Joshua Bennett
The Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church have different approaches to exorcism. In the Catholic Church, exorcism is treated as a specialty, with only authorised priests being allowed to perform the ritual. On the other hand, in the Orthodox Church, all priests are trained and blessed to perform exorcisms, and it is considered a routine part of their services. While the practice of exorcism is largely the same in both churches, involving prayers, blessings, and exhortations, there are some differences in the underlying theology and the authority and training of exorcists.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Exorcism as a specialty | Roman Catholicism treats exorcism as a specialty, while in the Orthodox Church, every priest is blessed to perform them. |
| Nature of exorcism | Catholic exorcism is performed in the name of Jesus Christ, while Orthodox exorcisms are prayers for averting the influence of evil spirits rather than expelling the devil. |
| Holy water | Catholic exorcists prefer to use Eastern holy water because it is consecrated, while Western holy water is blessed. |
| Exorcism as a sacrament | Exorcism is not a sacrament in either Catholic or Orthodox Christianity. |
| Exorcism and Vaskania | Many lay Orthodox Christians believe in Vaskania or the "evil eye", which the church rejects as pagan superstition. |
| Exorcism in baptism | In the Orthodox Church, exorcism is part of the baptismal liturgy, while in the Catholic Church, only authorized priests with the local bishop's permission may perform an exorcism. |
| Exorcism training | Catholic priests may seem more efficacious due to their training, but Orthodox priests are also trained and equipped to perform exorcisms. |
| Exorcism and mental illness | Both Catholic and Orthodox priests learn to distinguish demonic possession from mental illness. |
| Exorcism and violence | In both Catholic and Orthodox exorcisms, there is no violence to the possessed, only that they be tied down if there is potential for violence. |
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What You'll Learn
Catholic exorcists have more resources and training
On the other hand, in the Orthodox Church, exorcism is not a specialty, and all priests are blessed and trained to perform exorcisms. While this means that Orthodox priests are more readily available to perform exorcisms, it also suggests that they may have less specialised training and resources than Catholic exorcists. This is further supported by the fact that the Eastern Orthodox Church lacks a specialised organisation of exorcists like the Catholic International Association of Exorcists.
The Catholic Church also has a more developed infrastructure for exorcism, with Canon Law and church discipline dictating the rules surrounding exorcism practices. For example, only an authorised priest with the local bishop's permission may perform an exorcism using the Rituale Romanum in the Roman Catholic Rite. This structured approach provides Catholic exorcists with a clear framework for performing exorcisms, which may be lacking in the Orthodox Church.
Additionally, Catholic exorcists have access to a wider range of spiritual aides, such as the Sacrament of Confession and the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, which are considered essential protections from evil. These sacraments, along with the authority of the Catholic Church, may contribute to the perception that Catholic exorcists are more effective in their field.
While it is challenging to make direct comparisons between Catholic and Orthodox exorcisms, the differences in resources, training, and organisational structure suggest that Catholic exorcists may have more specialised tools and knowledge at their disposal.
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Orthodox exorcisms are prayers against evil spirits
Orthodox exorcisms are rooted in the belief that Jesus empowered his followers to expel evil spirits in his name. The practice of exorcism in the Orthodox Church is not as prominent as in Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches. Orthodox exorcisms are understood as prayers against evil spirits, rather than for expelling the devil. This is evident in ceremonies such as sanctifying the waters (Hagiasmos) and blessing ceremonial oil. While the Catholic Church has a specialized group of exorcists, the Orthodox Church equips all priests to perform exorcisms.
The Orthodox Church acknowledges demonic possession and the influence of evil spirits, but priests must carefully evaluate each case. Exorcism is not automatically administered for illnesses, and the Church provides the Sacrament of Holy Unction for healing. The film "The Exorcist" has influenced perceptions of exorcism, but real-life exorcisms are rarely as dramatic. Orthodox exorcisms are prayers that invoke God's power to expel evil, as seen in the works of Saint Basil and Saint John Chrysostom.
Orthodox exorcism prayers address God as the Almighty, capable of delivering individuals from the devil's captivity and the influence of evil spirits. These prayers recognize the spiritual battle against sin and evil, emphasizing faith in God and love for humanity. The prayers seek protection, deliverance, and healing from God, acknowledging His supreme authority and power over evil.
Orthodox exorcisms are often performed during baptism, serving as a renunciation of the devil. The exorcism of satanic powers is also carried out in cases of the "'evil eye' (vaskania), where jealousy and envy are believed to cause harm. The Church rejects the power of the evil eye as pagan superstition but recognizes it as a legitimate target for exorcism.
In summary, Orthodox exorcisms are prayers that invoke God's power to expel evil spirits and protect individuals from their influence. The practice is an integral part of Orthodox theology, emphasizing the struggle against sin and evil. While exorcisms are performed by priests, all Orthodox Christians are viewed as exorcists in their battle against personal sin and social evil.
