Differences Between Eastern Orthodox And Roman Catholic Christianity Religion Essay

Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy were one time the same organic structure, the Holy Catholic Church. As the Church grew in Numberss, Bishops were assigned to the single towns, to supervise the folds. They became really loyal to the peculiar town they served. Competition for authorization arose among the Bishops as to who was the most of import. The Bishop of Rome claimed he was the replacement to Peter, and hence he had the right to the rubric of Pope. This began a series of differences among Christendom that eventually split the church.

In 1054, a formal split occurred when Pope Leo IX, the leader of the Roman subdivision, excommunicated the Patriarch of Constantinople. Michael Cerularius, the leader of the Eastern subdivision, condemned the Pope in common exclusion. This day of the month marks the major division in the church, and began what we know as denominations. ( Textbook page206 )

To the present twenty-four hours, the Eastern and Western churches are still divided. We do need to observe that in 1965, Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras agreed to officially take the common exclusions.

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The Difference between Eastern Orthodox Christianity and Roman Catholic Christianity

Papal Infallibility

The chief difference between Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Christianity has to make with the acknowledgment of the Pope. Roman Catholics recognize the Pope as infallible. The Pope has supreme authorization over all churches, talking to the cosmopolitan church on affairs of religion, in his capacity as replacement to Peter. ( Textbook page 208 ) ( Christianity, 2010 ) .http: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/christianity.

The Eastern Orthodox besides has assorted bishops with one being the highest bishops. The Eastern Orthodox Church does non believe the highest ranking bishop, or archbishop, to be infallible, nor do they allow him with supreme authorization over all churches. Orthodox churches believe that determinations are made jointly. ( Textbook page 209 ) ( Christianity, 2010 ) .http: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/christianity.

Purgatory

Another chief difference is in the instruction of Purgatory. Harmonizing to Roman Catholic divinity, those psyches destined for Eden must digest a province of purification. They must be cleansed of wickednesss committed on Earth. The remainder go to hell for ageless penalty. Besides from a signifier of virtues or excess grace accumulated by the virtuousness of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the saints, indulgencies may be granted. The grace is applied to those in purgatory in order to shorten their clip at that place.

( Textbook page 206

Catholic ( 2010 ) hypertext transfer protocol: //www.catholic.com/library/purgatory.asp

Eastern Orthodoxy Teachs that after the psyche leaves the organic structure, it journeys to the residence of the dead ( Hades ) . The psyche will stay in this status of waiting. Because some have a prevision of the glorification to come and others a foretaste of their agony, the province of waiting is

called “ Particular Judgment ” . When Christ returns, the psyche rejoins its risen organic structure to be judged.

The good and faithful retainer will inherit life. The unfaithful will pass infinity in snake pit.

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( Christianity, 2010 ) . hypertext transfer protocol: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/christianity ( Orthodox, 2010 ) . hypertext transfer protocol: //www/ocf.org/orthodoxpage/reading/orthocath.html

Doctrinal Development

In mention to Doctrine, in order to warrant new philosophy, Roman Catholicism developed the theory of “ Doctrinal Development ” . Roman Catholicism presents this divinity as turning in phases to higher and more clearly defined degrees of cognition. It teaches the thought that Christ gave us an original sedimentation of religion, and a seed which grows and matures over the centuries. They believe that tradition is merely every bit of import as the Bible

Eastern Orthodoxy does non back the position that the instructions of Christ have changed from clip to clip. They believe that Christianity has remained unchanged from the minute that the Lord delivered the Faith to the Apostles ( Mat.28:18-20 ) . Eastern Orthodox of the 20 first century believes exactly what was believed in the first century. ( Orthodox, 2010 ) . hypertext transfer protocol: //www.ocf.org/orthodoxpage/reading/orthocath.html

Nicene Creed

A major dissension between Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism centres around the adding of the “ filioque ” to the Nicene Creed. This peculiar struggle is besides known as the “ Filioque Controversy. ” In Latin, this word means “ and from the Son. ” It had been inserted into the Nicene Creed, altering the phrase refering to the beginning of the Holy Spirit from “ who proceeds from the Father ” to “ who proceeds from the Father and the Son ” . Roman Catholicism made this alteration on the authorization of the Pope. Eastern Orthodoxy believed this spurned the Apostolic Tradition which ever taught that God the Father is the individual Beginning of the Son and the Spirit. ( Catholic, 2010 ) . hypertext transfer protocol: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/catholicorthodox_theologicalA­_difference ( Orthodox, 2010 ) . hypertext transfer protocol: //www.ocf.org/orthodoxpage/reading/orthoA­cath.html

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Holy sacrament

There are several names given to this Christian regulation. All of Christendom would hold that the regulation is an act of worship, a recollection of the Last Supper that Jesus had with his adherents, merely before He was arrested and crucified. You will happen this recorded in 1st Corinthians chapter 11. Other names for the Eucharist would be The Last Supper, Holy Communion, and the Blessed Sacrament. The local church may utilize leavened or unraised staff of life, and vino or grape juice, depending on which denomination you attend.

The Roman Catholic Church teaches that the staff of life and vino are consecrated. It is non merely staff of life and vino, but really becomes the organic structure and blood of Jesus Christ. The term usage is Transubstantiation. Roman Catholics usage unraised staff of life.

Eastern Orthodoxy uses leavened staff of life, saying that it symbolizes the presence of the Holy Spirit. They do non believe that it is the existent organic structure and blood of Jesus, but an act of worship done in recollection as Jesus instructed. ( Eucharist, 2010 ) . hypertext transfer protocol: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/eucharist ( Orthodox, 2010 ) . hypertext transfer protocol: //www.ocf.org/orthodoxpage/reading/orthocath.html

Decision

There are other differences between Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism. Some of the differences are how faith is taught, the kernel of God, the work of Christ, the Holy Scriptures, the nature of adult male, and the Virgin Mary. One more would be the difference in icons of Orthodox worship, and the statues of Catholic worship.

On page 8 of our text edition, it speaks of a moral jussive mood we have to analyze the different faiths. With our planet going smaller and smaller by modern engineering, all races and faiths have a closer contact with each other. While we will non ever agree with some instructions or faiths, we can larn from each other, and perchance do this a better and safer topographic point for our kids. God is the concluding Judge.

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