Rachel Evans
The Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church have had a long and complex history, with the two denominations sharing many core beliefs but also having significant theological differences. The Great Schism of 1054 marked a significant division between the two churches, influenced by cultural, political, and theological differences that had developed over centuries. While Eastern Orthodox Christians share beliefs with Roman Catholics such as the Trinity and the resurrection of Jesus, they view salvation as a reunion with God rather than solely as forgiveness of sins. They also have a different understanding of the role of the Pope and the authority of the Bishop of Rome, with the Eastern Orthodox Church granting him a position of honour but not power over other churches. Other differences include their views on sin and salvation, with Eastern Orthodoxy rejecting the legalistic terms of Western Christian traditions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Theological differences | Catholics use pagan (Neoplatonist & Aristotelian) metaphysical philosophy, and its outgrowth, scholasticism, to validate the theological dogmas of Catholic Christianity. |
| Orthodox Christians view salvation as a reunion with God rather than solely as forgiveness of sins. | |
| Orthodox Christians believe that humans were made in God’s image and that God intended them to be full participants in a divine life. | |
| Orthodox Christians do not see sin and salvation in legalistic terms. | |
| Orthodox Christians do not view Roman Catholicism as rationalist, subjected to the demands and limits of human rationality. | |
| Orthodox Christians believe that knowledge of God comes from the prayer of the heart, not from the mind. | |
| Liturgical differences | Catholics experienced liturgical changes in the late 1960s and early 1970s. |
| Orthodox Christians believe there is very little difference between the spiritual lives of the early Christians and their spiritual lives today. | |
| Papal primacy | Orthodox Christians view the Pope as "first among equals", without effective power over other churches. |
| Catholics attribute to the Pope "full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church". | |
| Filioque controversy | Catholics and Orthodox Christians disagree on the doctrine that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Son as well as the Father. |
| Orthodox Christians believe that the Pope had no authority to insert the word "Filioque" into the Nicene Creed. | |
| Eucharist | Catholics believe that the words of institution change the substance into the Body and Blood. |
| Orthodox Christians believe that the epiclesis, not the words of institution, change the substance into the Body and Blood. |
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What You'll Learn
Orthodox Christians view Roman Catholicism as rationalist
According to Lossky, the difference between the East and the West is due to the Catholic Church's use of pagan (Neoplatonist and Aristotelian) metaphysical philosophy and its outgrowth, scholasticism, rather than the mystical, actual experience of God called theoria, to validate the theological dogmas of Catholic Christianity. Lossky argues that the Eastern Orthodox and Catholics have become "different men", stating that revelation sets an abyss between the truth which it declares and the truths which can be discovered by philosophical speculation.
In the Orthodox Church, rational thought is a useful tool that helps one come to the knowledge of the truth. However, reason is not a required element in Christian life. One can be intellectually disabled and still come to know God, because knowledge of God comes from the prayer of the heart, not from the mind.
The Orthodox Church has experienced very little liturgical change over the centuries. If there were reforms, they were subtle. This is in contrast to the Catholic Church, which has experienced significant changes in its liturgical life, especially in the late 1960s and early 1970s, with the Second Vatican Council introducing many contemporary revisions to the normal worship life of the average Roman Catholic.
Another key difference between the two churches is the doctrine of papal primacy, also known as the "primacy of the Bishop of Rome". In the Eastern Orthodox Church, some understand the primacy of the Bishop of Rome to be merely one of greater honour, regarding him as "first among equals" without effective power over other churches. The Catholic Church, on the other hand, attributes to the primacy of the Pope "full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can always exercise unhindered".
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The Pope's role and power
The Pope, as the Bishop of Rome and the leader of the Catholic Church, holds a significant amount of power and plays a crucial role in both the religious and administrative aspects of the Church. Here are four paragraphs outlining the Pope's role and power:
Paragraph 1:
The Pope is considered the successor of Saint Peter, whom Jesus appointed as the first leader of the Christian Church, according to Catholic tradition. This position as the Vicar of Christ on Earth grants him spiritual authority over the entire Catholic Church and its followers. He is believed to hold the power to define doctrines regarding faith and morals infallibly when speaking "ex cathedra," meaning from the chair of Saint Peter. This infallibility is a unique aspect of the Pope's power and is not claimed by any other religious leader.
Paragraph 2:
In terms of governance, the Pope is the absolute monarch of the Vatican City State, a sovereign entity located within Rome. He exercises full legislative, executive, and judicial powers, although he often delegates certain administrative tasks to various departments and officials within the Roman Curia, the central governing body of the Catholic Church. The Pope appoints cardinals, bishops, and other high-ranking officials, shaping the direction and policies of the Church.
Paragraph 3:
One of the Pope's key roles is his primacy of unity, ensuring the unity and communion of all Catholic Christians. He is the focal point of Catholic unity, and his decisions and teachings are meant to guide the global Catholic community. The Pope also serves as the ultimate judge in matters of faith and morals, resolving disputes and clarifying ambiguous theological issues. His teachings and interpretations hold significant weight for Catholics worldwide.
