Eastern Orthodox church

[shondrea]

I hear a lot about the Orthodox Catholic church (I think that’s the name for it?) but don’t understand much of how it differs from the Roman Catholic church. They seem to hold many of the same views. So what are the essential similarities and differences?

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

The Orthodox are the best folks to ask, guys like my friend Hesychios on here for example. But I’d say the major differences are:

1.) The filioque (Catholics accept it, Orthodox do not)
2.) Leavened bread for the Eucharist in Orthodoxy, Unleavened in the Catholic
3.) The role of the papacy; the pope is just another bishop to the East, he’s infallible and the supreme head of the Universal Church in the Western view
4.) Scholasticism is a turn-off to the East, was widely used in the West
5.) Immaculate conception accepted by the Catholics only really
6.) East prefers conciliarism, the West papal supremacy with councils
7.) Catholics accept development, Orthodox do not
8.) Liturgy has differences though the fundamentals are the same
9.) Long ZZ Top beards vs. some clean shaven
10.) West accepts Eastern sacraments, East doesn’t accept West

There are other nuances and subtle as well as significant differences…but those are the biggiest I think…Like I said, Hesychios and Byzantine Wolf have great knowledge of these things, my Eastern brothers in Christ…

I hear a lot about the Orthodox Catholic church (I think that’s the name for it?) but don’t understand much of how it differs from the Roman Catholic church. They seem to hold many of the same views. So what are the essential similarities and differences?

 

[shondrea]

Thank you very much for the reply! It seems there are many basic similarities between the two.

See, I get confused by the use of the word catholic. Are Eastern orthodox and Roman Catholic considered to be close brothers in Christ? Or do we see each other as heretics or incomplete? Are their doctrines by either church that teaches salvation or damnation for the other? Or are we in partial communion?

 

[Nine_Two]

It should first be noted that the Orthodox and Catholics both hold each other to be schismics. You’ll find extremes within both who refer to the other as heretics however I’m unaware of a local Church within either communion which holds this to be true.

The biggest point of contention is the leadership of the Church. The Orthodox believe in a number of local regional Churches which rule independantly of each other, additionally rather than being ruled by a single bishop, each of these churches is controlled by a Synod of Bishops (although in each case there is one bishop who is administrative head, although he can be over ruled by his Holy Synod). In this system of government all Bishops are held to be equals.

This contrasts the Catholic Church where the Pope is head of the Church and exersizes a degree of control over all local Churches.

This is essentially what the schism is based on, since it is non-doctrinal it means that neither side is heretical.

There are a number of other differences that do make reconcilliation difficult. The Catholic Church likes to define things, the Orthodox try to avoid defining anything any more than necessary, and even when Orthodox agree with something the Catholics are defining, we tend to disagree with the act of doing so.

Most of what Gurrney pointed out is correct, although I’d disagree that #8 is an issue to any but the most uneducated on the topic (any study of church history shows such differences to be the norm). Many of those issues also tend to be based on discipline, not doctrine.

 

[shondrea]

Alright, that all seems to make a lot of sense, thank you for the insight!

So the Orthodox church is more likely to hold the workings of God for something only God should know, without us trying to overpick and explain every little thing? I can see the logic of this. There are many things about God and his workings that I think, whatever he chooses and how he chose it is of no matter to me. it’s for him to know.

I guess it’s just like any other 2 Christian religions then? You’ll have some say the others are all heretics, doin’ it wrong and hell-bound, while others will assert the communion of each other’s doctrines and faith in God? I suppose I’m more apt to be in the latter category; from the little I know, i can’t say I agree with aspects of Orthodoxy, but we don’t seem all that different where it counts.

 

[Nine_Two]

Alright, that all seems to make a lot of sense, thank you for the insight!

So the Orthodox church is more likely to hold the workings of God for something only God should know, without us trying to overpick and explain every little thing? I can see the logic of this. There are many things about God and his workings that I think, whatever he chooses and how he chose it is of no matter to me. it’s for him to know.

Pretty much.

I guess it’s just like any other 2 Christian religions then? You’ll have some say the others are all heretics, doin’ it wrong and hell-bound, while others will assert the communion of each other’s doctrines and faith in God? I suppose I’m more apt to be in the latter category; from the little I know, i can’t say I agree with aspects of Orthodoxy, but we don’t seem all that different where it counts.

Not quite, We hold that the Orthodox Church is the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, however we accept that other Christians of any denomination may be granted salvation, such things are up to God alone. The only way to be assured salvation is to be a member of the Orthodox Church living according to its teachings and precepts. This also means that simply being a member does not gain one automatic salvation either.

 

[shondrea]

Huh, sounds much like what the RCC would say about an EO Church.

I’m interested in learning about the different branches of Catholicism. I guess you could say I’m soul searching. I’ve thus far found no desire to leave the RCC (after a frightening week or so when I was convinced I should be a Protestant) but I feel I need to see what each side has to say, and see where i feel God is calling me

 

[Nine_Two]

Huh, sounds much like what the RCC would say about an EO Church.

A few differences of semantics, but yes they have pretty close to the same opinion of each other.

I’m interested in learning about the different branches of Catholicism. I guess you could say I’m soul searching. I’ve thus far found no desire to leave the RCC (after a frightening week or so when I was convinced I should be a Protestant) but I feel I need to see what each side has to say, and see where i feel God is calling me

It should be kept in mind that Orthodoxy rejects the branch theory of the organization of the Church.

 

[Wesley7]

I hear a lot about the Orthodox Catholic church (I think that’s the name for it?) but don’t understand much of how it differs from the Roman Catholic church. They seem to hold many of the same views. So what are the essential similarities and differences?

