When people first encounter Orthodox Christianity, they often lump it together with Catholicism or with other ancient Churches. And in some ways, it’s understandable - we share many core beliefs about Christ, Scripture, and the sacraments. But there are also important differences, both theological and practical.
Below is a comparison of Eastern Orthodoxy with Oriental Orthodoxy, Catholicism, Eastern Catholicism, and Protestantism.
This isn’t about winning arguments. It’s about clarity. Knowing the differences helps us understand who we are, and why the Orthodox Church has preserved the faith as it has for over 2000 years.
Key Differences at a Glance
Eastern Orthodoxy Compared to Oriental Orthodoxy and Protestantism
| Teaching / Practice | Eastern Orthodoxy | Oriental Orthodoxy | Protestantism (general) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council Acceptance | Accepts first 7 Ecumenical Councils | Accepts only first 3 (rejects Chalcedon) | Varies (some accept early councils, others none) |
| Christology | Chalcedonian - Christ is fully God and fully man, two natures united without confusion (Dyophysite) | Non-Chalcedonian - Christ has one united nature out of two (Miaphysite) | Varies widely |
| Papal Authority | Rejects universal jurisdiction of Pope | Have their own Pope (in the Coptic Church), chosen by a child; Catholicos (in other Oriental Churches) | Rejects Pope |
| Filioque in Creed | No | No | Most: Yes |
| Liturgical Music | Only chanting; Strictly no instruments | Chants with instruments (especially percussion; varies by tradition) | Wide variety; instruments central in most traditions |
| Posture during Liturgy | Mostly standing; kneeling on some fast days; sitting not common | Sitting is common and accepted, though standing is also done | Varies widely; often seated with standing only for hymns or prayers |
| Arrangement | Men - Right; Women - Left | Men - Left; Women - Right | Mixed (Except strict sects like Amish, Old Order Mennonites, etc.) |
| Calendar | Julian or Revised Julian (Pascha always on Orthodox calculation) | Julian | Gregorian |
| Original Sin | Ancestral sin - inherited mortality, not inherited guilt | Same as Eastern Orthodoxy | Varies |
| Apostolic Succession | Unbroken succession through bishops; a real priesthood and valid Mysteries. | Unbroken succession; a real priesthood and valid Mysteries. | Generally no sacramental succession; some bodies claim lines but these are not recognized by the Orthodox Church |
| Sacraments | 7 Holy Mysteries, grace given through them | Same 7 Mysteries | 0–2 sacraments (most keep Baptism & Eucharist) |
| Baptism | Full triple immersion | Full triple immersion | Varies (immersion, pouring, sprinkling) |
| Eucharist | Leavened bread, Body and Blood truly present | Leavened bread, real presence | Varies (symbolic to real presence) |
| Married Clergy | Yes (before ordination to priesthood) | Yes | Varies |
| Divorce/Remarriage | Allowed in certain cases with penance | Same as Eastern Orthodoxy | Often allowed freely |
| View of Tradition | Scripture + Holy Tradition as one deposit of faith | Same as Eastern Orthodoxy | Scripture alone (Sola Scriptura) |
| Icons in Worship | Yes | Yes | Varies (some forbid images) |
| Authority Structure | Conciliar, led by autocephalous Patriarchs | Conciliar | Varies by denomination |
Eastern Orthodoxy Compared to Roman Catholicism and Eastern Catholicism
| Teaching / Practice | Eastern Orthodoxy | Roman Catholicism | Eastern Catholicism |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council Acceptance | Accepts first 7 Ecumenical Councils | Accepts all 21 councils recognized by Rome | Same as Roman Catholicism |
| Christology | Chalcedonian - Christ is fully God and fully man, two natures united without confusion (Dyophysite) | Same as Eastern Orthodoxy (Chalcedonian) | Same as Roman Catholicism |
| Papal Authority | Rejects universal jurisdiction of Pope | Accepts Pope as supreme authority | Accepts Pope |
| Filioque in Creed | No | Yes (“and the Son”) | Yes |
| Liturgical Music | Only chanting; Strictly no instruments | Chants, Polyphony, Organ, and other instruments | Varies by rite* |
| Posture during Liturgy | Mostly standing; kneeling on some fast days; sitting not common | Structured standing, kneeling, sitting throughout the mass | Varies by rite* |
