How do the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic faiths differ?

[lanceg]

That still doesn’t disprove my post. The specific nature of purgatory is not dogmatically defined and Catholics are just as free to accept a literal view of purgatorial fire as they are to reject it. Just as long as we accept the basic dogma, we are free to believe that purgatory is a place, a state, a fiery pit, an ice cave, a Barbra Streisand concert, etc…

If the Latins did try to force the literal view on the Greeks, it was out of stubbornness (Latin bishops are humans too, after all) and not because it was necessary for the Greeks’ salvation.

At the Council of Florence, the Latin Church indeed did expect the Greek Church to accept Purgatory as a place of fire. But in the union of Brest with the Belarusans and Ukrainians, over 150 years later, the churches agreed “not to discuss” purgatory.

 

[lanceg]

It is doctrinal within the Roman Church that Purgatory is a place of fire. It is not accepted in eastern theology. Since the existence of Purgatory is dogmatic, but the nature of the place (other than being neither heaven nor hell) isn’t defined dogmatically, Eastern Catholics simply put purgatory as the place where most posthumous theosis occurs… And doctrine is allowed to vary by church sui iuris.

Well said, Aramis. I like the distinction between dogma and doctrine. We share the same substantial faith across all of the Churches of the Catholic Communion, but we differ even in theological expression.

I would knit-pick one tiny detail; when Protestant friends challenge me on purgatory, I speak of it as a process rather than a place. I am sure many Latins would agree with me. Than I go on to explain how theosis begins in this life, but continues into the next.

 

[Diak]

Perhaps using the Eastern terms of theologumena and *dogma *would be more appropriate for Eastern Christians and when speaking of the Eastern Christian perspective (whether that be Catholic or Orthodox). Doctrine and dogma indeed often get confused with each other.
FDRLB

 

[Aramis]

Well said, Aramis.

Thanks.

I would knit-pick one tiny detail; when Protestant friends challenge me on purgatory, I speak of it as a process rather than a place. I am sure many Latins would agree with me. Than I go on to explain how theosis begins in this life, but continues into the next.

I, too, describe it as a process.

 

[lak611]

I would knit-pick one tiny detail; when Protestant friends challenge me on purgatory, I speak of it as a process rather than a place. I am sure many Latins would agree with me. Than I go on to explain how theosis begins in this life, but continues into the next.

I am a Latin Catholic, but that is how I understand it too.

 

[Jerry-Jet]

In the United States What English version of the Bible do most Eastern Catholics use and what English version of the Bible do most Eastern Orthodox use?

Are there any English versions of the Bible used by Eastern Catholics and by Eastern Orthodox that Latin Catholics might not have read and would be valuable for them to read?