Sarah Mitchell
The question of whether the Catholic or Orthodox Church came first is a complex one. Both Catholics and Orthodox Christians believe that their church is the original. The Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church formally split in 1054 in what is known as the East-West Schism, but the two churches had been growing apart for a long time before that. The Eastern Orthodox Church traces its history back to Christ and the apostles and believes it was formally established on the day of Pentecost, 50 days after the Resurrection of Christ. The Catholic Church, on the other hand, believes that it is the continuation of the original, undivided Church that began on the day of Pentecost.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Formal Separation | 1054 CE |
| Reason for Separation | Ecclesiastical differences and theological disputes |
| Roman Catholic Church | |
| Date of Origin | Unclear, but likely older than the Orthodox Church |
| Current Composition | Roman and Gallican traditions, Byzantine and Antiochian traditions, and traditions of the West |
| Eastern Orthodox Church | |
| Date of Origin | Unclear, but likely older than the Catholic Church |
| Current Composition | Achaian Greeks, Antiochian Greeks, Slavs, and other Eastern Christian traditions |
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What You'll Learn
- The Orthodox Church claims to be the continuation of the ancient Orthodox Christian Church
- The Catholic Church is considered the original by many
- The two churches split in 1054, in what is known as the Great Schism
- The Catholic Church includes many traditions absent in the Orthodox Church
- The two churches have attempted reconciliation since the Great Schism
The Orthodox Church claims to be the continuation of the ancient Orthodox Christian Church
The Eastern Orthodox Church claims that it is the continuation and preservation of the early church. This claim is also made by several other Christian churches, including the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion, the Assyrian Church, and the Oriental Orthodox. The Eastern Orthodox Church is defined as Eastern Christians who recognize the seven ecumenical councils and are in communion with the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Patriarchate of Alexandria, the Patriarchate of Antioch, and the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
The Eastern Orthodox Church is characterized by its continuity with the apostolic church, its liturgy, and its territorial churches. Its adherents mainly live in the Balkans, the Middle East, and former Soviet countries. The word "orthodox" means ""right believing"" and has traditionally been used in the Greek-speaking Christian world to designate communities or individuals who preserved the "true faith" as defined by the seven ecumenical councils. The Ecumenical Councils also sanctioned the organization of the Church into five great ecclesiastical centers: Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem. The Archbishops of these cities became known as Patriarchs.
The Eastern Orthodox Church believes that it has maintained a direct and unbroken continuity of love, faith, and order with the Church of Christ born in the Pentecost experience. The earliest Church, described in the Epistles and the Acts of the Apostles, took seriously the command to go into the whole world and preach the Gospel. Within a few years after the Resurrection, colonies of Christians sprang up in the major cities of the Roman Empire. The Orthodox Church traces its history back to Christ and the apostles, and it was "formally" established on the day of Pentecost, fifty days after the Resurrection of Christ.
The Roman Catholic Church placed itself outside of this fellowship when it broke off communion with the Eastern Orthodox Church in the 11th century. However, the two churches had been growing apart for a long time, and there were moments when they tried to reconcile. The fall of Constantinople in the 15th century is considered the closest thing to a final break. The mutual lifting of the Anathamas of 1054 by the late Patriarch Athenagoras and Pope Paul VI in 1965 marked a step towards restoring the broken unity.
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The Catholic Church is considered the original by many
Secondly, the formal separation of the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic branches occurred when the Church was already an established institution. The split, known as the East-West Schism or the Great Schism, happened in 1054 due to a series of ecclesiastical differences and theological disputes. These included the procession of the Holy Spirit (Filioque), the use of leavened or unleavened bread in the Eucharist, iconoclasm, and the Pope's claim to universal jurisdiction.
Thirdly, while the Orthodox Church has ancient saint relics and institutions dating back to the original church, the Catholic Church has St. Peter buried in the Vatican, which holds significant weight in the argument for its status as the original.
Furthermore, some sources state that the term "Orthodox Christian" was used to distinguish true believers from heretics or those promoting false doctrines. This designation came about in the 4th century, while the term "Catholic" was used earlier to describe the universality of the Church.
Finally, attempts at reconciliation between the two branches have been made over the centuries, indicating a recognition of shared origins. These attempts continued into the 16th and 17th centuries, with unions proposed between the Roman Church and various groups within Eastern Orthodoxy. While the final separation between the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Churches occurred in the 18th century, the ongoing dialogue and desire for unity suggest a complex history that may not be as clear-cut as a simple question of "which came first."
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The two churches split in 1054, in what is known as the Great Schism
The Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church were once a single entity. However, in the 11th century, the two churches underwent a process of formal separation, culminating in their institutional schism in 1054, known as the Great Schism. This event is also referred to as the East-West Schism, reflecting the geographical divide it created between Western Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy.
The roots of the Great Schism lie in long-standing ecclesiastical differences and theological disputes between the Greek East and Latin West. These disagreements centred on a range of issues, including:
- The procession of the Holy Spirit (Filioque)
- The use of leavened or unleavened bread in the Eucharist
- Iconoclasm, particularly the Byzantine Iconoclasm, where the worship of religious images was declared heretical
- The coronation of Charlemagne as Emperor of the Romans in 800
- Papal authority and the Pope's claim to universal jurisdiction
- The place of the See of Constantinople in relation to the Pentarchy
In 1053, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Michael I Cerularius, ordered the closure of all Latin churches in the city. This was in response to Greek churches in southern Italy being forced to either close or conform to Latin practices. The following year, in 1054, the papal legate sent by Pope Leo IX travelled to Constantinople. He denied Cerularius the title of "Ecumenical Patriarch" and insisted that he recognised the Pope's claim to be the head of all churches. As a result of these actions, Cardinal Humbert of Silva Candida, the leader of the legation, excommunicated Cerularius, who responded by excommunicating Humbert and the other legates.