Paragraph 4:
Additionally, the Pope is a prominent figure in international diplomacy. He often receives heads of states and maintains diplomatic relations with numerous countries. The Pope's influence extends beyond the Catholic Church, as he is seen as a moral leader by many people, regardless of their religious affiliation. His opinions and statements on social, political, and ethical issues are closely followed and can impact global discussions and policies. The Pope's role as a spiritual leader and diplomat contributes to his unique power and influence in the world.
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The nature of sin and salvation
Eastern Orthodox Christians and Roman Catholics share core beliefs, such as the Trinity, humanity's sinfulness, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, they differ in their interpretations of sin and salvation.
Eastern Orthodox Christians view salvation as a reunion with God rather than just the forgiveness of sins. They believe that humans were made in God's image and were intended to be full participants in a divine life. Sin caused humanity to lose communion with God, and salvation is about restoring this communion. This perspective does not see sin and salvation in legalistic terms; instead of focusing on punishment and forgiveness, it emphasises the inherent divinity of humans and their capacity for a divine life.
In contrast, Roman Catholics and Protestants believe in original sin, holding that humanity deserves punishment for it and that God's grace results in forgiveness. This belief is based on the works of Augustine, who wrote, "Even of believing husbands and wives are born guilty persons ... on account of original sin" ("Treatise against Two Letters of the Pelagians, Ch.").
The differences between Eastern Orthodox and Western Christian (Roman Catholic and Protestant) beliefs concerning the nature of sin and salvation are further highlighted in M. Pomazansky's Orthodox Dogmatic Theology.
The Eastern Orthodox Church, also known as the Orthodox Catholic Church, has a unique perspective on sin and salvation. For them, truth is not narrowly defined but is something that each individual must experience personally. This personal experience of truth is a key aspect of their understanding of salvation, which differs from the Western Christian concept of being "saved". In the evangelical understanding within Western Christianity, salvation implies a sudden change from being guilty to being declared "not guilty" by God.
While the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church have distinct views on sin and salvation, they have made efforts towards reconciliation. The Catholic Church has acknowledged the validity of Eastern Orthodox doctrinal teachings, recognising the "legitimate diversity" within the Christian faith. Both churches accept the decisions of the first seven Ecumenical Councils, which include affirmations of the Eucharist's sacrificial nature and its transformation into the Body and Blood of Christ. Additionally, both churches reject many Protestant doctrines, including certain teachings on salvation through faith.
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The Eucharist and transubstantiation
Orthodox Christians believe that the Eucharist is the real, literal body and blood of Christ. However, they do not believe in transubstantiation, which is considered a Catholic concept. The Eastern Orthodox Church has never clarified the exact nature of the transformation of bread and wine, instead maintaining that it is a "Mystery".
The Catechism of the Eastern Orthodox Church uses the term transubstantiation, but not to define the manner in which the bread and wine are changed into the body and blood of Christ. This is because the Orthodox Church does not have a complicated or specific doctrine around the Real Presence, instead leaving it to the realm of mystery.
The Orthodox believe that the change takes place at prayer, rather than at the exact moment of the priest's invocation of the Holy Spirit, as Catholics believe. The Orthodox use leavened bread, whereas Catholics use unleavened bread.
The Eucharist, or Holy Communion, is considered a manifestation of the mystical communion that a believer could join with God and other believers. It is also a manifestation of the unity of the Church.
There are three main aspects to the Eucharist: Real Presence, unity, and sacrifice. There are two groups of Christians on the issue of Real Presence: Supernaturalists, which include Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Anglicans, and many other denominations, and Anti-Supernaturalists, which include modern Evangelicals, Baptists, Pentecostals, and non-denominationalists.
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The Filioque controversy
In contrast, the Western tradition, including Roman Catholic and Protestant churches, asserts that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son, expressing the consubstantial communion between them. They argue that the Saviour's words, "Who proceedeth from the Father", do not exclude the procession of the Holy Spirit from the Son, given their unity of essence.
There are differing views within the Orthodox tradition regarding the Filioque. Some Orthodox scholars strictly adhere to traditionalism, strongly opposing the Filioque. Others are more accepting, classifying it as a permissible theological opinion or "theologoumenon". Some Orthodox theologians view the Filioque as a matter of philosophical speculation rather than actual experience of God.
Despite the controversy, some within the Orthodox tradition, such as Sergius Bulgakov, believe that the Filioque does not present an insurmountable obstacle to the reunion of the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches.
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Frequently asked questions
The main difference is the role of the Pope. Orthodox Christians do not have a central authority comparable to the Pope, with each church governed by its own head bishop. Orthodox Christians view the Pope as a "first among equals", without effective power over other churches.
The two groups were once under the umbrella of the recognised "one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church" of the Nicene Creed. However, the East-West Schism of 1054 marked a significant division influenced by cultural, political and theological differences that had developed over centuries.
Both sides have been working towards restoring Christian unity through ecumenical efforts. In 1965, Pope Paul VI and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras I of Constantinople jointly lifted the mutual excommunications of 1054. In 2019, the current Patriarch of Constantinople stated his belief that Orthodox reunion with the Catholic Church is inevitable.
