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Two Paths: Orthodoxy & Catholicism: Rome’s Claims of Papal Supremacy in the Light of Orthodox Christian Teaching?
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Yes. Almost every single Orthodox and Catholic bishop, priest and layman for the past 1000+ years believed it mattered a lot. The idea that it doesn't matter is a recent ecumenist invention, drawn from the school of thought that says things along the lines of "meh, all Christianity is the same". It's not the same.
I recommend this book for an overview of Orthodox arguments against Catholic claims, and there are lists of differences between Orthodoxy and Catholicism that I could copy and paste for you, but the most important differences between Orthodoxy and Catholicism aren't as neat or as easily explained as "on issue X, the Orthodox believe Y and the Catholics believe Z".
Orthodoxy and Catholicism come with two different theological worldviews. It's not just that we don't give the same answers - we don't even ask the same questions. Issues that are major in Catholicism are seen as minor or irrelevant in Orthodoxy, and vice versa.
Western Christianity (Catholicism and Protestantism) largely revolves around the question: "What must I do to be saved?"
Eastern Christianity (including Orthodoxy) largely revolves around the question: "Who is Jesus Christ, and what is virtue?"
For a proper, book-length argument against the papacy, I recommend this book: Two Paths: Orthodoxy & Catholicism: Rome’s Claims of Papal Supremacy in the Light of Orthodox Christian Teaching. It is largely about the events of the first millennium and demonstrates how little power the Bishop of Rome had at the time.
I think the strongest argument against the papacy is that the early Christians simply did not act the way that modern Catholics act with regard to the Bishop of Rome. Practically everyone who had any disagreement with Rome in the first millennium ended up excommunicating the Pope (even if only for a few years). Can you imagine modern Catholic bishops excommunicating the Pope because they think he's wrong about something? The fact that this sort of thing happened all the time in the first millennium really proves that the Bishops of Rome were absolutely not regarded as the indispensable center of the Church.
I am Orthodox and I think you should become Orthodox. But having said that...
The Catholic Church is the largest organization of any kind in human history. It has more members, more employees, and more departments, subsidiaries and affiliated institutions than any other human organization. As such, it is also going to end up with more skeletons in its closet simply by random chance. The Church with the highest number of church-run schools is also going to be the one where some of those schools have mass graves.
Bigger countries have more criminals than smaller countries, and bigger Churches have more criminals than smaller Churches. It's simple statistics. So I don't think this is a good reason to become Orthodox...
...but it is a good reason to get interested in Orthodoxy, talk to a priest, find out about the arguments for Orthodoxy from books like this one, and then later join the Orthodox Church because you have concluded that this is the true Church of Christ.
Happy to hear it! It is less polemical!
Seems to a be a newer version out! https://www.amazon.com/Two-Paths-Orthodoxy-Catholicism-Supremacy/dp/1091371555/ref=m_pd_aw_sbs_sccl_1/144-0464154-6743839?pd_rd_w=JS6Zp&content-id=amzn1.sym.bc45384a-cf15-479c-b874-e31c5245d34e&pf_rd_p=bc45384a-cf15-479c-b874-e31c5245d34e&...
"Two Paths" is a really good book on the subject of the papacy. While it's written by an Orthodox Christian, he uses primarily Catholic sources for his research. It's a pretty short work and well worth a read for anyone wrestling with these questions.
It's a lot to get into. The short version is, the power that the papacy has, as we now understand it and how it is practiced, simply didn't exist in the early Church. It developed over time, culminating in the decrees made by Vatican I. This is a good book and fairly short read that goes into the kind of evidence you're looking for: https://www.amazon.com/Two-Paths-Orthodoxy-Catholicism-Supremacy/dp/1091371555
You might find this book helpful. The person converted from the RCC to the EO, but has much love for his brethren in the RCC and doesn't bash them. It's very well researched and footnoted. The book is called Two Paths: Orthodoxy & Catholicism: Rome’s Claims of Papal Supremacy in the Light of Orthodox Christian Teaching
Hi! I want to give you links to things that other people have only mentioned by name. :) (friendly reminder to everyone: Don't tell the inquirers to check out Ubi Petrus, give them a link to Ubi Petrus!)
So, here's that link: The Ubi Petrus YouTube channel. This is largely dedicated to explaining and upholding the Orthodox stance in debates about the papacy.
A very good book on the same topic is Two Paths: Orthodoxy & Catholicism: Rome’s Claims of Papal Supremacy in the Light of Orthodox Christian Teaching. It is largely about the events of the first millennium and demonstrates how little power the Bishop of Rome had at the time.
A great book on Orthodox theology in general is Know the Faith.
Hello and welcome! Christ is risen! Naturally, we would love for you to join the Orthodox Church, as we believe she is the original Church of Christ. And opposition to the Catholic dogmas about the Papacy is a very good reason to become Orthodox, seeing how beliefs about the Papacy are one of the main things dividing Orthodoxy from Catholicism.
Now, one quick piece of very important information, in reply to this:
>I'm a bit intimidated because it seems like there's so many types of Orthodoxy.
The Eastern Orthodox Church functions like a federation or confederation (so like the United States, or Canada, or Australia), in the sense that it is made up of sub-units that are called Autocephalous Churches, or Local Churches, or "jurisdictions". These are like the states of the US or the provinces of Canada.
So, you can think of becoming Orthodox by analogy with immigrating to a federation. Does it matter which state or province within the US/Canada/Australia you "join"? No, and in fact, you're not really joining a state, you're joining the entire federation. You will live in a particular state of that federation, of course, but you can move freely from state to state and may not stay in the one you originally arrived in.
It is the same with the jurisdictions of Orthodoxy. You wouldn't be joining a particular jurisdiction, you would be joining the entire "federation" of the Orthodox Church, and simply attending one church within that federation.
Now, with that out of the way...
Resources to learn more!
First, the website AncientFaith.com is an excellent repository of blogs and podcasts about Orthodox topics. It's arguably THE main English-language Orthodox website.
Two Paths: Orthodoxy and Catholicism - This is one of the best and most accessible introductions to the Orthodox stance on Catholic claims, especially with regard to the Pope.
Know the Faith - This is the best overview of Orthodox theology, in my opinion. It focuses particularly on comparing Orthodoxy with Protestantism and Protestant-inspired ideas that are common in the West. This is a must-read for anyone who is familiar with the "pop culture" version of Christianity and wants to find out how Orthodox Christian teachings are different from that.
Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy - This book (and the podcast by the same name) explains the differences between Orthodoxy and other forms of Christianity (and even talks a bit about non-Christian religions). It has a really good chapter on Catholicism.
