How does the Catholic Church differ from the Protestant Church? How are Protestants different from Catholics?

How does the Catholic faith differ from the Protestant faith?

Protestantism is one of the three main Christian religions. Sharing the main features of developed religion, i.e. Believing in God, the immortality of the soul, the supernatural and afterlife, supernatural revelation, etc., Protestants, just like Catholics and Orthodox Christians, imagine God as a triune God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. They identify Jesus Christ with the second person of this Trinity. All Protestants believe in the inspiration of the Bible.
Distinctive features of Protestantism.
At the same time, Protestantism has its own characteristics that distinguish it from Orthodoxy and Catholicism. The most important of these features: salvation by personal faith, the priesthood of all believers, the exclusive authority of Holy Scripture. The Holy Scriptures are the sole and exclusive source of doctrine. The Bible must be translated into local languages. Independent reading and interpretation of the Bible is the responsibility of every believer. The authority of Tradition in matters of faith is denied.
Unlike Catholicism and Orthodoxy, Protestantism believes that the supernatural ability to communicate with God is inherent not only in the clergy, but in all Christians, regardless of whether they are laymen or priests. This is where the Protestant principle of the priesthood of all believers flows. And people owe this supernatural ability exclusively to their personal, inner faith in Christ and in his redemptive mission. From this follows another Protestant principle, closely related to the first - the principle of salvation by personal faith. Protestants broke with Catholicism sacred tradition- a set of decisions church councils and the Roman high priests (popes) - and returned to the Holy Scriptures.
From these main features of Protestantism follow all its other features. The hierarchical structure of the church and the supreme power of the Pope, which is the same for all, is denied, i.e. There is no church hierarchy in Protestantism. The democratic structure of the church is built from the bottom up on the foundation of a general meeting of all church members, where everyone can take part in the discussion of both material and theological issues. Communities, or congregations, of believers are autonomous in decision-making and activities; they are governed by consistories elected by the general meeting for a certain period of time (pastor, deacon and elders (presbyters) from among the laity). Provincial consistories send delegates to the regularly convened provincial synod. Protestantism equalizes all people before God: everyone is equally sinful before him. The only difference between them is that some have greater, and others less, capacity for blind faith. This ability does not directly depend on their position on the church ladder. Therefore, Protestants do not recognize any advantage for the Pope in matters of faith over an ordinary Catholic and believe that a good lay Catholic is better than a bad pope.

Until 1054, the Christian Church was one and indivisible. The schism occurred due to disagreements between Pope Leo IX and the Patriarch of Constantinople, Michael Cyroularius. The conflict began due to the closing of several Latin churches by the latter in 1053. For this, the papal legates excommunicated Kirularius from the Church. In response, the patriarch anathematized the papal envoys. In 1965, the mutual curses were lifted. However, the schism of the Churches has not yet been overcome. Christianity is divided into three main directions: Orthodoxy, Catholicism and Protestantism.

Eastern Church

The difference between Orthodoxy and Catholicism, since both of these religions are Christian, is not very significant. However, there are still some differences in teaching, performance of sacraments, etc. We'll talk about which ones a little later. First, let's make a short overview of the main directions of Christianity.

Orthodoxy, called the orthodox religion in the West, is currently Professes about 200 million people. Approximately 5 thousand people are baptized every day. This direction of Christianity spread mainly in Russia, as well as in some CIS countries and Eastern Europe.

The baptism of Rus' took place at the end of the 9th century on the initiative of Prince Vladimir. The ruler of a huge pagan state expressed a desire to marry the daughter of the Byzantine Emperor Vasily II, Anna. But for this he needed to convert to Christianity. An alliance with Byzantium was extremely necessary to strengthen the authority of Rus'. At the end of the summer of 988, a huge number of Kiev residents were baptized in the waters of the Dnieper.

Catholic Church

As a result of the schism in 1054, a separate denomination arose in Western Europe. Representatives of the Eastern Church called her “Catholicos”. Translated from Greek it means “universal”. The difference between Orthodoxy and Catholicism lies not only in the approach of these two Churches to some dogmas of Christianity, but also in the history of development itself. The Western confession, compared to the Eastern one, is considered much more rigid and fanatical.

One of major milestones In the history of Catholicism, for example, the Crusades brought a lot of grief to the common population. The first of them was organized at the call of Pope Urban II in 1095. The last - the eighth - ended in 1270. The official goal of everyone crusades there was the liberation of the “holy land” of Palestine and the “Holy Sepulcher” from the infidels. The actual one is the conquest of lands that belonged to Muslims.

In 1229, Pope George IX issued a decree establishing the Inquisition - a church court for apostates from the faith. Torture and burning at the stake - this is how extreme Catholic fanaticism was expressed in the Middle Ages. In total, during the existence of the Inquisition, more than 500 thousand people were tortured.

Of course, the difference between Catholicism and Orthodoxy (this will be discussed briefly in the article) is a very large and deep topic. However, in relation to the Church towards the population in general outline its traditions and basic concept can be understood. The Western confession has always been considered more dynamic, but also aggressive, in contrast to the “calm” Orthodox one.

Currently, Catholicism is the state religion in most European and Latin American countries. More than half of all (1.2 billion people) modern Christians profess this particular religion.

Protestantism

The difference between Orthodoxy and Catholicism also lies in the fact that the former has remained united and indivisible for almost a millennium. In the Catholic Church in the 14th century. a split occurred. This was connected with the Reformation - revolutionary movement that arose in Europe at that time. In 1526, at the request of German Lutherans, the Swiss Reichstag issued a decree on the right of free choice of religion for citizens. In 1529, however, it was abolished. As a result, a protest followed from a number of cities and princes. This is where the word “Protestantism” comes from. This Christian movement is further divided into two branches: early and late.

At the moment, Protestantism is widespread mainly in the Scandinavian countries: Canada, USA, England, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. In 1948, the World Council of Churches was created. The total number of Protestants is about 470 million people. There are several denominations of this Christian movement: Baptists, Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists, Calvinists.

In our time, the World Council Protestant churches conducts an active peacekeeping policy. Representatives of this religion advocate easing international tension, support the efforts of states to defend peace, etc.

The difference between Orthodoxy and Catholicism and Protestantism

Of course, over the centuries of schism, significant differences have arisen in the traditions of the churches. They did not touch upon the basic principle of Christianity - the acceptance of Jesus as the Savior and Son of God. However, in relation to certain events of the New and Old Testaments, there are often even mutually exclusive differences. In some cases, the methods of conducting various kinds of rituals and sacraments do not agree.

