The doctrine of the procession of the Holy Spirit is a key theological difference between Eastern Orthodox Christianity and Western Christianity. The Orthodox Church firmly upholds that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father alone, as stated in the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed (381 AD). This belief is rooted in the teachings of Scripture, Church Fathers, and ecumenical councils.
In contrast, the Filioque ("and the Son") controversy arose when the Roman Catholic Church added that the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son. This theological disagreement became a major factor in the Great Schism of 1054, which divided the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church.
In this topic, we will explore the Orthodox perspective on the procession of the Holy Spirit, its biblical foundation, patristic support, and theological significance.
The Nicene Creed and the Orthodox Position
The Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, which was finalized in 381 AD, is a foundational statement of Christian faith. In the original Greek text, it states:
"Καὶ εἰς τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ Ἅγιον, τὸ κύριον, τὸ ζωοποιόν,
τὸ ἐκ τοῦ Πατρὸς ἐκπορευόμενον…"
Translated into English:
"And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life,
who proceeds from the Father…"
This creed, accepted by the entire Christian Church before the Great Schism, clearly affirms that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father alone. The Orthodox Church maintains this original wording, rejecting later alterations.
Biblical Basis: The Holy Spirit Proceeds from the Father
The Orthodox teaching on the procession of the Holy Spirit is based on Scripture, particularly the words of Jesus in the Gospel of John:
John 15:26 – The Key Verse
"But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me."
This verse explicitly states that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father. The Orthodox Church takes this as direct biblical evidence supporting its position.
John 14:16-17
"And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever-the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you."
Here, Jesus emphasizes that the Holy Spirit is given by the Father, reaffirming His role in sending the Spirit.
Acts 2:33
"Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear."
This passage confirms that the Father is the source of the Spirit, while Christ, as the glorified Son, sends the Spirit to the Church. However, this does not mean the Spirit proceeds from the Son, but rather that Christ plays a role in sending the Spirit to believers.
The Filioque Controversy: A Theological Dispute
The Filioque clause ("and the Son") was not part of the original Nicene Creed but was later introduced in the Western Church. The addition first appeared in Spain in the 6th century and was later adopted by Rome in the 11th century, leading to deep theological disputes.
Why the Orthodox Church Rejects the Filioque
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Not Found in the Original Creed
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The original Nicene Creed (381 AD) did not contain "Filioque."
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The Orthodox Church believes that doctrinal changes must be made through ecumenical councils, not unilateral decisions.
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Contradicts Scripture
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As seen in John 15:26, Jesus clearly states that the Spirit proceeds from the Father alone.
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Nowhere in the Bible does it say that the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son.
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Distorts the Trinity
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The Father is the sole source of divinity in Orthodox theology.
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The Filioque introduces a dual procession, potentially diminishing the Father’s unique role.
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Opposed by the Early Church Fathers
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Many of the Church Fathers explicitly stated that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father alone.
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St. Gregory of Nazianzus, one of the Cappadocian Fathers, wrote:
"The Spirit is truly Spirit, coming forth from the Father indeed, but not in the manner of the Son."
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Patristic Support: The Fathers of the Church
The Orthodox Church relies heavily on the teachings of the early Church Fathers to support its theology. Many of them explicitly rejected the idea that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Son.
1. St. John of Damascus (7th-8th Century)
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One of the greatest Orthodox theologians, he stated:
"We say that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father, because we know this from the Gospel. But we do not say that the Spirit proceeds from the Son; for we do not know this."
2. St. Basil the Great (4th Century)
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A key defender of Orthodox doctrine, he emphasized:
"The Spirit is from God and proceeds from the Father."
3. St. Gregory of Nyssa (4th Century)
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He affirmed that the Father alone is the source of both the Son and the Spirit:
"The Spirit has His existence from the Father and proceeds from Him in a manner incomprehensible to human reason."
These teachings show that the early Church universally affirmed that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father alone.
Theological Implications: The Unity of the Trinity
The Orthodox teaching on the procession of the Holy Spirit safeguards the proper understanding of the Trinity.
1. The Father as the Source of the Trinity
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In Orthodox theology, the Father is the sole origin of both the Son and the Holy Spirit.
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This maintains the unity and balance within the Holy Trinity.
2. The Distinct Roles of the Persons of the Trinity
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The Father begets the Son and sends forth the Holy Spirit.
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The Son is eternally begotten of the Father.
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The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and is sent by the Son into the world.
3. Avoiding Confusion in Trinitarian Theology
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If the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son, it blurs the distinction between the persons of the Trinity.
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The Orthodox Church teaches that each person of the Trinity has a unique role while remaining fully united as one God.
The Orthodox Church and the Holy Spirit
The Orthodox Church remains steadfast in its belief that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father alone, as taught by Scripture, the Church Fathers, and the Nicene Creed.
This teaching is essential for preserving the true nature of the Trinity and maintaining the doctrine passed down from the early Church.
While the Filioque remains a dividing issue between Orthodox and Catholic Christianity, the Orthodox Church continues to uphold the original faith, ensuring that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are understood in their proper relationship.