How were the western and eastern churches alike and different?

Answer 1

The Western (Roman Catholic) and Eastern (Orthodox) churches shared foundational Christian beliefs, such as the divinity of Christ and the importance of the sacraments. However, they differed in governance, with the Western church recognizing the Pope as the supreme authority, while the Eastern church operated through a conciliar model with multiple patriarchs. Additionally, theological differences emerged, such as the Western emphasis on original sin and the filioque clause regarding the Holy Spirit's procession, which were not accepted in the Eastern tradition. These differences contributed to the Great Schism of 1054, which formally divided the two branches.