Roman Catholic vs Greek Orthodox

After 380 AD, when Christianity became the state religion of the Roman Empire under Emperor Theodosius, the Catholic Church has faced several schisms and heretical movements throughout its history. These movements often arose in response to perceived corruption or doctrinal issues within the Church and led to significant theological debates and, at times, conflict. These are a few notable ones:

A. Schisms

The Great Schism (1054): This was the split between the Western Church (which became the Roman Catholic Church) and the Eastern Church (which evolved into the Greek Orthodox Catholic Church), primarily over issues of authority and theological differences.

Historically, there were five major centers of faith: Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem. When the schism occurred, the Western Church (Rome) and the Eastern Church (Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem) split. These four Eastern patriarchates aligning with one another became the Eastern Orthodox Catholic Church, while the Western patriarchate (Rome) became the Roman Catholic Church.

Note, that before the Great Schism of 1054, the five patriarchates—Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem—were all part of the universal (or "catholic") Christian Church.

> Canon: (books considered as holy)

The Roman Catholic Bible includes 73 books: 46 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament.

The Eastern Orthodox Bible includes a few additional books not found in the Roman Catholic Bible, such as 1 Esdras, 3 Maccabees, and Psalm 151. Different Orthodox traditions might also include variations of these texts.

> Bible:

Roman Catholics often use the Latin Vulgate for official purposes, while modern translations like the New American Bible or the Douay-Rheims are also popular.

The Eastern Orthodox Church primarily uses the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures) for the Old Testament, reflecting their early church traditions.

B. Heretical Movements

1. Arianism: This movement, founded by Arius, denied the divinity of Christ, claiming he was a created being and not co-eternal with God the Father.
2. Gnosticism: A diverse set of beliefs that emphasized secret knowledge (gnosis) and often portrayed the material world as evil.
3. Pelagianism: Founded by Pelagius, this movement denied original sin and asserted that humans could achieve salvation through their own efforts without divine grace.
4. Manichaeism: A religion founded by Mani, combining elements of Christianity, Zoroastrianism, and Buddhism, and portraying the world as a battleground between good and evil forces.
5. Donatism: Originating in North Africa, this movement emphasized the purity and sanctity of the Church and its clergy, leading to a schism over the validity of sacraments performed by priests who had lapsed during persecution.
6. Adoptionism: This early Christian heresy claimed that Jesus was not divine by nature but was adopted as the Son of God at his baptism.
7. Montanism: A movement that emerged in the 2nd century, emphasizing the direct revelation of the Holy Spirit and a more ascetic lifestyle.
8. Nestorianism: This doctrine, associated with Nestorius, suggested that there were two separate persons in Christ – one divine and one human.
9. Waldensians: Founded by Peter Waldo in the 12th century, this movement emphasized poverty and preaching, and it rejected certain church practices and doctrines.
10. Lollards: Followers of John Wycliffe in the 14th century, they criticized the wealth and power of the Church and called for reforms.
11. Hussites: Inspired by the teachings of Jan Hus, this movement in the 15th century sought to reform the Church and was a precursor to the Protestant Reformation.
12. Cathars: Flourishing in the 12th and 13th centuries in Southern France, this dualistic sect believed in a sharp division between the spiritual and material worlds, viewing the latter as inherently evil.
13. Albigensians: Often associated with the Cathars, they rejected the Roman Catholic Church's teachings and practices, leading to the Albigensian Crusade initiated by Pope Innocent III.
14. Marcionism: Founded by Marcion in the 2nd century, this movement rejected the Old Testament and proposed a distinct dichotomy between the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament.
15. Iconoclasm: A dispute over the use of religious images (icons) in the Byzantine Empire during the 8th and 9th centuries, leading to periods of icon destruction.
16. Jansenism: A movement within Catholicism in the 17th century, emphasizing predestination and original sin, which was condemned by the Church.
17. Modernism: An early 20th-century movement that sought to reconcile Catholic doctrine with modern science and philosophy, leading to its condemnation by Pope Pius X. 

* A heretic is someone whose beliefs or actions are considered wrong by most people, because they disagree with beliefs that are generally accepted.

Western roman catholic church vs eastern orthodox church:

