What does the Catholic faith mean? How the Orthodox faith differs from the Catholic faith

The difference between Catholic and Orthodox Church first of all lies in the recognition of the infallibility and primacy of the Pope. The disciples and followers of Jesus Christ after His Resurrection and Ascension began to call themselves Christians. This is how Christianity arose, which gradually spread to the west and east.

History of the schism of the Christian church

As a result of reformist views over the course of 2000 years, different movements of Christianity have arisen:

• Orthodoxy;
• Catholicism;
• Protestantism, which arose as an offshoot of the Catholic faith.

Each religion subsequently splits into new denominations.

In Orthodoxy, Greek, Russian, Georgian, Serbian, Ukrainian and other patriarchates arise, which have their own branches. Catholics are divided into Roman and Greek Catholics. It is difficult to list all the denominations in Protestantism.

All these religions are united by one root - Christ and faith in the Holy Trinity.

Read about other religions:

Holy Trinity

The Roman Church was founded by the Apostle Peter, who spent his last days in Rome. Even then, the church was headed by the Pope, translated as “Our Father.” At that time, few priests were ready to take on the leadership of Christianity due to fear of persecution.

The Eastern Rite of Christianity was led by the four oldest Churches:

• Constantinople, whose patriarch headed the eastern branch;
• Alexandria;
• Jerusalem, whose first patriarch was Jesus’ earthly brother James;
• Antioch.

Thanks to the educational mission of the Eastern priesthood, Christians from Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania joined them in the 4th-5th centuries. Subsequently, these countries declared themselves autocephalous, independent of the Orthodox movement.

On a purely human level, the newly formed churches began to develop their own visions of development and rivalries arose, which intensified after Constantine the Great named Constantinople the capital of the empire in the fourth century.

After the fall of the power of Rome, all supremacy passed to the Patriarch of Constantinople, which caused discontent with the Western rite, headed by the Pope.

Western Christians justified their right to supremacy by the fact that it was in Rome that the Apostle Peter lived and was executed, to whom the Savior handed the keys to heaven.

Saint Peter

Filioque

The differences between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church also concern the filioque, the doctrine of the procession of the Holy Spirit, which became the root cause of the schism of the united Christian Church.

Christian theologians more than a thousand years ago did not come to a common conclusion about the procession of the Holy Spirit. The question is who sends the Spirit - God the Father or God the Son.

The Apostle John conveys (John 15:26) that Jesus will send the Comforter in the form of the Spirit of truth, proceeding from God the Father. In his letter to the Galatians, the Apostle Paul directly confirms the procession of the Spirit from Jesus, who blows the Holy Spirit into the hearts of Christians.

According to the Nicene formula, belief in the Holy Spirit sounds like an appeal to one of the hypostases of the Holy Trinity.

The Fathers of the Second Ecumenical Council expanded this appeal: “I believe in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, the Lord who gives life, who proceeds from the Father,” while emphasizing the role of the Son, which was not accepted by the priests of Constantinople.

The naming of Photius as Ecumenical Patriarch was perceived by the Roman rite as a belittlement of their importance. Eastern admirers pointed out the ugliness of Western priests who shaved their beards and observed fasts on Saturday; at this time they themselves began to surround themselves with special luxury.

All these differences gathered drop by drop to be expressed in a huge explosion of schema.

The patriarchy, led by Nicetas Stiphatus, openly calls the Latins heretics. The final straw that led to the break was the humiliation of the legate delegation at the 1054 negotiations in Constantinople.

Interesting! The priests, who could not find a common understanding in matters of government, divided into the Orthodox and Catholic Churches. Initially, Christian churches were called orthodox. After the partition, the Eastern Christian movement retained the name of orthodoxy or Orthodoxy, and the Western movement began to be called Catholicism or the Universal Church.