The main differences between Orthodoxy and Catholicism and Protestantism

	Orthodoxy		Catholicism	Protestantism
Control	Patriarch, Cathedral			World Council of Churches, councils of bishops
Organization	Bishops depend little on the Patriarch and are mainly subordinate to the Council		There is a rigid hierarchy with subordination to the Pope, hence the name “Universal Church”	There are many denominations that have created the World Council of Churches. Sacred Scripture is placed above the authority of the Pope
Holy Spirit	It is believed that it comes only from the Father		There is a dogma that the Holy Spirit comes from both the Father and the Son. This is the main difference between Orthodoxy and Catholicism and Protestantism.
	The statement is accepted that man himself is responsible for his sins, and God the Father is a completely impassive and abstract being		It is believed that God suffers because of human sins
Dogma of Salvation	The Crucifixion atoned for all the sins of mankind. Only the firstborn remained. That is, when a person commits a new sin, he again becomes the object of God’s wrath		The person was, as it were, “ransomed” by Christ through the crucifixion. As a result, God the Father changed his anger to mercy towards original sin. That is, a person is holy by the holiness of Christ himself
	Sometimes allowed		Prohibited	Allowed, but frowned upon
Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary	It is believed that the Mother of God is not free from original sin, but her holiness is recognized		The complete sinlessness of the Virgin Mary is preached. Catholics believe that she was conceived immaculately, like Christ himself. In relation to the original sin of the Mother of God, therefore, there are also quite significant differences between Orthodoxy and Catholicism
Assumption of the Virgin Mary into Heaven	It is unofficially believed that this event may have taken place, but it is not enshrined in dogma		The assumption of the Mother of God into heaven in a physical body is a dogma	The cult of the Virgin Mary is denied
	Only liturgy is held		Both a mass and a Byzantine liturgy similar to the Orthodox can be celebrated	The mass was rejected. Divine services are held in modest churches or even stadiums, in concert halls etc. Only two rites are practiced: baptism and communion
Clergy marriage	Allowed		Allowed only in the Byzantine rite	Allowed
Ecumenical Councils	The decisions of the first seven		Guided by 21 decisions (the last one passed in 1962-1965)	Recognize the decisions of all Ecumenical Councils if they do not contradict each other and the Holy Scriptures
	Eight-pointed with crossbars at the bottom and top		A simple four-pointed Latin cross is used	Not used in religious services. Not worn by representatives of all faiths
	Used in large quantities and are equated with Holy Scripture. Created in strict accordance with church canons		They are considered only decoration of the temple. They are ordinary paintings on a religious theme	Not used
Old Testament	Both Hebrew and Greek are recognized		Greek only	Only Jewish canonical
Absolution	The ritual is performed by a priest			Not allowed
Science and religion	Based on the statements of scientists, dogmas never change	Dogmas can be adjusted in accordance with the point of view of official science

Christian cross: differences

Disagreements regarding the descent of the Holy Spirit are the main difference between Orthodoxy and Catholicism. The table also shows many other, albeit not very significant, but still discrepancies. They arose a long time ago, and, apparently, none of the churches expresses any particular desire to resolve these contradictions.

There are also differences in attributes different directions Christianity. For example, the Catholic cross has a simple quadrangular shape. The Orthodox have eight points. Orthodox Eastern Church believes that this type of crucifix most accurately conveys the shape of the cross described in the New Testament. In addition to the main horizontal crossbar, it contains two more. The top one represents a tablet nailed to the cross and containing the inscription “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” The lower oblique crossbar - a support for Christ's feet - symbolizes the “righteous standard”.

Table of differences between crosses

The image of the Savior on the crucifix used in the Sacraments is also something that can be attributed to the topic “the difference between Orthodoxy and Catholicism.” The western cross is a little different from the eastern one.

As you can see, with regard to the cross there is also a very noticeable difference between Orthodoxy and Catholicism. The table shows this clearly.

As for Protestants, they consider the cross to be a symbol of the Pope, and therefore practically do not use it.

Icons in different Christian directions

So, the difference between Orthodoxy and Catholicism and Protestantism (the table of comparisons of crosses confirms this) with regard to attributes is quite noticeable. There are even greater differences in these directions in icons. The rules for depicting Christ may differ, Mother of God, saints, etc.

Below are the main differences.

The main difference between an Orthodox icon and a Catholic one is that it is painted in strict accordance with the canons established in Byzantium. Western images of saints, Christ, etc., strictly speaking, have nothing to do with the icon. Typically, such paintings have a very broad subject and were painted by ordinary, non-church artists.

Protestants consider icons to be a pagan attribute and do not use them at all.

Monasticism

With regard to leaving worldly life and devoting oneself to serving God, there is also a significant difference between Orthodoxy and Catholicism and Protestantism. comparison table, presented above, shows only the main discrepancies. But there are other differences, also quite noticeable.

For example, in our country, each monastery is practically autonomous and subordinate only to its own bishop. Catholics have a different organization in this regard. The monasteries are united into so-called Orders, each of which has its own head and its own charter. These associations may be scattered throughout the world, but nevertheless they always have a common leadership.

Protestants, unlike Orthodox and Catholics, completely reject monasticism. One of the inspirers of this teaching, Luther, even married a nun.

Church Sacraments

There is a difference between Orthodoxy and Catholicism in relation to the rules for conducting various kinds of rituals. Both of these Churches have 7 sacraments. The difference lies primarily in the meaning attached to the main Christian rituals. Catholics believe that the sacraments are valid whether a person is in tune with them or not. According to the Orthodox Church, baptism, confirmation, etc. will be effective only for believers who are completely disposed towards them. Orthodox priests even often compare Catholic rites with some pagan magical ritual, acting regardless of whether a person believes in God or not.

The Protestant Church practices only two sacraments: baptism and communion. Representatives of this trend consider everything else superficial and reject it.

Baptism

This main Christian sacrament is recognized by all churches: Orthodoxy, Catholicism, Protestantism. The only differences are in the methods of performing the ritual.

In Catholicism, it is customary for infants to be sprinkled or doused. According to the dogmas of the Orthodox Church, children are completely immersed in water. IN Lately There has been some departure from this rule. However, now the Russian Orthodox Church is again returning in this ritual to ancient traditions, established by Byzantine priests.

