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Differences Between the Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox Churches

• Categorized under Religion | Differences Between the Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox Churches

Roman Catholic vs. Greek Orthodox Churches

During the fourth century, Christianity revolved around five main areas: Constantinople (today’s Turkey), Alexandria (Egypt), Jerusalem (Israel), Antioch (Greece), and Rome (Italy). But when Islam started to flourish, the primary centers of focus became Constantinople and Rome. With this, later on, the powers in these centers started to diminish, leading to the East-West Schism or the Great Schism in 1054 AD. And so came the birth of the Greek Orthodox (Eastern Orthodox), similar to Roman Catholicism in ways largely related to the teachings of the Apostles and Jesus Christ.

As these two religions were nourished, however, certain differences emerged; they are carried by their believers’ faith to this day. The first difference is relates to the Pope. For the Roman Catholics, the Pope is infallible; he can contradict lower ranking church leaders. On the other hand, Greek Orthodox believers consider a ‘highest bishop’, also known as the ‘first among equals’. This bishop is not infallible and does not have supreme authority over the churches.

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Furthermore, Eastern Orthodox priests are allowed to marry before they are ordinated, while in the Roman Catholic Church, priests cannot marry.

Additionally, Eastern Orthodox believers do not accept the concept of purgatory as well as the Stations of the Cross, as opposed to the Roman Catholics.

Summary:

1. Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox believers both believe in the same God.
2. Roman Catholics deem the Pope as infallible, while Greek Orthodox believers don’t.
3. Roman Catholics believe that Mary is free from original sin, while Greek Orthodox believers don’t.
4. Roman Catholic priests cannot marry, while priests in the Greek Orthodox can marry before they are ordinated.
5. Latin is the main language used during Roman Catholic services, while Greek Orthodox churches use native languages.
6. Roman Catholics venerate statues as much as Greek Orthodox believers venerate icons.
7. Doctrines can be changed in Roman Catholicism, as opposed to Greek Orthodox.
8. Unlike Roman Catholics, Greek Orthodox believers do not accept the concepts of purgatory and Stations of the Cross.

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More differences

There are three main groups within Christianity: Eastern Churches such as Greek Orthodox; Roman Catholic; and Protestant.  It is in this Protestant category that you have probably noticed the most difference in ‘forms’.

The differences are about things like baptism (adult or baby) and how churches should be run. These issues have popped up from time to time throughout history and when groups of Christians couldn’t come to a common understanding it would lead to a parting of ways so that each could follow the practices they were most comfortable with. 

It may be helpful to think of these differences as flavours of Christianity.  Australia particularly has many different flavours of Christianity due to many Christian immigrants bringing with them their own church styles and practices.

There are some groups such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons though who are not Christian as they do not consider Jesus to be the Christ (God’s appointed king).  They are sometimes lumped in with Christian denominations rather than non-Christian religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam & Judaism. 

http://christianity.net.au/questions/why_are_there_so_many_different_forms_of_christianity

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