When we look at the Christian family tree, we see that until the 16th century it had basically only two large branches: the Western and the Eastern Churches. Already by the fifth century the Western Churches had come more or less under the rule of the Bishop of Rome, while the Eastern—also known as the Orthodox—Churches were, for the most part, under the rule of the patriarchs who occupied the main sees of Alexandria, Constantinople, Jerusalem and Antioch. One notable exception is the Assyrian Church of the East, which went its own way after the Council of Ephesus in 431. The other exception is a group of six ancient Churches known as the Oriental Orthodox Churches, which parted with other Christians after the Council of Chalcedon in 451.
While culturally, politically and socially quite disparate, the Western and Eastern Churches were able to maintain some form of communion during the first millennium with only a few exceptions. However, a definitive schism occurred after 1054 when the issue of papal sovereignty, which had long bedeviled the relationship of East and West, finally came to a head. The papal legate and the Patriarch of Constantinople anathematized each other, causing a lasting schism between Greek and Latin Christendom. Many social, political and doctrinal factors over time led to the rift. Doctrinally, in addition to disagreement over the role of the pope, East and West also had a deep difference of understanding regarding the way we talk about the Holy Spirit in the creed (the filioque controversy).
2007-01-25 11:52:29
·
answer #1
·
answered by Brigid 1
·
0⤊
0⤋
The Orthodox Churches were once part of the Catholic Chrurch originally. In 1054, bishops from the eastern Catholic Churches split in the event known as the Schism of 1054, and formed what we call Orthodoxy.
Even though Orthodoxy didn't get it's start until 1054, the fact that they originated from Catholic Churches means that Orthodoxy, like Catholicism, can rightfully claim it's origin in Jesus Christ.
It should be noted that Orthodox theology and Catholic theology are so closely related that both are considered to be in "certain communion with each other."
2007-01-26 13:52:31
·
answer #2
·
answered by Daver 7
·
0⤊
0⤋
+ Catholic +
The Church has referred to itself as the “Catholic Church” at least since 107 AD, when the term appears in the Letter of St. Ignatius of Antioch to the Smyrnaeans:
Wherever the bishop appear, there let the multitude be; even as wherever Christ Jesus is, there is the Catholic Church.
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/ignatius-smyrnaeans-hoole.html
All of this was long before the Council of Nicea and the Nicene Creed from 325 A.D. which states, "We believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church."
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07644a.htm
+ Orthodox and Catholic +
Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholics separated from one another in 1054. There are very few theological differences. The main difference is that the Eastern Orthodox Churches (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11329a.htm) use the Byzantine Rite (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04312d.htm) and the Roman Catholic Church use the Roman or Latin Rite.
Pope John Paul II said of the Eastern Orthodox Churches in Orientale Lumen, "A particularly close link already binds us. We have almost everything in common." (see http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_letters/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_02051995_orientale-lumen_en.html)
+ With love in Christ.
2007-01-26 00:09:12
·
answer #3
·
answered by imacatholic2 7
·
1⤊
0⤋
Catholic, I couldn't give you the exact years, but I would say atleast by a 100. Catholic actually means Universal. IT was the first universal church EVER. Orthodox came much later, almost a century I believe
2007-01-25 19:48:03
·
answer #4
·
answered by Kat 3
·
0⤊
0⤋
If you mean Eastern Orthodox vs. Roman Catholic, I think technically they were the same unified church until around the 11th century. After disagreements over who should be the head of the church, they broke apart and became two separate bodies.
2007-01-25 19:46:08
·
answer #5
·
answered by silverleaf90210 3
·
4⤊
0⤋
Catholic, the orthodox church was set up in case the catholic chruch in rome feel but eventually they grew apart
2007-01-25 19:47:05
·
answer #6
·
answered by sierre_alpha_victor_echo 1
·
0⤊
0⤋
Catholic technically, since it simply means universal and was originally used to refer to Christian churches in general.
The Orthodox Church did not separate from the rest until the Council of Nicea due to disputes on specific doctrine.
2007-01-25 19:49:52
·
answer #7
·
answered by Holly Marie 3
·
1⤊
0⤋
Constantinian and Greek Orthodox
2007-01-25 19:46:22
·
answer #8
·
answered by whynotaskdon 7
·
0⤊
0⤋
at the same time. first all the the Christians were united (as they owe to be). then they separated to orthodox and catholics at the same moment
2007-01-25 20:14:42
·
answer #9
·
answered by roulis 2
·
0⤊
0⤋
Both are the same Church, but it is one Church in schism. Neither are older than the other. They were both founded by the apostles and they are not two Churches but one.
2007-01-26 16:01:51
·
answer #10
·
answered by OPM 7
·
0⤊
0⤋