Differences between Orthodoxy and Catholicism

1. In recognition of the infallibility and primacy of the Pope and in relation to the filioque.
2. Orthodox canons deny purgatory, where a soul that has sinned a not very serious sin is cleansed and sent to heaven. In Orthodoxy there are no major or minor sins, sin is sin, and it can only be cleansed by the Sacrament of Confession during the life of the sinner.
3. Catholics came up with indulgences that give a “pass” to Heaven for good deeds, but the Bible writes that salvation is grace from God, and without true faith you will not earn a place in heaven by good deeds alone. (Eph. 8:2-9)

Orthodoxy and Catholicism: similarities and differences

Differences in rituals

The two religions differ in the calendar for calculating services. Catholics live according to the Gregorian calendar, Orthodox Christians live according to the Julian calendar. According to the Gregorian calendar, Jewish and Orthodox Easter may coincide that is prohibited. The Russian, Georgian, Ukrainian, Serbian and Jerusalem Orthodox Churches conduct their services according to the Julian calendar.

There are also differences when writing icons. In the Orthodox service it is a two-dimensional image; Catholicism practices naturalistic dimensions.

Eastern Christians have the opportunity to get a divorce and get married a second time; in the Western rite, divorce is prohibited.

The Byzantine rite of Lent begins on Monday, and the Latin rite begins on Wednesday.

Orthodox Christians make the sign of the cross on themselves from right to left, folding their fingers in a certain way, while Catholics do it the other way around, without focusing on the hands.

The interpretation of this action is interesting. Both religions agree that a demon sits on the left shoulder and an angel on the right.

Important! Catholics explain the direction of baptism by the fact that when the cross is applied, cleansing from sin to salvation occurs. According to Orthodoxy, at baptism a Christian proclaims the victory of God over the devil.

How do Christians who were once in unity relate to each other? Orthodoxy does not have liturgical communion or joint prayers with Catholics.

Orthodox churches do not rule over secular authorities; Catholicism affirms the supremacy of God and the subordination of authorities to the Pope.

According to the Latin rite, any sin offends God; Orthodoxy claims that God cannot be offended. He is not mortal; by sin a person harms only himself.

Daily life: rituals and services

Sayings of Saints on Separation and Unity

There are many differences between Christians of both rites, but the main thing that unites them is the Holy Blood of Jesus Christ, faith in One God and the Holy Trinity.

Saint Luke of Crimea rather sharply condemned the negative attitude towards Catholics, while separating the Vatican, the Pope and the cardinals from ordinary people who have the true, saving faith.

Saint Philaret of Moscow compared the division between Christians to partitions, emphasizing that they cannot reach heaven. According to Filaret, Christians cannot be called heretics if they believe in Jesus as the Savior. The saint constantly prayed for the unification of everyone. He recognized Orthodoxy as a true teaching, but pointed out that God also accepts other Christian movements with patience.

Saint Mark of Ephesus calls Catholics heretics, since they have deviated from the true faith, and called on such people not to be converted.

Venerable Ambrose of Optina also condemns the Latin rite for violating the decrees of the apostles.

Righteous John of Kronstadt claims that Catholics, along with reformers, Protestants and Lutherans, fell away from Christ, based on the words of the Gospel. (Matthew 12:30)

How to measure the amount of faith in a particular ritual, the truth of accepting God the Father and walking under the power of the Holy Spirit in love for God the Son, Jesus Christ? God will show all this in the future.

Video about what is the difference between Orthodoxy and Catholicism? Andrey Kuraev

It is the largest destination in.

It is most widespread in Europe (Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, Austria, Belgium, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary), Latin America and the USA. To one degree or another, Catholicism is widespread in almost all countries of the globe. Word "Catholicism" comes from Latin - “universal, universal”. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, the church remained the only centralized organization and force capable of stopping the onset of chaos. This led to the political rise of the church and its influence on the formation of the states of Western Europe.

