What are similarities and differences of Orthodoxy and Catholicism?

Answer 1

There are two kinds of differences between Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy; doctrinal, and non-doctrinal (traditions, e.g.) The primary doctrinal difference is that Eastern Orthodoxy does not acknowledge the Pope as the head of the Church. Since the Great Schism in the 11th century, Eastern Orthodoxy -- though it is very hierarchical -- has no single head of the organization. They regard the Patriarch of Constantinople as being First Among Equals. A second difference regards the procession of the Holy Spirit. Catholicism says that He proceeds from the Father AND the Son. Eastern Orthodoxy (and some Eastern Catholics) say that He proceeds ONLY from the Father. The issue regards the co-equality of Holy Spirit within Holy Trinity, and the interpretation of Holy Bible passages. There are some other differences -- the Immaculate Conception, e.g. -- but I am not aware whether this is a doctrinal difference. As for non-doctrinal difference, perhaps the most "obvious" one is that Eastern Orthodox priests can be married. However, this is a difference with Catholicism. Eastern Rite Catholic priests can also be married, although they must do so before ordination as must Orthodox priests. Personally I belong to the Byzantine Rite of Eastern Catholicism, in the Ukrainian Catholic Church. We are in full accord with Rome, as are all Eastern Catholics. Across the street from our parish is an Ukrainian Orthodox Church. If you attended a Divine Liturgy (Eastern version of "Mass") at my Church, and then went to a service across the street, you would not be able to detect ANY differences, unless you were fluent in Ukrainian and Old Slavonic, AND were familiar with The Divine Liturgy. E.g., we make about an half-dozen offerings of prayer for the Pope, which of course would not be present in the Orthodox service. One of the most significant doctrinal similiarities is Apostolic Succession. As the Holy Father recently stated, the Orthodox do have this and, as such, are also able to consecrate the Sacraments, which is also the function of Catholic priests. So, e.g. if a person were in a town on Sunday which had no Catholic churches, it would actually be permissible -- even required -- for to attend an Orthodox Church if there is one there! Answer Similarities between Catholic + Orthodox * The Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. * The Father is the Creator, the Son the Redeemer and the Holy Spirit the Sanctifier * Christ is the sole Saviour of the human race. * Christ suffered, died, rose from the dead and ascended into heaven. * Mary is the Theotokos (God bearer) as Christ is God incarnate. * The Bible is the inspired word of God. * The Holy Spirit dwells in the Church and guides it through the ages (tradition). * The three-fold ministry of bishop, priest and deacon. * The importance of Apostolic Succession. * Seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation/Chrismation, Eucharist, Holy Orders, Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick. * That Christ is truly present - not symbolically - in the Eucharistic species. * That the saints deserve due honour because of their fidelity to Christ. * That Mary, being Theotokos, is the greatest of the saints. * That we may ask the saints for prayers, just as we may ask any person for prayers. * That the use of religious icons is acceptable and thought helpful in the spiritual life. * The use of such things as incense, vestments and ceremony are important as human beings are people of ritual. Differences (Theological) * Catholicism accepts the Bishop of Rome as spiritual leader of the Church. The Orthodox look to the Patriarch of Constantinople, but only as "First Among Equals" rather than as a pope. * Catholicism holds that the Holy Spirit proceeds from both Father and Son whilst Orthodoxy teaches that the Spirit proceeds only from the Father. * Catholicism states that Mary was full of grace (i.e. sinless) from conception whilst Orthodoxy would tend to say that she entered this state only after accepting God's wish that she become Theotokos. * Catholicism tends to be prescriptive whilst Orthodoxyis mystical e.g. both believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist; yet, Catholicism would say that this occurs during a particular moment of the Eucharistic Prayer whilst Orthodoxy would say that the whole Prayer is consecratory and all we know is that Christ is present by the time the people sing the Great Amen. Differences (Non-theological) * National Orthodoxchurches are virtually independent, whilst in Catholicismthe Vatican can step in when it feels it is appropriate. * Married men may be ordained as Orthodox priests (but not bishops) whilst in Catholicism only single men may be ordained (though this ban does not apply to Eastern Rite Catholics). * Organisationally, the Orthodox Churches allow the laity more power in terms of decision-making than Catholicism e.g. in choosing pastors or bishops. * In Catholicism, bishops are ultimately chosen by the pope, whilst in Orthodoxy (and Eastern Rite Catholicism) they are chosen by laity, clergy and bishops. * In Orthodoxy a bishop governs his diocese with his synod whilst in Catholicism the bishop is only advised by his Council of Priests. * The style of worship in Orthodoxy is more elaborate than in Latin Catholicism; the form of worship is almost identical between Orthodoxy and Easter Rite Catholics. (See related links)

