Orthodox and the Catholic Church, as we know are the two branches of the same tree. Both
pray to Jesus and wear crosses around their necks.The differences between the pope and the patriarch of Constantinople began long before that, but it was in 1054, Pope Leo IX was sent to Constantinople (headed by Cardinal Humberto) to resolve the conflict, which began closing in 1053 of the Latin churches in Constantinople. However, the conflict wasn't solved so there was born a new type of religion.
That was some prehistory of the Orthodox church but what are the main differences?
1). The idea of Virgin Mary. 1. Catholics worship the Virgin Mary as a pure soul, and Orthodox see Virgin Mary as a Mother of God.
2). All catholic priests must observe celibacy - they are not allowed to have and relations, and get married . The Orthodox priests and deacons are divided into black and white. White may marry and have children while the black are higher ranked and may not have a wife.
3).The idea of heaven. Catholics recognize the existence (except hell and heaven) purgatory - where the soul is recognized not too sinful, but not pure, it follows a process before it will be able to enter the gates of paradise. Orthodox also do not believe in purgatory. However, the idea of heaven and hell they even vague - it is believed that the knowledge of them are closed for a person in this life. Catholics have calculated all the paradise and heaven gardens.
4).Catholics honor the Pope. In the Orthodox Church, Patriarch takes a similar position.
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| Orthodox church. Russia. |
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| Catholic church. Spain. |