Features of the doctrine of "Catholicism"

Catholicism has a number of features in its doctrine, cult and structure of religious organization, which reflect the specific features of the development of Western Europe. The basis of the doctrine is the Holy Scripture and Holy Tradition. All books included in the Latin translation of the Bible (Vulgate) are considered canonical. Only the clergy is given the right to interpret the text of the Bible. Sacred Tradition is formed by the decisions of the 21st Ecumenical Council (recognizes only the first seven), as well as the judgments of the popes on church and worldly issues. The clergy takes a vow of celibacy - celibacy, thereby it becomes, as it were, a participant in divine grace, which separates it from the laity, whom the church likened to a flock, and the clergy was assigned the role of shepherds. The Church helps the laity achieve salvation through the treasury of good deeds, i.e. the abundance of good deeds performed by Jesus Christ, the Mother of God and the saints. As Christ's vicar on earth, the pope manages this treasury of supererogatory affairs, distributing them among those who need them. This practice, called distribution indulgences, was subjected to fierce criticism from Orthodoxy and led to a split in Catholicism and the emergence of a new direction in Christianity -.

Catholicism follows the Nice-Constantinopolitan Creed, but creates its own understanding of a number of dogmas. On Toledo Cathedral in 589, an addition was made to the Creed about the procession of the Holy Spirit not only from God the Father, but also from God the Son (lat. filioque- and from the Son). Until now, this understanding has been the main obstacle to dialogue between the Orthodox and Catholic churches.

A feature of Catholicism is also the sublime veneration of the Mother of God - the Virgin Mary, the recognition of the dogmas about her immaculate conception and bodily ascension, according to which Holy Mother of God was taken to heaven "with soul and body for the glory of heaven." In 1954, a special holiday dedicated to the “Queen of Heaven” was established.

Seven Sacraments of Catholicism

In addition to the common doctrine of Christianity about the existence of heaven and hell, Catholicism recognizes the doctrine of purgatory as an intermediate place where the soul of a sinner is purified by going through severe trials.

Commitment sacraments- ritual actions accepted in Christianity, with the help of which special grace is transmitted to believers, differs in a number of features in Catholicism.

Catholics, like Orthodox Christians, recognize seven sacraments:

• baptism;
• communion (Eucharist);
• priesthood;
• repentance (confession);
• anointing (confirmation);
• marriage;
• consecration of oil (unction).

The sacrament of baptism is performed by pouring water, anointing or confirmation is performed when the child reaches seven or eight years of age, and in Orthodoxy - immediately after baptism. The sacrament of communion among Catholics is performed on unleavened bread, and among Orthodox Christians on leavened bread. Until recently, only the clergy received communion with wine and bread, and the laity only with bread. The sacrament of unction - the prayer service and anointing of a sick or dying person with a special oil - oil - is considered in Catholicism as a church blessing for the dying, and in Orthodoxy - as a way of healing an illness. Until recently, worship in Catholicism was performed exclusively on Latin, which made it completely incomprehensible to believers. Only II Vatican Council(1962-1965) allowed service in national languages.

The veneration of saints, martyrs, and blessed ones is extremely developed in Catholicism, the ranks of which are constantly multiplying. The center of cult and ritual rituals is the temple, decorated with works of painting and sculpture on religious themes. Catholicism actively uses all means of aesthetic influence on the feelings of believers, both visual and musical.

Until 1054, the Christian Church was one and indivisible. The schism occurred due to disagreements between Pope Leo IX and the Patriarch of Constantinople, Michael Cyroularius. The conflict began due to the closing of several Latin churches by the latter in 1053. For this, the papal legates excommunicated Kirularius from the Church. In response, the patriarch anathematized the papal envoys. In 1965, the mutual curses were lifted. However, the schism of the Churches has not yet been overcome. Christianity is divided into three main directions: Orthodoxy, Catholicism and Protestantism.

Eastern Church

The difference between Orthodoxy and Catholicism, since both of these religions are Christian, is not very significant. However, there are still some differences in teaching, performance of sacraments, etc. We'll talk about which ones a little later. First, let's make a short overview of the main directions of Christianity.