Welcome to the Orthodox Church - This book tries to explain everything about Orthodoxy from the perspective of a fictional convert joining a fictional Orthodox parish; it's particularly good for understanding the Liturgy and other elements of Orthodox praxis. This is most useful for someone who has never been inside an Orthodox church before.
Finally, if you happen to live in the United States or Canada, use the official directory of the Assembly of Orthodox Bishops to find Orthodox parish churches near you, that you could visit. It is much more reliable than trying to find Orthodox churches using Google or something else. Now, this directory is officially for the United States, and includes all the Orthodox Churches there, but it also has some limited usefulness for Canada in that it includes some (not all) Orthodox churches in Canada.
It's nearly impossible to summarize the arguments for Orthodoxy (as opposed to Catholicism) in a single reddit post, so instead I will recommend a book: Two Paths: Orthodoxy and Catholicism. This is one of the best and most accessible introductions to the Orthodox stance on Catholic claims, especially with regard to the Pope.
To go more in-depth, I would also recommend Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy. This book (and the podcast by the same name) explains the differences between Orthodoxy and other forms of Christianity (and even talks a bit about non-Christian religions). It has a really good chapter on Catholicism.
But like others have said, you really should visit a local Orthodox church. If you happen to live in the United States, there is a really useful official directory that you can use to find Orthodox churches near you.
Hi and welcome! Christ is risen! I would like to share some online and printed resources with you.
First, AncientFaith.com. The largest and most important Orthodox website in English. It contains a huge number of podcasts and blogs about almost every aspect of Orthodoxy and the Orthodox faith.
Orthodox Wiki is useful, but suffers from the same problems as all other wikis (anyone can edit anything so inaccuracies can sneak in and they will remain until someone notices them).
If you happen to live in the United States and are looking for Orthodox churches near you, use the official directory of the Assembly of Orthodox Bishops. It is much more reliable than trying to find Orthodox churches using Google or something else.
And now for useful books:
Two Paths: Orthodoxy and Catholicism - This is one of the best and most accessible introductions to the Orthodox stance on Catholic claims, especially with regard to the Pope.
Know the Faith - This is the best overview of Orthodox theology, in my opinion. It focuses particularly on comparing Orthodoxy with Protestantism and Protestant-inspired ideas that are common in the West. This is a must-read for anyone who is familiar with the "pop culture" version of Christianity and wants to find out how Orthodox Christian teachings are different from that.
Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy - This book (and the podcast by the same name) explains the differences between Orthodoxy and other forms of Christianity (and even talks a bit about non-Christian religions). It has a really good chapter on Catholicism.
Welcome to the Orthodox Church - This book tries to explain everything about Orthodoxy from the perspective of a fictional convert joining a fictional Orthodox parish; it's particularly good for understanding the Liturgy and other elements of Orthodox praxis. This is most useful for someone who has never been inside an Orthodox church before.
Hi and welcome! I will begin by recommending two books:
Two Paths: Orthodoxy and Catholicism - This is one of the best and most accessible introductions to the Orthodox stance on Catholic claims, especially with regard to the Pope.
Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy - This book (and the podcast by the same name) explains the differences between Orthodoxy and other forms of Christianity (and even talks a bit about non-Christian religions), and has a really good chapter on Catholicism.
Now, I also have a brief summary. Some time ago I typed out a list of differences of belief between Catholicism and Orthodoxy. This list doesn't cover all the differences, as we also differ in our approaches to theology in a way that's not easy to explain. Still, I think the list is useful. Here it is:
Papal supremacy. Catholics believe that one bishop (the bishop of Rome, also known as the Pope) is the head of the Church and has universal jurisdiction over other bishops and over all Christians. They also ascribe certain other unique roles to the Pope which no other bishop has. The Orthodox have no such "super-bishop". All bishops are equal. We do have Patriarchs, but they're just regular bishops who happen to be in charge of administrative matters over a certain area (i.e. what gets built and where, which priest gets appointed to which parish, and so on). They don't have any power to decide what Orthodox Christians believe. The Orthodox believe that supreme authority can only be held by a council of all the bishops of the Church (or as many as can attend).
The Filioque. Catholics say that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. Orthodox say that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father alone. The original Creed stated that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father, without mentioning the Son, and the Orthodox strictly adhere to the Creed as originally written. The phrase "and the Son" (which in Latin is one word: "filioque") was added in later centuries in the West. Catholics argue that this phrase makes no difference one way or the other, and that the Orthodox are just splitting hairs. The Orthodox argue that it makes a big difference, and that you can't just change the Creed willy-nilly like that.
Development of doctrine. The Catholic Church considers it acceptable to declare new doctrines which were not believed by Catholics in previous times. Simply put, Catholic beliefs can, in principle, be changed (with only a few exceptions). The Orthodox Church strongly objects to this idea. In the Orthodox view, while it's certainly possible to develop new opinions (= personal views about non-essential topics, which are not mandatory for all Christians), it is not possible to discover new doctrines (= beliefs that are mandatory for Christians). In other words, you can't impose new rules that weren't around before. All that is essential for salvation was known by the Church from the beginning. The Church may clarify doctrines or rephrase them in words that modern people can understand, but it cannot declare that something which was widely rejected in the past is to be considered mandatory belief in the future. This is probably the main reason why we are called "Orthodox".
Leavened vs. unleavened bread in the Eucharist. The Orthodox believe that only leavened bread can be used for the Eucharist, because this is the type of bread that Christ is described as using at the Last Supper (the Gospels call the bread he was using artos, not azyma). Roman Catholics use unleavened bread, in keeping with the Jewish Passover practices. On the Orthodox side, the exclusive use of leavened bread was decreed by the Quinisext Council in 692 AD, which we regard as a continuation of the Sixth Ecumenical Council but which the Catholics do not recognize. So, we actually can never accept the use of unleavened bread, because it would go contrary to one of the Ecumenical Councils.
Original Sin. Many Catholics (and most Protestants) view Original Sin as a guilt or debt that all humans are born with. The Orthodox Church believes that Original Sin (or "Ancestral Sin", as we sometimes call it to emphasize our different view) was a corrupting influence that made human beings predisposed to sin, but no one alive today is guilty of it. To put it differently: Orthodoxy views humans as addicted to sin, while Catholicism views humans as actually guilty of sin from the moment they are born. Or at least, that is what a lot of Catholics say. Other Catholics insist that Catholicism agrees with the Orthodox position in this regard, although that makes the Immaculate Conception extremely hard to understand (if no conception is inherently "bad" by transmitting guilt, why would anyone need to be immaculately conceived?).
