What are the main difference and similiarities between Catholic Tradtition and Greek orthodox?
What are the main differences and similiarities between Catholic Tradtition and Greek orthodox?
Such things as bibles, creeds, confessions , Holy Trinity, sin and salvation.
Greek Orthodox is a subset (along with Russian, Byzantine, etc.) of the ‘Eastern Orthodox’ communion of churches, all of whom are in union with the spiritual head, the patriarch of Constantinople. The Catholic Church is the communion of churches in union with the bishop of Rome. The latter, Catholic communion includes many ‘Eastern’ churches which are similar in style and practice to the Eastern Orthodox, although the largest Catholic church/rite is the Western, Roman one. Hope that’s not confusing. It’s far more complex than it seems.
These two communions of churches gradually drifted apart from the 3rd or 4th century, suffering some severe divisions into the early Middle Ages, and a final schism usually dated to 1054, when the bishop of Rome and the patriarch of Constantinople mutually excommunicated each other. Several attempts afterwards to reunite came to nothing, so the communions remain in schism (although often on very good terms). However, each recognizes the other as a genuine apostolic church, with valid sacraments, etc.
The two communions of churches are nearly identical in structure and very similar in worship. (Greek orthodox worship is very different from the ‘Roman’ Catholic worship most of us are used to, but in fact the Catholic Church also includes Eastern Catholic rites which worship similarly, so that is not a fundamental difference.) There are slight different emphases in theology (someone above mentioned a different emphasis on original sin) but these are rather minor points and are actually quite compatible. Both communions of churches recognize the same creeds and hold the same Bibles and have (largely) the same view of salvation and the sacraments. There are slight difference in practice (Easterners ordain married men, Roman Catholics don’t) but again these are compatible and do not forbid communion.
The two largest differences which have come out clearly over the years are the Trinity and the papacy. With regard to the former, the Catholic Church holds that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father AND THE SON (the famous ‘filioque’ clause in the creed), while the Orthodox hold that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father alone. This was the breaking point in the 11th century, although most theologians today think that the two positions are reconcilable (‘from the Father through the Son’ has been proposed as a compromise position). With regard to the latter, the Eastern Orthodox grant the bishop of Rome (‘pope’) only a primacy of ‘honor’, i.e. only as more or less a figurehead, whereas the Catholic Church grants the bishop of Rome real, concrete powers of teaching (infallibility) and government (jurisdiction) with relation to the other bishops and churches. This latter point remains the real sticking point. Hope this helps.
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August 27 2009 10:25 am | Catholic
theo the cod BTFH on 27 Aug 2009 at 3:34 pm #
Personal original sin doesn’t exist in the Orthodox church, because it doesn’t make sense in the original Greek of the NT.
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UberVampire (O_o) on 27 Aug 2009 at 4:24 pm #
Catholic = Roman
Greek Orthodox = Greek
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pudlasz on 27 Aug 2009 at 4:29 pm #
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic%E2%80%93Eastern_Orthodox_theological_differences
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LH Catholic By Choice on 27 Aug 2009 at 4:50 pm #
Both are Catholic but separate because of misunderstandings between the two such as we both follow the Nicene creed where as we Changed the Filique where it says the Holy Spirit comes from the Father and the Son where as Originally it as the Orthodox say it from the Father only.
They are a Apostolic Church and actually our beliefs are almost identical outside of there cultural understanding. Example would be for Baptism we both Baptize Babies but the difference is they dip the baby or immerse it three times in the name of the Father son and Holy Ghost and immediately after Baptism confirm the Baby.Catholic Church normally pours the water but will immerse if asked three times in the name of the Father ,Son and Holy Ghost but with hold Confirmation until the Child has learned his Faith.We both believe in the Mass and Holy Eucharist and can receive each others communion with permission from our Bishops. We both accept asking Saints to pray for us and seek there aid or intercessions.We both have Confession with the Orthodox not only use a Priest like Catholics but have also Special lay people that can hear your confession.Me personally i like the Catholic way better with less people involved.We require weekly attendance at Mass and Holy days of obligation where as the Orthodox and on this i could be wrong but as i understand it requires only you at least attend at Easter.There are some legalistic Differences as the Catholic Church is more legalistic in it’s practice and teachings but the BIG difference is the Role of the Pope.The Greek Orthodox and Orthodox Churches consider the Pope as first amongst equals and not absolute head of the Church as Catholics believe.