Orthodoxy, called the orthodox religion in the West, is currently practiced by about 200 million people. Approximately 5 thousand people are baptized every day. This direction of Christianity spread mainly in Russia, as well as in some CIS countries and Eastern Europe.

The baptism of Rus' took place at the end of the 9th century on the initiative of Prince Vladimir. The ruler of a huge pagan state expressed a desire to marry the daughter of the Byzantine Emperor Vasily II, Anna. But for this he needed to convert to Christianity. An alliance with Byzantium was extremely necessary to strengthen the authority of Rus'. At the end of the summer of 988, a huge number of Kiev residents were baptized in the waters of the Dnieper.

Catholic Church

As a result of the schism in 1054, a separate denomination arose in Western Europe. Representatives of the Eastern Church called her “Catholicos”. Translated from Greek it means “universal”. The difference between Orthodoxy and Catholicism lies not only in the approach of these two Churches to some dogmas of Christianity, but also in the history of development itself. The Western confession, compared to the Eastern one, is considered much more rigid and fanatical.

One of the most important milestones in the history of Catholicism was, for example, the Crusades, which brought a lot of grief to the common population. The first of them was organized at the call of Pope Urban II in 1095. The last - the eighth - ended in 1270. The official goal of all crusades there was the liberation of the “holy land” of Palestine and the “Holy Sepulcher” from the infidels. The actual one is the conquest of lands that belonged to Muslims.

In 1229, Pope George IX issued a decree establishing the Inquisition - a church court for apostates from the faith. Torture and burning at the stake - this is how extreme Catholic fanaticism was expressed in the Middle Ages. In total, during the existence of the Inquisition, more than 500 thousand people were tortured.

Of course, the difference between Catholicism and Orthodoxy (this will be discussed briefly in the article) is a very large and deep topic. However, in relation to the Church towards the population in general outline its traditions and basic concept can be understood. The Western confession has always been considered more dynamic, but also aggressive, in contrast to the “calm” Orthodox one.

Currently, Catholicism is the state religion in most European and Latin American countries. More than half of all (1.2 billion people) modern Christians profess this particular religion.

Protestantism

The difference between Orthodoxy and Catholicism also lies in the fact that the former has remained united and indivisible for almost a millennium. In the Catholic Church in the 14th century. a split occurred. This was connected with the Reformation - a revolutionary movement that arose at that time in Europe. In 1526, at the request of German Lutherans, the Swiss Reichstag issued a decree on the right of free choice of religion for citizens. In 1529, however, it was abolished. As a result, a protest followed from a number of cities and princes. This is where the word “Protestantism” comes from. This Christian movement is further divided into two branches: early and late.

At the moment, Protestantism is widespread mainly in the Scandinavian countries: Canada, USA, England, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. In 1948, the World Council of Churches was created. The total number of Protestants is about 470 million people. There are several denominations of this Christian movement: Baptists, Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists, Calvinists.

In our time, the World Council of Protestant Churches pursues an active peacemaking policy. Representatives of this religion advocate easing international tension, support the efforts of states to defend peace, etc.

The difference between Orthodoxy and Catholicism and Protestantism

Of course, over the centuries of schism, significant differences have arisen in the traditions of the churches. They did not touch upon the basic principle of Christianity - the acceptance of Jesus as the Savior and Son of God. However, in relation to certain events of the New and Old Testaments, there are often even mutually exclusive differences. In some cases, the methods of conducting various kinds of rituals and sacraments do not agree.

Christian cross: differences

Disagreements regarding the descent of the Holy Spirit are the main difference between Orthodoxy and Catholicism. The table also shows many other, albeit not very significant, but still discrepancies. They arose a long time ago, and, apparently, none of the churches expresses any particular desire to resolve these contradictions.

