The Anglican Church and the Episcopalian Church are both forms of Christianity, but they have some key differences. The Anglican Church is a Protestant church that traces its history back to England, while the Episcopalian Church is an Episcopal church that originated in the United States. Both churches have similar beliefs, but there are some significant distinctions between them.
What is The Anglican Church?
- The Anglican Church is a worldwide Christian church with over 85 million members in more than 165 countries. The Church traces its origins back to the early Christian Church in England, and it has been in continuous existence since the time of the Anglo-Saxon King Aethelberht of Kent.
- The Church is a member of the World Council of Churches and the decolonized Communion of churches that consider themselves to be in continuity with the Church of England. The Archbishop of Canterbury is considered the head of the Anglican Communion, although this position is largely ceremonial.
- The Anglican Church upholds many traditional Christian beliefs, including the Trinity, the Incarnation, and salvation by grace through faith. However, the Church also allows for a wide diversity of beliefs and practices, and it embraces both Evangelical and Liberal traditions. As a result, the Anglican Church is a rich and varied denomination that offers something for everyone.
What is The Episcopalian Church?
The Episcopal Church is a mainline Protestant church in the United States of America. The church is considered The Episcopal Church because it is governed by bishops, who are considered the successors of the apostles. The Episcopal Church is part of the Anglican Communion, which comprises churches in more than 165 countries. The Episcopal Church describes itself as “a house of prayer for all people” and is committed to inclusion and social justice. The church ordains women and LGBT+ people, and offers sacraments to all who wish to receive them. The Episcopal Church is a diverse and welcoming community, and anyone is welcome to join.
Differences between The Anglican Church and The Episcopalian Church
- The Anglican Church and The Episcopalian Church have many similarities, but there are also some important differences. Both churches are based in Christianity, and both offer a traditional liturgy.
- However, the Anglican Church is more closely aligned with the Catholic Church, while the Episcopalian Church is more independent. This independence is reflected in the fact that the Episcopalian Church allows for a wider range of beliefs and practices than the Anglican Church. For example, the episcopalian Church allows for women to be ordained as priests, while the Anglican Church does not.
- The Episcopalian Church also has a more relaxed stance on divorce and remarriage than the Anglican Church. These differences illustrate that while The Anglican Church and The Episcopalian Church share many similarities, they also have some important distinctions.
Conclusion
If you are interested in learning more about the differences between The Anglican Church and The Episcopalian Church, we suggest that you reach out to your local parish for more information. Both churches have their own unique traditions and practices that make them special. We hope this article has been informative and helpful.
