Joshua Bennett
The Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church have been officially divided since the East-West Schism of 1054. The split was caused by historical and language differences, and the ensuing theological disagreements. The Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church have different methods of theology, theological reasoning, ecclesiological assumptions, and views on authority, worship, and religious practices. For example, the Catholic Church believes in the infallible teaching authority of the Church, which includes the doctrine of papal infallibility, while the Eastern Orthodox Church sees the authority of the Church as stemming from the Holy Tradition. Another key difference is the use of icons in worship, with the Orthodox Church embracing the use of icons as windows into the spiritual realm, while the Catholic Church has historically been more cautious about the use of images in worship.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of schism | 1054 |
| Reason for schism | Theological and historical differences, language differences |
| Nature of Eucharist | Catholic Church: Transubstantiation; Orthodox Church: Epiclesis |
| Eucharistic bread | Catholic Church: Unleavened; Orthodox Church: Leavened |
| Veneration of icons | Catholic Church: Cautious; Orthodox Church: Encouraged |
| Authority | Catholic Church: Pope; Orthodox Church: Ecumenical Councils |
| Nature of authority | Catholic Church: Infallible; Orthodox Church: Fallible |
| Jurisdiction of Pope | Catholic Church: Universal; Orthodox Church: Title of honour |
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What You'll Learn
The Great Schism of 1054
The schism was the culmination of a series of ecclesiastical differences and theological disputes between the Greek East and Latin West. These differences included the procession of the Holy Spirit (Filioque), the use of leavened or unleavened bread in the Eucharist, iconoclasm, the coronation of Charlemagne as Emperor of the Romans, the Pope's claim to universal jurisdiction, and the place of the See of Constantinople in relation to the pentarchy. The first step towards the formal schism occurred in 1053 when Patriarch Michael I Cerularius of Constantinople ordered the closure of all Latin churches in Constantinople.
In 1054, the papal legate sent by Leo IX travelled to Constantinople to deny Cerularius the title of "ecumenical patriarch" and to insist that he submit to Rome. When the leader of the legation, Cardinal Humbert of Silva Candida, learned that Cerularius had refused to accept the demand, he excommunicated him, and in response, Cerularius excommunicated Humbert and the other legates.
The validity of the Western legates' act was questionable because Pope Leo had died, and Cerularius' excommunication only applied to the legates personally. Nonetheless, the Church split along doctrinal, theological, linguistic, political, and geographical lines, and the fundamental breach has never been completely healed. While several attempts at reconciliation have been made, including the nullification of the anathemas of 1054 in 1965 by Pope Paul VI and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras I, the two sides still occasionally accuse each other of committing heresy and of initiating the schism.
The differences between the Greek Orthodox Church and the Greek Catholic Church are complex and multifaceted. They involve cultural, theological, and liturgical differences similar to those found between various Catholic Churches, such as the Roman Catholic Church and the Greek Byzantine Catholic Church. In terms of authority, the Roman Catholic Church believes in the infallible teaching authority of the Church, including the doctrine of papal infallibility, while the Eastern Orthodox Church sees the authority of the Church as stemming from the Holy Tradition, as expressed in the Ecumenical Councils. The Roman Catholic Church also holds that the Bishop of Rome, the Pope, has universal jurisdiction over the entire Church, while the Eastern Orthodox Church grants him a title of honour but nothing more.
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The role of the Pope
Greek Orthodox and Greek Catholic are not the same. The Greek Orthodox church is a part of the Eastern Orthodox Church, whereas Greek Catholics are followers of the Catholic Church. The two churches have been in a state of official schism from one another since the East-West Schism of 1054. This schism was caused by historical and language differences, and the ensuing theological differences between the Western and Eastern churches.
Now, here is an overview of the role of the Pope.
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome and the head of the worldwide Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church. The Pope is regarded as the successor of St. Peter, who was the head of the Apostles of Jesus. As the Bishop of Rome, the Pope has full and supreme power of jurisdiction over the universal church in matters of faith and morals, as well as in church discipline and government. The Pope is also the head of the Holy See, the Roman Catholic Church's central government.
The Pope is elected by the College of Cardinals and is considered the infallible leader of the Catholic Church. He is the highest authority on issues of faith and morality for Catholics worldwide, a population of about 1.3 billion. The Pope resides in Vatican City, an ecclesiastical state surrounded by Rome.
The Pope's authority and the doctrine of papal primacy have been a major obstacle to ecumenical efforts with the Eastern Orthodox Church, which grants the Bishop of Rome a primacy of honor but does not recognize his universal jurisdiction.