There are also differences in the attributes of different directions of Christianity. For example, the Catholic cross has a simple quadrangular shape. The Orthodox have eight points. The Orthodox Eastern Church believes that this type of crucifix most accurately conveys the shape of the cross described in the New Testament. In addition to the main horizontal crossbar, it contains two more. The top one represents a tablet nailed to the cross and containing the inscription “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” The lower oblique crossbar - a support for Christ's feet - symbolizes the “righteous standard”.

Table of differences between crosses

The image of the Savior on the crucifix used in the Sacraments is also something that can be attributed to the topic “the difference between Orthodoxy and Catholicism.” The western cross is a little different from the eastern one.

As you can see, with regard to the cross there is also a very noticeable difference between Orthodoxy and Catholicism. The table shows this clearly.

As for Protestants, they consider the cross to be a symbol of the Pope, and therefore practically do not use it.

Icons in different Christian directions

So, the difference between Orthodoxy and Catholicism and Protestantism (the table of comparisons of crosses confirms this) with regard to attributes is quite noticeable. There are even greater differences in these directions in icons. The rules for depicting Christ may differ, Mother of God, saints, etc.

Below are the main differences.

The main difference between an Orthodox icon and a Catholic one is that it is painted in strict accordance with the canons established in Byzantium. Western images of saints, Christ, etc., strictly speaking, have nothing to do with the icon. Typically, such paintings have a very broad subject and were painted by ordinary, non-church artists.

Protestants consider icons to be a pagan attribute and do not use them at all.

Monasticism

With regard to leaving worldly life and devoting oneself to serving God, there is also a significant difference between Orthodoxy and Catholicism and Protestantism. The comparison table above shows only the main differences. But there are other differences, also quite noticeable.

For example, in our country, each monastery is practically autonomous and subordinate only to its own bishop. Catholics have a different organization in this regard. The monasteries are united into so-called Orders, each of which has its own head and its own charter. These associations may be scattered throughout the world, but nevertheless they always have a common leadership.

Protestants, unlike Orthodox and Catholics, completely reject monasticism. One of the inspirers of this teaching, Luther, even married a nun.

Church Sacraments

There is a difference between Orthodoxy and Catholicism in relation to the rules for conducting various kinds of rituals. Both of these Churches have 7 sacraments. The difference lies primarily in the meaning attached to the main Christian rituals. Catholics believe that the sacraments are valid whether a person is in tune with them or not. According to the Orthodox Church, baptism, confirmation, etc. will be effective only for believers who are completely disposed towards them. Orthodox priests even often compare Catholic rituals with some kind of pagan magical ritual that operates regardless of whether a person believes in God or not.

The Protestant Church practices only two sacraments: baptism and communion. Representatives of this trend consider everything else superficial and reject it.

Baptism

This main Christian sacrament is recognized by all churches: Orthodoxy, Catholicism, Protestantism. The only differences are in the methods of performing the ritual.

In Catholicism, it is customary for infants to be sprinkled or doused. According to the dogmas of the Orthodox Church, children are completely immersed in water. Recently there has been some movement away from this rule. However, now the Russian Orthodox Church is again returning in this rite to the ancient traditions established by Byzantine priests.

The difference between Orthodoxy and Catholicism (crosses worn on the body, like large ones, may contain the image of an “orthodox” or “Western” Christ) in relation to the performance of this sacrament is therefore not very significant, but it still exists.

Protestants usually perform baptism with water. But in some denominations it is not used. The main difference between Protestant baptism and Orthodox and Catholic baptism is that it is carried out exclusively for adults.

Differences in the Sacrament of the Eucharist

We have examined the main differences between Orthodoxy and Catholicism. This refers to the descent of the Holy Spirit and the virginity of the birth of the Virgin Mary. Such significant differences have emerged over centuries of schism. Of course, they also exist in the celebration of one of the main Christian sacraments - the Eucharist. Catholic priests They take communion only with bread, and unleavened bread. This church product is called wafers. In Orthodoxy, the sacrament of the Eucharist is celebrated with wine and ordinary yeast bread.

