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154 The Russian Orthodox Church
Differences Between the Greek and Roman Churches
The Greek and Roman Churches are much alike in their creed,
polity and forms of worship, yet they have been irreconcilable rivals.
The doctrinal differences between the Greek and the Roman Churches
consists chiefly in the rejection by the Greeks of the word, Filioque,
in the creed, as referring to the procession of the Holy Spirit from the
Father in the Trinity; in their rejection of the authority of the Pope,
and of the word "purgatory," though they believe in a state of purga-
tion after death, and in the efficacy of prayers for the dead. They
teach seven sacraments although the ritual of their administration
differs somewhat from the Roman. Baptism is by triple immersion.
Confirmation is given with baptism even to infants, and by priests, not
by bishops exclusively, as with Rome. The Greek Church teaches
transsubstantiation just as the Roman, and the adoration of the host.
It uses leaven instead of unleavened bread for the sacrament, and
gives communion even to children. Extreme unction has certain
special rights, and may be given several times during the same ill-
ness. Marriage is allowed to priests and deacons before ordination,
and is in some of the churches encouraged. Bishops are required to
be celibate, and are consequently selected from the monastic orders.
A second marriage; or marriage with a widow, is not permitted.
Prayers to the blessed virgin and the saints, whose pictures are ex-
posed for veneration, are common. Graven images are not permitted,
except of the cross, though crucifixes are not used. Pictures and
figures in bas-relief have about the same place of veneration in the
Greek Church that images have in that of Rome. Pictures and icons
are everywhere in display, connected with the worship of the Greek
Church. So long as the Czar occupied the throne of Russia, he was
the political and religious rival of the Pope of Rome. The effect of
the breaking down of the Russian Empire on the Russian Church
cannot now be estimated. To what extent the power of the Greek
Church may work toward a prolonged unity of the conglomerate of
nations, constituting the former Russian Empire, cannot be estimated.
This alone is sure, that the Greek Church, being no longer sustained
by political alliance, will cease to be a persecuting power. Religious
liberty and opportunity for true evangelism must follow in the wake
of present political revolution.
The Gospel in Russia
It would be interesting to trace from earliest times the progress
of the Gospel in Russia. In ancient times the Russian plains were
for the most part viewed as outside the known world. Tradition
holds that the Apostle Andrew carried the Gospel into what was
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