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A Chart of the Differences between Eastern Orthodoxy and
Catholicism
The split between Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism developed over the course of centuries but was formalized in 1054 when representatives of Pope Leo IX were sent to Constantinople where they delivered a Bull of Excommunication to the Eastern Church, charging it with heresy for omitting the filioque, the Catholic doctrine that the Holy Spirit proceeds equally from both the Father and the Son, from its services. The split, therefore, developed ostensibly over theological issues and there continue to be theological differences between the two communions. The Orthodox tradition had maintained that the Apostolic Tradition taught that God the Father is the single source of the Son and the Holy Spirit. In the 11th century the Pope changed the wording of the Nicene Creed by adding the filioque: "I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father and the son...." |
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| Eastern Orthodoxy | Roman Catholicism | |
| Church Councils | Orthodoxy only accepts the teachings of the first seven Ecumenical Councils (up to the Second Council of Nicaea in 787). As a result Orthodoxy has claimed that it retains the spirituality and purity of the early Christian Church. | Catholicism has accepted the results of subsequent church councils. As a result doctrine is more fully developed in the Catholic tradition--purgatory, the Immaculate Conception, papal infallibility are among basic Catholic beliefs which came out of later church councils. Catholicism claims that the Church is the developing Body of Christ and is continually being led into a deeper truth by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, theology grows in stages to more defined levels. |
| Language of the Liturgy | The liturgy is usually in the vernacular. Hence, Orthodox churches tended to develop along national lines. The term autocephalic is used to refer to the national churches in the Orthodox tradition. | Until the twentieth century Latin was the liturgical language of the Catholic Church and its use was mandatory throughout the Church. |
| Attitude towards the Papacy | The Orthodox consider the papacy a political and historical happenstance and consider all bishops--whether they bear the title bishop, Patriarch, metropolitan or pope--to be equal. | Catholics believe that the institution of the Papacy is divinely instituted and that Christ designated Peter, the first pope, to be the visible head of the Church. "Thou art Peter and upon this rock I shall build my church." (Matt 16:18) |
| Relations between Church and State | In practice if not in theory, Orthodoxy places the state above the church (caesaropapism) | Catholicism places the church above the state. |
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Miscellaneous
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Orthodox do not kneel during the liturgy. | Catholics do. |
| Orthodox do not have Stations of the Cross | Catholics do. | |
| Orthodox clergy may marry before ordination. | Catholic clergy are celibate. | |
| Bread of the Eucharist is leavened. | Bread is unleavened. | |
| Divorce is allowed. | Divorce is not allowed. | |
| Orthodox do not have a special "first communion" ceremony. | Catholics do. | |
2. The altar is separated from the nave by a wooden icon screen called an "Iconostas" (Iconostasis is Greek). The "Iconostas" has three doors: the central or "Royal Gates, " called "Royal" because the "King of Glory" brings the Holy Eucharist through them to feed his faithful people. "Deacon's Doors" with icons of the archangels, Michael and Gabriel, are on the left and right sides of the Royal Gates. The deacon, altar boys and other men enter these doors but no women are allowed behind the Iconostas. Special icons are placed according to prescribed tradition, e.g., the Royal Gates almost always have icons of the four evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) and at the top, an icon of the Annunciation with the angel Gabriel and the Virgin Mary. An icon of the Last Supper is above the Royal Gates and an image of Jesus Christ above that, with the holy birth-giver of God (Mary) to the right and St. John the Baptist to the left. This grouping of three images is called the "Deesis." Depending on the size of the church, Iconostas may have an "Apostles" tier of icons and above that a "Prophets" tier of icons showing prophets from the Old Testament.
3. An icon of the church's patron saint or an icon of the "feast day" often is placed on a cloth-covered lectern in the center of the church with candle stands nearby.
4. A large crucifix with a painted image of Christ is placed to the left of the church. This image has candles placed before it by the faithful in memory of the departed.
5. Other icons are placed on cloth-draped lecterns in front of the church, also with candle stands. More icons are hung on walls and posts without candle stands. Some have oil lamps hung before them.
6. Beeswax candles are placed in the candle stands near icons by the faithful. Beeswax and olive oil, as the purest of substances and free from animal matter, are used for lighting before sacred things. The wax and oil are symbolic of the purity and sincerity of the gifts that provide them.
7. Icons and people are honored with incense. The censing of people is symbolic of the grace of the Holy Spirit, which is shed upon all men. The censer, or kadilo, represents Christ, the Divine Ember.
8. People usually stand or kneel during the liturgy, out of respect for the presence of God. Some folding chairs for the elderly and infirm are placed along the walls, but people stand if they can when the "Royal Gates" are open. Women do not wear slacks or shorts, only dresses or skirts and many often cover their heads. Men remove their hats.
9. Musical instruments are never used in the church, only human voices in an a cappella choir singing hymns and responses to the chanting of the priest.
10. People make the sign of the cross with the thumb and first two fingers of the right hand joined at the tips with the third and fourth fingers closed at the palm, as a symbol of the Trinity, by touching the brow, the breast, the right shoulder and the left shoulder, meaning that every power of mind, heart, soul and strength are dedicated to the service of God. When the priest or bishop bless the people, it is with the fingers held to form the Greek letters IC XC -- the first and last letters of Jesus Christ.
11. The faithful receive communion from the chalice with a spoon. Communion is in the form of a small piece of prosfir, or blessed bread, soaked in wine. Confession must precede communion, either before the liturgy or the night before, and the communicant must have fasted since midnight.
12. Children receive chrismation at baptism and may receive communion without confession or fasting until the age of reason.
13. Priests may marry before ordination. If widowed, a priest may not remarry. A bishop is either a widower or has never married.
14. Bishops comprise the highest rank in the Church and as hierarchs, are leaders of the priests. Senior bishops are archbishops, while bishops whose sees are centered in major cities are termed metropolitans. Bishops of ancient major cities of the Roman Empire, Jerusalem, Constantinople, Rome, Alexandria and Antioch, and of the capitals of some Orthodox counties such as Belgrade and Moscow, are called patriarchs.
Source: Treasures of the Czars education guide by Vera B. Espinola.