📌 Differences between Orthodoxy and Catholicism

1. Doctrinal Differences

• Filioque:
  
• Catholics added to the Creed that the Holy Spirit proceeds also from the Son (“Filioque”), while in Orthodoxy it remains as defined by the First and Secondt
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Ecumenical Councils: from the Father.
• This distorts Trinitarian theology and is considered a major heresy.
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• The Primacy of the Pope:
  
• Catholicism accepts the Pope as “infallible” and supreme head of the entire Church.
• Orthodoxy accepts only a “primacy of honor” among the Patriarchs (not of authority). The head of the Church is Christ alone.
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• Purgatory:
  
• Catholics believe in an “intermediate place” of purification after death.
• Orthodoxy does not accept this. There is only Heaven and Hell; repentance ends with death.
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• Indulgences:
  
• Introduced in Catholicism as a “purchase of forgiveness of sins” with money.
• In Orthodoxy, forgiveness exists only through repentance, confession, and the mysteries.
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• The Immaculate Conception of the Theotokos:
  
• Catholics believe that the Virgin Mary was conceived without original sin.
• Orthodoxy teaches that the Theotokos was a human being like all others, but by her free will remained sinless and was found worthy to become the Mother of God.
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• The Doctrine of “Created Grace”:
  
• Catholics teach that grace is a “created energy.”
• Orthodoxy teaches that grace is the uncreated energy of God, which deifies man.
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2. Ecclesiological Differences

• Authority in the Church:
  
• In Catholicism, all authority is concentrated in the Pope.
• In Orthodoxy, the Church is governed synodally.
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• Infallibility:
  
• Catholics believe the Pope is infallible when he speaks ex cathedra.
• Orthodoxy accepts that only the Church as the Body of Christ, and the Ecumenical Councils, are infallible.
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3. Liturgical Differences

• Divine Liturgy:
  
• Catholics have introduced new liturgical rites and practices.
• Orthodoxy preserves the apostolic tradition (Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, St. Basil, etc.).
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• Holy Communion:
  
• In Catholicism, the laity usually receive only the Body and not the Blood of Christ.
• In Orthodoxy, the faithful receive both the Body and Blood of Christ.
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• Clerical Celibacy:
  
• In Catholicism, celibacy is mandatory for all priests.
• In Orthodoxy, married men may be ordained priests (except bishops).
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4. Spiritual–Moral Differences

• Legalism vs. Healing of the Soul:
  
• Catholicism sees sin primarily as a “violation of law” requiring punishment.
• Orthodoxy sees sin as a “sickness of the soul” that needs healing through the sacraments and asceticism.
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• Relationship with the World:
  
• Catholicism often adapts itself to worldly powers (e.g., Crusades, Inquisition).
• Orthodoxy stands more ascetically and prophetically against the world.
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5. Practices Absent in Orthodoxy

• Indulgences.
• Purgatory.
• Papal Infallibility.
• Filioque in the Creed.
• Mandatory celibacy for all clergy.
• The Immaculate Conception of the Theotokos.

✅ Conclusion:

Orthodoxy preserves the apostolic tradition and the experience of deification pure and unaltered, while Catholicism has introduced human innovations, legalism, and worldly powers, thereby distorting the message of Christ