The difference between Orthodoxy and Catholicism (crosses worn on the body, like large ones, may contain the image of an “orthodox” or “Western” Christ) in relation to the performance of this sacrament is therefore not very significant, but it still exists.

Protestants usually perform baptism with water. But in some denominations it is not used. The main difference between Protestant baptism and Orthodox and Catholic baptism is that it is carried out exclusively for adults.

Differences in the Sacrament of the Eucharist

We have examined the main differences between Orthodoxy and Catholicism. This refers to the descent of the Holy Spirit and the virginity of the birth of the Virgin Mary. Such significant differences have emerged over centuries of schism. Of course, they also exist in the celebration of one of the main Christian sacraments - the Eucharist. Catholic priests administer communion only with unleavened bread. This church product is called wafers. In Orthodoxy, the sacrament of the Eucharist is celebrated with wine and ordinary yeast bread.

In Protestantism, not only members of the Church, but also anyone who wishes, are allowed to receive communion. Representatives of this direction of Christianity celebrate the Eucharist in the same way as the Orthodox - with wine and bread.

Modern relations of the Churches

The split in Christianity occurred almost a thousand years ago. And during this time, churches of different directions failed to agree on unification. Disagreements regarding the interpretation of Holy Scripture, attributes and rituals, as you can see, have persisted to this day and have even intensified over the centuries.

The relations between the two main faiths, Orthodox and Catholic, are also quite ambiguous in our time. Until the middle of the last century, serious tension remained between these two churches. Key concept there was the word “heresy” in the relationship.

Recently this situation has changed a little. If earlier the Catholic Church considered Orthodox Christians almost a bunch of heretics and schismatics, then after the Second Vatican Council it recognized the orthodox Sacraments as valid.

Orthodox priests did not officially establish a similar attitude towards Catholicism. But the completely loyal acceptance of Western Christianity has always been traditional for our church. However, of course, some tension between Christian directions still remains. For example, our Russian theologian A.I. Osipov does not have a very good attitude towards Catholicism.

In his opinion, there is a more than worthy and serious difference between Orthodoxy and Catholicism. Osipov considers many saints of the Western Church to be almost crazy. He also warns the Russian Orthodox Church that, for example, cooperation with Catholics threatens the Orthodox with complete subjugation. However, he also repeatedly mentioned that there are wonderful people among Western Christians.

Thus, the main difference between Orthodoxy and Catholicism is the attitude towards the Trinity. The Eastern Church believes that the Holy Spirit comes only from the Father. Western - both from the Father and from the Son. There are other differences between these faiths. However, in any case, both churches are Christian and accept Jesus as the Savior of mankind, whose coming, and therefore Eternal life for the righteous, is inevitable.

Confessional features of Catholicism. Throughout the 1st millennium, the main Christian denominations had a common history. The most prominent theologians of that era, called the church fathers (Basily the Great, Gregory the Theologian, Gregory of Nyssa, John Chrysostom, Ambrose of Milan, Jerome, Augustine, Leo the Great, etc.), preached in Rome, Constantinople and Jerusalem. However, around the 4th century. Serious differences emerged between the Christianity of the West and the East, which over time led to the division of churches.

The word "Catholic" comes from the Greek. “katholikos” - “comprehensive”, “universal”, “universal”, already in ancient times denoting one of the most important attributes of the Church of Christ. This is exactly how this word “katholikos” is understood and translated by Catholic theologians in the Nicene-Constantinople Creed (325-381): “I believe... in the universal Church.” Later, when the difference between the Western and Eastern ways of Christianity was realized, the name “Catholicism” was assigned to the Western Church. Catholicism has a monolithic doctrine, unique to all its followers and set out in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Catholic, or Roman- Catholic Church, according to the faith of its followers, is the church founded and headed by Jesus Christ, which he destined for all humanity for its salvation and in which there is all the fullness of the means of salvation (correct and complete confession of faith, the performance of all church sacraments, priestly service by ordination according to the apostolic succession). According to Catholics, Jesus Christ rules the church through the Pope and the bishops, and provides infallibility (infallibility) to the Pope. Catholics recognize that the Pope is also a human being, and therefore can sin, and even admit that some Popes have behaved unworthily. The Catholic dogma of infallibility is that, thanks to the help of God, the Pope does not make mistakes, but only when the final decision proclaims the position of the doctrine of faith and morals.

The Catholic Church traces the beginning of its history to the community of the apostles (the 12 closest disciples of Christ). Bishops are considered the successors of the apostles. The Catholic Church teaches that Jesus Christ entrusted the Apostle Peter with special role- to be the foundation and shepherd of the entire church. Jesus Himself said to Peter: “And I say to you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” Saint Peter preached in Rome and suffered there martyrdom in 67 during the persecution of Christians by Emperor Nero. The Bishops of Rome (Roman Popes) are considered to continue the work of the Apostle Peter. After the church schism of 1054, the Pope remained the supreme hierarch of the Catholic Church.

The center of the Catholic Church is in Rome. Within the city of Rome is the Vatican, the smallest state in the world where the residence of the Pope is located. Currently, the Catholic Church is the largest Christian denomination. The number of Catholics has exceeded a billion, representing more than half of all Christians. The number of Catholic parishes in the world has exceeded 200 thousand.

Spread throughout the world, the Catholic Church is a single global organism uniting citizens of different states. One of the principles of Catholic morality is loyalty and respect for state power in your country, compliance with its laws, if they do not contradict moral standards, caring for the well-being and development of one’s people and one’s country. The Catholic Church has always upheld the highest dignity of man, regardless of his economic and social status, nationality, color, religion, gender: all people are created in the image and likeness of God; for each of them Christ gave his life.

The Catholic Church considers abortion to be murder and categorically condemns it, condemns suicide and euthanasia, and rejects human cloning as unacceptable manipulation of human life. Homosexuality is also rejected and traditional family values ​​are protected.

Hierarchy of the Catholic Church. The hierarchy of the Catholic Church dates back to the apostolic times of the ancient church. There are three levels of priesthood: bishops, priests and deacons. Entry into church hierarchy occurs as a result of a priesthood ordinance. However, a special role in governance belongs to the Bishop of Rome, the Pope. The official title of the Pope is: Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Jesus Christ, Successor of the Prince of the Apostles, High Priest (or Supreme Pontiff) of the Universal Church, Primate of Italy, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Roman Province, Monarch of the Vatican City State. The main thing in his ministry is preaching the word of God. The Pope addresses the faithful during Sunday services, trips abroad, and every Wednesday to pilgrims in Rome.

