Joshua Bennett
There are several differences between the beliefs and practices of the Orthodox East and Roman Catholic West. While both churches share similarities, they differ in their doctrines and practices. For instance, the Roman Catholic Church is headed by the Pope, who is considered infallible under certain circumstances, while the Orthodox Church does not have a Pope figure and considers all bishops and archbishops as equals. In terms of fasting practices, the Orthodox Church has more rigorous traditions and its followers may fast for almost half the year, while the Catholic Church has relaxed its fasting standards. The Catholic Church has also undergone liturgical revisions, particularly in the late '60s and early '70s, which changed the normal worship life of its followers. Additionally, the Catholic Church mandates celibacy for priests and bishops before and after ordination, whereas in the Orthodox Church, deacons and priests can be married, but they cannot remarry if their wives pass away. These differences and more contribute to the unique identities and practices of the Orthodox and Catholic faiths.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of followers | Catholicism: 1.34 billion; Orthodoxy: 220 million |
| Leadership | Catholicism: Pope; Orthodoxy: No single leader, led by a College of Bishops |
| Liturgical revisions | Catholicism: Major revisions in the 1960s and 1970s; Orthodoxy: Slow and gradual changes |
| Fasting | Catholicism: Less strict, only abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent; Orthodoxy: More strict, fasting almost half the year |
| Prayer posture | Catholicism: Kneeling; Orthodoxy: Bowing |
| Confession | Catholicism: Not specified; Orthodoxy: Done standing up |
| Celibacy | Catholicism: Priests and bishops must observe celibacy; Orthodoxy: Deacons and priests can marry before ordination |
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What You'll Learn
The Pope: Catholics have one, Orthodox don't
The Pope is the head of the Catholic Church, and the Catholic Church acknowledges the Pope as the "first among equals". However, the Orthodox Church does not recognize the Pope's authority. This is one of the key differences between the two denominations.
The Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church have had a schism for centuries, and the Pope's absence in the Orthodox Church has led to a kind of magisterial paralysis, according to some. The Orthodox Church has not had an ecumenical council in centuries because there is no Pope to call or recognize one. This is because there is no practical way for the Orthodox Church to call or agree upon an ecumenical council without a Pope.
The Pope's role as the head of the Catholic Church is based on the interpretation of a passage in the Bible. In Matthew 16:18, Christ says to Peter, "upon this rock, I shall build my church". This passage is subject to various interpretations, and the Orthodox Church does not interpret it as establishing the Pope as the earthly leader of the Church in Jesus' absence.
Another point of contention between the two churches is the Pope's authority to change the Nicene Creed by inserting the "filioque clause", which states that the Holy Spirit proceeds "from the Father and the Son". Orthodox Christians argue that the Creed is inviolable and cannot be changed, and that the Pope does not have the authority to make such changes.
Despite these differences, there is also much common ground between the two churches. Both accept the decisions of the first seven Ecumenical Councils of the undivided Church and share many similar beliefs and practices.
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Purgatory: Exists in Catholicism, not in Orthodoxy
The concept of Purgatory, as understood in Catholicism, does not exist in Orthodoxy. Purgatory, derived from the Latin word "purgare", means to make clean or to purify. According to Catholic teaching, it is a place or condition of temporal punishment for those who depart this life in God's grace but are not entirely free from venial faults or have not fully paid the satisfaction due to their transgressions. This final purification is necessary for achieving the holiness required to enter heaven, as nothing unclean can enter the presence of God.
The Catholic Church's position on Purgatory was proclaimed by Leo X in the Bull "Exurge Domine", which condemned the errors of Luther. The Catholic dogma of Purgatory is vague, referring only to a concept of postmortem purification. Pope Benedict XVI described Purgatory as an encounter with Christ, not a literal fire experienced temporally. This encounter with Christ, as Judge and Saviour, is the decisive act of judgement, where all falsehood melts away, transforming and freeing individuals to become their true selves.
In contrast, the Orthodox Church denies the existence of Purgatory. However, some Orthodox scholars, like Fr. Dumitru Staniloae, unintentionally affirm the Catholic view of Purgatory. Staniloae states that those in hell who are not radically different from those on the lowest levels of paradise can pass over to paradise before the Last Judgment through the prayers of the saints and the living. This belief in a form of purgation for souls destined for heaven is shared by Orthodox priest and apologist, Fr. Andrew Damick, although it is not codified with the temporal model of suffering employed by Catholic Purgatory.
The difference in belief between the two traditions can be attributed to the lack of a central teaching authority in Orthodoxy, resulting in a variety of interpretations. While the Orthodox may reject the idea of Purgatory as a physical place with a literal fire, their understanding of the afterlife shares similarities with the Catholic concept of Purgatory, highlighting the complexity and nuances within these religious traditions.
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Fasting: Orthodox Christians fast more
The Catholic Church observes fasting and abstinence from meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, with Fridays during Lent also being obligatory days of abstinence. Catholics aged 14 and above must abstain from meat, and those aged 18 to 59 are expected to fast, eating only one full meal and two smaller, non-full meals.
In comparison, Orthodox Christians observe fasting every Wednesday and Friday of the year. On these days, they abstain from meat, including poultry, meat products, and fish with backbones, as well as eggs and dairy products, olive oil, and alcoholic drinks. The only exception is that shellfish is permitted. This is considered a strict fast, and some Orthodox Christians may find it too challenging to maintain. In such cases, they may include oil and alcohol in their fast, typically after consulting with their spiritual guide.
