Difference between Roman Catholic & East Orthodox?

Answer 1

They finally split officially in the 12th Century. But ever since Constantine acted as the first Pope, Rome has been vying for power. They wanted to be first among equals. The Romans were not satisfied with being equal with Antioch, Jerusalem, Alexandria and Constantinople.

Eventually the Eastern Orthodox just got tired of the Roman Bishops trying to boss everyone around.

By the way, this was the true enemy slaughtered without mercy in the Crusades. The Albigenses & Muslims suffered, but the inteneded target was Orthodox Christianity.

Answer 2

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.

Answer 3

One follows the Bishop of rome (pope) the other the vicer of constantinople

Answer 4

Eastern Church services are nearer Coptic Church services, or pre-Vatican 2 services.

Answer 5

As is common knowledge, the Church founded on Pentecost 33 AD was united and ONE until 1054 AD, when the Patriarchates of Constantinople (East Rome) and Rome (West) parted ways, (known today as "The Great Schism of 1054) by way of mutual excommunication over theological disputes. However, there are three other Patriarchates (Antioch, Alexandria, Jerusalem) who remained in union with Constantinople. However, the Church, the Body of Christ, can not be divided. The Church of Rome did not split the Church. She left it.

Now, Roman Catholics were part of the Original Church until the schism. This means that they followed the exact same practices as the Orthodox Church today, with a few differences. (Rome was first among equals, now the primacy of honor of first among equals goes to New Rome, or the Patriarchate of Constantinople.)

Church doctrine is defined by Ecumenical Councils, which means all the Bishops of the Church convene to discuss the Christian theology and set the foundations for the Church to build itself upon.

Orthodoxy follows the first 7 (pre-schism) Ecumenical Councils. Some say there have been an 8th and 9th, but the Church does not officially address them as such. After the schism, Rome began creating their own doctrines, further alienating Ecumenical relations between the two sects and further preventing any reunification.

Recently, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople (First Among Equals) BARTHOLOMEW I has been sending heavy overtones of unification to Rome, angering the Orthodox community.

However, the Church can not be doctrinally re-united until the Catholic Church completely revokes all doctrine from 1054 to present day, or, until the Orthodox Church accepts 950 years of invalid council and doctrine. Neither are very likely to happen any time soon.

Here are the Catholic innovations which validify them as a separate sect of Christianity.

Papal Infallibility and Language - Before the schism, the Patriarch of Rome (NOT to be confused with the "Pope") held the primacy of honor as first among equals. This is because each Patriarchate has apostolic succession. The Patriarch of Rome is apostolic successor to St. Peter, Constantinople - Apostle Andrew, Alexandria - Apostle Mark, Antioch - Apostle Peter, Jerusalem - James, the Brother of the Lord, Moscow - Apostle Andrew, through Constantinople. Perhaps THE most divisive issue of the schism is the Papal Infallibility. Jesus said that St. Peter is the "rock on which I shall build my church" and gave him "the keys of the kingdom of heaven." Hence, primacy of first among equals. The Roman schismatics took this literally and believed this to be a direct command to center all of the church's power in the "Pope," as he was successor to St. Peter. Before that, there were many different Churches, but all were bound by the same Canons. They were all in communion. Each served Liturgy in their mother tongues. After this, the Churches that sided with Rome were only permitted to serve Liturgy in Latin.

Purgatory - The "purifying fire." Another Roman innovation. Orthodox Christians do not believe in repentance in the afterlife, but rather in a state of "repose" until judgment. Purgatory has been supported by a few Orthodox Church fathers in the form of "toll houses," most notoriously by Blessed Seraphim Rose of Platina.

"Toll houses" are generally condemned by Orthodoxy as a Gnostic belief. Purgatory is usually written off as a result of invalid council and minimal Biblical support.

Immaculate Conception - This is a result of the flawed teaching of Original Sin._Catholics believe Mary to have been born protected by God from the soul stain of "Original Sin." Orthodox do not believe in Original Sin.

Filioque - Roman Catholic belief that the Holy Spirit proceeds from both Father and Son. Orthodox do not believe this. We believe in subordination within the Godhead.

Clergy Marriage - Orthodox clergy are allowed to be married. Catholic are not. Non-Latin Rite Catholic priests may be married. Orthodox are also allowed to live and work outside of the Church with their family whereas Catholics must live in the sanctuary. Sexual molestation in the Catholic Church is a very serious issue, and while these things sadly also happen in the Orthodox Church, they do not happen with such alarming frequency as in the Catholic. What is even more alarming and shocking is that these priests are being protected at even the highest levels of Roman Catholic hierarchy. Both Orthodox and Catholics condemn fornication outside of marriage.

Divorce and Re-Marriage - Catholics have been allowing divorce since Vatican II. However, Catholics who divorce and re-marry without observing the Church's canons are denied the Communion. At an Orthodox wedding, you get a "crowning ceremony." This joins you and your spouse in spirit. You can get divorced and remarry, but you only get one crowning ceremony. Re-marriages, as I understand it, are just a formality to allow procreation.

Statues and Crucifixes - Orthodox use "Icons" for prayer, which are two-dimensional, painted and blessed "windows into heaven." They are also two dimensional because icons are to portray spiritual truths and not to focus on the physical. Catholics use 3D statuettes of Christ, the Theotokos, and the Saints. This is forbidden by Lev. 26:1.

3-D renderings of Christ are strictly forbidden. Thus, Orthodox do not wear crucifixes. We also have jewelry depictions of the Crucifixion, but the Corpus is generally two dimensional and flat.

Liturgy - As mentioned earlier, Latin-Rite Mass was in Latin only until V-II. Orthodoxy, from 33 AD to present day, has always served it's flock in their own language. However, the language and liturgy served in a Church can vary, depending on the choices and blessing of the Bishop. The usual Sunday service is the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.

Prayer Positions - The preferred method of Orthodox prayer is standing. We also bow from the hip, and prostrate. (Bow our foreheads to the floor.) This may look surprising at first, because the Muslims stole this method from the Church. Also like Muslims, Orthodox face the East to pray. Orthodox only kneel on occasion for certain Holy Days.

Saints - Orthodox and Catholics share the same pre-schism Saints and Doctors. Today our common Saints are few and far between.

Holy Days - Catholics have their own Feasts and Fasts which are not shared by Orthodox. We share the same pre-schism Holy Days.

Unleavened Bread - AKA Matzo. Orthodox do not use unleavened bread, Catholics do.

Triclavianism - Orthodox believe 4 nails were used to affix the Lord to His Cross. One in each hand, one in each foot. Catholics believe 3 nails were used. One in each hand, and one through both feet, with no foot-board, or, failing that; a small block at the bottom. We believe in a 3 bar Cross. The first being the sign which was hung over His head (depicted in Catholic imagery as saying Jesus Christ, King of the Jews. Orthodox Iconography says "King of Glory"), the horizontal beam which His arms were attached to, and a tilted foot-board which His feet were nailed to.

Holy tradition says that at the moment of Christ's death, His legs went into spasm causing the board to be forced up on the right and down on the left, creating a diagonal direction of the foot board and, at the same time, showing the judgment of the two thieves, the one on the right inheriting Paradise and the one on the left condemning himself to hell. Hence, the tilted foot-board in Orthodox Iconography. Eastern-Rite Catholics also have a three-piece Cross, but the foot-board is horizontal. These horizontal foot board depictions appeared much later.

Skullcaps - Catholic Cardinals wear "yarmulke" style skullcaps. Orthodox do not.

Answer 6

the pope and idols.