12 Differences Between Orthodoxy and Catholicism
The head of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate Metropolitan Hilarion named 12 main differences between Orthodoxy and Catholicism.
1. A single supreme bishop
In the Catholic Church the Pope is the supreme bishop for all Christians, the Vicar of Jesus Christ on Earth. In the Orthodox Church there is no single supreme bishop, but each independent Church is governed by its own Council of Bishops, headed by the Primate - the Patriarch, Metropolitan or Archbishop.
2. Popal infallibility
In the Catholic Church there is a dogma of infallibility, i.e. the doctrine that the Pope when appealing to his highest authority is preserved from the possibility of error. According to the Orthodox Church nobody is infallible, and the final judgment on theological issues is made by the Councils of Bishops.
3. The Origin of the Holy Spirit from the Father and the Son
Catholics believe that the Holy Spirit comes from the Father and the Son. The Orthodox Christians believe that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father. This dogma is based on the words of Jesus Christ from the Gospel of John "the Spirit of Truth proceeds from the Father."
4. Existence of Purgatory
Catholics believe that, in addition to heaven and hell, there is also purgatory - an intermediate temporary state between bliss and torment. Orthodox Christians do not believe in the existence of purgatory, recognizing only two posthumous states.
5. The dogma of the Immaculate Conception
According to this dogma, the blessed Virgin Mary had a special grace and the disposition of Almighty God from the very first moment of her conception. Due to the merits of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the human race, she was preserved unspotted by original sin. The Orthodox Church does not recognize this dogma.
6. 21 Ecumenical Councils
In the Catholic tradition those Councils that were held from the 4th to the 20th centuries are considered to be Ecumenical Councils, in total 21. The Orthodox tradition recognizes only seven Ecumenical Councils held from the 4th to 8th centuries.
7. The Catholic and Orthodox Churches have different calendars
8. Celibacy of Priests
In the Catholic Church not only bishops, but also priests must remain celibate. In the Orthodox Church a priest can be either celibate or married.
9. Holy Communion of the laity under one kind
In the Catholic Church Communion of the laity under one kind is widespread - only the Body of Christ. In the Orthodox Church lay people receive Communion under two kinds, the Body and Blood of Christ.
10. Unleavened bread for the Eucharist
Catholics use unleavened bread for the Eucharist, while the Orthodox use leavened bread.
11. Sign of the Cross from left to right
Catholics make the sign of the cross from left to right, with all five fingers. Orthodox Christians cross from right to left with three fingers, and in the old rite - with two fingers.
12. Confirmation and Communion of Infants
In the Catholic tradition infants do not receive Communion and are not anointed after baptism. In the Orthodox Church the sacrament of Confirmation to infants is performed both with the sacrament of Baptism. All baptized infants are admitted to Communion.