In Protestantism, not only members of the Church, but also anyone who wishes, are allowed to receive communion. Representatives of this direction of Christianity celebrate the Eucharist in the same way as the Orthodox - with wine and bread.

Modern relations of the Churches

The split in Christianity occurred almost a thousand years ago. And during this time, churches of different directions failed to agree on unification. Disagreements regarding the interpretation of Holy Scripture, paraphernalia and rituals, as you can see, have persisted to this day and have even intensified over the centuries.

The relations between the two main faiths, Orthodox and Catholic, are also quite ambiguous in our time. Until the middle of the last century, serious tension remained between these two churches. The key concept in the relationship was the word “heresy.”

Recently this situation has changed a little. If earlier Catholic Church considered Orthodox Christians almost a collection of heretics and schismatics, then after the Second Vatican Council she recognized the orthodox Sacraments as valid.

Orthodox priests did not officially establish a similar attitude towards Catholicism. But the completely loyal acceptance of Western Christianity has always been traditional for our church. However, of course, some tension between Christian directions still remains. For example, our Russian theologian A.I. Osipov does not have a very good attitude towards Catholicism.

In his opinion, there is a more than worthy and serious difference between Orthodoxy and Catholicism. Osipov considers many saints of the Western Church to be almost crazy. He also warns the Russian Orthodox Church that, for example, cooperation with Catholics threatens the Orthodox with complete subjugation. However, he also repeatedly mentioned that there are wonderful people among Western Christians.

Thus, the main difference between Orthodoxy and Catholicism is the attitude towards the Trinity. The Eastern Church believes that the Holy Spirit comes only from the Father. Western - both from the Father and from the Son. There are other differences between these faiths. However, in any case, both churches are Christian and accept Jesus as the Savior of mankind, whose coming, and therefore Eternal life for the righteous, is inevitable.

Catholics and Orthodox - what's the difference? Differences between Orthodoxy and Catholicism? This article answers these questions briefly in simple words.

Catholics belong to one of the 3 main denominations of Christianity. There are three Christian denominations in the world: Orthodoxy, Catholicism and Protestantism. The youngest is Protestantism, which arose in the 16th century as a result of Martin Luther's attempt to reform the Catholic Church.

Why and when did Christianity split into Catholicism and Orthodoxy?

The division of the Catholic and Orthodox churches occurred in 1054, when Pope Leo IX drew up an act of excommunication of the Patriarch of Constantinople and the entire Eastern Church. Patriarch Michael convened a council, at which he was excommunicated from the Church and the commemoration of popes in the Eastern churches was stopped.

The main reasons for the division of the church into Catholic and Orthodox:

• different languages ​​of worship ( Greek in the eastern and Latin in the western church)
• dogmatic, ritual differences between eastern(Constantinople) and western(Rome)churches ,
• the Pope's desire to become first, dominant among 4 equal Christian patriarchs (Rome, Constantinople, Antioch, Jerusalem).

IN 1965 Head of the Constantinople Orthodox Church Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras and Pope Paul VI canceled mutual anathemas and signed Joint Declaration. However, many contradictions between the two churches have unfortunately not yet been overcome.

In the article you will find the main differences in the dogmas and beliefs of the 2 Christian churches- Catholic and Christian. But it is important to understand that all Christians: Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodox, are in no way “enemies” of each other, but, on the contrary, brothers and sisters in Christ.

Dogmas of the Catholic Church. Differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy

These are the main dogmas of the Catholic Church, which differ from the Orthodox understanding of the Gospel truth.

• Filioque - dogma about the Holy Spirit. Claims that He comes from both God the Son and God the Father.
• Celibacy is the dogma of celibacy for all clergy, not just monks.
• For Catholics, Sacred Tradition includes only decisions made after the 7 Ecumenical Councils, as well as Papal Epistles.
• Purgatory is the dogma that between hell and heaven there is an intermediate place (purgatory) where atonement for sins is possible.
• Dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary and her bodily ascension.
• The dogma of the communion of the clergy with the Body and Blood of Christ, and the laity - only with the Body of Christ.