In 1978, Polish Cardinal Karol Wojtyla was elected pontiff, taking the name John Paul II. He made significant contributions to strengthening peace and expanding dialogue between religions and civilizations. After the death of John Paul II in 2005, German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected to the post of head of the Catholic Church, taking the name Benedict XVI.

The Catholic Church is composed of local churches, which are dioceses, the boundaries of which generally coincide with the boundaries of countries or administrative units within states. Several dioceses make up a metropolitanate (ecclesiastical province), headed by a bishop with the rank of metropolitan. There is also a conference of bishops, which has the authority to decide many issues concerning the Catholic Church in a given country. The basis local church constitutes a parish, which is cared for by a priest - a parish rector, who is subordinate to the bishop. Most often, a parish gathers believers from one area. Deacons help bishops and priests, and their work is especially important where there is a shortage of priests. Members of the church hierarchy constitute the clergy (clergy), while ordinary believers are called laity.

Most Catholics belong to the Latin Rite. In addition, the Catholic Church includes the Eastern Catholic Churches, which have sui iuris (self-governing) status.

Features of rituals in the Catholic Church. The Church performs liturgical actions, the most important of which are the sacraments - visible signs of the invisible grace of God. The sacraments are the actions established by Jesus Christ for the good and salvation of people. The Catholic Church, like the Orthodox Church, recognizes seven sacraments: baptism, confirmation (or confirmation), Eucharist, repentance (confession), consecration of oil, priesthood and marriage.

According to Catholic doctrine, the sacrament is performed by none other than Jesus Christ; it is only carried out through the mediation of an earthly servant - a bishop or priest.

Christian worship arose in the first centuries of Christianity out of the need for corporate prayer. The main worship service in the Catholic Church is the Mass. The word "Mass" is a slightly modified Latin word missa, which originally denoted the last moment of the service, when the priest dismissed the people in peace. The most important event in the renewal of church life was the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965). Along with various problems of church life, the issue of worship was also discussed. It was decided that the Mass could be celebrated not only in Latin, but also in native language believers. The text of the service became clear to every parishioner. The role of Holy Scripture has increased.

During services, the organ usually sounds, accompanying the singing of choristers and parishioners. Unlike Orthodoxy, the Catholic Mass is celebrated not only on Sundays and holidays, but also on weekdays. For Catholics, it is considered obligatory to attend Mass on Sunday - the Lord's Day and during solemn services in honor of the Nativity of Christ, Epiphany, Easter and other holidays.

In the Catholic Church, worship can be performed outside the church. If necessary, any worship services are held in an ordinary home; any table is used as an altar. This practice is widespread in places where there are few temples. Today, in many countries, divine services under open air, especially during a pilgrimage or if the temple cannot accommodate all the worshipers.

Spirituality in Catholicism. There is monasticism in the Catholic Church. But, as a rule, this name is applied to the life of not only individuals, but also to the community. Monasticism originated in Egypt in the 3rd century, and Saint Anthony the Great is considered its founder. The original form of monasticism was hermitage. Monasticism became an important factor in Christian life and found numerous followers in the West and in the East.

Now monastics who take vows of chastity, poverty (non-covetousness) and obedience play a special role in Christian life. Monks are organized into orders or congregations, which are governed by their own rules. The most famous monastic orders are: Benedictines (founded in the 5th century by Saint Benedict), Franciscans (founded in the 13th century by Saint Francis of Assisi), Dominicans (or the Order of Preachers, founded in the 13th century by Saint Dominic), Jesuits (or the Society of Jesus , founded in the 16th century by Saint Ignatius of Loyola). All of the above orders are still preserved in the Catholic Church. There are both male and female monasteries.

The Catholic Church has accepted the dogma of the Dormition and Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. Catholics revere images of Jesus Christ, the cross and saints. In this case, only prayer in front of the icon is allowed, and not prayer to the icon. Prayers for the dead are accepted, and there is also a belief in judgment over the dead (preceding the last, Last Judgment) and in purgatory, where the dead are cleansed of their sins.

The main holidays are Easter (the date changes annually, and rarely coincides with Orthodox Easter, since Catholics use the Gregorian calendar) and Christmas (December 25).

The saints and blessed ones are revered and prayed to as intercessors before God. The most revered saints and blessed, besides the Virgin Mary, include Joseph, Peter and Paul, Luke, Ignatius of Antioch, Agnes, Agatha, Lucia, Francis of Assisi, Monica, Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Teresa of Avila, Catherine of Siena, John Bosco, Teresa Minor , as well as Padre Pio, Mother Teresa of Calcutta and others.

Starting from the 4th century. Pilgrimages, the veneration of sacred images (icon veneration), relics (the remains of saints) and relics (objects related to the life of Jesus Christ or saints) became common forms of Christian spirituality. One of the most precious and most revered relics of the Catholic Church to this day is the Shroud of Turin, in which the body of the deceased Jesus was wrapped before he was laid in the tomb. Believers make pilgrimages to holy places, for example, Jerusalem, Rome, Lourdes (France), Fatima (Portugal), Santiago de Compostella (Spain), etc.

At all times, the Catholic Church has sought not only to convey the teachings of Christ, but also to apply them to living issues of our time. In the XIX-XX centuries. the social teaching of the Catholic Church was developed, that is, the official teaching on issues social life. The basic principles of this teaching are respect for human dignity and the pursuit of the common good. Work plays a huge role in a person’s life, but a person should not be enslaved by his work: he should have time for rest, family, cultural, social and religious life.

Of particular importance in the activities of the Catholic Church was caring for the poor, including the sick, strangers and prisoners. Nowadays, charity is actively developing in the activities of the international organization Caritas. Among contemporary devotees of Catholic charity is the world famous Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who became a Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

Prerequisites for the reform of the Protestant Church. The third major variety of Christianity, along with Catholicism and Orthodoxy, is Protestantism. Protestant churches are those that arose during a broad religious and social movement XVI-XVII centuries, known as the Reformation (from Latin reformatio - transformation, correction).

The Reformation marked the beginning of the formation of dozens of Protestant movements operating in different countries and regions. Today, Protestantism is the most influential religion in the USA, Germany, Great Britain, Switzerland, Canada, Australia and many other countries.

The reason for the emergence of Protestantism was the internal processes taking place in the Catholic Church. The Reformation began as a process of correcting doctrine and returning to the original ideals of Christianity. The movement's leaders condemned the immoral behavior and abuses of Catholic priests and called on their followers to restore the principles of the church of the time of Jesus.