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Danielle B on 27 Aug 2009 at 5:10 pm #
Greek Orthodox is a subset (along with Russian, Byzantine, etc.) of the ‘Eastern Orthodox’ communion of churches, all of whom are in union with the spiritual head, the patriarch of Constantinople. The Catholic Church is the communion of churches in union with the bishop of Rome. The latter, Catholic communion includes many ‘Eastern’ churches which are similar in style and practice to the Eastern Orthodox, although the largest Catholic church/rite is the Western, Roman one. Hope that’s not confusing. It’s far more complex than it seems.
These two communions of churches gradually drifted apart from the 3rd or 4th century, suffering some severe divisions into the early Middle Ages, and a final schism usually dated to 1054, when the bishop of Rome and the patriarch of Constantinople mutually excommunicated each other. Several attempts afterwards to reunite came to nothing, so the communions remain in schism (although often on very good terms). However, each recognizes the other as a genuine apostolic church, with valid sacraments, etc.
The two communions of churches are nearly identical in structure and very similar in worship. (Greek orthodox worship is very different from the ‘Roman’ Catholic worship most of us are used to, but in fact the Catholic Church also includes Eastern Catholic rites which worship similarly, so that is not a fundamental difference.) There are slight different emphases in theology (someone above mentioned a different emphasis on original sin) but these are rather minor points and are actually quite compatible. Both communions of churches recognize the same creeds and hold the same Bibles and have (largely) the same view of salvation and the sacraments. There are slight difference in practice (Easterners ordain married men, Roman Catholics don’t) but again these are compatible and do not forbid communion.
The two largest differences which have come out clearly over the years are the Trinity and the papacy. With regard to the former, the Catholic Church holds that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father AND THE SON (the famous ‘filioque’ clause in the creed), while the Orthodox hold that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father alone. This was the breaking point in the 11th century, although most theologians today think that the two positions are reconcilable (‘from the Father through the Son’ has been proposed as a compromise position). With regard to the latter, the Eastern Orthodox grant the bishop of Rome (‘pope’) only a primacy of ‘honor’, i.e. only as more or less a figurehead, whereas the Catholic Church grants the bishop of Rome real, concrete powers of teaching (infallibility) and government (jurisdiction) with relation to the other bishops and churches. This latter point remains the real sticking point. Hope this helps.
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Ph.D. in theology
imacatholic2 on 27 Aug 2009 at 5:34 pm #
The Orthodox and Catholic Churches were one and the same until they separated from one another in 1054 mainly over the role of the Pope.
There are very few theological differences. The main difference is that the Orthodox Churches (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11329a.htm) use the Byzantine Rite (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04312d.htm) and the Catholic Church use the Roman or Latin Rite.
Another difference is the Filioque clause in the Nicene Creed, the original which the Orthodox follow is
"And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father."
And the Catholic revision is:
And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filioque
Pope John Paul II said of the Orthodox Churches in Orientale Lumen, "A particularly close link already binds us. We have almost everything in common."
For the entire document, see: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_letters/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_02051995_orientale-lumen_en.html
With love in Christ.
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Jim ((C.A.B.)) on 27 Aug 2009 at 6:19 pm #
Orthodox and Catholic were one in the same Church before the Great Schism in 1054. Over time about 1000 years ago a few of the Rites of the Catholic Church broke away from orthodoxy with the Holy See (for the most part because of cultural differences between the East and West – not because of doctrine). These churches instead followed the Archbishop of Constantinople; and it is these Churches that are now known as the Orthodox.
Orthodox Christians worship in rites virtually the same as those of the Catholic Church (the rites that ARE in communion with the Holy See). The Catholic Church recognizes all of the Orthodox’s sacraments as valid: including marriage, baptism, Eucharist, confirmation, holy orders, reconciliation, and anointing.
Pretty much the only different is in leadership. Catholicism is led by a hierarchy of bishops. The entire Church – all 23 Catholic Rites – are ultimately led by the Pope, and are under the governance of the Holy See.
The Orthodox Churches broke away from this leadership in 1054. Now each Church is led by a patriarch, their Rites are loosely associated with one another.
Since the Great Schism, several of the Eastern Rites (Orthodox) have migrated back to the Holy See. It is these Rites that make up the 22 Eastern Rites of the Catholic Church.
See this website for a great explanation of everything about Rites, Churches, and the history of Catholicism and Orthodoxy:
http://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/catholic_rites_and_churches.htm
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Catholic Christian