question for Greek Orthodox

  • Thread starter Thread starter rinnie
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
R

rinnie

Guest
Hi I have a question for someone that is Greek Orthodox. Now please only from you, I am Catholic and i hate how non-Catholics tell me my Religion. Can you tell me what is the big difference from Roman Catholics and the Greed Orthodox faith. Please no attacking each others faith. That is not what this is about. THanks, and have a Blessed Easter.
 
Not all Orthodox are “Greek” Orthodox. There are Russian, Romanian, Finnish, American, and even Japanese and Mexican Orthodox.
 
Your question difficult to answer. Better to ask what is Orthodoxy. You know what is catolikism, that way avoid even trying to be in position my church is better compared to your church.

Orthodox church is church founded by Jesus Christ on his Holy Apostles and their successors, bishops, archbishops, metropolitans and patriarchs. Head of each church is bishop.

In each church are temples (parokial churches), men monasteries, female monasteries, and many lay persons. Clergy below bishop are white clergy for temples: married men. Clergy for monasteries called black clergy and not married and from which are chosen bishops. These can be priests or diakons. Diakons can be monks or white clergy. These are helpers of priests.

Person become orthodox by Holy Mysteries of Baptism, Annointing with Holy Myron and Holy Communication of Body and Blood of Our God Jesus Christ. These Mysteries are given to adults and to small infants.

Orthodox temples are place like heaven. There is an entry room, a room for lay persons and a place for celebrating Holy Mystery separated by Ikonostas - wall covered with ikons. Ikons are pictures of holy prophets, saints, Mother of God, Christ.

Orthodox year contains 12 great feasts - and many other
smaller feasts. But Feast of All Feasts is Holy Paskha (Easter). This is celebrated by Nikean Council rule only after Jewish Passover (therefore, we are now only in 2nd week Great Fast (Lent)). Other feasts: Birth of Jesus Christ, Transfiguration of Lord Jesus Christ, Dormition of Mother of God, Birth of Mother of God.

There are many books for you to read about Orthodox church but pictures\ help:

 
Some of the essential differences, as I understand them, are the Orthodox Churches don’t recognize the authority of the Pope as head of the Church, but rather as another patriarch, though in meetings the Pope or his representative are generally accorded “first among equals” status.

Some (most/all?) use Leaven as oppossed to unleaven bread for the eucharist.

The Orthodox don’t have as many Marian doctrines

The Orthodox don’t have a doctrine of purgatory

Their lenten fast is MUCH stricter

We rarely share Easter

Each national Church is fairly autonomous

Married men can be ordained…only celibate priests can become bishops

A much less strict view of remarriage after civil divorce

Baptism, Eucharst, and Confirmation are given to the baby all in one fell swoop
 
Okay so more or less one of the biggest is the Pope. Now do you guys have all the sacraments?
 
Yerusalyim said:
fell swoop
Click to expand...
What isf****ells woops - cannot find in dictionary???.

Most interesting in your list of differences between churches that you are not including such - Orthodox are holding that Bishop of Rome, Church of Great First Apostles Peter and Paul, is not the supreme pastor (using such Latin expression Pontifex Maximus ). Orthodox believes that Orthodox Church is true and without any error but does not believe any one person even Bishop is not making mistakes. Holy Spirit is given some freedom to act through sinners in Orthodoxy.
 
Holy Orthodox has ways to cause holiness- обожение so can be sharing in grace and goodness of God. These are called Holy Mysteries. Many Orthodox theological scientists call them like Sacraments of Catolics numbering seven:

Baptism -
Annointing Holy Myron
Communication Holy Mysteries of Body and Blood
Confess sins
Priesthood
Marriage
Soborification for sick (соборование)

but also some other ceremonies are also Holy Mysteries to bring person to be graceful:
 
Fell Swoop= all at once. For most Catholics it’s baptism as a baby, first communion as a child and confirmation as a teen, in the Orthodox Church it’s done all at the same time.

Because I mentioned that the Orthodox don’t recognize the Pope as Head of the Church I didn’t think it necessary to mention the items you did relating to this. I can only speak from where I have knowledge (and respect). I will not speak from ignorance…(at least not often).
 
Yerusalyim said:
Fell Swoop= all at once. For most Catholics it’s baptism as a baby, first communion as a child and confirmation as a teen, in the Orthodox Church it’s done all at the same time.