The Immaculate Conception. Catholics believe that Mary the Mother of God was born without the guilt of Original Sin, unlike all other human beings who are born guilty of Original Sin, and therefore Mary was in some sense more than human. This is a consequence of the Catholic view of Original Sin as implying guilt for all human beings. Since the Orthodox do not believe that anyone living after the first humans was guilty of Ancestral Sin, we have no need for any doctrine of immaculate conception. (Note: This Catholic doctrine was only introduced in the 19th century - see point 3, above.) Furthermore, we ask: If there are two possible kinds of conception - the "normal" kind and the "immaculate" kind - and one of them is just better in every way, then why doesn't God grant everyone an immaculate conception?
Satisfaction soteriology. Catholics (and Protestants) view salvation as a type of satisfaction of debt - in other words, sinning is like breaking a law, and God is like a policeman who has a duty to punish you for breaking that law, but there's a loophole (the sacrifice of Christ) which allows you to get away without punishment even though you deserve it. The Orthodox Church views sin more like an addiction or a disease, God more like a doctor, and the sacrifice of Christ more like the medicine that will cure you.
Purgatory. Catholics believe in purgatory - a "third place" in the afterlife where many souls undergo a "temporal punishment" which is necessary to fully purge them of the guilt of sin (because sin requires both a "temporal punishment" and an eternal "spiritual punishment", and it's only the eternal one that gets forgiven through the death and resurrection of Christ). Orthodox do not believe this.
Papal infallibility. Catholics believe that, under certain conditions, the Pope has the power to make infallible statements. We do not believe that any human being has this power. (Note: This Catholic doctrine was only introduced in the 19th century - see point 3, above.)
Those are the differences of doctrine, or belief. In addition, there are many differences of liturgical practice and disciplines. We have different styles of worship, obviously, and Orthodox priests can be married while Roman Catholic priests cannot be. However, neither side regards priestly celibacy or marriage as a matter of doctrine, so that is actually not a doctrinal difference.
(Not the user you replied to.)
The extremely low-resolution take is that certain teachings developed in Rome over time without input from the rest of the Church. Rome occupied a special place of honor, and the Bishop of Rome was "first among equals," but he was never supposed to be some kind of super bishop above all other bishops. There are other issues, but to this layperson, that seems to be the main one.
If you're really going to put in the work, I suggest Michael Whelton's Two Paths: Orthodoxy & Catholicism: Rome's Claims of Papal Supremacy in the Light of Orthodox Christian Teaching.
I'm reading The Religion of the Apostles: Orthodox Christianity in the First Century by Fr. Stephen De Young right now. Not specifically helpful Re: East vs. West, but it's so fascinating I'm going to recommend it anyway.
And then there's The Lord of Spirits podcast. If I'm not mistaken, I think I've seen you mention Heiser's work here before. If you like Heiser, you'd like these guys, from what I know of Heiser, anyway. God bless you on your journey. I'd encourage you to attend services at both EO and RC parishes, as that was a help for me, as well.
You can likely find numerous threads on this exact topic with additional research recommendations by searching at r/OrthodoxChristianity as well as the RC sub.
Two Paths: Orthodoxy & Catholicism: Rome’s Claims of Papal Supremacy in the Light of Orthodox Christian Teaching https://www.amazon.com/dp/1091371555/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_X4CXRR78V79GHMRBXJYW?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Wow, you're getting some horrible answers here. Ignore the "what's wrong with Pope Francis?" replies. smh.
We have some people in Orthodoxy who wish they could have a leader like Pope Francis. Fortunately, they are a very small minority. Even more fortunately, since we have no Papacy they could never impose their wishes anyway. Our decentralized structure limits any damage that they could possibly do.
Now, to answer your question!
If you're interested, you should begin by reading printed or online introductions to Orthodoxy, and then visit one (or, ideally, more than one) local Orthodox church near you. Here are some useful resources:
First, AncientFaith.com. The largest and most important Orthodox website in English. It contains a huge number of podcasts and blogs about almost every aspect of Orthodoxy and the Orthodox faith.
Orthodox Wiki is useful, but suffers from the same problems as all other wikis (anyone can edit anything so inaccuracies can sneak in and they will remain until someone notices them).
If you live in North America and are looking for Orthodox churches near you, use the official directory of the Assembly of Orthodox Bishops. It is much more reliable than trying to find Orthodox churches using Google or something else.
And now for useful books:
Two Paths: Orthodoxy and Catholicism - This is one of the best and most accessible introductions to the Orthodox stance on Catholic claims, especially with regard to the Pope.
Know the Faith - Definitely buy this book! It explains Orthodox theology, particularly comparing it with Protestantism and Protestant-inspired ideas that are common in the West. This is a must-read for anyone who is familiar with the "pop culture" version of Christianity and wants to find out how Orthodox Christian teachings are different from that.
Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy - this book (and the podcast by the same name) explains the differences between Orthodoxy and other forms of Christianity (and even talks a bit about non-Christian religions).
Welcome to the Orthodox Church - this book tries to explain everything about Orthodoxy from the perspective of a fictional convert joining a fictional Orthodox parish; it's particularly good for understanding the Liturgy and other elements of Orthodox praxis. This is most useful for someone who has never been inside an Orthodox church before.
Well, I would like to share some online and printed resources with you.
First, AncientFaith.com. The largest and most important Orthodox website in English. It contains a huge number of podcasts and blogs about almost every aspect of Orthodoxy and the Orthodox faith.
Orthodox Wiki is useful, but suffers from the same problems as all other wikis (anyone can edit anything so inaccuracies can sneak in and they will remain until someone notices them).
If you happen to live in the United States and are looking for Orthodox churches near you, use the official directory of the Assembly of Orthodox Bishops. It is much more reliable than trying to find Orthodox churches using Google or something else.
And now for useful books:
Two Paths: Orthodoxy and Catholicism - Definitely buy this book! This is one of the best and most accessible introductions to the Orthodox stance on Catholic claims, especially with regard to the Pope.
Know the Faith - This excellent book explains Orthodox theology, particularly comparing it with Protestantism and Protestant-inspired ideas that are common in the West. This is a must-read for anyone who is familiar with the "pop culture" version of Christianity and wants to find out how Orthodox Christian teachings are different from that.
Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy - this book (and the podcast by the same name) explains the differences between Orthodoxy and other forms of Christianity (and even talks a bit about non-Christian religions).
Welcome to the Orthodox Church - this book tries to explain everything about Orthodoxy from the perspective of a fictional convert joining a fictional Orthodox parish; it's particularly good for understanding the Liturgy and other elements of Orthodox praxis. This is most useful for someone who has never been inside an Orthodox church before.