Changes in religious consciousness in Western Europe Many reasons contributed. In the 16th century the economy and trade are booming, cities are growing. This contributed to the desire for independence of states that were dependent on papal power. The rulers of principalities scattered throughout Europe did not want to give their wealth to Rome and transfer funds.

Society has approached a new understanding of man as an individual, free in his actions and judgments. Humanism elevated the individual as the highest creation of God, and the spread of literacy contributed to the fact that everything more people gained deep knowledge of the doctrine of Christianity and understood that the ideals and principles of their religion were at odds with reality.

The Catholic Church, in the opinion of many, has moved away from its teachings on the equality of people. Moreover, the religious practices of the era contributed to public disillusionment with the church. It was no secret to anyone that the clergy was mired in matters that did not meet basic moral standards. Religious activities became increasingly formal. The sale of indulgences - documents of remission of sins - was widely practiced. Church positions were openly sold, and the authority of many monasteries and clergy dropped significantly.

Long before the beginning of the Reformation (back in the 14th-15th centuries), the English theologian John Wycliffe (1320-1384) and the rector of the University of Prague in the Czech Republic, Jan Hus (1369-1415), called for a return to true Christian principles.

John Wycliffe condemned the extortions of the Catholic clergy and opposed the institution of monasticism. He believed that the church should not forgive sins and issue indulgences. He also argued that believers should have the right to read and interpret the Bible for themselves. The Holy See condemned Wycliffe's views and decided to burn his books.

Similar ideas were expressed by Jan Hus, who condemned the secular power of the papacy and the sale of church positions. He called for the reorganization of the church on the model of the communities of the early Christians and significant changes in the sacraments and other rituals. For his ideas, Hus was declared a heretic and excommunicated, then he was burned alive at the stake.

Although Wycliffe and Hus were condemned by the Catholic Church, their ideas spread and gained support throughout Europe. Germany and Switzerland became centers of the anti-Catholic movement.

Sermon by Martin Luther. Reformation. The most odious manifestation of the formalization of religious worship and the church’s desire for enrichment was, in the opinion of many believers, the trade in indulgences. The Reformation began with the speech of the German monk Martin Luther (1483-1546) against the sale of indulgences. On October 31, 1517, Luther posted his famous 95 theses on the doors of the cathedral in the city of Wittenberg, which became the first manifesto of the new movement. In the 32nd thesis, Luther wrote: “He who believes that indulgences secure his salvation will be condemned forever along with his teachers.” He also stated that the Pope does not have the right to forgive sins, since he has not been given such power. He called the actions of the priests a violation of the gospel covenants. The Catholic Church accused the rebel monk of heresy, but he refused to stand trial, and in 1520 he publicly burned the papal bull excommunicating him.

In the further development of his teaching, Luther rejected the mediation of the clergy in the matter of soul salvation, refusing to recognize papal authority and all decisions emanating from it. Having rejected Holy Tradition, Luther called on Christians to return to the traditions of the early church and rely only on the authority of Holy Scripture, that is, the Bible.

In the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church allowed only priests to read and comment on the Bible, and its text was published exclusively in Latin. Services were also performed in Latin. Luther translated the Bible into German, and every believer had the opportunity to become acquainted with its text and give its interpretation.

Luther's ideas gained wide popularity throughout Germany. The heads of many German principalities took his side. In 1526, the Reichstag met in the town of Speer, uniting the monarchs of all of Germany, then divided into large and small states. The Reichstag adopted a resolution on the right of every prince to choose a religion for himself and his subjects. However, in 1529, Speer's second Reichstag, the majority of whose participants were Catholics, overturned this decree. In response, 5 princes and 14 imperial cities that supported Luther’s teachings drew up the so-called “Protestation” - a protest against the decision made by the majority of the Reichstag. The origin of the term “Protestantism” is connected with this event, which denotes all directions of Christianity that began their history with the Reformation.

After 1530, persecution of Protestants by the Catholic Church intensified. Only in 1555 did Emperor Charles V (a Catholic) sign a peace agreement with the Protestant princes, in which the principle “whose country is his religion” was proclaimed. Based on it, the ruler could now freely choose a religion, which his subjects should also adhere to. As a result, Germany split into two camps - Catholic and Protestant. The principalities in the north of the country became supporters of Lutheranism, while Catholicism dominated in the south.

Further development of the Reformation. The Reformation very soon spread beyond the borders of Germany. Advocates for the transformation of the church began in Switzerland, France, Poland, and the Scandinavian countries. The largest centers of the Reformation in Switzerland were the cities of Geneva and Zurich. Here, theologians John Calvin (1509-1564) and Ulrich Zwingli (1484-1531) preached for a radical transformation of the structure of the church. In England, the initiators of the Reformation were the ruling elite who wanted to get rid of the power of the Pope.

From its very inception, Protestantism was divided into a number of independent faiths. Lutheranism took shape in Germany, Calvinism in Switzerland, and Anglicanism in England. These movements are called “early or primary Protestantism.” Subsequently, a large number of new movements and sects arose, quite different from each other. Some of them, including Baptists, Methodism, and Adventism, became quite influential and gained millions of followers. These movements are called “late Protestantism.”

Features of the doctrine of Protestantism. Despite all their diversity, the following general principles of doctrine are characteristic of Protestant movements.

The only source of doctrine is the Bible ( Holy Bible). The authority of Holy Tradition (decisions of Ecumenical Councils, documents of popes and other patriarchs of the church) is rejected. Every believer not only has the right, but also the obligation to independently read the Bible and understand its content. The Bible can be translated into local languages.

According to the teachings of Protestantism, salvation is achieved only by faith in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. All other ways to achieve salvation (rites, fasts, godly deeds, etc.) are considered unimportant.

The mediation of the church in the relationship between man and God is rejected. Based on this, it is recognized that salvation does not require the church hierarchy and priests. Thus, in Protestantism there is no division between laity and clergy.

Most Protestants recognize only two sacraments: baptism and communion. Other sacraments are considered simple rites. In reformed churches there is no worship of saints, veneration of icons, or sculptural images. Protestantism rejects the Catholic doctrine of purgatory, celibacy of the clergy and the institution of monasticism.

Main directions of Protestantism. Protestantism is a broad religious movement that has given rise to many trends and trends. The process of formation of new Christian churches, which began in the 16th century, continues to this day. Each of the movements has formed independent organizational structures; they have quite significant differences in their understanding of religious doctrine. Let's take a closer look at the largest Protestant movements.

