Differences between Christianity and Orthodox Christianity

Christianity vs. Orthodox Christianity

The term "Christianity" encompasses numerous denominations, with Eastern Orthodoxy being one of its largest and oldest branches. The formal separation between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Western Church, which includes the Roman Catholic Church from which Protestant denominations later emerged, is historically marked by the Great Schism of 1054. This event was the culmination of centuries of growing theological, cultural, and political divergences. While both traditions share foundational Christian beliefs, significant differences exist in their theology, church governance, and worship.

Comparison Table

Category	Western Christianity (Catholicism/Protestantism)	Eastern Orthodox Christianity
Papal Authority	The Pope is considered the head of the church with universal jurisdiction (Catholicism). Protestant views vary.	The Pope is recognized historically as the "first among equals" but is not considered to have authority over the entire church.
Nicene Creed (Filioque)	The Creed states the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father "and the Son" (Filioque).	The original wording is retained; the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father.
Original Sin	Humans inherit the guilt of Adam's sin (a view especially shaped by Augustine).	Humans inherit the consequences of Adam's sin, primarily mortality, but not the guilt itself.
Church Governance	Centralized under the Pope and the Vatican (Catholicism). Protestant churches have various governance models.	A communion of self-governing (autocephalous) churches, with the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople holding honorary primacy.
Clerical Celibacy	Celibacy is mandatory for priests (Catholicism). Most Protestant denominations permit clergy to marry.	Priests are permitted to be married, though bishops are chosen from celibate clergy.
Salvation	Often understood in legal terms, such as justification and paying a penalty for sin.	Viewed as a process of theosis or deification, a mystical union with God.

Venn diagram comparing Differences between Christianity and Orthodox Christianity

Papal Authority

A primary point of divergence is the role of the Pope, the Bishop of Rome. In the Roman Catholic Church, the Pope is held to have supreme authority and universal jurisdiction over the entire Church. The Eastern Orthodox Church, however, does not recognize this supremacy. They honor the Pope as the "first among equals" (primus inter pares), a historical title acknowledging the prominence of the See of Rome in the early church, but do not grant him administrative authority over other patriarchates. This difference in understanding papal power was a major factor leading to the Great Schism.

The Filioque Controversy

The "Filioque" controversy is a key theological dispute. The term, meaning "and the Son" in Latin, was added to the Nicene Creed by the Western Church. This addition changed the phrase concerning the Holy Spirit to state that the Spirit proceeds from the Father "and the Son." The Eastern Orthodox Church objects to this addition for two reasons. First, they consider it an unauthorized alteration of a creed established by ecumenical councils. Second, they hold the theological position that the Father is the sole source of procession for the Holy Spirit. This remains a significant point of contention between the two traditions.

Understanding of Original Sin

The concept of original sin is interpreted differently. Western Christianity, heavily influenced by the teachings of Augustine of Hippo, traditionally holds that all humans are born with the guilt of Adam's first sin. In this view, original sin is a stain on the soul. The Eastern Orthodox perspective, often termed "ancestral sin," maintains that humanity inherits the consequences of Adam's transgression, such as death and a propensity to sin, but not the personal guilt of Adam's act. Therefore, in Orthodoxy, individuals are only guilty of their own sins.