Orthodox Christians who follow the teachings of the Church are not under the Pope or Roman Catholic influences. Basically, the Orthodox Churches are self-governing and have bishops and patriarchates. (Constantinople) Some differences are doctrinal and what developed in the West affected the Western Church.

Hope this helps.

 

[Ahimsa]

It should first be noted that the Orthodox and Catholics both hold each other to be schismics. You’ll find extremes within both who refer to the other as heretics however I’m unaware of a local Church within either communion which holds this to be true.

The biggest point of contention is the leadership of the Church. The Orthodox believe in a number of local regional Churches which rule independantly of each other, additionally rather than being ruled by a single bishop, each of these churches is controlled by a Synod of Bishops (although in each case there is one bishop who is administrative head, although he can be over ruled by his Holy Synod). In this system of government all Bishops are held to be equals.

This contrasts the Catholic Church where the Pope is head of the Church and exersizes a degree of control over all local Churches.

This is essentially what the schism is based on, since it is non-doctrinal it means that neither side is heretical.

Isn’t universal papal jurisdiction a doctrine in the CC? So, wouldn’t the schism be in part due to doctrinal issues?

 

[shondrea]

A few differences of semantics, but yes they have pretty close to the same opinion of each other.

It should be kept in mind that Orthodoxy rejects the branch theory of the organization of the Church.

Branch theory?

 

[Nine_Two]

Branch theory?

That all churches are equally christian, merely different ways of expressing the same truth.

My mistake, I saw branch and assumed that’s what you were meaning.

 

[shondrea]

Ah, no. That just seemed to be the word that fit at the time!

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Hi Nine,
What I meant in “#8” is simply that there are small differences in the Mass between Orthodox and Catholics like language used, music, pews, etc. I never meant to imply that diversity of liturgy in the early church didn’t exist or that either side had it right or wrong. I just meant that music, language, some wording, etc. was different. I find Orthodox worship very dignified and lovely. I wish there were more incense and a return to Latin and the Tridentine Mass in the Catholic Church in my area. I don’t have any qualms with the Orthodox liturgy or worship, just some doctrines. God bless you. Great post by the way!

It should first be noted that the Orthodox and Catholics both hold each other to be schismics. You’ll find extremes within both who refer to the other as heretics however I’m unaware of a local Church within either communion which holds this to be true.

The biggest point of contention is the leadership of the Church. The Orthodox believe in a number of local regional Churches which rule independantly of each other, additionally rather than being ruled by a single bishop, each of these churches is controlled by a Synod of Bishops (although in each case there is one bishop who is administrative head, although he can be over ruled by his Holy Synod). In this system of government all Bishops are held to be equals.

This contrasts the Catholic Church where the Pope is head of the Church and exersizes a degree of control over all local Churches.

This is essentially what the schism is based on, since it is non-doctrinal it means that neither side is heretical.

There are a number of other differences that do make reconcilliation difficult. The Catholic Church likes to define things, the Orthodox try to avoid defining anything any more than necessary, and even when Orthodox agree with something the Catholics are defining, we tend to disagree with the act of doing so.

Most of what Gurrney pointed out is correct, although I’d disagree that #8 is an issue to any but the most uneducated on the topic (any study of church history shows such differences to be the norm). Many of those issues also tend to be based on discipline, not doctrine.

 

[blazerdave]

(after a frightening week or so when I was convinced I should be a Protestant)

DON’T DO IT haha…we’re far more frightening than the Catholic Church.

 

[shondrea]

DON’T DO IT haha…we’re far more frightening than the Catholic Church.

I’m already fearful and paranoid XD

 

[mariahloves]

Does the Orthodox church share the same beliefs as Catholics on issues like sexuality, abortion, death penalty, etc.?

 

[Hesychios]

Isn’t universal papal jurisdiction a doctrine in the CC? So, wouldn’t the schism be in part due to doctrinal issues?

As defined it was not a doctrine until the nineteenth century. Which is to say that the Latin Catholic church formally asserts that God wanted it that way. Before that time it could be variously described as a pious opinion not universally held, or a theologoumena perhaps. I don’t know how far back the concept actually goes, but I think an early form of it was promoted first during the eleventh century with the Gregorian Reformation.

Therefore it was not a doctrinal dispute originally, but a disciplinary one. This would still be the position of the Orthodox, to whom the idea as a doctrine is quite foreign.

 

[Nine_Two]

Hi Nine,
What I meant in “#8” is simply that there are small differences in the Mass between Orthodox and Catholics like language used, music, pews, etc. I never meant to imply that diversity of liturgy in the early church didn’t exist or that either side had it right or wrong. I just meant that music, language, some wording, etc. was different. I find Orthodox worship very dignified and lovely. I wish there were more incense and a return to Latin and the Tridentine Mass in the Catholic Church in my area. I don’t have any qualms with the Orthodox liturgy or worship, just some doctrines. God bless you. Great post by the way!

I didn’t think you thought that, but felt I’d clarify it for anyone else reading.

To be honest I’d be in favour of more liturgical diversity instead of less.

 

[Nine_Two]

Does the Orthodox church share the same beliefs as Catholics on issues like sexuality, abortion, death penalty, etc.?

On the issues you mentioned, yes as far as I’m aware. As for etc. There are differences when it comes to Marriage (Orthodox allow up to three marriages (that includes marriages ended by death), but have no concept of an anulment), and likewise when it comes to funneral rites, except where required by law cremation isn’t allowed whereas it is in the Catholic Church.