how similar is the orthodox churchnc?

Question

i mean they look so alike what are its major difrences? its similarities?

Answer 1

I assume you mean compared to the Catholic Church.

The first difference is that we have icons in the church. They are there as an example of how to live your life for Christ, and we look to them for guidance. The early church had a disagreement about the icons, and the Great Schism occurred as a result, and the Orthodox and Catholic church split. Other differences are more subtle. For example, there is no first communion: the sacraments of baptism, communion, and confirmation, are all administered at birth. Orthodox services are also more solemn and mysterious. We do the same thing every week, and instead of talking and singing hymns, mass (we call it Divine Liturgy) is like a musical or an opera. It is also all in Greek or Russian (or whatever language that Church is in). We also do communion differently - instead of wafers and wine, we mix actual bread in the wine, and the priest gives it to you via spoon. After that, you grab a chunk of bread.

If you are a member of the Catholic Church, you cannot take communion at an Orthodox church, but I believe Orthodox Christians can take communion at Catholic churches.

Also, many churches do confession in "private" - that is, you confess your sins in a whispered voice so no one can hear (except the priest), but you do it during the service.

We also take issue with the Catholic calendar regarding holidays - especially Easter. Passover was celebrated on the first full moon after the vernal equinox, and our Lord's death and resurrection coincided with Passover. (For more details, go to http://www.goarch.org/en/ourfaith/articles/article7050.asp ) This is why Catholic Easter and Orthodox Easter are usually on different days. Easter is also the most important holiday, as opposed to Christmas.

We also have our own leadership - the Patriarch as opposed to the Pope. The new Pope is spearheading efforts to help reconcile our two churches, however, and this gives us great hope.

Finally, we have a much less violent history than the Catholic church. We also have saner rules - for example, the Orthodox fully allows married couples to use birth control. Condoms are not a sin in the Orthodox church.

For more information: http://www.goarch.org

Edit: Very nice details, Orthodox_... Although I would have to assume he means the Catholic Church, because there's not much else to compare Orthodoxy to that makes sense in this context.

Answer 2

I'm not clear what the asker is comparing the Orthodox Church to - North Carolina. I don't believe he meant Catholicism and I hope he would clarify the question for the benefit of everyone in this forum.

For std - Orthodox are forbidden from taking communion at a Catholic church even though Catholics invite Orthodox to partake of the divine sacrament.

The "chunk" of bread is called the antidoron (in place of the gift) and is given to everyone whether they took Communion or not.

Answer 3

the roman catholics believe in the papacy whereas the others don't. the rest is fairly similar, such as the Eucharist etc.

Answer 4

U should check one out to see for yourself and ask around for a church near you.

Answer 5

They are a mix of Catholic and Methodist.

Answer 6

What is a churchnc?

Answer 7

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthodox_Church

Answer 8

Dunt no