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- Christianity, a major world religion, is based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Orthodox Christianity, a distinct branch within Christianity, emphasizes adherence to the original teachings and traditions of the early church.
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Nov 8, 2017 · Not only are there important theological and doctrinal differences among Orthodox Christians, Catholics and Protestants, but there also are differences within Orthodoxy, which conventionally is divided into two major branches: Eastern Orthodoxy, most of whose adherents live in Central and Eastern Europe, and Oriental Orthodoxy, most of whose ...
Four key differences between the Orthodox and Protestants. Daniel B. Clendenin. Image: Bogdan Kurylo / Getty Images. Most Americans think of religion in terms of the "Big Three"—Protestants,...
May 20, 2023 · Arguably one of the oldest forms of Christianity, with a global population of more than 260 million adherents, Orthodox Christianity is a major religious system, with networks of believers on almost every continent (Pew Research Center, 2017 ).
- Sarah Riccardi-Swartz
- 17, Issue5-6
- 20 May 2023
- Overview
- Eastern Orthodoxy
- Oriental Orthodoxy
Separated from the West, the Orthodox churches of the East have developed their own way for more than half of Christian history. Orthodoxy here refers to the two great bodies of Christianity that use the term to characterize their theologies and liturgies: the churches of Eastern Orthodoxy and the churches that constitute the so-called Oriental Ort...
Each of the national churches of Eastern Orthodoxy is autonomous. The “ecumenical patriarch” of Constantinople is not the Eastern pope but merely the first in honour among equals in jurisdiction. Eastern Orthodoxy interprets the primacy of St. Peter and therefore that of the pope similarly, denying the right of the pope to speak and act for the entire church by himself, without a church council and without his episcopal colleagues. Because of this polity, Eastern Orthodoxy has identified itself more intimately with national cultures and with national regimes than has Roman Catholicism. Therefore, the history of church-state relations in the East has been very different from the Western development, because the church in the East has sometimes tended toward the extreme of becoming a mere instrument of national policy while the church in the West has sometimes tended toward the extreme of attempting to dominate the state. The history of ecumenical relations between Eastern Orthodoxy and Protestantism during the 20th century was also different from the history of Protestant–Roman Catholic relations. While keeping alive their prayer for an eventual healing of the schism with the Latin church, some of the Orthodox churches have established communion with Anglicanism and with the Old Catholic Church and have participated in the conferences and organizations of the World Council of Churches.
Doctrinal authority for Eastern Orthodoxy resides in the Scriptures, the ancient creeds, the decrees of the first seven ecumenical councils, and the traditions of the church. In addition to the issues mentioned in the discussion of Roman Catholicism above, the chief dogmatic difference between Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox thought is on the question of the procession of the Holy Spirit from the Father and from the Son, or the Filioque.
The other main branch of Orthodoxy is constituted by the six national churches of the Oriental Orthodox communion: the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East, the Malankara (Indian) Syrian Orthodox Church, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, and the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church. With the exception of the Eritrean church, which was granted autocephaly in 1998, these churches were largely out of contact with the other main branches of Christianity from the time of the Council of Chalcedon (451), which resulted in their being branded monophysites—and hence heretics—by the Roman and Greek churches (see above Eastern controversies).
Beginning in the mid-20th century, when the Armenian and Coptic churches helped to form the World Council of Churches, the Oriental Orthodox communion—also called non-Chalcedonian churches because of their rejection of the Council of Chalcedon—engaged in ecumenical dialogue with the Roman Catholic and the Eastern Orthodox churches in hopes of resolving the ancient disputes. Increasingly frequent talks eventually resulted in historic joint declarations by the three branches of Christianity stating that the schism of 451 was largely based on a grave misunderstanding, that many of the points of dispute had been resolved, and that the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches now regarded the Oriental churches as confessing Christians in full standing. Meanwhile, the Coptic Orthodox Church expanded outside Egypt to form strong enclaves in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and South America.
Feb 25, 2024 · Christianity is a broad religion centered on Jesus Christ, while Orthodox Christianity is a traditionalist branch maintaining early Christian beliefs and practices. Key Differences. Christianity, a major world religion, is based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
Nov 21, 2012 · Here are some of the primary characteristics of Western Christianity (that stand in sharp distinction from Eastern Orthodox Christian views) that I will use to define it: Western Christianity has assimilated much of Hellenistic philosophy/thought. Oddly enough, the opposite charge is often made.
Mar 23, 2023 · REPORT TO. STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND WELL BEING, CATHOLIC EDUCATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE. PUBLIC. A. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY. This report provides a high-level overview of the similarities and differences between Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christianity. The cumulative staff time required to prepare this report was 5 hours. B. PURPOSE. 1.