Dogmas of the Orthodox Church. Differences between Orthodoxy and Catholicism

• Orthodox Christians, unlike Catholics, believe that the Holy Spirit comes only from God the Father. This is stated in the Creed.
• In Orthodoxy, celibacy is observed only by monks; the rest of the clergy marry.
• For the Orthodox, the Holy Tradition is the ancient oral tradition, the decrees of the first 7 Ecumenical Councils.
• There is no dogma of purgatory in Orthodox Christianity.
• In Orthodox Christianity there is no teaching about the overabundance of good deeds of the Virgin Mary, Jesus Christ, and the apostles (“treasury of grace”), which allows one to “draw” salvation from this treasury. This teaching allowed the emergence of indulgences * , which became a stumbling block between Protestants and Catholics. Indulgences deeply angered Martin Luther. He did not want to create a new denomination, he wanted to reform Catholicism.
• Laity and clergy in Orthodoxy Communicate with the Body and Blood of Christ: “Take, eat: this is My Body, and drink of it, all of you: this is My Blood.”

Who are Catholics and in what countries do they live?

The largest numbers of Catholics live in Mexico (about 91% of the population), Brazil (74% of the population), the United States (22% of the population) and Europe (ranging from 94% of the population in Spain to 0.41% in Greece).

You can see what percentage of the population in all countries professes Catholicism in the table on Wikipedia: Catholicism by country >>>

There are more than a billion Catholics in the world. The head of the Catholic Church is the Pope (in Orthodoxy - the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople). There is a popular belief about the total infallibility of the Pope, but this is not true. In Catholicism, only the doctrinal decisions and statements of the Pope are considered infallible. The Catholic Church is now led by Pope Francis. He was elected on March 13, 2013.

Both Orthodox and Catholics are Christians!

Christ teaches us love for absolutely all people. And even more so, to our brothers in faith. Therefore, there is no need to argue about which faith is more correct, but it is better to show your neighbors, helping those in need, a virtuous life, forgiveness, non-judgment, meekness, mercy and love for neighbors.

I hope the article " Catholics and Orthodox - what's the difference? was useful for you and now you know what the main differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy are, what is the difference between Catholics and Orthodox.

I wish everyone to notice the good in life, enjoy everything, even bread and rain, and thank God for everything!

I share with you useful video WHAT THE MOVIE “AREAS OF DARKNESS” TAUGHT ME:

Orthodoxy differs from Catholicism, but not everyone can answer the question of what exactly these differences are. There are differences between churches in symbolism, ritual, and dogma.

We have different crosses

The first external difference between Catholic and Orthodox symbols concerns the image of the cross and crucifixion. If in the early Christian tradition there were 16 types of cross shapes, today a four-sided cross is traditionally associated with Catholicism, and an eight-pointed or six-pointed cross with Orthodoxy.

The words on the sign on the crosses are the same, only the languages ​​in which the inscription “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews” is written are different. In Catholicism it is Latin: INRI. Some Eastern churches use the Greek abbreviation INBI from the Greek text Ἰησοῦς ὁ Ναζωραῖος ὁ Bασιλεὺς τῶν Ἰουδαίων.

In this document, in the second paragraph of the first part, the text of the Creed is given in the wording without the “filioque”: “Et in Spiritum Sanctum, Dominum et vivificantem, qui ex Patre procedit, qui cum Patre et Filio simul adoratur et conglorificatur, qui locutus est per prophetas” . (“And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord who gives life, who proceeds from the Father, to whom, together with the Father and the Son, belongs worship and glory, who spoke through the prophets”).

No official, conciliar decisions followed this declaration, so the situation with the “filioque” remains the same.

The main difference between the Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church is that the head of the Orthodox Church is Jesus Christ; in Catholicism, the church is headed by the Vicar of Jesus Christ, its visible head (Vicarius Christi), the Pope.