Roman Catholicism vs. Eastern Orthodoxy

Everyone it seems is familiar with the Roman Catholic Church - it is after all, the largest Christian church in the world with 1.2 billion followers. Few; however, have heard of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Fewer still know that the Eastern Orthodox Church, whose followers are known as Orthodox Catholics, is a Catholic church or how it differs from the Roman Catholic Church.

The Vatican

The Eastern Orthodox Church came to be following the Great Schism in the eleventh century and now is the world's second largest Christian church with around 300 million followers.

The Eastern Orthodox Church

The Great Schism between the East and the West as it has come to be known, occurred because Eastern Catholics did not wish to follow the Western pope who resided in Rome. To Eastern Catholics, the Pope was a foreigner and they could not relate to him. They didn't understand why he should be allowed to be the head of their church. The main problem with this was that the Eastern Catholics had more loyalty to their own patriarchs than they did the Pope.

The second issue between the East and the West was that the Eastern churches did not speak Latin as the Western churches did. In the East, Greek ruled the churches. This became a problem for the bishops when the Eastern bishops spoke only Greek while the Western bishops spoke only Latin.

In time, there would be a Decree of Florence which would separate the Catholic church into the Eastern and Western halves. The two which have come to be known today as the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church.

Though the Eastern Orthodox Church is a Catholic church, don't let that fool you. Orthodox Catholics and Roman Catholics do not follow the same practices. To put it in simple tones, the Orthodox Church is almost a combination of Catholicism and Protestantism.

Apostolic Succession

Apostolic Succession is almost like a family tree. It is the belief that bishops can trace their lineage back to the first apostles - those who followed Jesus. Apostolic Succession is a crucial part of both the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church.

Both churches believe that Apostolic Succession is crucial in proving the continuity of the Church from Jesus Christ. The only difference is those which the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church ordain. There is; however, a mutual agreement between both churches to recognize the validity of one another's ordinations.

Composition of the Bible

The Orthodox Church and Roman Catholic Church both agree with the composition of the Bible that they use. Both churches accept all 39 Old Testament books and 27 New Testament books. Unlike Protestants, both churches also agree with the validity and teach a set of books that are not found in the original Hebrew scripts and are known as Deuterocanonicals. Translated into English, this means a second canon of scripture.

Qualification for Clergy

Orthodox Catholics and Roman Catholics differ greatly on whom they deem to be qualified to serve in their clergy.

Orthodox Catholics, like Roman Catholics, believe that all priests and bishops must be male. Unlike Roman Catholics, the Orthodox Church allows for deaconesses. The Orthodox Church allows its priests and deacons to marry before they are ordained, though not after. Like the Roman Catholic Church, their bishops must remain celibate.

The Roman Catholic Church believes that all clergy must be male with no exceptions. Their priests and bishops, unless converted to Roman Catholicism from the Eastern Orthodox Church or the Anglican Church, must be celibate.

Significance of the Eucharist

The Eucharist, the taking of bread and wine, is important in both churches. While both churches believe that during the Eucharist, the bread and wine turn into the body and blood of Christ, the way in which this happens differs between the two churches.

In Eastern Orthodoxy, the priest calls down the Holy Spirit upon the bread and the wine. They then turn into the body and blood of Christ in ways that are considered a divine mystery.

In the Roman Catholic Church; however, the priest invokes the Holey Spirit and through Transubstantiation while acting in the person of Christ, changes the wine and bread into the body and blood of Christ.

Distribution of the Eucharist

Both the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church believe that only those who are members of the church can partake in the Eucharist. The way they distribute it amongst their members, differs.

In Orthodoxy, both the bread and wine are given to all the members present. In the Roman Catholic Church, the congregation only takes the bread while the priest receives the wine. It is becoming more common in the Roman Catholic Church; however, for the whole congregation to receive both the bread and wine.

Holy Spirit

The Eastern Orthodox Church believes that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity and proceeds from the Father alone as in the Nicene Creed. The Father sends the Spirit at the intercession of the Son. Therefore, the Son is an agent only in the procession of the Spirit.

The Roman Catholic Church believes that the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son.

