What is the difference between Catholic and Orthodox religions? Are they enemies or friends?

Answer 1

You have touched on a topic that we could discuss for literally days on end but here are some of the VERY basics:They are sister churches. After the Great Schism of 1054ad they excommunicated each other. Before this schism they were the same religion and as far as the earthly church goes they were one united church, actively rooting out heresies, etc together. But some fundamental differences are the belief that the pope is infallible (Orthodox say he is an equal among the other five patriarchs but accorded greater respect because of Rome being the 1st See), the insertion of the "philioque" into the Creed ( Catholics say the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father AND THE SON, not so in the original text of the Nicene Creed of 325ad ) and other minor differences like Mary's immaculate birth (Orthodox say she was not born of Immaculate conception as only Jesus could have been born thus- curiously the Quran also tells of Jesus' Immaculate Conception) and Joseph's position among other minor differences. The pope and the patriarchate have had many disscussions on this but it seems that these differences are of such a nature that it is difficult(but not impossible) for us to be united once again. But in the spirit of true Christianity we are definitely friends but we just disagree on certain things. I understand I might have used unfamiliar words but try googling Great Schism and and ecumenical councils (there are seven major ones) to find out more about the fundamental teachings of the Early Church. I must add though that the Orthodox Church has tried to stick to the teachings of these 7 councils as closely as possible while the Catholic church has detracted somewhat inorder to appeal to as many people as possible(there is merit in this but it must be kept in check). You could say that the Orthodox Church is the more conservative but we must keep in mind that Christianity is more than a set of dogmas. I would much rather see us concerned with kneeling in prayer than on the construction of sentences in doctrine, important as the latter is. Hope I could help God bless

Answer 2

The difference between those two religions had started many years ago when Byzantium existed. As far as i know Catholics pray using four fingers while Orthodoxes use three because they don't include Virgin Mary. She is of course amongst the most loving saints but they believe that only God, the son and the Holy spirit are the major ones. Virgin Mary comes after them but first from all the other saints and the one most loved by people, while Catholics have virgin Mary as the same with God and Jesus. There are some other differences but what caused those differences are due to different opinions at that time of whom should be in charge of the religion, like a leader. In my opinion it doesn't matter whether you pray with three, four or whatever fingers because all the differences where created for some people to gain power and nothing more.

Answer 3

If by Christian you recommend Protestant, the main important distinction between them and Roman Catholics and Orthodox are the suggestions of sola scriptura (bible on my own) and the assumption of what works are. Roman Catholics and Orthodox have modifications over different theological notions as nicely: Orthodox do no longer use the "filioque" interior the Nicene Creed, meaning that each and every physique proceeds from the daddy on my own. We additionally don't think in Roman Catholic dogmas such by fact the stainless theory nor the assumption (that Mary did no longer die yet went to Heaven; Orthodox agree she went to Heaven, yet she did die). Matthew, on the grounds that "Christians" do no longer carry on with the Pope, do you think approximately Orthodox Christians? inspite of each and every thing, we reject Papal Supremacy additionally.

Answer 4

Deep down, theologically, they are friends, though they have occasional arguments about territory and possessions such as icons. Many Eastern Orthodox (EO) still hold grudges against Catholics for what they did to them in past times.

They both have political origins rather than religious. They both claim to have 'apostolic succession', but neither can prove that they have this, and the Bible proves their claims completely out of the question anyway. (Even if they could prove 'descent' from the apostles, it would not prove anything, because people can easily take opposite views from their predecessors. In fact, if it is supposed that a perfect God would not make an unsupported claim, this claim actually proves that these churches must be false ones.)

They belonged to the same organisation set up by the emperor Constantine until the 11th century, when they split over a theological matter ('filioque') that many think rather trifling. The Catholic branch has more advanced theology that was developed to counter Protestantism in Western Europe, though it is now rather self-contradictory due to the attempt to again adapt to the modern world. EO theology remains very vague and woolly, as it always has been, like the beard of an Orthodox 'priest'.

But about three basic teachings they are solidly agreed. They both believe that they can add their own teachings ('Tradition') to the commands of Scripture. They both say that people are accepted by God- accounted righteous, or justified, by doing good works. Those works relate to the services provided by their own priests. They both believe that God's grace is dispensed to ordinary people via priests (who have generally been politically controlled).

These three beliefs are in stark contrast to those of Protestants, who say that people are justified by faith, which then produces good works such as kindness, patience, humility and generosity. Because Catholics and Orthodox reckon to please God by works, Protestants say that they cannot please God at all, and are therefore not Christians.

Protestants say that only the Bible can be relied on to tell the truth, and that there are no priests as middle-men to dispense grace, because the Christian gets grace directly from God, as his friend.

One can argue that the RCC/Orthodox hierarchy was the original 'Big Brother'. Certainly, from the true Protestant pov, the RCC and EO are cults rather than Christian denominations.
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Answer 5

We are brothers and sisters in Christ.

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)

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.

With love in Christ.

Answer 6

The differences are great in ceremony and tradition but beliefs are similar, in Orthodoxy services are led by Patriarchs who like members of the Anglican and low church traditions are allowed to marry, whereas Roman Catholic Priests are not. I don't think that they have been enemies as such since the original schism in the 11th century.

Answer 7

Catholics Follow the Pope, Orthodox doesn't have an official leader

Answer 8

Actually, right now, there are some in both churches who would like to reunite the two under one banner.

Answer 9

Orthodox is very strict and orig Christianity
Catholics think theyre the only true church

Answer 10

We are friends,