In this thread, I translate Western Church into Eastern Church.
West: State of Grace
East: Communion with God (also, Participating in Divine Life)
St. Ignatius of Loyola
East: Theosis
West: Divinization (or Sanctifying Grace)
St. John Damascene
West: Mortal sin
East: Death-bearing sins
West: Venial sin
East: “Everyday” sins
In the East, sin is not primarily explained as a legal offense against God (as in Western theology) but a spiritual disease that needs healing. Sin separates a person from God and leads to spiritual corruption and death.
St. Theresa of Avila
West: Magisterium
East: Holy Tradition
St. Gregory Palamas
East: Eparchy
West: Diocese
St. Patrick
West: Original sin
East: Ancestral sin
From Dr. Dragani:
“In the East: The primary consequence of Original Sin is death. The reality of death causes people to desire that which can distract them from the realitiy of their impending death. Hence, people turn to sex, money, and power as a way to forget about death. In this way, death leads to sin.
In the West: The primary consequence of Original Sin is a “stain” of guilt. People are born with a guilt that needs to be washed away as soon as possible.
Both the East and the West agree that original sin causes an ABSENCE of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Through baptism, the Holy Spirit can again dwell within man.
It should be noted that the Catholic Church has adopted a much more Eastern understanding in recent years. In fact, the Catechism of the Catholic Church is very Eastern in its approach to original sin.”
The liberation of Saints Adam and Eve
West: Merit
East: Synergy (Cooperation with God’s Grace)
West: Treasury of Merit
East: The Spiritual Wealth of the Saints (Note that indulgences are accepted by Eastern Catholics, but less popular among the Orthodox. Venerable Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain not only did not oppose, but participated in the practice of indulgences, and there are many other examples from the Constantinople and Jerusalem Patriarchates in particular).
St. Louis IX
East: Charismation
West: Confirmation
St. Theodora
West: Beatific Vision
East: Union with the Uncreated Light (Theosis in the Eschaton)
St. Padre Pio
East: Dormition of Mary
West: Assumption of Mary
West: Mass
East: Divine Liturgy
St. Chrysostom
West: Purgatory
East: Post-death purification (Aerial Tollhouses aren’t doctrinal, but a common view)
St. Ignatius of Antioch
Share this Scrolly Tale with your friends.
A Scrolly Tale is a new way to read Twitter threads with a more visually immersive experience.
Discover more beautiful Scrolly Tales like this.