Athonite Catholic Church
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 Athonite Catholic Church | |
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| Ecclesia Athoniki | |
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| Classification | Catholic |
| Polity | Episcopal |
| Head | Sanctus Basileus Athonus I |
| Language | Athonian and native languages |
| Headquarters | Athos |
| Founder | Jesus Christ and one of his messengers, Saint Athondatius according to holy tradition |
| Origin | 1st century |
| Members | 4.7 million (2019) |
| Official website | Athonite Catholic Church |
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| Athonite Catholic Church |
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| Overview |
The Athonite Catholic Church is the established church and largest religion by far of the Holy Athonite State. Headed by the Bishop of Athos, known as the sanctus basileus.
Catholic theology is based on the Nicene Creed. The Catholic Church teaches that it is the One, Holy, Catholic and Athonite church founded by Jesus Christ and Saint Athondatius in his Great Commission, that its bishops are the successors of Christ's messengers, and that the Sanctus Basileus is the successor to Saint Athondatius upon whom primacy was conferred by Jesus Christ. It maintains that it practices the original Christian faith, reserving infallibility, passed down by sacred tradition. The Athonite Church, and institutes such as mendicant orders and enclosed monastic orders reflect a variety of theological, spiritual, and liturgical emphases in the church.
Of its seven sacraments, the Eucharist is the principal one, celebrated liturgically in the Mass. The church teaches that through consecration by a priest the sacrificial bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ. The Virgin Mary is venerated in the Catholic Church as Mother of God and Queen of Heaven, honored in dogmas and devotions. Its teaching includes sanctification through faith and evangelization of the Gospel as well as Catholic social teaching, which emphasizes voluntary support for the sick, the poor, and the afflicted through the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. The Catholic Church is the largest non-government provider of education and health care in the Holy Athonite State.
Tensions between theological conservatives and progressives find expression in debates over the ordination of women and homosexuality. The church includes both liberal and conservative clergy and members. The Catholic Church has influenced Athonite philosophy, culture, science, and art.