I highly recommend reading Two Paths: Orthodoxy and Catholicism. It is one of the best and most accessible introductions to the Orthodox stance on Catholic claims, especially with regard to the Pope. It contains precisely the kind of logical (and historical) arguments that you're looking for.
I'd also recommend the book Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy (and the podcast by the same name). It does a very good job of explaining the differences between Orthodoxy and other forms of Christianity, and even talks a bit about non-Christian religions.
Hi and welcome! Let me some online and printed resources with you.
First, AncientFaith.com. The largest and most important Orthodox website in English. It contains a huge number of podcasts and blogs about almost every aspect of Orthodoxy and the Orthodox faith.
Orthodox Wiki is useful, but suffers from the same problems as all other wikis (anyone can edit anything so inaccuracies can sneak in and they will remain until someone notices them).
If you happen to live in the United States and are looking for Orthodox churches near you, use the official directory of the Assembly of Orthodox Bishops. It is much more reliable than trying to find Orthodox churches using Google or something else.
And now for useful books:
Two Paths: Orthodoxy and Catholicism - This is one of the best and most accessible introductions to the Orthodox stance on Catholic claims, especially with regard to the Pope.
Know the Faith - Definitely buy this book! It explains Orthodox theology, particularly comparing it with Protestantism and Protestant-inspired ideas that are common in the West. This is a must-read for anyone who is familiar with the "pop culture" version of Christianity and wants to find out how Orthodox Christian teachings are different from that.
Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy - this book (and the podcast by the same name) explains the differences between Orthodoxy and other forms of Christianity (and even talks a bit about non-Christian religions).
Welcome to the Orthodox Church - this book tries to explain everything about Orthodoxy from the perspective of a fictional convert joining a fictional Orthodox parish; it's particularly good for understanding the Liturgy and other elements of Orthodox praxis. This is most useful for someone who has never been inside an Orthodox church before.
Please don't take offense at this, and know that I partially agree with your sentiment... but your are ABSOLUTELY going about this the wrong way. You need to learn about Orthodoxy and the history of the church, not to mention why you absolutely should become Orthodox (and you should... absolutely) before you start going off into the deep end of intra-Orthodox politics and scandal. (No, even the humans in communion with the one true Church are not perfect.)
Here are some resources (copy pasted from another of my replies).
I converted from traditional Roman Catholicism (SSPX) and yes, I did feel the same way you do. I want to share some resources that helped me both understand Orthodoxy and the differences between the East and the West.
Great resource for an introduction to the main differences between eastern and western Christianity:
Welcome to the Orthodox Church
And here is another series of videos along the same lines, but with much greater detail and background:
Finding the Church that Jesus built
The following is a great summary of differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy (perhaps this is more relatable to me personally being that the content creator, who is a somewhat controversial figure especially on this site, has gone through a similar journey of faith that I have, although I must admit that I am far less educated than he is):
5 main differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy
A book that compares the Roman Catholic ecclesiology and papal supremacy claims with historical record:
The following will give you a concise but vivid and fairly complete history of the Orthodox faith:
The Orthodox Church by Kallistos Ware
And last but not least, the next four volume set may be a catechism that you could consider to start you off on your way (though there are many other good catechisms):
The Orthodox Faith by Thomas Hopko
The above set of books is also available for free online: link.
Also, I should say, being the father of two who were unable to commune in the Roman Catholic Church, infant chrismation/communion pretty much sealed the deal.
I converted from Roman Catholicism. I share a lot of your frustrations. My experience as a Catholic for my entire life, both as a "normal" novus ordo Catholic, and more especially when I started adhering to "trad" Latin Mass Catholicism echoed a lot of the legalism/dogmatic trifling that you are talking about. I know you are probably going to have some comments insisting that is the "wrong" expression of Catholicism, and admittedly Roman Catholicism has changed very very much in the years since Vatican II, that indeed that may be the case for many believers now. However, I want to share some resources that may help answer some of your questions about the distinctions between eastern and western Christianity. I hope you will get as much from these as I did. I will gladly answer any further questions you have or chat with you about my experience. Cheers!
Resources:
Great resource for an introduction to the main differences between eastern and western Christianity:
Welcome to the Orthodox Church
And here is another series of videos along the same lines, but with much greater detail and background:
Finding the Church that Jesus built
The following is a great summary of differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy (perhaps this is more relatable to me personally being that the content creator, who is a somewhat controversial figure especially on this site, has gone through a similar journey of faith that I have, although I must admit that I am far less educated than he is):
5 main differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy
A book that compares the Roman Catholic ecclesiology and papal supremacy claims with historical record:
The following will give you a concise but vivid and fairly complete history of the Orthodox faith:
The Orthodox Church by Kallistos Ware
And last but not least, the next four volume set may be a catechism that you could consider to start you off on your way (though there are many other good catechisms):
The Orthodox Faith by Thomas Hopko
The above set of books is also available for free online: link.
Also, I should say, being the father of two who were unable to commune in the Roman Catholic Church, infant chrismation/communion pretty much sealed the deal.
I converted from traditional Roman Catholicism (SSPX) and yes, I did feel the same way you do. I want to share some resources that helped me both understand Orthodoxy and the differences between the East and the West.
Great resource for an introduction to the main differences between eastern and western Christianity:
Welcome to the Orthodox Church
And here is another series of videos along the same lines, but with much greater detail and background:
Finding the Church that Jesus built
The following is a great summary of differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy (perhaps this is more relatable to me personally being that the content creator, who is a somewhat controversial figure especially on this site, has gone through a similar journey of faith that I have, although I must admit that I am far less educated than he is):
5 main differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy
A book that compares the Roman Catholic ecclesiology and papal supremacy claims with historical record:
The following will give you a concise but vivid and fairly complete history of the Orthodox faith:
The Orthodox Church by Kallistos Ware
And last but not least, the next four volume set may be a catechism that you could consider to start you off on your way (though there are many other good catechisms):
The Orthodox Faith by Thomas Hopko
The above set of books is also available for free online: link.
Also, I should say, being the father of two who were unable to commune in the Roman Catholic Church, infant chrismation/communion pretty much sealed the deal.
Here are some resources that helped me. I am a convert from Roman Catholicism.
