Ethan Walker
The relationship between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church has historically been fraught with tension, separation, and accusation. However, since the 1960s, there has been a warming of relations, with both sides engaging in international Orthodox-Catholic dialogue to increase confidence and trust. While there are significant differences between the two denominations, such as their views on the authority of the Pope and the inclusion of and the Son in the Nicene Creed, they also share many similarities and agree on important theological matters. The level of harmony between Catholics and Orthodox Christians may also depend on geographical location and historical context, with instances of persecution of Orthodox Christians by Catholics in certain countries creating a more antagonistic relationship.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Relationship between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church | There have been efforts to improve the relationship since the mid-20th century. |
| International Orthodox-Catholic dialogue | Originated in the 1960s |
| Common ground | Both believe in the Trinity, affirm Jesus' virgin birth, His sinless life, His miracles, His sacrificial death for sin, His physical resurrection from the dead after three days, and His eventual return. |
| Differences | The Orthodox Church does not recognize the Pope as the authoritative head. |
| The Orthodox Church views the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople as "first among equals". | |
| The Catholic Church's central liturgy is the Mass, while the Orthodox Church's is "The Divine Liturgy." | |
| The Catholic Church teaches that the Eucharist is the most important practice in the Christian life. | |
| The Orthodox Church does not provide an explanation for how the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ. | |
| Catholics and Orthodox disagree on the use of the word "purgatory." | |
| The Orthodox Church criticizes the inclusion of "and the Son" in the Nicene Creed by the Catholic Church. | |
| Personal relationships | Catholics and Orthodox individuals can have strong relationships despite their religious differences. |
| In countries with a history of Catholic persecution of Orthodox Christians, there may be tension. | |
| Online interactions | Catholics and Orthodox individuals may defend each other online when attacked by others. |
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What You'll Learn
Catholics and Orthodox have a history of theological disputes
Catholics and Orthodox Christians share many similarities, including episcopal governance, prayer for the dead, sacraments, and salvation as sanctification. They also agree on important theological matters, such as the belief in the Trinity, affirmation of Jesus' virgin birth, his sinless life, his miracles, his sacrificial death for sin, his physical resurrection, and his eventual return. Both denominations also agree that God inspired the Bible through the Holy Spirit's work through human writers.
However, Catholics and Orthodox Christians have a history of theological disputes, with the relationship between the two branches of Christianity historically marked by tension, separation, and accusation. One of the most significant points of contention is the role of the Pope. While the Orthodox Church generally respects the Pope, it does not recognize his authority over the church. Instead, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople is considered the "first among equals" among Orthodox bishops. The inclusion of the word "Filioque" in the Nicene Creed, authorized by the Pope, is another significant dispute. The word, which means "and the Son," refers to the Holy Spirit proceeding "from the Father and the Son." While the Catholic Church argues that various Bible passages suggest that the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son, the Orthodox Church criticizes this addition as inaccurate and a change to the inviolable Creed that should have been done in union with the East.
Another dispute between the two churches is the belief in purgatory. While Catholics believe in purgatory as a purification process after death, Orthodox Christians do not use this term, instead picturing the soul passing through a series of "toll houses" on its journey to heaven. Despite these theological differences, efforts have been made since the mid-twentieth century to improve relations and cultivate peace, friendship, and cooperation between the two denominations.
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They share many traditions and beliefs
Catholics and Orthodox Christians share many traditions and beliefs. Both branches of Christianity believe in the Trinity, affirm Jesus' virgin birth, his sinless life, his miracles, his sacrificial death for sin, his physical resurrection from the dead after three days, and his eventual return. They also agree that God inspired the Bible through the Holy Spirit's work through human writers.
The Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church also share similar practices and rituals. For example, both churches have the Eucharist as the central focus of their worship services, incorporating prayer, music, and Scripture, along with incense, icons, and other sensory elements. Both churches also believe in the importance of sacraments and have similar practices for administering them. They also share traditions such as prayer for the dead and episcopal governance.
In addition to theological and liturgical similarities, Catholics and Orthodox Christians have historically had warm relations and have worked towards cultivating peace, friendship, and cooperation. Since the 1960s, there has been an ongoing international Orthodox-Catholic dialogue, with meetings between Popes and heads of individual Orthodox Churches, accompanied by the signing of Common Declarations expressing the official positions of the churches involved. In 1979, Pope John Paul II and Patriarch Dimitrios I jointly announced the formation of the "Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church," which included bishops and theologians from both churches.
While there are also significant differences between the two churches, the shared traditions and beliefs between Catholics and Orthodox Christians provide a foundation for mutual respect, dialogue, and cooperation.
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They have different views on the Pope's authority
Catholics and Orthodox Christians have historically had a tense relationship, owing in part to their differing views on the Pope's authority. The Catholic Church asserts that the Pope, as the successor of the Apostle Peter, is the supreme leader of the entire Church and possesses plenipotentiary authority over all its members. On the other hand, the Eastern Orthodox Church has never accepted the Pope as the de jure leader of the Church, considering all bishops to be equal, each with their own jurisdiction over their respective churches. This difference in perspective on the Pope's role and power has been a significant point of contention between the two denominations.
The Catholic perspective on the Pope's authority stems from the belief that Jesus appointed the Apostle Peter as his vicar on earth, making him the head of the visible Church and bestowing upon him full authority over the other apostles and the entire Church. The Pope, as the successor of Peter, inherits these rights and privileges, including the power to define and proclaim the truths of the faith with infallibility when speaking ex cathedra, or officially. This doctrine of papal infallibility was formalized at the First Vatican Council in 1870, despite opposition from many Catholics who disagreed with this interpretation.