The week before Lent is also a fasting period for Orthodox Christians, where meat and other animal products are prohibited, but eggs and dairy are allowed. The first week of Lent involves only two full meals during the first five days, with no food consumed from Monday morning until Wednesday evening. This is the longest continuous period without food in the Orthodox Church year.
While the Catholic Church encourages fasting during Lent, the specifics are less stringent than those of the Orthodox Church. Catholics are encouraged to practice self-discipline and fast in various ways during Lent, such as abstaining from luxuries. However, the focus is more on spiritual formation and preparation for Easter than on specific dietary restrictions.
Overall, it is evident that Orthodox Christians follow a more rigorous and consistent fasting regimen throughout the year, while Catholics have more flexibility outside of the obligatory fasting days of Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, with Lent being a period of recommended but less strictly defined fasting.
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Worship: Catholicism has changed, Orthodoxy hasn't
Catholicism and Orthodox Christianity have many similarities, but also some differences. The Catholic Church has made changes to its worship practices over time, while the Orthodox Church has remained relatively unchanged.
Worship
One of the most significant changes in Catholic worship occurred in the late 1960s and early 1970s with the Second Vatican Council. This included a revision of the mass and other aspects of worship life. In contrast, the Orthodox Church has not experienced any comparable liturgical reforms. While both traditions have undergone slow liturgical changes over the centuries, the pace and extent of change have been much greater in the Catholic Church.
Fasting
Another difference between the two traditions relates to fasting practices. Traditionally, Roman Catholics had a moderately rigorous fasting tradition, but today, the only obligation for most Catholics is to abstain from eating meat on Fridays during Lent. On the other hand, Orthodox Christians are expected to fast for about half the days of the year, although this expectation is often mitigated and adjusted in consultation with one's confessor. The Catholic Church has set a minimum standard for fasting, but individuals are free to challenge themselves more if they wish.
Leadership and authority
The Catholic Church is headed by the Pope, who holds supreme authority and is considered infallible under certain circumstances. In contrast, the Orthodox Church does not have a single leader like the Pope. Instead, it has a College of Bishops who make decisions together, typically presided over by a patriarch or primate. All bishops are considered fundamentally equal, although some may have more positional authority than others.
Sacraments and theology
Both the Catholic and Orthodox Churches accept the decisions of the first seven Ecumenical Councils of the undivided Church and share many other theological beliefs. However, there are some differences in practice and theology. For example, the Catholic Church practices confession in a kneeling position, while the Orthodox Church does it standing up. The Eucharist is also celebrated differently, with the Orthodox using leavened bread rather than communion wafers.
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Prayer: Catholics kneel, Orthodox bow
While there are many similarities between the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church, there are also some differences in their beliefs and practices. One such difference is the way in which members of each Church pray, with Catholics typically kneeling and Orthodox Christians bowing or prostrating.
Catholics often pray in a kneeling position, which is considered a sign of reverence and respect before God. This act of kneeling is a common posture for prayer in the Catholic Church, symbolizing humility and submission to God.
On the other hand, Eastern Orthodox Christians typically pray by bowing or prostrating. Bowing is a common form of reverence in the Eastern Orthodox Church, with specific types of bows being used at different times during services. For example, a head-only bow may be used when one cannot make a lower bow due to space constraints or physical limitations. A belt-low bow or 'ordinary bow' is the most widespread type of bow and can be used in various situations.
Prostration, a more profound form of reverence, is also practiced in the Eastern Orthodox Church. It involves falling down on one's hands and knees and resting one's head between the palms, or touching the head to the floor. Prostrations are commonly performed during specific moments in the service, when venerating relics or icons, and during certain liturgical seasons like Great Lent and Holy Week. However, they are forbidden on Sundays and during the Easter season to honour the Resurrection.
While there are differences in prayer postures between the two Churches, it is worth noting that both Catholics and Orthodox Christians share fundamental beliefs, such as the Real Presence in the Eucharist and the sacrificial nature of Christ's sacrifice. These shared beliefs highlight the common foundation of their faith, despite the differences in their specific practices and traditions.
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Frequently asked questions
The Orthodox Church is considered to be more resistant to change than the Catholic Church, which has relaxed some traditions over time, such as fasting rules. Orthodox Christians are expected to fast for about half the days of the year, whereas Catholics are only expected to abstain from eating meat on Fridays during Lent.
The Orthodox Church does not have a Pope figure, whereas the Pope is the head of the Catholic Church. The Pope is considered the 'Vicar of Christ' and has jurisdiction over every Catholic Church worldwide. The Orthodox Church, on the other hand, has a College of Bishops who make decisions together.
Yes, there are some differences in the way services are conducted in Orthodox and Catholic Churches. In the Catholic tradition, kneeling is a usual part of prayer, while in the Orthodox tradition, bows to the ground are frequently made, so the central space is left vacant. Catholic priests and bishops must observe celibacy before and after ordination, while in the Orthodox Church, deacons and priests can marry, but if their wives pass away, they are not allowed to remarry.
Despite their differences, the two churches share many similarities. Both churches accept the decisions of the first seven Ecumenical Councils of the undivided Church and the solemn celebration of the Eucharist. They also agree on the Eucharistic bread and wine becoming the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.
Catholics can attend an Orthodox Mass to fulfil a Sunday obligation, but the reverse is not permitted by the Orthodox Church.
