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The Difference Between Eastern Orthodox and Catholics



It may come as a surprise for you to hear this, but the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church are very much alike. Prior to 1054 both Churches were actually united as one. Together they helped to form the Seven Ecumenical Councils in 325-787, and set the path for Christian understandings and beliefs.

As the roman Empire was so vast, the Church ultimately split into two factions, the Greek speaking East Roman Empire, and the Latin speaking Western Europe.

Over time the cultural and geopolitical differences between the two would result in disputes that only strained their relations further, adding to the distrust, resentment and hostilities both sides had for one another.

In 1054, a Papal delegation sent to the Patriarch of Constantinople excommunicated the Patriarch for not recognizing Papal supremacy, who in turn excommunicated the Pope right back, thus irreparably separating the east and west branches of the Church.

Any hope of the two Churches reuniting were quashed in 1204 following the sacking of Constantinople. Crusaders from the west who were meant to be on route to Jerusalem, instead spent three days looting and vandalizing the Eastern Roman Empire’s capital.

Today the Eastern Orthodox Church, officially known as the Orthodox Catholic Church, is the second-largest Christian Church, with approximately 200–260 million members. While Protestantism maybe the second largest major group (not Church) of Christians, its 920 million members are from various denominations of differing beliefs and practices that do not form a single communion.

Which Countries are Prominently Orthodox Catholic

The majority of Eastern Orthodox Catholics can be found primarily in Southeast and Eastern Europe, as well as communities in the Caucasus region, and in Siberia to the Russian Far East. This gives the following countries the highest population of Eastern Orthodox Catholics:

  • Belarus
  • Bulgaria
  • Cyprus
  • Georgia
  • Greece
  • Moldova
  • Montenegro
  • North Macedonia
  • Romania
  • Russia
  • Serbia
  • Ukraine

What do Catholics and the Orthodox Have in Common

Aside from the cultural differences that appear region to region, there is very little difference in the way Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Catholics practice their faiths. They both have the same belief system and many of the same traditions.

  • Their spiritual officers are categorized the same:
    • Deacons
    • Priests
    • Bishops
  • They believe in the same three bodies of the Holy Trinity:
    • The Father in heaven
    • The Son Jesus Christ
    • The Holy Spirit
  • The Virgin Mary is held in such high esteem in both faiths.
  • Both faiths claim to be the continuity of the early Christian faith.
  • Both faiths have a deep and rich history of theological and scholarly traditions, that have been passed down from one generation to the next.
  • Elaborate ceremonies can be found in both faiths.
  • Sacraments are a fundamental part of both faiths.
  • They use the same Bible.

What are Their Differences?

The two biggest differences between the Catholic faith and the Eastern Orthodox faith, boils down to two main disputes:

  1. The Papal’s Supremacy and the use of a centralized spiritual authority.
  2. The Filioque Controversy – in which the text of the Nicene Creed was altered during the 6th century, to include “and the Son”. Catholics believe that the Holy Spirit comes from both the Father and the Son in the Holy Trinity. The Orthodox Catholics believe that the Holy Spirit only comes from the Father and not the Son.

A Quick Difference Guide

Here are a few minor differences for your convenience:

Catholic Belief

Orthodox Catholic Belief

The Virgin Mary
  • They believe in Immaculate Conception, as they believe that Mary was free from the stain of sin.
  • Mary is given the title ‘Mother of God’
  • As they do not believe in Original Sin they reject the idea of immaculate conception. In other words this removes the need for Mary to be sinless to begin with.
  • Mary is venerated as Theotokos which is Greek for God-bearer.

The Filioque Controversy
  • Believes that the inclusion of the Filioque, “and the Son” to be a true representation of the Holy Spirit’s nature.

who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
  • Rejects the Filioque out right, as the original text does not include “and the Son.”
  • They believe that its inclusion fundamentally changes the nature of the relationships between the Holy Trinity.

Marriage and Divorce
  • Marriage is seen as an unbreakable contract with God and the Church.
  • Remarriage after divorce is not permitted unless there is an annulment.
  • Members of the Clergy can not be married.
  • Marriage is a mystical union between a man and a woman.
  • Divorce is generally granted in cases of adultery, though there can be other exceptions.
  • Only Bishops are not permitted to have married, unless widowed.

The Popes Authority and Infallibility
  • The Pope is the head of the church and has authority over all churches.
  • The Pope is infallible in all of his decisions no matter how popular or unpopular they may be.
  • The Pope is recognized as holding a position of honor but no true authority.
  • The Pope is considered to be no different from any other Bishop.