Lutheranism. Historically, the term “Protestants” was applied to Lutheranism. The Evangelical (Lutheran) Church was formed during the Reformation under the influence of the ideas of Martin Luther. The fundamentals of the doctrine are set out in the book “Augsburg Confession”. The basic principles of Protestantism were embodied in this work: justification by personal faith in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, achieving salvation without the mediation of the church, the source of doctrine is only the Bible, the abolition of monasticism and the worship of saints and their relics, etc. The Lutheran Church recognizes all three Ecumenical Creeds (Apostolic, Niceno-Constantinople, Athanasiev).

In Lutheran dogma and in religious practice, many elements inherited from Catholicism have been preserved. Followers of Luther recognize two sacraments: baptism and communion, and infants are baptized, like Catholics and Orthodox Christians. Five other traditional sacraments for Catholicism and Orthodoxy are considered as simple rites: confirmation, marriage, unction, ordination (ordination to the clergy) and confession are classified as sacred rites. In the Lutheran Church there is a clergy whose functions are to organize religious life, preach the Holy Scriptures, and perform the sacraments. Bishops and other clergy are distinguished by their special attire. This belief is most widespread in Germany, the USA, Austria, Hungary, and the Scandinavian countries.

According to available sources, the first Lutherans appeared in our country back in the 19th century. The first communities were created in Aktyubinsk, Petropavlovsk, Akmola. The first Lutheran community after Stalin's repressions was registered by official bodies in Kazakhstan in 1955.

Calvinism. Calvinism, like Lutheranism, is one of the early movements of Protestantism. The decisive role in its formation was played by the concept of John Calvin (1509-1564), which he tried to put into practice in Geneva. On the basis of Calvinism, the Reformed and Presbyterian churches emerged.

Calvinism is considered one of the most radical movements of Protestantism. Of great importance here is the doctrine of predestination, according to which God chose some people to eternal bliss and others to destruction. Calvin taught that the life of each person should be understood not as pleasure, but as the fulfillment of duty and movement towards a goal set from above.

In Calvinism there is no universally binding creed; the Bible is considered the only source of doctrine. Religious objects such as icons, candles, and crosses are not recognized. Baptism and communion are not understood as sacraments, but only as symbolic rites. Clergy (pastors and elders - presbyters) are elected from among the members of the community.

Calvinism is widespread in Switzerland, the Netherlands, France, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Germany and the USA.

Anglican Church. In 1534, the English parliament declared the independence of the church from the Pope and declared King Henry VIII the head of the church. All monasteries in England were closed, and their property was confiscated in favor of the royal power. But at the same time, Catholic rituals and dogmas were preserved. In 1571, Parliament adopted a document called the 39 Articles, which became a creed for the English Church. On its basis, Anglicanism emerged as an independent movement of Protestantism.

Like other Protestant movements, Anglicanism rejects the Holy Tradition, and the Holy Scripture is considered the primary source of doctrine. The English monarch is recognized as the head of the church.

Anglicanism is a kind of compromise teaching, combining features of Protestantism and Catholicism. Thus, the provision about salvation by personal faith operates along with the provision about the saving role of the church. Priests are considered mediators between man and God, and the church hierarchy with an episcopal structure is preserved. Divine services are close in form to Catholic masses.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, appointed by the British monarch, is considered the spiritual leader of Anglicans in Great Britain. In addition to England, independent Anglican churches exist in Scotland, the USA, Canada, Australia and other countries.

Baptistism. The first Baptist communities arose at the beginning of the 17th century. in England and Holland. The name of this teaching is associated with the Greek word “baptizo” - to immerse in water, to baptize. The basis of Baptist doctrine is the Bible. Faith in Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrifice is considered a sufficient basis for salvation. Only those whom God has chosen believe. A special place among Baptists is occupied by the doctrine of “spiritual rebirth”, which occurs under the influence of the Holy Spirit entering a person, which means the unity of the spirit of every believer with Jesus Christ.

Baptism and communion in Baptistism are understood not as sacraments, but as symbolic rites of spiritual unity with Christ. Baptism is seen as an act of spiritual rebirth of a person. Therefore, this ritual has a number of features. Only adults (over 16 years of age) who consciously turn to faith can be baptized. Before baptism, a person must undergo a probationary period for a year.

Baptists recognize only those general Christian holidays that are associated with the biography of Jesus Christ: Christmas, Epiphany, Resurrection, etc. They also have their own holidays, such as the Harvest Festival and Unity Day. Significant place Missionary work occupies religious life: every believer must bring his relatives, friends, colleagues, and neighbors to the community.

Ritual and religious practice in Baptistism is characterized by modesty and simplicity. The house of prayer is not much different from ordinary secular premises; there are also no religious objects. Baptists gather for prayer meetings two to three times a week. During the meetings, a sermon is usually heard, fragments from the Bible are read, and religious songs are sung.

Baptistism is one of the most widespread areas of Protestantism in the world, including in Kazakhstan. There are more than 350 Baptist associations in our country.

Adventism. The religious movement of Adventists (from the Latin adventus - advent) emerged from Baptistism in the early 30s. XIX century in USA. The founder of this church, William Miller, referring to the prophetic books of the Bible, predicted that the second coming of Jesus Christ was expected on March 21, 1843. The prophecy did not come true, and the date was postponed to the next year.

Ultimately, Adventists refused to name the exact date the second coming, claiming only that it is inevitable and will happen very soon. Miller's followers believe that the world will soon be destroyed, after which a new earth will appear and the thousand-year reign of Jesus will be established. Unlike other denominations of Christianity, Adventists do not consider the human soul to be immortal. According to their ideas, during the Last Judgment, only the righteous, that is, followers of Adventism, will be resurrected body and soul.

Several trends have developed in Adventism. The most famous among them were the Seventh-day Adventists. The founder of this church was Ellen White (1827-1915), who put forward a number of new conceptual positions. In particular, she proclaimed the celebration of Saturday instead of Sunday and “sanitary reform.” Like the Jews, Adventists consider Saturday to be the last, seventh day of the week and declare it a holiday, the day of God (hence the name of their movement). It is prohibited to work on Saturday. As for the “sanitary reform,” it involves taking care not only of spiritual, but also of physical preparation for the imminent coming of Christ. Therefore, believers are instructed to spend more time in the sun and fresh air, lead an active lifestyle, do not consume meat of “unclean animals” (pork), as well as tea, coffee, alcoholic drinks, etc. It is prohibited to take many medications.

