assembly of citizens to discuss political matters.
On the other hand, the term Church is applied to the various dimensions into which Christianity was divided: Catholic Church, Orthodox Church, Anglican Church, Greek Church, Maronite Church, among others. Regarding its constitution and institution, all churches took a social form since there is no society that cannot subsist without authority, and regarding its institution it represents a system of dogmatic precepts, rites and beliefs.
Christ established the church as a true society, hierarchical and monarchical, with a character of stability, destined to gather the faithful until the end of time. Theologians developed this argument and decided that the Catholic Church or Roman Catholic Church is the only true Church of Christ, because it preserves the visible unity and primacy of authority that was conferred on Peter, head of the apostles, and his successors.
in sociology, the Church is characterized by being an organized and institutionalized religious group. The church is a society whose members represent in the same way the sacred world and its relations with the profane world.
Etymologicallythe word church is of Latin origin ecclesia, and this one from Greek ekklesia.
Orthodox Church
The Orthodox Church It is derived from ancient Greek Christianity of the Eastern Mediterranean. Orthodox Christianity spread throughout Eastern Europe due to the influence of the Byzantine Empire, which lasted until 1543, and due to the work of missionary groups.
The Orthodox Church differs from the Catholic Church in the lack of recognition of the Pope as an authority, since for them the most authoritative is the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople. Each Orthodox Church has its own patriarch, being self-ruling.
Orthodox Christianity is important in Russia, Ukraine, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, among others.
See more about Orthodox Church.
Evangelic church
The name of the Evangelical Church was used in 1817 in Germany to name the Church that resulted from the fusion of Lutherans and Calvinists. Currently, the term is generalized for all small groups in Europe and America.
Catholic Church
The Catholic Church either Roman Catholic Church It is a Christian Church that enjoys triple powers: teaching, sanctifying, governing and caring for the faithful. The Catholic Church is formed by the ecclesiastical class of priests, the Pope being the supreme head of the entire Church and the Vatican State, apart from the cardinals, bishops and fathers.
It is a hierarchical organization in which the clergy is divided into bishops, priests and deacons. Likewise, it contains its own commandments or precepts, which are:
Participate in Mass on Sundays and holidays, abstain from work and activities that prevent the sanctification of these days. Confess sins at least once each year. Communion the sacrament of the Eucharist at least on Easter. Maintain abstinence and fast on days that the Church appoints. Satisfy the material needs of the Church, each according to their possibilities.
The Catholic Church is the mystical body of Christ, made alive by the Holy Spirit. Christ is the invisible leader, who communicates spiritual life to all members, through the Holy Spirit through the sacraments.
See more about the Catholic Church.
Anglican church
The Anglican Church It has its origins in England, under its founder Henry VIII. It is considered part of the Catholic Church. Despite the above, it contemplates certain differences with the Catholic Church, since in the Anglican Church it allows women to be priests, and homosexuals can be priests and participate in the church. Likewise, the Anglican Church moves away from the figure of the Pope.
On the other hand, it presents similarities such as the belief in the sacraments of communion and the Lord’s supper.
See also on Christianity and Profane.