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The Filioque
On the other hand, Catholic theologians argue that the Saviour's words, "Who proceedeth from the Father", do not exclude the procession of the Holy Spirit from the Son. They believe that the Father and the Son are one in essence, and so all that the Father has, the Son also has. The addition of the Filioque, they claim, is a necessary clarification of this unity.
The dispute over the Filioque is not just a matter of theology but also of authority. The Eastern Orthodox Church emphasizes the importance of community and consensus in making changes to the Creed, while the Roman Catholic Church appeals to the central authority of the Pope in Rome to determine the truth in matters of controversy.
Despite the differences in interpretation, some scholars argue that the Filioque should not be an insurmountable obstacle to reunion between the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches. However, the Filioque continues to be a divisive issue, with some Eastern Orthodox scholars strictly adhering to traditionalism, while others are less opposed to the idea.
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The Eucharist
In the Greek Orthodox Church, the Eucharist is a solemn celebration of the sacrifice of Christ. The Eucharistic bread and wine are believed to become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. This belief in transubstantiation is shared by both the Greek Orthodox and Greek Catholic churches. However, there are differences in their understanding of the process. The Greek Orthodox Church holds that the change occurs not through the words of institution but through the Epiclesis, or the invocation of the Holy Spirit.
The Greek Orthodox Church emphasises the mystery of the Eucharist, acknowledging that it is perceived by the senses as bread and wine but by faith as the Body and Blood of Christ. This recognition of the Eucharist as a mystery is reflected in the closing of the doors during the consecration in the Greek tradition, reminding the faithful that something sacred is occurring, even if the exact moment and nature of the change remain unknown.
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The use of icons
Icons are a significant aspect of both Greek Orthodox and Greek Catholic traditions, but there are some differences in their use and interpretation.
The Eastern Orthodox Church uses icons as an aid to worship. They are seen as "windows to heaven", helping believers focus on divine things. Icons are venerated, but not worshipped, as worship is reserved only for God in the Holy Trinity. The honour given to an icon passes to the prototype, or the person depicted, similar to kissing a photo of a loved one. Icons are most commonly painted on wood panels with egg tempera, but they may also be cast in metal, carved in stone, embroidered on cloth, or done in mosaic or fresco work.
The Eastern Orthodox view of icons differs from that of secular scholars and some in Roman Catholic circles. The Eastern Orthodox believe that icons are written rather than painted due to the teachings they contain. The writer or iconographer prepares through study, meditation, prayer, and sometimes fasting. There are strict rules for creating icons, including the correct way to represent human figures and backgrounds.
The first period of icon destruction, known as Iconoclasm, lasted until 780, followed by a less severe wave initiated by Emperor Leo V in 813. Resistance grew, and a council was convened in 842 to reaffirm the teachings of the Seven Ecumenical Councils, confirming the place of icons in Christian life. The first Sunday of Great Lent is celebrated as the Triumph of Orthodoxy to commemorate this event.
Greek Catholicism, as part of the broader Catholic tradition, also uses icons, but with some minor differences in attitude compared to the Orthodox Church. Following Gregory the Great, Catholics emphasize the role of images as the Biblia Pauperum, or the "Bible of the Poor", from which those who could not read could still learn.
Catholics and Orthodox Christians agree that the veneration of icons and relics predated Constantine I, as evidenced by archaeological finds in the Catacombs. The use of statues in the Western Church is a later development that arose after the Church gained freedom from Roman persecutions.
Similarities and Differences
Both Greek Orthodox and Greek Catholics use icons, but there are some differences in their interpretation and emphasis. The Eastern Orthodox view emphasizes the mystical nature of the transformation of the Eucharist, referring to it as the "great mystery", while Catholics have a stronger emphasis on the papacy and doctrinal issues.
The term "icon" comes from the Ancient Greek "eikōn", meaning image or resemblance, and has been part of Christian tradition for centuries. While there have been objections and periods of icon destruction, icons remain an important part of both Greek Orthodox and Greek Catholic traditions, with some variations in their use and understanding.
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Frequently asked questions
The main differences between Greek Orthodox and Greek Catholic are in their methods of theology, theological reasoning, ecclesiological assumptions, authority, and worship.
The Greek Orthodox and Greek Catholic churches were divided by the Great Schism in 1054, also known as the East-West Schism, which was caused by historical, linguistic, and theological differences.
The Greek Orthodox and Greek Catholic churches have different views on the authority of the Pope, the use of icons, and the nature of transubstantiation.
Greek Orthodox churches are highly liturgical and loaded with images referred to as "icons". In contrast, Catholic church buildings in the West often resemble Protestant church buildings.
