In the present-day world, Christianity is one of the most influential religions, with an estimated 2.3 billion followers around the world. However, what many people don’t realise is that there are two distinct branches of Christianity. While one branch is the Roman Catholicism, the other is the Eastern Orthodox religion or Greek Orthodox, which follows many different rituals and customs than the Roman Catholic religion and considers itself to be separate. So, what are the differences between Greek Orthodox and Christianity?
The first big difference between Greek Orthodox and Christianity is in the way they interpret the Bible. Greek Orthodox follows a more letter-of-the-law approach to interpretation, while Christianity is a more liberal, free-interpretation sort of religion. The Greek Orthodox religion also focuses more on the writings of early Christian thinkers and the Eastern Church Fathers than Christianity does.
In addition, Greek Orthodox also differs from Christianity in its view of sin. Christianity views sin as a universal concept, one that applies to everyone, whereas Greek Orthodox views sin as something that affects only certain individuals who have strayed from the faith. This means that the consequences of sin are worse for those who commit them in the eyes of the Greek Orthodox religion.
Furthermore, Greek Orthodox has a much greater emphasis on ritual and ceremony than Christianity. There are specific rituals and ceremonies associated with all aspects of life, from birth to death, and these often involve a lot of symbolism and devotion. This devotion isn’t seen in Christianity as much due to its more contemporary approach.
The two religions also differ in how they perceive the role of clergy and monastic orders. In Christianity, the clergy is viewed as a figure of authority who interprets and applies the law, whereas in the Greek Orthodox Church, bishops and elders are considered to be upholders of the faith and are respected as much as the clergy. The Greek Orthodox Church also has a long tradition of monastic orders.
Finally, there is the matter of apostolic succession. Greek Orthodox maintains that the modern hierarchy of the church is a result of apostolic succession, meaning that the current practices are a continuation of the teachings of Jesus’ apostles. Christianity, on the other hand, does not believe in such a succession and instead emphasises the idea of the priesthood of all believers.
Rituals and Practices of Greek Orthodox
One of the unique aspects of the Greek Orthodox religion is the variety of rituals and practices that it has. These rituals and practices are derived from the teachings of the Eastern Church Fathers and range from the Preparation of the Eucharist to the blessing of icons. Other common rituals associated with the Greek Orthodox religion include prayers and devotional acts, such as the Jesus prayer. Additionally, Greek Orthodox worships in a different way than Christianity, as its services focus on the chanting of hymns.
In addition to its rituals, the Greek Orthodox Church also has a rich custom of venerating saints, both through their stories and through material offerings. This practice is thought to stem from their belief that saints are living embodiments of Jesus Christ and that they are intercessors between us and the divine.
There is also the Ancient Byzantine tradition of fasting in the Greek Orthodox Church. This is done during particular periods such as Lent, Easter, and Advent, where one is expected to abstain from certain types of food and to focus more on prayer and devotion. This practice is unique to the Greek Orthodox religion and serves as a spiritual discipline to help believers draw nearer to God.
Finally, the Greek Orthodox Church has a variety of unique liturgies and practices. These liturgies have their own distinct language and structure, and they often include prayer, communion, and the veneration of saints and icons. Liturgies are often used to celebrate important holy days like Christmas, Easter, and other feast days.
Traditions of Greek Orthodox
The Greek Orthodox Church is an ancient church and has a variety of rich traditions that differentiate it from other forms of Christianity. One of the main traditions of the Greek Orthodox Church is the perpetual use of the Julian calendar for their feasts and celebrations. The Julian calendar is an ancient calendar that is actually 13 days behind the modern Gregorian calendar.
In the Greek Orthodox Church there is also the custom of blessing the four corners of the house with a cross. This tradition originates from the story in which Jesus casts out the seven devils from Mary Magdalene. By blessing the four corners, the person is essentially being protected from the forces of darkness.
Additionally, the Greek Orthodox Church has a tradition of hymns, prayers, and chants that have been passed down through the generations. The hymns and chants are often sung in the ancient language of the Greek Church and are used to express love and devotion to God. They are also used to reflect on the people and events of the Bible.
The Greek Orthodox Church also has a strict code of conduct for its members. It emphasises modesty in dress and requests that its members remain celibate until marriage. The Greek Orthodox Church also has a tradition of assigning certain roles to its members, such as the role of a monk or a nun.
Governing Structure of Greek Orthodox
The governing structure of the Greek Orthodox Church is quite different from the structure of other forms of Christianity. In the Greek Orthodox Church, the rules and regulations are set forth by a governing body called the Synod. The Synod is made up of both laypeople and high-ranking clergy, who work together to shape the rules and regulations of the Church as a whole.
The Synod also deals with questions of faith, theology, and matters of canon law. They are responsible for issuing statements and declarations on these topics, as well as ruling on any disputes that arise within the Church. Additionally, the Synod is responsible for selecting the Church’s head, the Ecumenical Patriarch, as well as managing interactions with other Churches.
In addition to the Synod, the Greek Orthodox Church also has a number of hierarchical structures in place. The most important of these is the Patriarchate, which is headed by the Ecumenical Patriarch. The other important structure is the Synod of the Hierarchy, which consists of all the Archbishops of the Greek Orthodox Church, and the Episcopacy, which consist of the Archbishops’ deputies.
Role of Clergy in Greek Orthodox
The role of the clergy in the Greek Orthodox Church is one of the main distinguishing factors between it and other forms of Christianity. The clergy, also known as the Hierarchy, is made up of several ranks, with the Ecumenical Patriarch at the very top. The Patriarchs are followed by the other Patriarchs of the Greek Orthodox Churches, the Archbishops, and so on down the hierarchy.
The clergy of the Greek Orthodox Church are responsible for carrying out the Church’s mission and for upholding the faith. They are expected to preach the gospel and to lead the faithful in prayer and worship. Additionally, the clergy are responsible for administering the sacraments, such as baptism and communion.
In addition to these duties, the clergy of the Greek Orthodox Church also take on a variety of roles within the Church. They act as advisors to the laity and are responsible for providing spiritual guidance and counseling. They are also involved in the teaching of Church doctrine and are responsible for the formation and oversight of the Church’s liturgies.
The clergy of the Greek Orthodox Church are also responsible for setting the standards and expectations for members of the Church. They have the authority to enforce any rules that they deem appropriate and to discipline members of the Church who break them. Additionally, they are responsible for selecting and appointing priests, monks, and nuns.
Views on Other Religions in Greek Orthodox
The Greek Orthodox Church has a number of views on other religions and believes in religious pluralism and respect for the beliefs of others. The Church does not see other religions as competitors or opponents, but rather as brothers and sisters in the faith. The Church views all people, regardless of their faith, as worthy of God’s love and grace.
The Greek Orthodox Church also holds that all religions have something to offer and encourages open dialogue and respect amongst believers of different faiths. It believes that everyone should be encouraged to pursue the truth of religion, and that all faiths should be respected. Furthermore, the Church teaches that religious beliefs should not be imposed on another, but should be shared in a respectful manner.
Finally, the Greek Orthodox Church encourages religious tolerance and promotes respect for the diversity of cultures. It believes that everyone should be able to practice their faith without judgement or condemnation from anyone else. It understands that religious beliefs can differ from one place to another and one person to another, and does not seek to impose its beliefs on anyone.
