Ethan Walker
The Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church were once a single entity until the East-West Schism of 1054, also known as the Great Schism, which saw the Pope in Rome and the Pope in Constantinople excommunicate each other. The two churches had been growing apart for a long time, with disputes over the nature and divinity of Jesus, the procession of the Holy Spirit, the use of leavened or unleavened bread in the Eucharist, and the place of the See of Constantinople in relation to the pentarchy. While the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church share the same origin, some argue that the Orthodox Church is older and more original as it has retained more old traditions and has not deviated from centuries of tradition and broad consensus.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meaning of Orthodox | "Right in religion" or "straight teaching" in Greek |
| Meaning of Catholic | "General", "universally" or "the whole in every part" |
| Date of Establishment | Orthodox: No specific date; Catholic: No specific date |
| Place of Establishment | Orthodox: Byzantium; Catholic: Rome |
| Founders | Orthodox: Apostle Andrew; Catholic: Peter and Paul |
| Current Composition | Orthodox: Achaian Greeks, Antiochian Greeks, and Slavs; Catholic: Includes Byzantine, Antiochian, Roman, Gallican, and Western traditions |
| Governance | Orthodox: Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople recognised as 'first among equals'; Catholic: Central authority analogous to the Pope |
| Current Number of Baptised Members | Orthodox: Approximately 230 million; Catholic: Not found |
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What You'll Learn
The meaning of 'Orthodox' and 'Catholic'
The word "Orthodox" originates from the Greek words "orthos", meaning "right, true", and "doxa", meaning "opinion". The combination of these words forms the Greek verb "orthodoxein", which means "to have the right opinion". In the context of religion, being orthodox means holding traditional or conservative beliefs that are in line with established doctrines.
In a religious context, the term "Orthodox" is often associated with specific Christian denominations, such as Eastern Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, or Russian Orthodox. These denominations are known for adhering to traditional Christian doctrines and practices.
On the other hand, the word "Catholic" comes from the Greek language and means "universal". In a religious context, it refers to the universal church, specifically the Roman Catholic Church in the Western understanding. However, it is important to note that there are also Eastern branches of the Catholic Church that have their distinct rites, theology, and church law.
Being Catholic signifies a connection to the ancient undivided Christian church and a claim of historical continuity from it. It implies a sense of inclusivity and diversity, as the term "Catholic" can be used to promote a broader perspective that goes beyond narrow doctrinal orthodoxy.
In summary, both "Orthodox" and "Catholic" refer to adherence to specific religious traditions and beliefs. "Orthodox" emphasizes holding traditional or conservative views within a particular religious context, while "Catholic" conveys a sense of universality and inclusivity, encompassing a wide range of believers within the Christian faith.
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The early church was called both 'Orthodox' and 'Catholic'
The early church was called both "Orthodox" and "Catholic". St. Ignatius of Antioch, a disciple of the Apostles, referred to the Church by both these names as early as AD 107. The term "Orthodox" means "right in religion" or "straight teaching", while "Catholic" means "general", "universal", or "the whole in every part". The Church was considered Orthodox as it was believed to be the correct belief, and Catholic as it was universal, unseparated, and comprehensive, including all who shared the faith.
The Eastern Orthodox Church considers itself to be both orthodox and catholic. The term "Catholicity of the Church" is used to designate the universality of the Christian Church, centred around Christ. The Eastern Orthodox Church, officially the Orthodox Catholic Church, operates as a communion of autocephalous churches, each governed by its bishops via local synods. It has no central authority analogous to the Pope of the Catholic Church but recognises the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople as "primus inter pares" or "first among equals".
The Orthodox Church was established in Byzantium in AD 38 by the Apostle Andrew, brother of Peter. Peter and Paul established the church in Rome around the same time. Both churches were connected to the church in Jerusalem, which was likely most important for Jewish Christians until about AD 70. The church in Jerusalem was probably considered the original church, with the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church both claiming to be the continuation of this original church.
The formal separation into Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic branches happened when the institution was already old and venerable. The split occurred in the 11th century when the Roman Catholic Church broke off communion with the Eastern Orthodox Church. However, the mutual excommunications of the East-West Schism in 1054 indicate that the churches in Rome and Constantinople had been diverging for some time, with each viewing the other as having departed from the true church.
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The split between the two churches
The Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church were once a single entity, with the early Church referred to as both "Orthodox" and "Catholic". The Orthodox Church, meaning "right in religion" or "straight teaching", and the Catholic Church, meaning "universally", were part of one religion on paper until 1054 when they formally split. This event is known as the East-West Schism or the Great Schism.