In contrast, the Eastern Orthodox Church holds that the twelve apostles, including Peter, were completely equal in dignity, authority, and grace. While Peter may be considered the "first among equals", the Orthodox teaching emphasizes the importance of apostolic succession and the validity of each individual church under its respective bishop. The Orthodox view of ecclesiastical authority is closely tied to the concept of conciliarity, where decisions are made collectively by the bishops in council rather than by a single individual claiming universal jurisdiction.
The disagreement over the Pope's authority is a significant obstacle to reunification between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. While there have been efforts to improve relations and engage in theological dialogue, such as the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue established in 1979, the fundamental differences in the understanding of the Pope's role persist. This divergence in beliefs about ecclesiastical structure and authority continues to shape the relationship between the two denominations, influencing the possibilities for future unity or reconciliation.
Despite the differences in their beliefs about the Pope's authority, Catholics and Orthodox Christians have found common ground in other areas. They share similarities in practices and doctrines, including episcopal governance, prayer for the dead, sacraments, and concepts of salvation. In certain regions, such as the Middle East, Catholics and Orthodox Christians have even demonstrated a high level of unity and mutual defense in the face of external attacks or persecution. While the disagreement over the Pope's role remains a notable point of contention, it does not preclude cooperation and mutual respect in other aspects of their shared Christian faith.
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They have different practices and rituals
Catholics and Orthodox Christians have had distinct denominations since the East-West Schism of 1054. This schism was caused by historical and linguistic differences, which led to theological differences between the two churches. While both churches share similarities in terms of episcopal governance, prayer for the dead, sacraments, and salvation as sanctification, there are also significant differences in their practices and rituals.
One of the main differences between the two denominations is their view of the Pope. The Catholic Church attributes to the primacy of the Pope "full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can always exercise unhindered." In contrast, some in the Eastern Orthodox Church understand the primacy of the Bishop of Rome to be merely honorary, regarding him as "first among equals" without effective power over other churches. This difference in the understanding of papal authority has been a key point of contention between the two churches.
Another difference lies in their celebration of the Eucharist, also known as the Holy Communion in the Catholic Church and the Divine Liturgy in the Orthodox Church. While both churches consider it an important practice, they have different approaches. The Catholic Church typically uses unleavened bread, while the Orthodox Church uses leavened bread. The Catholic Church teaches the doctrine of transubstantiation, believing that during the consecration, the bread and wine are transformed into the actual body and blood of Christ. On the other hand, the Orthodox Church rejects transubstantiation and teaches the doctrine of trans-elementation or metousiosis, which holds that the bread and wine are mystically transformed while retaining their outward form.
The age of receiving holy communion and confirmation also varies between the two denominations. In the Orthodox Church, infants receive chrismation and holy communion immediately after baptism, while in the Catholic Church, children typically receive their first communion and confirmation from the age of seven.
Additionally, there are differences in their baptismal rituals. The Orthodox Church generally baptizes individuals by full immersion in water, while the Catholic Church usually pours water over the person being baptized.
These differences in practices and rituals between Catholics and Orthodox Christians highlight the distinct nature of their denominations and beliefs, despite some shared similarities.
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They have been working towards improving relations
Catholics and Orthodox Christians have historically had a tense relationship, with separation and accusations between the two groups. However, since the mid-twentieth century, their leaders have been working towards improving relations.
The warming of relations between the Catholic and Orthodox churches can be traced back to the 1960s. The Second Vatican Council, which included significant input from Orthodox observers, resulted in a greater appreciation of Orthodoxy from the Catholic perspective. This was reflected in the Council documents, which included a positive evaluation of Orthodox traditions and an unqualified recognition of the validity of Orthodox sacraments.
Similarly, from the Orthodox perspective, the third pan-Orthodox conference in 1964 encouraged local Orthodox Churches to prepare for dialogue with the Catholic Church. It was recognised by both sides that an increase in confidence and trust was necessary before any fruitful theological dialogue could take place.
In 1978, a document was submitted to the authorities of both churches, recommending that the goal of dialogue be the reestablishment of full communion. It proposed a methodology that focused on the commonalities between the two churches, establishing a shared theological foundation that could later address more divisive issues. This led to the formation of the "Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church" in 1979, which included equal numbers of bishops and theologians from both churches.
Since then, there have been numerous meetings between Popes and heads of individual Orthodox Churches, often accompanied by the signing of a Common Declaration expressing the official position of the churches involved. In 1988, a third common document was adopted at the Orthodox monastery at Valamo, Finland, titled "The Sacrament of Order in the Sacramental Structure of the Church, with Particular Reference to the Importance of the Apostolic Succession for the Sanctification and Unity of the People of God."
While there are still significant differences between the Catholic and Orthodox churches, these efforts towards improving relations have resulted in a greater understanding and cooperation between the two groups.
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Frequently asked questions
Catholics and Orthodox Christians have historically had a tense relationship, but since the mid-twentieth century, their leaders have made efforts to cultivate peace, friendship, and cooperation. In countries where Catholics have actively persecuted Orthodox Christians, the two groups do not get along. Elsewhere, they get along just fine.
The Orthodox Church does not recognise the Pope as having ultimate authority over the church. The Orthodox Church views the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople as “first among equals”. The two churches also have different liturgies and practices. For example, the Orthodox Church does not use the word "purgatory", but acknowledges that purification after death occurs.
Catholics and Orthodox Christians share many similarities, including episcopal governance, prayer for the dead, sacraments, and salvation as sanctification. They both believe in the Trinity and affirm Jesus’ virgin birth, His sinless life, His miracles, His sacrificial death for sin, His physical resurrection from the dead after three days, and His eventual return. They also agree that God inspired the Bible through the Holy Spirit’s work through human writers.