The Great Schism was a pivotal moment in the history of Christianity, shaping the religious landscape of Europe for centuries. While the East-West Schism created a lasting divide between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, it is important to note that reconciliation efforts have been made over the years, and friendly relations between the two branches of Christianity continued even after the schism.
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The Catholic Church includes many traditions absent in the Orthodox Church
The Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church have been officially divided since the East-West Schism of 1054, also known as the Great Schism. This event was the culmination of a growing divide between the two churches, caused by historical, linguistic, and theological differences. While it is difficult to say with certainty which of the two churches came first, most historians agree that the Catholic Church was the original institution, with the Orthodox Church emerging as a separate entity after the schism.
Despite their shared origins and many similarities, there are indeed traditions and practices that are unique to the Catholic Church and absent in the Orthodox Church. Here are some key examples:
Papal Primacy and the Pope: The Catholic Church recognizes the Pope as the Bishop of Rome and the head of the Church on Earth. Papal primacy, or the primacy of the Bishop of Rome, is a central doctrine in Catholicism. In contrast, the Orthodox Church does not have a Pope and instead has its own ruling body. The rejection of papal authority is a significant point of divergence between the two churches.
Filioque Clause: The Catholic Church accepts the Filioque clause ("and [from] the Son") in the Nicene Creed, asserting that the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son. This addition was made to the Latin version of the Creed and is not present in the original Greek version used by the Orthodox Church.
Immaculate Conception of Theotokos: The Catholic Church upholds the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception, believing in the sinless nature of Mary, the mother of Jesus. While this belief was once shared by the Orthodox Church, it gradually fell out of favor, and today, most Orthodox priests deny the Immaculate Conception.
Philosophical and Theological Emphasis: The Catholic Church, influenced by theologians like Augustine, places significant emphasis on philosophical speculation and metaphysics in its interpretation of Christian doctrine. In contrast, the Orthodox Church tends to focus more on the mystical experience of God and may view Augustinian theology as pagan mysticism rather than orthodox belief.
Pro-Life and Pro-Marriage Positions: The Catholic Church is known for its staunch defense of pro-life and pro-marriage positions, often drawing on the contributions of Catholic philosophers and theologians. While the Orthodox Church also values life and marriage, it may not have the same institutional emphasis on these specific positions.
These examples illustrate how the Catholic Church incorporates traditions and doctrines that are not present or are interpreted differently in the Orthodox Church. These differences have contributed to the distinct identities and practices of the two churches, despite their shared historical roots.
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The two churches have attempted reconciliation since the Great Schism
The Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church have made several attempts at reconciliation since the Great Schism of 1054. The mutual excommunications by the Pope and the Patriarch of Constantinople became a watershed moment in church history, but they were not permanent. Over time, the two churches have tried to come together, but their differences have proven challenging to overcome.
In the 15th century, the East suffered significant territorial losses to the Turks, which pressured the emperor to seek reconciliation with the Pope. The Orthodox churches met with the Pope at the Council of Florence (1438-1445) to resolve their theological differences. While most Eastern bishops agreed to the papal claims and the Church's formulations on disputed topics, they later repudiated the agreement due to laity rejection, almost entirely sealing the schism.
The Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) improved relations between the churches by recognizing the validity of the sacraments in the Eastern churches. In 1965, Pope Paul VI and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras I nullified the anathemas of 1054 as a gesture of goodwill, though this did not constitute a reunion. The Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue Between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church was established in 1979 to further promote unity.
While the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church share a common history and heritage, they have distinct beliefs and practices that have prevented a full reconciliation. The Orthodox Church objects to several Catholic doctrines, including purgatory, substitutionary atonement, the immaculate conception, and papal supremacy. The two churches also interpret the primacy of the Pope differently, with the Orthodox Church emphasizing its own autocephaly and refusal to submit to external authority.
Despite these challenges, there have been ongoing attempts at reconciliation. The Eastern Catholic Churches, which include some Eastern Orthodox members, have accepted the primacy of the Bishop of Rome while retaining certain liturgical practices in line with Eastern tradition. Additionally, there are periodic contacts and visits between the two sides, and they continue to celebrate each other's patronal feasts. While the Great Schism divided the Catholic and Orthodox churches, their efforts toward reconciliation demonstrate a mutual desire for unity and understanding.
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Frequently asked questions
The Catholic Church, or the Western Church, and the Orthodox Church, or the Eastern Church, have differing opinions on a range of matters. For example, the procession of the Holy Spirit, whether leavened or unleavened bread should be used in the Eucharist, iconoclasm, and the Pope's claim to universal jurisdiction.
The formal split between the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church, also known as the East-West Schism or the Great Schism, occurred in 1054. However, the two churches had been growing apart for a long time before this.
It is a matter of debate as to which church came first. Orthodox Christians believe that they are the continuation of the ancient Orthodox Christian Church, while Catholics believe that they are the first Christians. Both churches claim to be Catholic, or "all-encompassing", and Orthodox, or "keeping to the right teaching".
Yes, there have been attempts to reconcile the two churches. For example, in the 16th and 17th centuries, there were attempts at unions between the Roman Church and various groups within Eastern Orthodoxy. More recently, the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue Between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church was established in 1980 and is an ongoing endeavour.