Answer 2

Believers of Catholicism believed that faith and good works were both necessary for salvation, while believers of Calvinism believed that Christ's sacrifice forgave all sins. Both believed in the Virgin Mary.

Answer 3

Christianity encompasses ANY religion that believes Jesus Christ, the son of God, died, and rose on the third day to redeem people's souls. Catholisism is a branch of Christianity. Therefore, It is impossible to have differences and similarities.

It's like saying What is the difference between Bread and Rye Bread, or Primary Colors and red.

Answer 4

Both Churches are liturgical (observe the mass) and both believe the Bible, the three ecumenical creeds and the Ten Commandments to be authorative. Both are governed by deacons, priests and bishops ( although not all Lutheran churches follow the same hierarchy). Both believe in the "true presence" of Jesus in the Eucharist. Both are sacramentarian in nature. Both claim their roots in the early church. Both believe in original sin and infant baptism. The Lutheran and Anglican (Episcopal) Churches are the most similar in belief and practice to the Roman Catholic Church amongst the non-Roman churches. The main differences between Lutherans and Catholics are based on the papacy (office of the pope) and on doctrines of "justification." Lutheranism and Roman Catholicism are both historic, liturgical and sacramental Churches and share a history up to the point of their division in the 1500's. Both have a leadership based on an ordained office of public ministry (priests), diaconate (deacons and deaconesses) and episcopacy (bishops). They differ mainly on the primacy of the pope and on the doctrine of justification. Since their division, other differences have arisen. The two Churches have been in ecumenical dialogue over the last few decades. The Lutheran and Anglican (including Episcopal) Churches are most similar to the Roman Catholic Church amongst the Churches usually categorized as "Protestant."

Answer 5

Really, not much, although both profess faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, but that is about where it ends. Catholics believe that God created man and gave him free will, which is how the disaster of Adam and Eve in the garden happened. Man, using his free will, chose, out of pride, to be like God, and fell from preternatural grace. Although man fell and lost his salvation, he still retains the nature that he was given by God. Calvinists reject all of this, and believe that man is totally depraved after the fall, and they also have some very weird doctrines, which are not Christian. They believe that Christ did not die for all men, and that grace is irresistible: thus God elects some men to be saved, and some to be damned and there is not a thing you can do about that. Thus Calvinists deny free will, deny God-given grace, with which man must cooperate to be saved.

Answer 6

There are several major differences between Calvinism and Catholicism. John Calvin taught the total depravity of mankind, stating that man was evil by nature. The Catholic Church teaches instead that mankind is inherently good, but flawed by original sin, a defect which remains in human nature from the sin of Adam and Eve. Furthermore, Calvinism professes pre-destination, which says that our actions in this life have no effect in eternity because God has already destined some people for heaven and some for hell from the moment of conception. The Catholic Church teaches that without Christ, we would be lost, but those who live their faith out through charity accept the gift of salvation; therefore, our actions do have a tremendous impact on our salvation, even though it is still the gift of God. God chose to make salvation available because, unlike Calvin's view, God wills that all men might be saved. Furthermore, Calvinism disagrees with Catholicism in teaching that Jesus Christ's sacrifice was not meant to atone for all sin, but only for the sins of those God pre-destined for heaven. Calvinism also teaches against Catholicism that any person God wishes to save will be saved and cannot ultimately resist the work of grace.

Answer 7

catholic cofess ro a priest protestant confess to the lord

Answer 8

They all believe in one God.