Adventists recognize baptism only for adults, but, unlike Baptists, teenagers from 12 years of age are allowed to participate in this rite. Followers of the community are active in missionary activities.

As of January 1, 2013, there were 42 Seventh-day Adventist communities operating in Kazakhstan.

Pentecostalism. Pentecostalism, which emerged in the United States at the end of the 19th century, is another major branch of Protestantism. According to the included New Testament book “The Acts of the Holy Apostles”, on the fiftieth day after the death of Christ, the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles. As a result, they acquired nine gifts: wisdom, knowledge, faith, the gift of healing, the ability to perform miracles, prophesy, discern spirits, speak different languages and interpret them.

Pentecostals believe that believers can gain the ability to prophecy and “speak in other tongues.” This is achieved through a special cult practice, including long fasts, isolation from the world, and immersion in a trance. Pentecostal prayer meetings take place in an atmosphere of extreme excitement and religious exaltation. In a state of ecstasy, believers begin to mutter, scream, and utter incomprehensible phrases, which is interpreted as “speaking in tongues.” According to Russian religious scholars V. Ilyin, A. Karmin and N. Nosovich, ““other speaking” is the result of colossal nervous excitement: this special shape a hysterical attack, the manifestation of which is speech activity in the absence of control by consciousness.”

Among Pentecostals at the beginning of the twentieth century. the so-called charismatic movement arose (its representatives are also called neo-Pentecostals or Pentecostal reformists). Representatives of this movement are characterized by very emotional sermons. The descent of gifts here can be understood as any, including uncontrolled, manifestation of emotions, for example, loud laughter, tears, screams, etc. As far as doctrine is concerned, there are significant differences among the various directions of neo-Pentecostalism.

The rapid rise of the charismatic movement in the West was noted in the 1960s. Thanks to active preaching activities, various branches of Pentecostalism have spread throughout the world, including the United States, Latin America, Europe and CIS countries.

In Kazakhstan they have spread in the last two decades. Currently, there are 189 Pentecostal communities in all regions of the country (Evangelical Christians in the Spirit of the Apostles, Union of Christians of the Evangelical Faith, etc.) and 55 Presbyterian communities.

In addition to those discussed above, many other Protestant movements have formed in the world. Among them are Mennonites, Methodists, Quakers, etc. Some of them have deviated so much from traditional Christianity that scientists and theologians doubt whether they can be considered Christian movements. Similar assessments apply, for example, to Jehovah's Witnesses or Mormons.

How does the Catholic faith differ from the Protestant faith?

There are several important differences between Catholics and Protestants. Despite the fact that in last years there were many attempts to find mutual language between the two groups, the fact is that differences remain, and they are as important today as they were at the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. Below is short review Some of the most important differences:

• One of the first significant differences between Catholicism and Protestantism is the question of the sufficiency and authority of Scripture.
• Protestants believe that the Bible alone is the source of God's special revelation to humanity and teaches us everything that is necessary for our salvation from sin.
• Protestants, on the other hand, view the Bible as the standard by which all Christian behavior should be measured. This belief is commonly called "sola scriptura" and is one of the "five solas" (sola is Latin for "one") that emerged from the Protestant Reformation as a summary of some of the differences between Catholics and Protestants.

Although there are many verses in the Bible that establish its authority and sufficiency for all matters of faith and practice, one of the clearest is 2 Timothy 3:16, where we see that “all Scripture is inspired of God and profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for corrections, for teaching righteousness.”

Catholics reject the doctrine of sola scriptura and do not believe that the Bible alone is sufficient. They believe that both the Bible and the sacred Roman Catholic tradition are equally binding on Christians. Many Roman Catholic doctrines such as purgatory, prayer to the saints, worship or veneration of Mary, etc. Whether they have little or no basis in Scripture, they are based solely on Roman Catholic traditions. Essentially, the Roman Catholic Church's rejection of sola scriptura and its insistence that both the Bible and tradition are equal in authority undermine the sufficiency, authority, and completeness of the Bible. The view of Scripture underlies many, if not all, differences between Catholics and Protestants.

Another disagreement between Catholicism and Protestantism is over the position and power of the pope.

According to Catholicism, the pope is the "vicar of Christ" (vicar is a substitute) and represents Jesus as the head of the Church. Thus, the Pope has the ability to speak ex cathedra (with authority on matters of faith and practice), making his teachings infallible and binding on all Christians. On the other hand, Protestants believe that no man is infallible and that only Christ is the head of the Church. Catholics rely on apostolic succession as a way to try to establish the authority of the Pope.

Protestants believe that the authority of the church comes not from apostolic succession, but from the Word of God. Spiritual strength and power do not rest in the hands common man, but in the very Word of God. While Catholicism teaches that only the Catholic Church can correctly interpret the Bible, Protestants believe that the Bible teaches that God sent the Holy Spirit to indwell all newborn believers, allowing all believers to understand the message of the Bible.

Protestants point to passages such as John 14:16-17: “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever; This is the Spirit of truth, which the world cannot receive because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him, because He abides with you and will be in you” (See also John 14:26 and 1 John 2: 27).

The third major difference between Catholicism and Protestantism is how one is saved.

Another of the five solas of the Reformation is sola fide (“faith alone”), which affirms the biblical doctrine of justification by faith alone through Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-10). However, Catholics teach that a Christian must rely on faith plus “worthy works” to be saved. Essential to the Roman Catholic doctrine of salvation are the Seven Sacraments, which are baptism, confirmation, Eucharist, penance, anointing of the sick, holy orders and marriage. Protestants believe that on the basis of faith in Christ alone, believers are justified by God, since all their sins are paid for by Christ on the cross, and His righteousness is attributed to them. On the other hand, Catholics believe that the righteousness of Christ is imparted to the believer by "grace through faith" but is not in itself sufficient to justify the believer. The believer must supplement the righteousness of Christ imparted to him by worthy works.

Catholics and Protestants also disagree on what it means to be justified before God. For Catholics, justification involves being righteous and holy. He believes that faith in Christ is only the beginning of salvation and that a person must rely on this with good deeds, because the grace of God eternal salvation must be earned. This view of justification is contrary to the clear teaching of Scripture in passages such as Romans 4:1-12, Titus 3:3-7, and many others. Protestants distinguish between a one-time act of justification (when we are declared righteous by God based on our faith in the atonement of Christ on the cross) and a process of sanctification (the development of righteousness that continues throughout our lives on earth). Although Protestants recognize that works are important, they believe that they are the result or fruit of salvation, but never the means to it. Catholics confuse justification and sanctification together into one continuous process, which leads to confusion about how one person is saved.

