It has only been recently that I have begun to learn more about the “Three Big Branches” of the church: the Eastern Orthodox church, the Catholic Church, and the Protestant Tradition.
When I was growing up, I attended the Lutheran Church. One of my best friends attended the Greek Orthodox church and another attended the Roman Catholic church, so I understood there were three branches of Christianity. And though the services seemed different in content, I never really looked behind the services themselves to better understand what the denominations hold as core beliefs.
So, it was with great interest that I read a recent blog at The Gospel Coalition entitled, “Quick Guide to Christian Denominations” by Trevin Wax (April 7, 2022). Wax details the differences among the three major branches of the church and then does a deeper dive into some of the various denominations that fall under the Protestant tradition.
As Wax details, the Eastern Orthodox churches are often simply called “orthodox”—but they also can be referenced by nationality or geography such as the Greek Orthodox or Russian Orthodox, or Antiochian Orthodox.
So, what is the origin of the Orthodox church?
According to Chrisitanity.com, in historic Christian use, the word orthodox relates to the collection of doctrines that were generally adhered to by the early Christians. Several ecumenical councils were held over several centuries to establish agreed-upon doctrine. The Eastern and Western Christians began to separate in terms of doctrine after the seventh Ecumenical Council in 787 A.D.—but ultimately divided over a dispute in Rome in 1054. This is called the Great Schism.
What was the Great Schism over?
The two main bones of contention were over the claim that the Pope had supreme authority and over the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit. The Western church stated that the Holy Spirit proceeded from both the Father and the Son; the Eastern church objected to the addition of “and the Son.”
But, as Wax notes, there were many cultural, political, and ecclesiastical reasons for the split.
What is the Orthodox Church like? As an outsider, my experience has been that it offers a very formal, ritualized, and rich service. When I attend an orthodox service, I feel very much like I am stepping back in time—not to the early church—but the days of a much more formal church. And, what is particularly memorable to me is the use of incense. According to Greekboston.com, the incense that is used in a typical Orthodox Church is meant to remind us of God’s presence. Sanctuaries include icons for veneration, as the church believes there is a place for prayers to the saints and Mary. As Wax notes, “the worship service engages all the senses with incense, chanting, Scripture-reading, culminating with the celebration of the Eucharist (communion).”
What is the structure of the church? According to Wax, “Bishops, following in the succession of the apostles, appoint male priests (also known as elders or presbyters) to pastor the people. Deacons serve the needs of the congregation and play a key role in liturgical life. Synods (teams of bishops) lead the church, not a single bishop or pope.
What are some of the distinctive attributes of the Orthodox church? The Orthodox hold in high-value tradition as the proper means for understanding Scripture. They have several additional “books” in their canon of Scripture. According to Wax, celibacy is the norm for bishops, but both married and unmarried men can be priests. In Orthodox theology, union with God is stressed as the “ultimate point of Salvation.”
Lastly, how does the Orthodox church differ from the Catholic church? According to SaintJohnChurch.org, there are seven primary differences between the orthodox and Roman Catholic Church. These are:
1. Papal Supremacy – the Orthodox church does not believe the Pope is the head of the Church
2. Papal Infallibility—the Orthodox church does not hold the belief that the Pope is infallible in matters of doctrine.
3. The “Filioque”—this was previously described—the Orthodox church believes that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father—not from the Father and the Son.
4. Absolute Divine Simplicity – this is a complex point, but the Orthodox Church states that the Catholic Church believes that God is of “unknowable essence” but the Orthodox church believes that God is both of “unknowable essence and knowable energies.” According to SaintJohnChurch.org, “this doctrine betrays Rome’s desire to define God’s nature rather than to simply experience God as He reveals Himself to us.”
5. Created Grace – again, according to SaintJohnChurch.org, “Unlike the Orthodox, who believe that grace is uncreated, Catholics believe grace is both uncreated and created. In Orthodox doctrine, divine grace is uncreated, and therefore represents God Himself—His energies (this goes back to unknowable and knowable energies—see above.)
6. The Immaculate Conception – the orthodox believe that Mary’s womb was sanctified to prepare for the coming of the Lord and that this purification took place at the Annunciation—not that she was conceived without original sin.
7. Purgatory—the Orthodox church does not believe in purgatory, as does the Catholic Church.
Next, I will do a brief review of the Catholic church and how it differs from the Protestant churches.
What is most important, in my mind, is that while we might think each other misguided in our specific beliefs, we are brothers and sisters in Christ through our belief in Him. Ultimately, it will be Christ Who will unite his church.