{{expert}}{{stub}}The '''original (or "first") sin''' was committed by [[Adam]] and [[Eve]] (see [[Book of Genesis]] Chapter 3). [[Orthodoxy]] believes that, while everyone bears the consequences of the first sin, the foremost of which is physical death (in this world), ''only'' Adam and Eve are guilty of that sin (see [[Book of Ezekiel]] Chapter 18). [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholicism]] teaches that everyone bears not only the consequence, but also the guilt, of that sin. This difference between the two [[Church]]es in their understanding of the original sin was one of the doctrinal reasons that led the Catholic Church to devise their dogma of the '[[Immaculate Conception]]' in the 19th century, a dogma that is completely rejected by the Orthodox Church.

==Roman Catholic Teaching==<strike>[[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholicism]] teaches that everyone bears not only the consequence, but also the guilt, of that sin. This difference between the two [[Church]]es in their understanding of the original sin was one of the doctrinal reasons that led the Catholic Church to devise their dogma of the '[[Immaculate Conception]]' in the 19th century, a dogma that is completely rejected by the Orthodox Church.</strike>(If this is historic RC teaching, it needs to be documented -- quotes from Romanides are not sufficient here. Certainly it is not the teaching today, see the CCC. Modern Orthodox polemics can be traced back to Fr. John Meyendorff (?)... earlier explanations tended to have a scholastic tone, both in Russia and in Greece) ==Roman Catholic Teaching==For decades, at least, Orthodox teaching has often been contrasted to traditional Roman Catholic teaching on original sin.  Modern [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic teaching]] is best explicated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which includes this sentence: ""original sin does not have the character of a personal fault in any of Adam's descendants. It is a deprivation of original holiness and justice, but human nature has not been totally corrupted" (see Talk page for details). The Roman Catholic Church has defined its teaching of original sin in multiple councils. The first of these was a [[w:Councils of Orange|Council of Orange]] in 529, which expanded upon the [[w:Augustine of Hippo#Doctrine of Original Sin|teachings]] of [[Augustine of Hippo]], whose interpretation of "all dying in Adam"  In contrast to Jewish exegesis of Genesis, Chrisitianity has a Christological reading. We understand the depth of the Fall in the light of redemption. It is in the contrast of the old and new Adams that we understand what the significance of original sin has been.