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Catholic exorcisms are considered a specialty
The Catholic Church has a special organisation of exorcists, the Catholic International Association of Exorcists, which is lacking in the Eastern Orthodox Church. This is due in part to the baptismal liturgy in Eastern Orthodoxy containing an exorcism ritual, so every priest must be able to perform one.
Catholic exorcisms are performed in the name of Jesus Christ, and the Catholic Encyclopedia ties exorcism methods mentioned in extra-canonical Jewish literature to the driving off of a demon in the Book of Tobias. Saint Michael's Prayer against Satan and the Rebellious Angels is considered the strongest prayer of the Catholic Church against diabolic possession. The Holy Rosary is also considered to have exorcistic power.
Orthodox exorcisms are prayers for averting the influence of evil spirits, rather than expelling the devil. Orthodox Christians believe that objects, as well as individuals, can be possessed. Orthodox exorcists expel demons by invoking God through the name of Jesus Christ, just as in other Christian churches. Orthodox priests learn to distinguish demonic possession from mental illness, by observing whether the subject reacts negatively to holy relics or places.
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Orthodox exorcisms are part of the baptismal liturgy
The Eastern Orthodox Church does not have a dedicated organisation of exorcists like the Catholic Church's International Association of Exorcists. Instead, all priests are trained and equipped to perform exorcisms. This is due to the baptismal liturgy in Eastern Orthodoxy, which includes an exorcism ritual.
The exorcism ritual is part of the baptismal liturgy in Eastern Orthodox Christianity. The exorcism precedes the Sacrament of Baptism and is performed on catechumens, or candidates for baptism. The exorcism ritual involves prayers and religious material, such as set formulas, gestures, symbols, icons, or amulets. The exorcist often invokes God, Jesus, angels, archangels, and various saints to aid with the exorcism. The exorcism is performed to banish the influences and temptations of Satan and avert the influence of evil spirits.
The exorcism ritual is not unique to Eastern Orthodox Christianity. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, for example, also performs exorcisms on individuals believed to be afflicted by demons or buda. Additionally, the Lutheran Church traces the practice of exorcism to the claim that Jesus Christ expelled demons, and the apostles continued this practice in Jesus' name.
While the Eastern Orthodox Church recognises exorcisms as part of its baptismal liturgy, it does not consider exorcism to be as important as the Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches do. Exorcism is not a sacrament in Catholic dogma, unlike baptism or confession. However, the Catholic Church revised the Rite of Exorcism in 1999, and the traditional Latin rite is still allowed as an option.
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Catholic exorcisms are performed in the name of Jesus Christ
In the Catholic Church, only authorised priests with the local bishop's permission can perform an exorcism, and they use the Rituale Romanum. Catholic exorcisms are considered a specialty, and the Church has a special organisation of exorcists called the International Association of Exorcists. The Catholic Church also has specific prayers for exorcism, such as Saint Michael's Prayer against Satan and the Rebellious Angels, which is considered the strongest prayer against diabolic possession.
Catholic exorcisms are performed with the intention of curing the possessed person rather than punishing them, as possession is seen as the manipulation of an unwilling victim by a demon. During the ritual, the possessed person may be tied down to prevent potential violence, but there is no violence inflicted on them. Exorcisms may involve the use of holy water, anointing oil, holy symbols such as the cross, and other consecrated materials.
While Catholic exorcisms are performed in the name of Jesus Christ, it is important to note that other Christian denominations, including Orthodox Churches, also perform exorcisms. Orthodox Christians believe that exorcism is a part of every Christian's struggle against sin and evil, and their exorcism rituals are often prayers for averting the influence of evil spirits rather than expelling the devil. Orthodox priests are trained to distinguish demonic possession from mental illness and are equipped to perform exorcisms, particularly during the sacrament of baptism.
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Frequently asked questions
Christian exorcism is founded on the belief that Jesus commanded his followers to expel evil spirits in his name.
In the Roman Catholic Church, exorcisms are treated as a specialty, and only an authorized priest with the local bishop's permission may perform an exorcism. In the Orthodox Church, all priests are trained and equipped to perform exorcisms, and exorcism is not considered a sacrament.
It is difficult to say which type of exorcism is "better" as it depends on individual beliefs and experiences. However, some people may prefer the Orthodox approach of viewing exorcism as prayers for averting the influence of evil spirits rather than expelling the devil. Others may prefer the Catholic approach of treating exorcism as a specialty and seeking out a priest with specific training and permission to perform exorcisms. Ultimately, the effectiveness of any exorcism may depend on a combination of church authority, training of exorcists, spiritual aides, and the individual's faith.