Great resource for an introduction to the main differences between eastern and western Christianity:
Welcome to the Orthodox Church
And here is another series of videos along the same lines, but with much greater detail and background:
Finding the Church that Jesus built
The following is a great summary of differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy (perhaps this is more relatable to me personally being that the content creator, who is a somewhat controversial figure especially on this site, has gone through a similar journey of faith that I have, although I must admit that I am far less educated than he is):
5 main differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy
A book that compares the Roman Catholic ecclesiology and papal supremacy claims with historical record:
The following will give you a concise but vivid and fairly complete history of the Orthodox faith:
The Orthodox Church by Kallistos Ware
And last but not least, the next four volume set may be a catechism that you could consider to start you off on your way (though there are many other good catechisms):
The Orthodox Faith by Thomas Hopko
The above set of books is also available for free online: link.
Also, I should say, being the father of two who were unable to commune in the Roman Catholic Church, infant chrismation/communion pretty much sealed the deal.
Here are some resources that helped me. I am a convert from Roman Catholicism.
Great resource for an introduction to the main differences between eastern and western Christianity:
Welcome to the Orthodox Church
And here is another series of videos along the same lines, but with much greater detail and background:
Finding the Church that Jesus built
The following is a great summary of differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy (perhaps this is more relatable to me personally being that the content creator, who is a somewhat controversial figure especially on this site, has gone through a similar journey of faith that I have, although I must admit that I am far less educated than he is):
5 main differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy
A book that compares the Roman Catholic ecclesiology and papal supremacy claims with historical record:
The following will give you a concise but vivid and fairly complete history of the Orthodox faith:
The Orthodox Church by Kallistos Ware
And last but not least, the next four volume set may be a catechism that you could consider to start you off on your way (though there are many other good catechisms):
The Orthodox Faith by Thomas Hopko
The above set of books is also available for free online: link.
Also, I should say, being the father of two who were unable to commune in the Roman Catholic Church, infant chrismation/communion pretty much sealed the deal.
You didn't necessarily ask for this, but since I also converted from Roman Catholicism, I'll give you some sources that helped me while inquiring and catechism.
Great resource for an introduction to the main differences between eastern and western Christianity:
Welcome to the Orthodox Church
And here is another series of videos along the same lines, but with much greater detail and background:
Finding the Church that Jesus built
The following is a great summary of differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy (perhaps this is more relatable to me personally being that the content creator, who is a somewhat controversial figure especially on this site, has gone through a similar journey of faith that I have, although I must admit that I am far less educated than he is):
5 main differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy
A book that compares the Roman Catholic ecclesiology and papal supremacy claims with historical record:
The following will give you a concise but vivid and fairly complete history of the Orthodox faith:
The Orthodox Church by Kallistos Ware
And last but not least, the next four volume set may be a catechism that you could consider to start you off on your way (though there are many other good catechisms):
The Orthodox Faith by Thomas Hopko
The above set of books is also available for free online: link.
Also, I should say, being the father of two who were unable to commune in the Roman Catholic Church, infant chrismation/communion pretty much sealed the deal.
Here are some resources (copied from my reply to some other user, but perhaps useful to you)...
I'm a convert (from Roman Catholicism). Here are some references that helped me understand and convert to the Orthodox faith.
Great resource for an introduction to the main differences between eastern and western Christianity:
Welcome to the Orthodox Church
And here is another series of videos along the same lines, but with much greater detail and background:
Finding the Church that Jesus built
The following is a great summary of differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy (perhaps this is more relatable to me personally being that the content creator, who is a somewhat controversial figure especially on this site, has gone through a similar journey of faith that I have, although I must admit that I am far less educated than he is):
5 main differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy
A book that compares the Roman Catholic ecclesiology and papal supremacy claims with historical record:
The following will give you a concise but vivid and fairly complete history of the Orthodox faith:
The Orthodox Church by Kallistos Ware
And last but not least, the next four volume set may be a catechism that you could consider to start you off on your way (though there are many other good catechisms):
The Orthodox Faith by Thomas Hopko
The above set of books is also available for free online: link.
Also, I should say, being the father of two who were unable to commune in the Roman Catholic Church, infant chrismation/communion pretty much sealed the deal.
And here's another Turkish Orthodox Christian that I like to watch.
Here are some resources (copied from my reply to some other user, but perhaps useful to you)...
I'm a convert (from Roman Catholicism). Here are some references that helped me understand and convert to the Orthodox faith.
Great resource for an introduction to the main differences between eastern and western Christianity:
Welcome to the Orthodox Church
And here is another series of videos along the same lines, but with much greater detail and background:
Finding the Church that Jesus built
The following is a great summary of differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy (perhaps this is more relatable to me personally being that the content creator, who is a somewhat controversial figure especially on this site, has gone through a similar journey of faith that I have, although I must admit that I am far less educated than he is):
5 main differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy
A book that compares the Roman Catholic ecclesiology and papal supremacy claims with historical record:
The following will give you a concise but vivid and fairly complete history of the Orthodox faith:
The Orthodox Church by Kallistos Ware
And last but not least, the next four volume set may be a catechism that you could consider to start you off on your way (though there are many other good catechisms):
The Orthodox Faith by Thomas Hopko
The above set of books is also available for free online: link.
Also, I should say, being the father of two who were unable to commune in the Roman Catholic Church, infant chrismation/communion pretty much sealed the deal.
Here are some resources (copied from my reply to some other user, but perhaps useful to you)...
I'm a convert (from Roman Catholicism). Here are some references that helped me understand and convert to the Orthodox faith.
Great resource for an introduction to the main differences between eastern and western Christianity:
Welcome to the Orthodox Church
And here is another series of videos along the same lines, but with much greater detail and background:
Finding the Church that Jesus built
The following is a great summary of differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy (perhaps this is more relatable to me personally being that the content creator, who is a somewhat controversial figure especially on this site, has gone through a similar journey of faith that I have, although I must admit that I am far less educated than he is):
5 main differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy
A book that compares the Roman Catholic ecclesiology and papal supremacy claims with historical record:
The following will give you a concise but vivid and fairly complete history of the Orthodox faith:
The Orthodox Church by Kallistos Ware
And last but not least, the next four volume set may be a catechism that you could consider to start you off on your way (though there are many other good catechisms):
The Orthodox Faith by Thomas Hopko
The above set of books is also available for free online: link.
Also, I should say, being the father of two who were unable to commune in the Roman Catholic Church, infant chrismation/communion pretty much sealed the deal.
I'm a convert (from Roman Catholicism). Here are some references that helped me understand and convert to the Orthodox faith.