Because I mentioned that the Orthodox don’t recognize the Pope as Head of the Church I didn’t think it necessary to mention the items you did relating to this. I can only speak from where I have knowledge (and respect). I will not speak from ignorance…(at least not often).
Click to expand...
Oh now im on to something here. I have this customer now she is Catholic? she goes to the CC. Now she told me when she moved here that her kids had communion, confirmation all at the same time. Do you think she was Orthodox and didnt realize it. Could that be possible. Sorry im off the subject. BUt now getting back to the last post that sounds like the sacraments to me… Also please forgive me if i hurt anyone not my intentions, But okay the Priests are different but really though its pretty close to Catholic correct. Isnt it Greek Orthodox that is the closest. As far as Scripture?
 
rinnie said:
Oh now im on to something here. I have this customer now she is Catholic? she goes to the CC. Now she told me when she moved here that her kids had communion, confirmation all at the same time. Do you think she was Orthodox and didnt realize it. Could that be possible. Sorry im off the subject. BUt now getting back to the last post that sounds like the sacraments to me… Also please forgive me if i hurt anyone not my intentions, But okay the Priests are different but really though its pretty close to Catholic correct. Isnt it Greek Orthodox that is the closest. As far as Scripture?
Click to expand...
Anyone over seven years of age who was baptized elsewhere and was coming into the Catholic Church would receive Confirmation and Communion at the same time. Also children who missed First Communion at age seven for some reason would receive both sacraments at the same time.

There are Eastern Catholic Churches which follow most of the customs of the Orthodox.

Also the time for First Communion and Confirmation varies in different countries; so may be given together in some places - I don’t have any details on that.
 
Ok would you guys say that of all of the Religions, you would be the closest to Catholic? And also do you believe that Christ is present in Holy Communion.
 
rinnie said:
Ok would you guys say that of all of the Religions, you would be the closest to Catholic? And also do you believe that Christ is present in Holy Communion.
Click to expand...
The Catholic and Orthodox services recognize in one another the validity of its sacraments and apostolic succession.
 
rinnie said:
Hi I have a question for someone that is Greek Orthodox. Now please only from you, I am Catholic and i hate how non-Catholics tell me my Religion. Can you tell me what is the big difference from Roman Catholics and the Greed Orthodox faith. Please no attacking each others faith. That is not what this is about. THanks, and have a Blessed Easter.
Click to expand...
I think Volodymyr’s initial comment is important to remember here.

If I tell you what I think the differences are, I combine my knowledge and misconceptions of your church, and compare them to my knowledge and misconceptions of my church. Then, if you detect errors in my critique about your church (correctly or not) my opinion is discredited in your eyes and you might assume I am writing in bad faith (excuse the apparent pun).

Just read what the Orthodox say about themselves, you should be able to make the comparison yourself.

Blessed Pascha
Michael
 
As far as I know (I’m Catholic so not the best qualified) the main differences in doctrine (as opposed to Church practice as the Greek Catholic Churches follow Eastern Orthodox practice very closely) are:

Ecumenical Councils rather than the Pope the supreme authority

believing the Holy Spirit only proceeds from the Father and not the Father and the Son

no Purgatory in the same defined way, but there is a possiblity of going from punishment to reward

no formal Indulgences but the prayers and good works of the living can help the dead and can reduce their own time of punishment

righteous dead don’t enter Heaven until the Resurrection of the Dead, instead they have a foretaste of reward in Hades in a different section to those with a foretaste of punishment

less defined view of Original Sin, merely a hereditary predisposition to sinfulness

no Immaculate Conception for Mary

Scripture also contains the books of 3 Maccabees, 3rd Ezra (known as 1st Ezra; 1st and 2nd Ezra (Nehemiah) being combined as 2nd Ezra), Prayer of Manasseh, Psalm 151 (in the Psalms) and in the Slavic but not Greek churches 4th Ezra (as 3rd Ezra). Also readings from Revelation in Liturgy are strictly forbidden

That as far as I know are the main differences but there are many
 
Also the Crucifixion seen as Jesus paying a ransom for people rather than being punished for their sins
 
JMBNH said:
As far as I know (I’m Catholic so not the best qualified) the main differences in doctrine (as opposed to Church practice as the Greek Catholic Churches follow Eastern Orthodox practice very closely) are:

