What are the differences between these 3 orthodox churches and Roman Catholicism?
If you can only state the differences for one of the churches listed, feel free to add.
Thanks!
Tags: Russian Orthodox, roman catholicism, greek orthodox church, catholic church, orthodox churches, Orthodox, Religion Beliefdifference between russian orthodox and greek orthodox
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Greek Orthodox are Russian Orthodox are united (in Eastern Orthodox Christian Church) and the only differences between them are some unimportant local customs. The Syrian Orthodox Church (and the rest of Oriental Orthodox Churches) separated from the Eastern Orthodox Church in 5th century after the Council of Chalcedon. The difference is christology.
You can find the differences between the Eastern Orthodox Christian Church and Roman Catholic Church here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic%E2%80%93Eastern_Orthodox_theological_differences
Greek and Russian Orthodox are the same faith (same also as Serbian, Bulgarian and a number other independent churches) that operate together under the name Eastern Orthodox Church. There are some local customs different, but they are one.
Syriac Orthodox Church is one of the so-called “Oriental Orthodox Churches” (along with Ethiopian Orthodox and Armenian Orthodox) that separated from the churches that operated under the five ancient patriarchates Rome, Constantinople, Antioch (Syria), Alexandria (Egypt), and Jerusalem. The point of doctrinal difference was primarily over whether Christ has one nature (according to the OO, the “one nature of Christ”), or two (according to the RC and EO, divine and human). All agree that Christ is both fully human and fully divine at the same time, without separation or confusion or division or mixture (or a formula very close to that). Political upheaval unfortunately also contributed to this unfortunate separation.
The Roman Catholic Church separated from the EO church when Rome pulled out of fellowship with the remaining four patriarchates. The chief differences at the time of the split are:
1) Papal authority
Rome claims the Pope (the patriarch of Rome) has universal jurisdiction over all Christians
EO and OO claim their ancient boundaries and absolute jurisdiction within their own fellowships.
2) Procession of the Holy Spirit
Rome added ‘and the Son’ to the formal definition of the origin of the eternal Holy Spirit, so that He seems to be inferior to the Father and the Son.
OO and EO maintain the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father, not adding “and the Son”.
Addition doctrinal differences that have built up:
3)Immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary
Rome holds that Mary never had the stain of sin — so she could not impart it to Jesus.
EO and OO see this as an unnecessary imposition as required dogma of pious belief.
4)Infallibility of the Pope
The OO and EO consider the Church councils (such as they accepted) guided by the Holy Spirit to be infallible, not an individual, however holy he may be.
You must log in to post a comment.