Great resource for an introduction to the main differences between eastern and western Christianity:
Welcome to the Orthodox Church
And here is another series of videos along the same lines, but with much greater detail and background:
Finding the Church that Jesus built
The following is a great summary of differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy (perhaps this is more relatable to me personally being that the content creator, who is a somewhat controversial figure especially on this site, has gone through a similar journey of faith that I have, although I must admit that I am far less educated than he is):
5 main differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy
A book that compares the Roman Catholic ecclesiology and papal supremacy claims with historical record:
The following will give you a concise but vivid and fairly complete history of the Orthodox faith:
The Orthodox Church by Kallistos Ware
And last but not least, the next four volume set may be a catechism that you could consider to start you off on your way (though there are many other good catechisms):
The Orthodox Faith by Thomas Hopko
The above set of books is also available for free online: link.
Also, I should say, being the father of two who were unable to commune in the Roman Catholic Church, infant chrismation/communion pretty much sealed the deal.
Here are some references that helped me understand and convert to the Orthodox faith.
Having already been a cradle Catholic, the most important issue for me was, as expected, the primacy or supremacy of the pope... at least, that's what the issue was at first. When I learned more and more about Orthodoxy, the importance of the papal issue gave way to other historical and theological issues. I think what it ended up coming down to was a recognition that the Orthodox view of Christianity presents a more holistic picture of the faith, especially in terms of the respective emphases that are placed on the role of Christ's mission and the mode of salvation.
Great resource for an introduction to the main differences between eastern and western Christianity:
Welcome to the Orthodox Church
And here is another series of videos along the same lines, but with much greater detail and background:
Finding the Church that Jesus built
The following is a great summary of differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy (perhaps this is more relatable to me personally being that the content creator, who is a somewhat controversial figure especially on this site, has gone through a similar journey of faith that I have, although I must admit that I am far less educated than he is):
5 main differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy
A book that compares the Roman Catholic ecclesiology and papal supremacy claims with historical record:
The following will give you a concise but vivid and fairly complete history of the Orthodox faith:
The Orthodox Church by Kallistos Ware
And last but not least, the next four volume set may be a catechism that you could consider to start you off on your way (though there are many other good catechisms):
The Orthodox Faith by Thomas Hopko
The above set of books is also available for free online: link.
Edit: Also, I should say, being the father of two who were unable to commune in the Roman Catholic Church, infant chrismation/communion pretty much sealed the deal.
Here are some references that helped me understand and convert to the Orthodox faith.
My wife and I made a similar journey, from Roman Catholicism to Orthodoxy. Having already been a cradle Catholic, the most important issue for me was, as expected, the primacy or supremacy of the pope... at least, that's what the issue was at first. When I learned more and more about Orthodoxy, the importance of the papal issue gave way to other historical and theological issues. I think what it ended up coming down to was a recognition that the Orthodox view of Christianity presents a more holistic picture of the faith, especially in terms of the respective emphases that are placed on the role of Christ's mission and the mode of salvation.
Great resource for an introduction to the main differences between eastern and western Christianity:
Welcome to the Orthodox Church
And here is another series of videos along the same lines, but with much greater detail and background:
Finding the Church that Jesus built
The following is a great summary of differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy (perhaps this is more relatable to me personally being that the content creator, who is a somewhat controversial figure especially on this site, has gone through a similar journey of faith that I have, although I must admit that I am far less educated than he is):
5 main differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy
A book that compares the Roman Catholic ecclesiology and papal supremacy claims with historical record:
The following will give you a concise but vivid and fairly complete history of the Orthodox faith:
The Orthodox Church by Kallistos Ware
And last but not least, the next four volume set may be a catechism that you could consider to start you off on your way (though there are many other good catechisms):
The Orthodox Faith by Thomas Hopko
The above set of books is also available for free online: link.
Well, I converted from Roman Catholicism. Can't say how much of a struggle it was, Eastern Orthodoxy as a paradigm just sort of rung true on all levels when I looked at it in its own rite.
Some resources below (copied from my reply to another Roman Catholic inquirer)... this is not comprehensive nor am I an expert.
My wife and I made a similar journey, from Roman Catholicism to Orthodoxy. Having already been a cradle Catholic, the most important issue for me was, as expected, the primacy or supremacy of the pope... at least, that's what the issue was at first. When I learned more and more about Orthodoxy, the importance of the papal issue gave way to other historical and theological issues. I think what it ended up coming down to was a recognition that the Orthodox view of Christianity presents a more holistic picture of the faith, especially in terms of the respective emphases that are placed on the role of Christ's mission and the mode of salvation.
Great resource for an introduction to the main differences between eastern and western Christianity. Watch this series of videos with your husband if you can, it was very formative for us:
Welcome to the Orthodox Church
And here is another series of videos along the same lines, but with much greater detail and background:
Finding the Church that Jesus built
The following is a great summary of differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy (perhaps this is more relatable to me personally being that the content creator, who is a somewhat controversial figure especially on this site, has gone through a similar journey of faith that I have, although I must admit that I am far less educated than he is):
5 main differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy
A book that compares the Roman Catholic ecclesiology and papal supremacy claims with historical record:
The following will give you a concise but vivid and fairly complete history of the Orthodox faith:
The Orthodox Church by Kallistos Ware
And last but not least, the next four volume set MAY be a catechism that you could consider to start you off on your catechetical studies (along with appropriate consultation of an Orthodox priest of course):
The Orthodox Faith by Thomas Hopko
Edit: I forgot that the above set of books is available for free online, as another commenter noted down below. They are great catechism books and here's the online link.
Some resources below (copied from my reply to another Roman Catholic inquirer)... this is not comprehensive nor am I an expert.
My wife and I made a similar journey, from Roman Catholicism to Orthodoxy. Having already been a cradle Catholic, the most important issue for me was, as expected, the primacy or supremacy of the pope... at least, that's what the issue was at first. When I learned more and more about Orthodoxy, the importance of the papal issue gave way to other historical and theological issues. I think what it ended up coming down to was a recognition that the Orthodox view of Christianity presents a more holistic picture of the faith, especially in terms of the respective emphases that are placed on the role of Christ's mission and the mode of salvation.
Great resource for an introduction to the main differences between eastern and western Christianity. Watch this series of videos with your husband if you can, it was very formative for us:
Welcome to the Orthodox Church
And here is another series of videos along the same lines, but with much greater detail and background:
Finding the Church that Jesus built
The following is a great summary of differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy (perhaps this is more relatable to me personally being that the content creator, who is a somewhat controversial figure especially on this site, has gone through a similar journey of faith that I have, although I must admit that I am far less educated than he is):
5 main differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy
A book that compares the Roman Catholic ecclesiology and papal supremacy claims with historical record:
The following will give you a concise but vivid and fairly complete history of the Orthodox faith:
The Orthodox Church by Kallistos Ware
And last but not least, the next four volume set MAY be a catechism that you could consider to start you off on your catechetical studies (along with appropriate consultation of an Orthodox priest of course):
The Orthodox Faith by Thomas Hopko
Edit: I forgot that the above set of books is available for free online, as another commenter noted down below. They are great catechism books and here's the online link.