| Arrangement | Men - Right; Women - Left | Mixed | Varies by rite* but mostly mixed |
| Calendar | Julian or Revised Julian (Pascha always on Orthodox calculation) | Gregorian | Gregorian |
| Original Sin | Ancestral sin - inherited mortality, not inherited guilt | Inherited guilt | Same as Roman Catholicism |
| Apostolic Succession | Unbroken succession through bishops; a real priesthood and valid Mysteries. | Unbroken succession under the Pope | Same as Roman Catholicism |
| Sacraments | 7 Holy Mysteries, grace given through them | Same 7 Sacraments | Same as Roman Catholicism |
| Baptism | Full triple immersion | Pouring/sprinkling common | Same as Roman Catholicism |
| Eucharist | Leavened bread, Body and Blood truly present | Unleavened bread (Latin rite), real presence | Same as Roman Catholicism |
| Married Clergy | Yes (before ordination to priesthood) | Only permanent deacons can be married | Same as Roman Catholicism |
| Divorce/Remarriage | Allowed in certain cases with penance | Not allowed (annulments instead) | Same as Roman Catholicism |
| View of Tradition | Scripture + Holy Tradition as one deposit of faith | Scripture + Tradition (Magisterium defines) | Same as Roman Catholicism |
| Icons in Worship | Yes | Yes (statues also) | Yes (statues also) |
| Authority Structure | Conciliar, led by autocephalous Patriarchs | Centralized under Pope | Centralized under Pope |
* Eastern Catholic Churches follow different rites (Byzantine, Alexandrian, Armenian, etc.), so practice depends on the tradition.
Why These Differences Matter
- Faith and Practice Go Together - In Orthodoxy, theology isn’t just theory. It shapes how we pray, worship, and live. For example, rejecting the Filioque isn’t about splitting hairs - it’s about preserving the original faith as handed down by the early Church.
- Unity Without Centralization - Orthodox unity is maintained through shared faith and conciliar decision-making - not a single central ruler. This is different from Catholic papal primacy and from Protestant denominational independence.
- The Role of the Church - For Orthodoxy, the Church is not an invisible collection of believers but the visible Body of Christ, united in faith, sacraments, and worship.
- Apostolic Succession and the Mysteries - In Orthodoxy, the Church is not only a community of believers but a living body handed down from the Apostles. Bishops and priests are ordained within an unbroken line from the Apostles; through this succession the Holy Mysteries are celebrated. This is why succession is not a side issue: it safeguards the faith and the sacramental life of the Church.
A Few Notes on Each Tradition
Oriental Orthodox Christianity - These Churches (Coptic, Armenian, Ethiopian, Eritrean, Syriac, Malankara) parted ways with the rest of the Church after the Council of Chalcedon in 451. The split was historically over Christological terminology. While official dialogues in recent decades have found much common ground in belief, the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches remain out of communion and not all within Orthodoxy agree that the differences are only a matter of words.
Roman Catholicism - Shares many ancient practices with Orthodoxy but departed from it through papal supremacy, the Filioque, and later theological innovations (such as purgatory and the Immaculate Conception). Its liturgy has also seen significant changes in the past century.
Eastern Catholicism - These Churches keep Eastern liturgy and traditions but are in communion with Rome, accepting papal authority and Catholic dogmas.
Protestantism - A vast range of beliefs and practices from liturgical Lutherans to non-denominational evangelicals. Most reject Tradition as a source of authority alongside Scripture and differ sharply on sacraments.
Why to remain Eastern Orthodox
The Orthodox Church has preserved the faith and worship of the apostles without adding or removing from it. Our theology is not updated to fit the times, and our worship remains rooted in the unbroken tradition of the early Church.
It’s not about being “right” for the sake of being right - it’s about being faithful to the truth entrusted to us.
➡ Faith in Every Detail – Stickers & Bookmarks.
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