What is differences between Orthodox Christianity and Catholicism?

Answer 1

The basic difference is that Catholics recognize the pope in Rome as the universal head of their Church in both administrative and spiritual matters. The Orthodox do not recognize the pope as supreme head and split from the Catholic Church in the 11th century with the Patriarch excommunicating the Pope, and the Pope excommunicating the Patriarch.

The Orthodox only recognize the first 10 centuries of the Councils of the Church. They do not have the filoque in their creed (I believe in the Holy Spirit who proceeds from the Father and the Son.) Most important right now, there is no one head of the various Orthodox churches. Various patriarchs are in Rome right now discussing reunion with Pope Benedict XVI, please keep them in your prayers.

Answer 2

Catholic and Orthodox chuches split in 1054 over papal authority.

Roman Catholic AnswerThe differences are mostly of culture and heritage, if you are comparing the Orthodox to the Latin Rite, however, the Catholic Church includes all those rites, as well. Also, since the Orthodox have been estranged from the Rome and the rest of the Church hierarchy for nearly a thousands years, they have frozen in their beliefs and practices and have not grown along with the rest of the Body of Christ. Of course that has been a mixed bag, as they did not have to deal with the massive apostasy and heresy commonly referred to as the "reformation". Each Eastern Rite Church split in half with the schism of the East in the 11th century, and now there is both a Greek Orthodox Church AND a Greek Rite within the Catholic Church, as the same with the other Orthodox Churches also have their corresponding rite within the Church.

from

A Catholic Dictionary, edited by Donald Attwater, Second edition, revised 1957

The Schism of the East

the estrangement and severance from the Holy See of what is now called the Orthodox Eastern Church was a gradual process extending over centuries. After a number of minor schisms the first serious, though short, break was that of Photius; from then on tension between East and West increased, and the schism of Cerularius occurred in 1054. From then on the breach gradually widened and has been definitive since 1472. There was a formal union from the 2nd Council of Lyons in 1274 until 1282, and a more promising one after the Council of Florence from 1439 to 1472. After the capture of Constantinople it was in the Turkish interest to reopen and widen the breach with the powerful Roman church; the patriarchates of Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem were dragged into this policy, Russia and the Slav churches stood out the longest of any: none of these churches, except Constantinople itself in 1472, formally and definitely broke away from the unity of the Church. But in the course of centuries the schism has set and crystallized into a definite separation from the Holy See of many million people with a true priesthood and valid sacraments. The origins, causes and development of the schism are matters of much complication, still not fully unraveled.

from

Modern Catholic Dictionary by John A. Hardon, S.J. Doubleday & Co., Inc. Garden City, NY 1980

Separation of the Christian Churches of the East from unity with Rome. The schism was centuries in the making and finally became fixed in 1054, when the Patriarch of Constantinople, Michael Cerularisu (died 1059), was excommunicated by the papal legates for opposing the use of leavened bread by the Latin Church and removing the Pope's name form the diptychs or list of persons to be prayed for in the Eucharistic liturgy. A temporary reunion with Rome was effected by the Second Council of Lyons (1274) and the Council of Florence (1439) but never stabilized

While there were other issues, the primary cause of the split was that the Eastern churches could not accept the pope as the leader of the Church.

AnswerThere are any number of differences in theology and liturgy, most of which developed over years of schism. The fundamental difference, however, is that Catholics accept the Primacy of the Pope, and the Orthodox do not, adhering instead to a collegial polity of equal Patriarchs.

It is wrong to say "Orthodox Catholic".

Answer

In reality, those to whom you are referring using this term are known as Eastern Catholics, or Oriental Catholics.

They (apart from Maronite Catholics) at one point broke off from full communion with the Roman Pontiff during the West-East Schism in 1054. However, these Catholics of the Eastern rites have since restored communion and unity with the Pope in Rome, often to the annoyance of many Orthodox.
The main difference between Catholic & Orthodox Christianity has to do with the Nicene Creed: For Orthodox, they say that the Holy Spirit "Proceeds from the Father." For Catholics, we say that the Holy Spirit "Proceeds from the Father and the Son."

Answer 3

Catholics follow the Pope, Orthodox follow the Ecumenical Patriarch. Orthodox priests are allowed to get married, Catholic priests are not (Deacons can though).

Orthodox cross themselves with the left hand going top-bottom-right shoulder- left shoulder(with three fingers). Catholics cross themselves (with two fingers) with the right hand going top-bottom-left shoulder-right shoulder.

Both believe in transubstantiation the Orthodox Church uses leavened bread as the Eucharist, (because Christ rose again) while Catholics use unleavened bread (Because according to the Customs handed down by St Peter and the early founders, Christ used unleavened bread at the last supper--- he was a Jew so this is not really a stretch and is believed to be historically accurate).

I hope this is helpful ...

Answer 4

Roman Catholic AnswerCatholicism was established by Our Blessed Lord to extend salvation to all people. Orthodoxy was established by the Orthodox Churches in the twelve century in order to separate themselves from control of the Pope.

Answer 5

The major difference is that the Orthodox Church does not recognize the primacy of the Bishop of Rome - the pope.

Answer 6

If you are speaking of the Eastern Orthodox Church, please see the related links below so you may make the comparison.