Orthodox vs Catholic
Today's Christian world is divided into two major Churches, the Orthodox and the Catholic. Due to the differences of some fundamental concepts, the Schism of 1054 took place which was the break of communion between the two churches and it has lasted since the 11th century.
Some basic differences between the two Churches are:
1. Papal supremacy:
Papal supremacy is the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church that the pope as pastor of the entire Christian Church, has full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church.
The Orthodox church does not support the supremacy of a single Pope. They have a college of bishops who make decisions together.
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2. Papal infallibility:
Papal infallibility is a teaching of the Catholic Church that states that the Pope is preserved from the possibility of error when in the exercise of his office as a guide and teacher of all Christians. When he speaks for the whole Church the Holy Spirit does not permit him to err. He is, therefore, infallible on matters of morals and doctrine. Pope, and his authority as the ruling agent decides what is accepted as formal beliefs in the Catholic Church.
The Orthodox Church does not see any one bishop as supreme or infallible. According to the Orthodox all bishops are equal.
3. Christmas:
The Catholic Church celebrates the Christmas Day annually on December 25.
But there is nothing in the Bible that indicate that Jesus was born on December 25. On this day of December there was a pagan holiday in the Roman Empire. It was the date of the Roman festival of Dies Natalis Solis Invicti (Birthday of Mithra the Sun-God).
Many Orthodox Christians annually celebrate Christmas Day on or near January 7. This date works to the Julian calendar that came earlier than the Gregorian calendar.
4. Life after death:
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4. Life after death:
According to Catholic Church Purgatory is a state of suffering where the souls which are destined for heaven (but not completely sinless) kept to expiate their sins before they enter to heaven.
So, people can either go to Hell or to Purgatory because no one is completely sinless. And Catholic Church says that one can avoid or shorten his/her life in Purgatory if he/she buys indulgence (a grant by the Pope) from the Church.
Orthodox do not believe that an indulgence from the Pope can reduce sufferings of the life after death. Only God can forgive a soul.
They believe that everyone must wait in the abode of the dead after they die. When the day of judgement comes souls rejoins its risen body to be judged. At the day of judgement some will be chosen for the life in heaven and some others will spend eternity in hell.
5. Beard:
Orthodox clergy are often found to have beards but Catholic clergy are generally beardless.
6. Marriage:
Orthodox presbyters and deacons may marry before ordination but Catholic clergy abstains from marriage and sexual relations.
7. Divorce after marriage:
According to Catholic Church marriage is a permanent union and divorce is not allowed.
N.B: There are many other differences, most of which are often the product of culture. At present most of the Orthodox Christians are found in countries like Greece, Armenia, Ukraine, Georgia, Bulgaria, Belarus, Romania, Serbia, and Russia.
On the other hand most of the Catholic Christians are found in countries like Poland, Spain, Colombia, Congo, France, Italy, Philippines, Brazil, Mexico and USA.
(Which religion do you follow? Let me know by commenting down below..)
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