Church Leaders
  • The Catholic Church has developed into an intensely centralized spiritual authority.
  • The head of the church is considered to be the Pope, and his decisions are expected to be upheld.
  • The Eastern Orthodox Church tolerates a greater independence, with a number of self-governing churches that form a council much like the Seven Ecumenical Councils, deciding on what is best for their members for themselves.
  • There is still rank among Church leaders, notably the Ecumenical Patriarch, but no one member has the same theological authority as the Pope.

Purgatory
  • They believe that there is a intermediate state that’s between heaven and hell.
  • A place where we can atone for any venial sins we may not have repented at the time of our death.
  • The existence of an intermediate state between heaven and hell is recognized.
  • But the cleansing of one’s sins can only be done during this life, and not the next.

Calendars
  • Catholics use the same ‘New’ Roman Catholic calendar that the rest of the world uses.
  • Introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582.
  • Many Orthodox Churches now use the same modern calendar as the rest of the world making most of their feasts and seasons coincide with Catholics.

Easter
  • Easter Sunday is calculated to be the first Sunday following the ecclesiastical full moon date. Known as the paschal full moon date, this occurs after the 20th of March.
  • Easter is still calculated using the ‘Old’ Julian Calendar. Introduced by Julius Caesar in 45 BC.
  • This means that Catholic and Orthodox Easter could be celebrated up to five weeks apart.

The Sacrifice and Resurrection of Jesus Christ
  • Catholics believe that it was through the death of Jesus Christ by crucifixion that we gain our salvation.
  • The Eastern Orthodox Catholics believe that our salvation can be found in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Praying
  • Most Catholics tend to kneel in during prayers.
  • Orthodox worshipers tend to stand during their prayers.

Religious Garbs for Women
  • The wearing of Mantillas is neither encouraged nor enforced at most Catholic Churches.
  • Women both young and old are encouraged to wear a Mantilla in some form or another.

Girls are taught from a young age that their heads need to be covered when in prayer or prophesying.

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Comments

  1. Aidan says:

    Good article. Thank you for posting it. One thing: I agree, there are similarities between the two faiths, but to say they are very similar is to be greatly debated. I’m neither Catholic nor Orthodox but I’ve been around both and have studied both, and this is my overall impression. The two have vastly different social structures, and when it comes to humans; social structures dictate everything. The Orthodox feel of redemption, mysticism and are geared toward a more realistic mind set about every day life, including marriage, personal relations and formalities. While Catholicism feel more of guilt, control, and pageantry. Orthodox church allows marriage within their priesthood while Catholic church does not. This alone sets up entirely different undertones and social interactions between the clergy and the parishioners. It also attracts a different demographic within individuals who purse priesthood, and why. From a logical point of view; this would explain at least some of the recent troubles within the Catholic church. In conclusion, the two faiths had the same start but they’ve evolved into two very different entities. One feels of unifying, the other of scrutinizing. The exception: Today’s Pope Francis. He’s the bomb because he seems to be mostly interested in one thing: love.

    Reply
  2. Diane says:

    Isn’t fasting very different between Catholicism and Orthodoxy?

    Reply
  3. Mimi says:

    “The Pope is infallible in all of his decisions no matter how popular or unpopular they may be.”

    This is misleading. There are three requirements in order for the Pope to be considered infallible. These are:

    1. The pronouncement must be made by the official successor to Peter.
    2. The subject matter must be in the area of faith and morals.
    3. The Pope must be speaking ex cathedra (from the chair) of Peter, and must be intending to proclaim a doctine that binds the entire Church to assent.

    This is very rarely done. The last time this was invoked was back in the 1950s when the Pope at the time reaffirmed the Virgin Mary’s position as the Immaculate Conception.

    Everything else beside this special and rare invocation, is all personal opinion and suggestion. Nobody is bound to obey the Pope as divine law in whatever he says. However out of respect to the Pope’s position of authority, one should generally follow the Pope’s teachings. As he should be someone who is knows the teachings and of the Church thougherly and should have a deep spiritual connection to God. So one should be able to trust the Pope in whatever he says. That said, Popes are still only human and are subject to human flaws.

    Reply
  4. Robert says:

    Unfortunately, today Catholics are split between the traditionalists and the modernists. Much has changed since Vatican 2. The Pope now opposed to anything traditional. Suppressing the Latin mass to the point of pursecution. The watering down of the liturgy to becoming almost protestant. The Latin Mass was a gift, only available to those who seek it out and venerate it.

    Reply

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