The theological disputes between the two churches date back to the 3rd century when some Christians, facing persecution, renounced their faith or conducted pagan sacrifices. The Novatianists refused to accept them back into the church. The next series of disputes had to do with the relationship between Jesus the Son and God the Father. Emperor Constantine requested a council in Nicaea to determine the catholic orthodox opinion. The council issued the Nicene Creed, which left room for interpretation and allowed Arians to sign on. The second council in Constantinople closed these loopholes and created the Nicene Creed as it is known today. The Arians were no longer considered Orthodox, but they remained prominent among Germans.
The Eastern Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church also had differing views on the procession of the Holy Spirit, whether leavened or unleavened bread should be used in the Eucharist, iconoclasm, the place of the See of Constantinople in relation to the pentarchy, and the primacy of the Pope. The coronation of Charlemagne as emperor of the Romans in 800 and the pope's claim to universal jurisdiction also contributed to the growing divide between the two churches. The first action that led to the formal schism occurred in 1053 when Patriarch Michael I Cerularius of Constantinople ordered the closure of all Latin churches in Constantinople.
While the Catholic Church characterises the split as a schism, some Eastern Orthodox theologians believe there are deeper theological issues at play. The Eastern Orthodox Church does not consider Catholic beliefs to be heretical, and the two churches have much in common in terms of theology. Efforts towards reconciliation have been made, and in 1965, Pope Paul VI and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras I nullified the anathemas of 1054 as a gesture of goodwill.
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The role of Emperor Constantine
Emperor Constantine, also known as Constantine the Great, is a pivotal figure in the history of Christianity, particularly in the context of the Catholic and Orthodox traditions. His reign marked a significant shift in the Roman Empire, as he actively promoted Christianity and established a precedent for the role of the Christian emperor within the Church.
During his rule from 306 to 337 AD, Constantine played a pivotal role in elevating the status of Christianity within the Roman Empire. In 313, he issued the Edict of Milan, decriminalising Christian worship and ending the persecution of Christians, which marked a turning point for the religion. This move set the stage for the eventual dominance of Christianity as the state religion of the empire. Constantine also funded church-building projects throughout his reign, further cementing the presence of Christianity across the empire.
Constantine's influence extended beyond legal and financial support for the Church. He recognised the importance of establishing unity and consistency in Christian doctrine and played a significant role in addressing theological controversies. He convened the Councils of Arles (314) and Nicaea (325), which guided church doctrine for centuries. The Council of Nicaea, in particular, addressed the Arian controversy, providing a definition of the relationship between God the Father and God the Son that is still accepted by most Christians today.
The emperor's role in the early Church was not without controversy. While he is revered as a saint in various Orthodox churches, including the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Coptic Orthodox Church, the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church has not officially recognised him as a saint. This discrepancy may be due to Constantine's complex relationship with religious doctrine. While he is credited with promoting unity, he also set a precedent for the use of warfare in the name of Christ and leaned towards Arianism later in his life, a belief system that was at odds with the Council of Nicaea's definition of the Trinity.
Constantine's impact on the role of the Christian emperor was significant. He established the emperor's duty to help the Church define and maintain orthodoxy, ensuring proper worship and upholding ecclesiastical unity. This influence extended beyond his lifetime, as he set a precedent for future emperors to have a substantial role in early Christian councils and in shaping the relationship between church and state.
In summary, Emperor Constantine's role was instrumental in shaping the course of Christianity within the Roman Empire. Through legal reforms, patronage of the Church, and involvement in theological matters, he elevated the status of Christianity and established the emperor's role in religious affairs. His complex legacy continues to be debated, reflecting the multifaceted nature of his impact on the Catholic and Orthodox traditions.
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The Nicene Creed
Emperor Constantine called the Council of Nicaea in 325 to resolve this dispute, which threatened to destabilize the entire empire. The council issued the Nicene Creed, which stated that Jesus was "true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father". The creed also affirmed belief in "one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible".
In summary, the Nicene Creed is a fundamental statement of faith for many Christian denominations, expressing belief in the Holy Trinity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, as well as the key tenets of Christian doctrine, such as the resurrection of Christ, the forgiveness of sins through baptism, and the expectation of eternal life.
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Frequently asked questions
The Catholic Church has a central authority figure in the Pope, whereas the Orthodox Church is a communion of autocephalous churches, each governed by its bishops.
The Eastern Orthodox Church is considered one of the oldest surviving religious institutions in the world. However, the early Church was called both "Orthodox" and "Catholic", with the term Catholic meaning "universal".
"Orthodox" means "right in religion" or "straight teaching" in Greek.
"Catholic" means "general", universally, or "the whole in every part".
Theological disputes led to the separation of the churches. One dispute was over the relationship between Jesus the Son and God the Father. Another dispute was over whether gentile converts needed to follow the law of Moses and be circumcised.