1. Authority: The Roman Catholic Church considers the Pope in Rome as the supreme authority. The Eastern Orthodox Church doesn't accept the Pope's authority and instead recognizes a group of patriarchs and bishops.
2. Theology: One key theological difference is the Filioque clause. Roman Catholics believe the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son, while the Orthodox Church believes the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father alone.
3. Liturgy: The Roman Catholic Church uses the Latin Rite, although it's mostly conducted in local languages now. The Eastern Orthodox Church uses several liturgical rites, like the Byzantine Rite, and services often involve more sensory experiences, like incense and elaborate chanting.
4. Clerical Celibacy: Roman Catholic priests are typically required to remain celibate. In contrast, Eastern Orthodox priests can marry before ordination but cannot marry afterward or remarry if they become widowers.
5. Icons: Both churches use religious images, but the Orthodox Church places a greater emphasis on icons, which are considered windows into the divine.
6. Sacraments: While both churches believe in the seven sacraments, there are some differences in practice and emphasis. For example, in the Orthodox Church, infants receive baptism, chrismation (confirmation), and Eucharist in a single ceremony.
7. Language: Historically, the Roman Catholic Church used Latin as its liturgical language, while the Eastern Orthodox Church used Greek and other local languages.
8. Eucharist: The Roman Catholic Church uses unleavened bread for the Eucharist (Communion), while the Eastern Orthodox Church uses leavened bread.
9. Holy Spirit's Role in Salvation: Roman Catholics often emphasize the role of the Holy Spirit in the authority of the church and the magisterium. The Eastern Orthodox emphasize the Holy Spirit's role in the life of individual believers and the entire Church community.
10. Original Sin: Roman Catholics believe in the concept of original sin, meaning all humans inherit the guilt of Adam's sin. The Eastern Orthodox Church teaches that humans inherit the consequences of Adam's sin (mortality and a tendency to sin) but not the guilt.
11. View on Saints: Both venerate saints, but the way they do so can differ. In the Orthodox Church, icons of saints are prevalent, and they are seen as living members of the Church who can intercede with God on behalf of individuals. Roman Catholics also believe in the intercession of saints but have a different emphasis on relics and canonization processes.
12. Calendar: The Roman Catholic Church follows the Gregorian calendar, while many Eastern Orthodox Churches use the Julian calendar for liturgical purposes, leading to different dates for major feasts like Easter.
13. Purgatory: The concept of purgatory is a significant part of Roman Catholic theology, where souls are purified before entering heaven. The Eastern Orthodox Church doesn't have a defined doctrine of purgatory and focuses more on the ongoing process of theosis (becoming one with God) during and after life.

Other notable differences between the Roman Catholic Bible and the Eastern Orthodox Bible, particularly in the canon, or the set of books included.

Deuterocanonical Books:

Both traditions include the deuterocanonical books (sometimes called "Apocrypha" by Protestants), but the Orthodox Bible includes more, like the Prayer of Manasseh.

Catholics and Orthodox Christians regard these books as canonical and integral parts of the Old Testament.

Here are some examples of differences in phrasing or word choice between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Bibles:

Matthew 1:18:

Roman Catholic: "This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit."

Eastern Orthodox: "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit."

John 3:16:

Roman Catholic: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Eastern Orthodox: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Romans 8:28:

Roman Catholic: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Eastern Orthodox: "And we know that in all things God works together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose."

Some debated passages and how they are interpreted differently by the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches:

Matthew 16:18-19:

Roman Catholic Interpretation: This passage is often cited to support the doctrine of Papal Primacy. The phrase "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church" is interpreted to mean that Jesus appointed Peter as the first Pope, giving him authority over the Church.

Eastern Orthodox Interpretation: The Orthodox Church interprets this passage differently, seeing "this rock" as Peter's confession of faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, rather than Peter himself. They believe that the Church is built on the faith of all believers, not just Peter.

John 10:30:

Roman Catholic Interpretation: The phrase "I and the Father are one" is understood to support the doctrine of the Trinity, emphasizing the unity of the Father and the Son.

Eastern Orthodox Interpretation: The Orthodox Church also affirms the Trinity but emphasizes the distinction between the persons of the Trinity, interpreting this passage to mean that Jesus and the Father are united in will and purpose, not in essence.

Acts 2:38:

Roman Catholic Interpretation: This passage is often cited in support of the sacrament of penance. The phrase "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins" is seen as a call to confess sins and receive absolution through the sacrament.

Eastern Orthodox Interpretation: The Orthodox Church interprets this passage as emphasizing the importance of repentance and baptism for salvation but places a greater emphasis on the ongoing process of repentance and spiritual growth throughout a believer's life.

The five major sees of the early Catholic Church, also known as the Pentarchy, are:

1. Rome: The Pope, the Bishop of Rome, is considered the supreme authority in the Catholic Church.
2. Constantinople: The Patriarch of Constantinople, also known as the Ecumenical Patriarch, held significant ecclesiastical authority.
3. Alexandria: The Patriarch of Alexandria, a major center of early Christianity in Egypt.
4. Antioch: The Patriarch of Antioch, an early center of Christianity located in modern-day Turkey.
5. Jerusalem: The Patriarch of Jerusalem, holding a special place in Christian history due to the city's significance in the life of Jesus.

Here are the names of the churches associated within the Pentarchy:

1. Rome: Roman Catholic Church
2. Constantinople: Eastern Orthodox Church (specifically, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople)
3. Alexandria: Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria (Oriental Orthodox Church), and the Greek Orthodox Church of Alexandria (Eastern Orthodox Church)
4. Antioch: Syriac Orthodox Church (Oriental Orthodox), and the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch (Eastern Orthodox Church)
5. Jerusalem: Greek Orthodox Church of Jerusalem (Eastern Orthodox Church)

About Atheista ng Pilipinas:

The name “Atheista ng Pilipinas:” is a symbolic pseudonym or pen name of the author. The author is a teacher, an engineer, and a writer. He is one of the authors of physics books used by students in the Philippines. He formally founded “The Voice of Philippine Atheism” in 2000. Additionally, he has written several books in philosophy, religion, technology, and science, which can be found on Amazon.

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