Question by Ali: What is the difference between Byzantine Catholic and Russian Orthodox?
I’m just curious. My babushka and I were talking about it today… I’m Roman Catholic, and she’s Byzantine Catholic, but I always thought they (Russian Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic) were the same. Can you explain the differences, if there are any? Thank you!
Answers and Views:
Answer by lawrenceba549
Byzantine Catholics accept the idea of an infallible spiritual ruler as God’s representative on Earth; in short, they are in full Communion with Rome, but keep Eastern liturgical practices.
Orthodox reject the idea of a Pope.
What do you think? Answer below!
Mary Storey says
Curious! was there a period of time after the death and Our Lord rising from the dead and ascension into heaven that the apostles still kept their Jewish faith but recognizing Our Lord as the Jewish Messiah’ the Jews were waiting for.
Mary J. says
I think Jewish people only recognize the Old Testament and do not recognize the Gospel.
knaveoftrumps says
I am Roman Catholic, but I must admit that I feel very welcome, and feel "at home," in Russian Orthodox Churches. When I visited Saint Petersburg, Russia, I was deeply touched by the solemnity and intricacy of the architecture, and the stunning beauty of the icons. Saint Isaac's Cathedral, with its Golden Dome, is unforgettable. And there is a strong undercurrent of revived spirituality and faith among Russians who have been renewing their wedding vows in Church, ever since glasnost and the demise of atheistic communism.
Religious doctrinal differences, like "filioque" and "Immaculate Conception," will probably always persist. But the Spirit of Christ is clearly present in both Catholicism and Orthodoxy, and our similarities certainly outnumber our differences by far.
OPsaltis says
Most Byzantine Catholics were at one time Orthodox, not in communion with Rome, but in communion with the rest of Eastern Orthodoxy. Owing largely to political situations with the breakdown of the Byzantine Empire and the ascendancy of Moscow, some churches decided to unite with Rome – the Union of Brest was one of these occurrences.
Byzantine Catholics retain the rites that they had as Orthodox, but have accepted the Pope of Rome as their leader, not the Patriarch or Archbishop that they once had, and such doctrines as the infallibility of the Pope.
Blessings.
/Orthodox
great gig in the sky says
The Byzantine Catholic Church is a Greek Catholic group that is in communion with Rome., but are autonomous. The Russian Orthodox is in Communion with the Russian Church and recognizes the Patriarch of Moscow as leader..
Are you Syrian or Armenian? This is the last time I have seen these type of Christians. In Lebanon and Syria. Although there are some where I live.
I dig the crazy looking but interesting crosses on the churches.
Sἶℜἶሁs &r says
It is location and tradition of Christianity. Catholicism has a single Bishop over the group who commands the people. In Orthodoxy a group is over the people. The two traditions don't have the same Bible canon – that is religious books or interpretation of passages.
Jackal says
Between Roman Catholic and Byzantine Catholic, the difference is only in some of the celebrations, there's no difference in doctrine.
Between Russian Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic ,the difference is political, there's no difference in doctrine.
Nightwind: Mwa ha ha says
There are three main branches of Christianity: Protestant, Orthodox and Catholic. Russian Orthodox Christians are Orthodox Christians, while Byzantine Catholics are Catholics, just like you.
Byzantine Catholics are considered in full union with the Roman Catholic church, but they use the liturgical rite of the Eastern Orthodox Church.
More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_Byzantine_Cath… and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine_Rite