RE & Life General - Term 1 Test 2

Schism

A break in the unity of the Church, often used to describe the groups that broke off from the Church and established rival churches in the days of early Christianity

Denominations

Divisions or Sub-groups of Christianity, such as Anglicanism, Catholicism, Orthodoxy, and Protestantism.

Divisions

Sub-groups of a religion, which exist across all major world religions

Great Schism of 1054

The divide of the Church, splitting it into the Eastern (Greek Orthodox) Church and Western (Roman Catholic) Church, which exists still today despite various attempts to reunite them. Occurred not only as a result of theological differences, but also from political and social conflicts, greatly due the split of the Roman Empire

Causes of the Great Schism of 1054

• Theological Differences

• Cultural Differences

• Social Differences [over authority]

• Political Differences

Theological Differences in the Great Schism

These were differences in religious belief and doctrine between the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Church. One such was the Roman Catholic Church adding a line to the Nicene Creed (being ‘filioque’, latin term meaning ‘and from the Son’, used to denounce Arianism by stating the Holy Spirit originated by both the Father and the Son, not solely the Father), despite an agreement to not add any words to the Nicene Creed at the Third Ecumenical Council (Ephesus). As well as this, there were disputes over religious practices, like the Orthodox Church using leavened (raised) bread for Communion, while the Catholic Church used unleavened bread

Cultural Differences in the Great Schism

There were differences between the languages and cultures, of the different Churches, leading to misunderstanding and disagreements between them

Social Differences in the Great Schism

There were differences between Churches on authority, especially on the distribution of authority between bishops. The Eastern Orthodox Church had believed that all bishops should have the same amount of authority, while the Catholic Church believed that the Pope would have authority over all other bishops.

Political Differences in the Great Schism

There were differences in political power between Eastern Rome and Western Rome, as the Byzantine (East) Empire weakened while the Western Catholic Church continued to grow, affecting the balance of power and dynamic between religions

Religious Practice

The various activities, behaviours, and rituals that the individuals and communities participate in as a part of their faith’s beliefs and tradition, and can include a wide range of activities, such as prayer, meditation, pilgrimage, etc.

Religious Ritual

A set of actions, often symbolic or traditional, that are performed in a specific order and manner with a specific purpose. For example, the Eucharist and the Sign of the Cross

Celebration

A festive occasion or ceremony that is closely tied to religious beliefs and traditions. Is a time where communities gather to celebrate or commemorate significant religious events, like holy days, festival, or milestone in the liturgical calendar. For example, Easter

Event

A planned gathering or occasion that involves a significant religious purpose or theme. Religious activities may occur throughout these, like worship services and prayer, which people are called to participate in. For example, World Youth Day

Pilgrimage

A journey to a holy or sacred site, which can be taken by an individual or a group, and is often undertaken for religious reasons. Are often marked by specific rituals, prayers, and certain acts of devotion,

OR

A journey a person/group makes to a sacred place, in order to venerate it, ask for heavenly aid, and/or ultimately come closer to God. Were first associated in Christianity with sites to do with the birth, death, life, and resurrection of Jesus

Pilgrim

One who undertakes a pilgrimage

Key details of a pilgrimage

• Journey to sacred place

• Spiritual journey involving reflection and prayer

• Can be done individually or in a group

• Involves some sort of sacrifice (hunger, exhaustion, pain)

• Sacramental (can be healing/give penance)

• Deepens the relationship with ones faith

• Transformative, allows for spiritual growth

3 Key Features of a Pilgrimage

1. Sacrifice

2. Reflection

3. Parallel

The Key Feature in Pilgrimages of Sacrifice

The key feature of pilgrimage where many comforts are forfeited along the journey, and much suffering is experienced. This can include things that facing extreme weather conditions, starvation, dehydration, exhaustion, and requires high amounts of self-denial in order to get through the pilgrimage.

This suffering, though, is not a punishment proportional to the amount of sins one has committed, but is rather a result of the original sin and a universal human experience

The Key Feature in Pilgrimages of Reflection

The key feature of pilgrimages in which the individuals must undergo both a physical and spiritual journey which involves reflection and prayer. These rituals serve as a way to reflect for the pilgrim as pilgrims are called to witness Christ on their journey, and to open their hearts to God. This helps to deepen the pilgrim’s relationship with God

The Key Features in Pilgrimages of Parallel

The key feature of pilgrimages, in which pilgrims must take what they have learned from the pilgrimage and put it into practice in their daily lives to come to a better knowledge of God