Marriage and Divorce

The Orthodox Church believes that marriage is a mystical union between man and woman. While divorce isn't common the Orthodox Church, it is normally only granted because of adultery though there are a few other exceptions.

The Roman Catholic Church believes that marriage is an unbreakable contract between a man and a woman. Divorce is not granted unless there is a canonical impediment in which case annulments are granted.

Assumption and Immaculate Conception of Mary

The Orthodox Church believes that Mary experienced a physical death, but rejects the Immaculate conception, the belief that God protected Mary from sin. The Orthodox Church believes that the guilt of original sin is not transmitted from one generation to the next, which obviates the need for Mary to be sinless.

The Roman Catholic Church has not yet decided if Mary experienced a physical death or if it believes with the Immaculate conception.

Position of Mary Within the Church

The Orthodox Church refers to Mary as Theotokos, meaning God-bearer. In Orthodoxy, it is believed that Christ was a God in human form. Mary is first amongst the saints and, according to the church, forever virgin.

In the Roman Catholic Church, Mary is referred to as Mother of God rather than Theotokos and it is believed that at various times in history, she has shown herself in apparition form. Here she is also first amongst the saints and forever virgin.

Authority of the Pope

The Orthodox Church considers the Pope to be the Bishop of Rome. He has no jurisdiction over the Orthodox Church as it is believed that the Roman Catholic Church needs to be reformed. In Orthodoxy, the Pope's authority is no greater or lesser than that of the other bishops in the Orthodox Church.

The Roman Catholic Church considers the Pope to have supreme authority over the church as he is the head of the church on earth and the spiritual successor of St. Peter.

Papal Infallibility

The Orthodox Church rejects the idea of papal infallibility. The believe that the Holy Spirit acts to guide the church through councils though these councils are not infallible.

The Roman Catholic Church believes that the Pope is infallible when acting through the Holy Spirit, he defines a doctrine on faith and morals that the whole church is to follow. This is considered a dogma and must be upheld by all those of the Roman Catholic faith.

Purgatory

The Orthodox Church recognizes an intermediate state between earth and Heaven; however, it believes that cleansing and purification happen during this life, not in purgatory.

The Roman Catholic Church believes that purgatory is a place of cleansing and preparation for Heaven as well as a place where punishment for sins is given.

Sacraments

Both churches believe that there are seven sacraments and the list is the same for both. The list is not fixed in the Orthodox Church and is known as Mysteries instead of Sacraments. It is fixed in the Roman Catholic Church. The Seven Sacraments are:

1. Baptism
2. Confirmation (known as Chrismation in Orthodoxy)
3. Eucharist
4. Holy Orders
5. Holy Unction
6. Holy Matrimony
7. Penance (Confession)

Effect of the Sacraments

Both churches believe that the Sacraments convey grace to those who are worthy and participate in them. 

Saints

Both churches believe that a special group of holy people may be venerated. They believe that these people may act as intercessors between God and Man and be invoked in prayer. The Roman Catholic Church, unlike the Orthodox Church, require at least two verifiable miracles to occur due to intercession of a person before they are considered for sainthood.

Salvation

In Orthodoxy, it is believed that salvation is faith working through love and should be seen as a life long process. The ultimate aim is to obtain union with God. This is done through living a holy life.

The Roman Catholic Church believes that we are saved by grace which is initially given through Baptism and maintained through the sacraments.


Importance of the Scripture

The Orthodox Church believes that tradition is the source of divine revelation. The Scripture forms the oral part while the writings of saints and decisions of ecumenical councils are also part of it.

The Catholic Church says that the Scripture and tradition which are interpreted by magisterium of the Church are the source of divine revelation.

Worship and Liturgy

The Orthodox Church believes spirituality is centered around the Divine Liturgy. Worship is normally in the vernacular though Greek is sometimes used.

The Roman Catholic Church centers worship around Mass. Following the Vatican II council, worship is allowed in the vernacular though Mass is still mostly in Latin.

Though there are a lot of differences between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church, there are still a lot of similarities as well.

Links:
Official Website of the Vatican
Official Website of the Orthodox Church in America