This is a list of resources that has helped me. God bless!
Resources below.
My wife and I made a similar journey, from Roman Catholicism to Orthodoxy. Having already been a cradle Catholic, the most important issue for me was, as expected, the primacy or supremacy of the pope... at least, that's what the issue was at first. When I learned more and more about Orthodoxy, the importance of the papal issue gave way to other historical and theological issues. I think what it ended up coming down to was a recognition that the Orthodox view of Christianity presents a more holistic picture of the faith, especially in terms of the respective emphases that are placed on the role of Christ's mission and the mode of salvation.
Great resource for an introduction to the main differences between eastern and western Christianity. Watch this series of videos with your husband if you can, it was very formative for us:
[Welcome to the Orthodox Church](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxcntdlvObPgDGgBg1mYsUxnfGcyTBKcc)
And here is another series of videos along the same lines, but with much greater detail and background:
[Finding the Church that Jesus built](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbDsxw-e0m3mIkapUEZ\_-5BEOr19F4t73)
The following is a great summary of differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy (perhaps this is more relatable to me personally being that the content creator, who is a somewhat controversial figure especially on this site, has gone through a similar journey of faith that I have, although I must admit that I am far less educated than he is):
[5 main differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAlS6T-KePs&feature=youtu.be)
A book that compares the Roman Catholic ecclesiology and papal supremacy claims with historical record:
[Two Paths by Michael Whelton](https://www.amazon.com/Two-Paths-Orthodoxy-Catholicism-Supremacy/dp/1091371555)
The following will give you a concise but vivid and fairly complete history of the Orthodox faith:
[The Orthodox Church by Kallistos Ware](https://www.amazon.com/Orthodox-Church-Introduction-Eastern-Christianity/dp/014198063X)
And last but not least, the next four volume set MAY be a catechism that you could consider to start you off on your catechetical studies (along with appropriate consultation of an Orthodox priest of course):
[The Orthodox Faith by Thomas Hopko](https://www.amazon.com/Orthodox-Faith-4-Set-Updated/dp/0866420878)
Edit: I forgot that the above set of books is available for free online, as another commenter noted down below. They are great catechism books and here's the [online link](https://www.oca.org/orthodoxy/the-orthodox-faith).
Two Paths: Orthodoxy and Catholicism is the best Orthodox book about arguments against the Papacy that is currently available in English.
I usually spam this list of resources that has helped me. God bless!
I usually copy and paste these resources for people with questions similar to yours. Hope they help!
Resources below.
My wife and I made a similar journey, from Roman Catholicism to Orthodoxy. Having already been a cradle Catholic, the most important issue for me was, as expected, the primacy or supremacy of the pope... at least, that's what the issue was at first. When I learned more and more about Orthodoxy, the importance of the papal issue gave way to other historical and theological issues. I think what it ended up coming down to was a recognition that the Orthodox view of Christianity presents a more holistic picture of the faith, especially in terms of the respective emphases that are placed on the role of Christ's mission and the mode of salvation.
Great resource for an introduction to the main differences between eastern and western Christianity. Watch this series of videos with your husband if you can, it was very formative for us:
Welcome to the Orthodox Church
And here is another series of videos along the same lines, but with much greater detail and background:
Finding the Church that Jesus built
The following is a great summary of differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy (perhaps this is more relatable to me personally being that the content creator, who is a somewhat controversial figure especially on this site, has gone through a similar journey of faith that I have, although I must admit that I am far less educated than he is):
5 main differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy
A book that compares the Roman Catholic ecclesiology and papal supremacy claims with historical record:
The following will give you a concise but vivid and fairly complete history of the Orthodox faith:
The Orthodox Church by Kallistos Ware
And last but not least, the next four volume set MAY be a catechism that you could consider to start you off on your catechetical studies (along with appropriate consultation of an Orthodox priest of course):
The Orthodox Faith by Thomas Hopko
Edit: I forgot that the above set of books is available for free online, as another commenter noted down below. They are great catechism books and here's the online link.
I usually copy and paste these resources for people with questions similar to yours. Hope they help!
Resources below.
My wife and I made a similar journey, from Roman Catholicism to Orthodoxy. Having already been a cradle Catholic, the most important issue for me was, as expected, the primacy or supremacy of the pope... at least, that's what the issue was at first. When I learned more and more about Orthodoxy, the importance of the papal issue gave way to other historical and theological issues. I think what it ended up coming down to was a recognition that the Orthodox view of Christianity presents a more holistic picture of the faith, especially in terms of the respective emphases that are placed on the role of Christ's mission and the mode of salvation.
Great resource for an introduction to the main differences between eastern and western Christianity. Watch this series of videos with your husband if you can, it was very formative for us:
Welcome to the Orthodox Church
And here is another series of videos along the same lines, but with much greater detail and background:
Finding the Church that Jesus built
The following is a great summary of differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy (perhaps this is more relatable to me personally being that the content creator, who is a somewhat controversial figure especially on this site, has gone through a similar journey of faith that I have, although I must admit that I am far less educated than he is):
5 main differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy
A book that compares the Roman Catholic ecclesiology and papal supremacy claims with historical record:
The following will give you a concise but vivid and fairly complete history of the Orthodox faith:
The Orthodox Church by Kallistos Ware
And last but not least, the next four volume set MAY be a catechism that you could consider to start you off on your catechetical studies (along with appropriate consultation of an Orthodox priest of course):
The Orthodox Faith by Thomas Hopko
Edit: I forgot that the above set of books is available for free online, as another commenter noted down below. They are great catechism books and here's the online link.
I already posted another comment, but I also want you to go away with some resources that defend and elaborate our faith. (I copy and pasted this from one of my replies to another user, for full disclosure, but I think it will be useful to you nonetheless).
............
Resources below.
My wife and I made a similar journey, from Roman Catholicism to Orthodoxy. Having already been a cradle Catholic, the most important issue for me was, as expected, the primacy or supremacy of the pope... at least, that's what the issue was at first. When I learned more and more about Orthodoxy, the importance of the papal issue gave way to other historical and theological issues. I think what it ended up coming down to was a recognition that the Orthodox view of Christianity presents a more holistic picture of the faith, especially in terms of the respective emphases that are placed on the role of Christ's mission and the mode of salvation.
