What do you know about Eastern Orthodox Church? And what do you think/how do you feel
Eastern Orthodox Church is commonly wrongly named Greek Orthodox Church, but just FYI if anyone of you has heard of it with this other name.
And, please, what can you tell about the Great Schism. Be a little bit specific on details such are: why, where, how, who...?
They are true churches, and enjoy apostolic succession just like the Catholics.
In fact they are so much like Catholics that there are only a couple of things that we differ on. I have great respect for them
The Eastern Orthodox churches are comprised of many different rites such as the Coptic, Russian, Byzantine, American (OCA) and others.
Orthodoxy is a result of the schism or split from the Roman Catholic Church in 1063. While retaining many similar doctrines and traditions, the Orthodox deny the Petrine Theory and thus are not fully in union with the Catholic Church.
However, Orthodox sacraments are valid, as is their priesthood. Their liturgy is very beautiful. They honor Scripture and Tradition as do Roman Catholics.
Greek Orthodox are one "branch" or rite of Orthodoxy.
Eastern Orthodoxy describes collectively the churches which broke away from the Catholic Church in the 11Th century.
They still have apostolic succession, the 7 sacraments and a valid priesthood. However, they refuse to recognize the authority given to the Bishop of Rome by Christ.
We should pray always for the unity and reconciliation of East and West
Our Orthodox brethren share many teachings and traditions with us yet they are not in full unity yet, since they do not acknowledge the headship of the Bishop of Rome. Technically, the Orthodox churches are said to be in "formal schism" therefore all Catholics should pray for reconciliation.
Eastern Orthodoxy is the Eastern(Byzantine-sponsored by the Byzantine Empire) branch of Chalcedonian Trinitarian Christianity which was divided from the Western (Latin-under the jurisdiction of the Pope of Rome) by the Schism of 1054 and later doctrinal and ecclesiastical developments and definitions of the West(Papal Supremacy,Filioque,Papal Infallibillity, Immaculate Conception,Indulgences,etc)
The Eastern Orthodox Church of those hydrocephalus,autonomous and daughter churches in communion with the Patriarchate of Constantinople and other canonical patriarchates and churches is also called the Rum Orthodox Church or Roman Orthodox Church because of its being the imperial Church of the Byzantine Empire of Constantinople(Rum)
I am a Latin Rite Catholic "of the Papal Communion" and I feel very close to the Orthodox Churches,not only the Eastern Orthodox Churches but the Oriental and Assyrian Non Chalcedonian Orthodox Churches. I have meet Orthodox(mostly converts who are fanatically anti Catholic who damn all Catholics and other non Orthodox Christians,but most i know are very Christian in their love for non Orthodox Christians.
Eastern Orthodox Churches,even those not in the Ecumenical Patriarchate jurisdiction or not under that of the Greek Hellenic Orthodox Church( the Church of Greece),are often called Greek Orthodox because most follow the "Greek Rite" of the Byzantine Liturgy. Some Chalcedonian Orthodox Churches have Western Rite Liturgies (varied Latin Rites or Anglican Rite) and are in full communion with the Eastern Orthodox Church."Greek" Orthodox also helps to distinguish from "Roman" Catholic or "Greek" Catholic (which latter are not ethically Greek for the most part.)
Yes, I often hear people refer to all Orthodox Christians as "Greek" but that is inaccurate, since there are many rites and traditions in Orthodoxy.
I attended an OCA (Orthodox Church in America) for a while. Had some friends there.
The Orthodox Church is in schism - it does not recognize the authority of the Pope and the Magesterium.
However, they do have apostolic succession. This means their priesthood (and sacraments) are valid. They also teach most of what Catholics do about Mary, the Trinity, the Eucharist, Sin, Abortion, etc.
Some differences in dogma are:
1. Orthodoxy allows divorce and remarriage
2. Orthodoxy allows contraception
3. Orthodox allows all clergy to be married (in Catholic Church only Eastern Rite Catholic clergy are permitted to be married)