Ecumenical Councils rather than the Pope the supreme authority

believing the Holy Spirit only proceeds from the Father and not the Father and the Son

no Purgatory in the same defined way, but there is a possiblity of going from punishment to reward

no formal Indulgences but the prayers and good works of the living can help the dead and can reduce their own time of punishment

righteous dead don’t enter Heaven until the Resurrection of the Dead, instead they have a foretaste of reward in Hades in a different section to those with a foretaste of punishment

less defined view of Original Sin, merely a hereditary predisposition to sinfulness

no Immaculate Conception for Mary

Scripture also contains the books of 3 Maccabees, 3rd Ezra (known as 1st Ezra; 1st and 2nd Ezra (Nehemiah) being combined as 2nd Ezra), Prayer of Manasseh, Psalm 151 (in the Psalms) and in the Slavic but not Greek churches 4th Ezra (as 3rd Ezra). Also readings from Revelation in Liturgy are strictly forbidden

That as far as I know are the main differences but there are many
Click to expand...
You are right there are many. thanks guys, i have learned alot.
 
Helo JMBNH,

Happy Easter to you!
JMBNH said:
As far as I know (I’m Catholic so not the best qualified) the main differences in doctrine (as opposed to Church practice as the Greek Catholic Churches follow Eastern Orthodox practice very closely) are:

Ecumenical Councils rather than the Pope the supreme authority

believing the Holy Spirit only proceeds from the Father and not the Father and the Son

no Purgatory in the same defined way, but there is a possibility of going from punishment to reward

no formal Indulgences but the prayers and good works of the living can help the dead and can reduce their own time of punishment

righteous dead don’t enter Heaven until the Resurrection of the Dead, instead they have a foretaste of reward in Hades in a different section to those with a foretaste of punishment

less defined view of Original Sin, merely a hereditary predisposition to sinfulness

no Immaculate Conception for Mary

Scripture also contains the books of 3 Maccabees, 3rd Ezra (known as 1st Ezra; 1st and 2nd Ezra (Nehemiah) being combined as 2nd Ezra), Prayer of Manasseh, Psalm 151 (in the Psalms) and in the Slavic but not Greek churches 4th Ezra (as 3rd Ezra). Also readings from Revelation in Liturgy are strictly forbidden

That as far as I know are the main differences but there are many
Click to expand...
No offense intended, so I hope you do not take any, but your brief summary has a number of errors.
JMBNH said:
Also the Crucifixion seen as Jesus paying a ransom for people rather than being punished for their sins
Click to expand...
This answer is confusing and (on that basis alone) essentially inaccurate.

Hello rinnie,
rinnie said:
You are right there are many. thanks guys, i have learned alot.
Click to expand...
There are some differences, but I still think that this is a bad approach (in fact, a hazardous shortcut) to learning about the divergence between our two churches.

Orthodox can speak for themselves on an Orthodox board. You can provide the Roman Catholic part yourself and come to a better understanding of the differences, don’t let other people do this for you. It is prone to error, exaggeration and (most especially) bias, even when done in the most innocent way.
*
Michael*
 
Hesychios said:
Helo JMBNH,

Happy Easter to you!
Click to expand...
Happy Easter to you too (if it’s Easter for you?)
Hesychios said:
No offense intended, so I hope you do not take any, but your brief summary has a number of errors. This answer is confusing and (on that basis alone) essentially inaccurate.
Click to expand...
None taken, I’d be interested to know what was wrong, as I got most of this information off an Orthodox site saying how they were different to Catholic. I’m guessing the main things wrong (other than the Crucifixion different view) were on Purgatory and Original Sin which I’m not 100% on the Orthodox view if there is any. Am I right in thinking a lot of issues have more variety in the Orthodox views as the Church is less dogmatic than the Catholic Church (partly as it never had a Protestant ‘Reformation’ to deal with and subsequently a Counter-Reformation and partly just a different approach and partly not having a Pope figure)
 
rinnie said:
You are right there are many. thanks guys, i have learned alot.
Click to expand...
To be fair most of the differences are relatively minor and to do with a different approach, I think the Papacy and the procession of the Holy Spirit are the most important ones and the rest are secondary, though I’ll leave this up to an Orthodox poster to confirm or deny
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top