The fourth major difference between Catholics and Protestants has to do with what happens after death. Both believe that non-believers will spend eternity in hell, but there are significant differences in what happens to believers. From their church traditions and their dependence on non-canonical books, Catholics developed the doctrine of purgatory. Purgatory, according to the Catholic Encyclopedia, is “a place or condition of temporary punishment for those who, while serving this life under God's grace, is not entirely free from hackneyed faults, or has not fully paid the satisfaction of his crimes.” on the other hand, Protestants believe that since we are justified by faith in Christ alone and the righteousness of Christ is imputed to us - when we die, we will go straight to heaven to be in the presence of the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:6-10 and Philippians 1:23 ).

The differences between Catholicism and Evangelical Protestants are important and significant.

One of the troubling aspects of the Catholic doctrine of purgatory is the belief that a person can and should pay for his own sins. It leads to low look on the sufficiency and effectiveness of Christ's atonement on the cross. Simply put, the Roman Catholic view of salvation implies that Christ's atonement on the cross was insufficient payment for the sins of those who believe in Him and that even the believer must pay for his own sins, either through repentance or time in purgatory. However, the Bible teaches that only the death of Christ can satisfy or appease God's wrath against sinners (Romans 3:25, Hebrews 2:17, 1 John 2:2, 1 John 4:10). Our works of righteousness cannot add to what Christ has already accomplished.

Paul wrote to the Galatians about the struggle against the Jews (Jews who said that the Gentile Christians had to keep the Law Old Testament to be saved). Like Judaism, Catholics make human works necessary for God to be justified, and they end with a very different gospel.

It is our prayer that God will open the eyes of those who believe in the teachings of the Catholic Church. We hope that all will understand that his "works of righteousness" cannot justify him or sanctify him (Isaiah 64:6). We pray that all will instead believe only that we are “justified by his grace through the atonement of Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as the sacrifice of atonement through the shedding of his blood to obtain faith” (Romans 3:24-25). God saves us “not because of the righteous works we have done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the erasure of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit, which he poured out upon us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs who hope for eternal life"(Titus 3:5-7).

In the 50th year of Christ, his followers and those who believed in them founded the Orthodox Christian Church, which exists to this day. Since its founding there have been five Christian Churches. It took eight centuries for the Orthodox Church to develop its traditions and teachings. For this purpose, all five churches created an Ecumenical Council, at which they accepted general solutions, on religious issues of varying complexity.

That is why the Orthodox Church is also called Cathedral, if it was necessary to make an important decision for the church, then representatives of all churches gathered at the council and together chose their path. All the traditions and teachings created then have not changed in the Orthodox Church to this day. Initially Orthodox Church consisted of churches that had nothing in common and were united only by faith in Jesus Christ, these are: Greek, Syrian, Russian, Jerusalem, Roman and others.

Due to various historical events in 1054 the Christian Church was divided into Catholics and Orthodox. In the sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries, a new schism occurred in the Catholic Church. There were Christians who disagreed with some of the innovations created by the Catholic clergy led by the Pope. Such believers later became known as Protestants.

In 1517, a man appeared in Germany who can rightfully be called the founder of the Protestant faith. The monk by name accused the Catholic Church and its ministers of seeking personal gain in church rituals, claiming that they were not interested in faith in God, but only in silver and gold. In addition, he completed the translation of the Bible from Latin into his native German language and made the assumption that each person is free to interpret it in his own way. In fact, Protestants are Catholics who wanted the abolition and revision of some of the changes carried out by the Catholic clergy.

Catholics and Protestants, who are they?

Catholics are believers who profess Western Christianity or Catholicism, which appeared after the collapse Christian Church into Western (Catholic) and Eastern (Orthodox).

Protestants are Christian believers who, as a result of changes taking place in the Catholic Church, separated from it.

What is the difference between them?

The Catholic churches of all countries are united into one and are governed by the Pope. Protestants do not have such centralization; moreover, they are also divided among themselves into various religious movements: Lutheran Church, Anglican Church and so on, but among Baptists there is a certain fragmentation in the movement itself. All Protestants are united only by an unshakable faith in Jesus Christ.

In addition, there are smaller differences between Catholics and Protestants. For example, Catholic priests are prohibited from marrying, but Protestants have no such restrictions. There are various monastic orders in the Catholic Church, dating back to the times of the Crusades. There is nothing like this among Protestants. Catholics can only have men as priests, but their religious opponents very often have women ordained to the clergy.

In Catholicism, in order to accept a religion, it is customary to baptize children in infancy; Protestants believe that a person must make the decision to accept their religion himself, so they begin to baptize only people in mature age.

Catholics honor the Virgin Mary Mother of God and Protector of the human race. Protestants fundamentally disagree with this and reject such teachings of the Catholic Church. There are seven sacraments in the Catholic Church, Protestants accept only two of them, baptism and communion. Some religious movements do not have sacraments at all.

For the rite of communion, Catholics use only unleavened bread; Protestants do not attach any importance to this.
Every Catholic believer must confess to a priest at least once a year; Protestants do not consider it necessary to have intermediaries between them and God. Catholics respect icons, crosses, and paintings depicting saints. Protestants do not honor either icons or the cross and reject them.

Let's summarize, 10 differences between a Catholic and a Protestant

1. There is unity in the Catholic Church, Catholics all over the world listen to the opinion of the Pope, but Protestants do not have this unity.
2. Among Catholics, only men can be ordained priests; among Protestants, any person, regardless of gender, can become a priest and devote his life to God.
3. Catholics can be baptized at any age; among Protestants, only a person in adulthood can be baptized.
4. The Protestant Church denies the Holy Tradition.
5. In the Catholic Church, the Virgin Mary is revered; for Protestants, she is just an ideal woman.
6. Catholics have seven sacraments; Protestants may not have them at all.
7. Catholics believe in the suffering of sinful souls after death. Protestants believe only in the Last Judgment and do not pray for the dead.
8. Catholics use only unleavened bread for communion; Protestants use any bread for this purpose.
9. A Catholic must confess to a clergyman, a Protestant confesses only to God, they do not need a priest for this.
10. Protestants do not have a generally accepted form of worship and rituals.
11. The Protestant Church recognizes icons, crosses, images of saints, but this is not accepted among Protestants.