Great resource for an introduction to the main differences between eastern and western Christianity. Watch this series of videos with your husband if you can, it was very formative for us:
Welcome to the Orthodox Church
And here is another series of videos along the same lines, but with much greater detail and background:
Finding the Church that Jesus built
The following is a great summary of differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy (perhaps this is more relatable to me personally being that the content creator, who is a somewhat controversial figure especially on this site, has gone through a similar journey of faith that I have, although I must admit that I am far less educated than he is):
5 main differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy
A book that compares the Roman Catholic ecclesiology and papal supremacy claims with historical record:
The following will give you a concise but vivid and fairly complete history of the Orthodox faith:
The Orthodox Church by Kallistos Ware
And last but not least, the next four volume set MAY be a catechism that you could consider to start you off on your catechetical studies (along with appropriate consultation of an Orthodox priest of course):
The Orthodox Faith by Thomas Hopko
Edit: I forgot that the above set of books is available for free online, as another commenter noted down below. They are great catechism books and here's the online link.
God bless you both, please let me know if you want any more information about the above or in general!
>Should I just attend services and observe?
This. Definitely this, and speak to the priest(s) there. Orthodoxy is meant to be a lived experience.
But there are also printed and online resources that can be very useful to learn more about Orthodoxy, before and after visiting a church.
First, AncientFaith.com. The largest and most important Orthodox website in English. It contains a huge number of podcasts and blogs about almost every aspect of Orthodoxy and the Orthodox faith.
Orthodox Wiki is useful, but suffers from the same problems as all other wikis (anyone can edit anything so inaccuracies can sneak in and they will remain until someone notices them).
If you happen to live in the United States and are looking for Orthodox churches near you, use the official directory of the Assembly of Orthodox Bishops. It is much more reliable than trying to find Orthodox churches using Google or something else.
And now for useful books:
Two Paths: Orthodoxy and Catholicism - This is one of the best and most accessible introductions to the Orthodox stance on Catholic claims, especially with regard to the Pope.
Know the Faith - Definitely buy this book! It explains Orthodox theology, particularly comparing it with Protestantism and Protestant-inspired ideas that are common in the West. This is a must-read for anyone who is familiar with the "pop culture" version of Christianity and wants to find out how Orthodox Christian teachings are different from that.
Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy - this book (and the podcast by the same name) explains the differences between Orthodoxy and other forms of Christianity (and even talks a bit about non-Christian religions).
Welcome to the Orthodox Church - this book tries to explain everything about Orthodoxy from the perspective of a fictional convert joining a fictional Orthodox parish; it's particularly good for understanding the Liturgy and other elements of Orthodox praxis. This is most useful for someone who has never been inside an Orthodox church before, so I'm not sure how useful it would be for you.
| Item | Current | Lowest | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two Paths: Orthodoxy & Catholicism: Rome’s Clai… | - | - | 4.6/5.0 |
^Item Info | Bot Info | Trigger
| Item | Current | Lowest | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two Paths: Orthodoxy & Catholicism: Rome’s Clai… | - | - | 4.6/5.0 |
^Item Info | Bot Info | Trigger
I think your link may be broken, Father. I think the one below should work. OP, I've also heard some good recommendations for this book.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1091371555/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_imm_NGH8MSAJ95VTW824QX5Q
Yes. I'm going to copy paste a response I posted to someone else recently with links that I believe will be useful.
Resources below.
My wife and I made a similar journey, albeit from Roman Catholicism to Orthodoxy. Having already been a cradle Catholic, the most important issue for me was, as expected, the primacy or supremacy of the pope... at least, that's what the issue was at first. When I learned more and more about Orthodoxy, the importance of the papal issue gave way to other historical and theological issues. I think what it ended up coming down to was a recognition that the Orthodox view of Christianity presents a more holistic picture of the faith, especially in terms of the respective emphases that are placed on the role of Christ's mission and the mode of salvation.
Great resource for an introduction to the main differences between eastern and western Christianity. Watch this series of videos with your husband if you can, it was very formative for us:
Welcome to the Orthodox Church
And here is another series of videos along the same lines, but with much greater detail and background:
Finding the Church that Jesus built
The following is a great summary of differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy (perhaps this is more relatable to me personally being that the content creator, who is a somewhat controversial figure especially on this site, has gone through a similar journey of faith that I have, although I must admit that I am far less educated than he is):
5 main differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy
A book that compares the Roman Catholic ecclesiology and papal supremacy claims with historical record:
The following will give you a concise but vivid and fairly complete history of the Orthodox faith:
The Orthodox Church by Kallistos Ware
And last but not least, the next four volume set MAY be a catechism that you could consider to start you off on your catechetical studies (along with appropriate consultation of an Orthodox priest of course):
The Orthodox Faith by Thomas Hopko
Edit: I forgot that the above set of books is available for free online, as another commenter noted down below. They are great catechism books and here's the online link.
God bless you both, please let me know if you want any more information about the above or in general!
Hi and welcome! I would like to share some online and printed resources with you.
First, AncientFaith.com. The largest and most important Orthodox website in English. It contains a huge number of podcasts and blogs about almost every aspect of Orthodoxy and the Orthodox faith.
Orthodox Wiki is useful, but suffers from the same problems as all other wikis (anyone can edit anything so inaccuracies can sneak in and they will remain until someone notices them).
The best way to experience Orthodoxy is by going to a church in person. Since you are in Canada, you can use the official directory of North American parishes of the Assembly of Orthodox Bishops. It is much more reliable than trying to find Orthodox churches using Google or something else.
And now for useful books:
Two Paths: Orthodoxy and Catholicism - This is one of the best and most accessible introductions to the Orthodox stance on Catholic claims, especially with regard to the Pope.
Know the Faith - This is the best overview of Orthodox theology, in my opinion. It focuses particularly on comparing Orthodoxy with Protestantism and Protestant-inspired ideas that are common in the West. This is a must-read for anyone who is familiar with the "pop culture" version of Christianity and wants to find out how Orthodox Christian teachings are different from that.
Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy - This book (and the podcast by the same name) explains the differences between Orthodoxy and other forms of Christianity (and even talks a bit about non-Christian religions). It has a really good chapter on Catholicism.
Welcome to the Orthodox Church - This book tries to explain everything about Orthodoxy from the perspective of a fictional convert joining a fictional Orthodox parish; it's particularly good for understanding the Liturgy and other elements of Orthodox praxis. This is most useful for someone who has never been inside an Orthodox church before.
Resources below.
My wife and I made a similar journey, albeit from Roman Catholicism to Orthodoxy. Having already been a cradle Catholic, the most important issue for me was, as expected, the primacy or supremacy of the pope... at least, that's what the issue was at first. When I learned more and more about Orthodoxy, the importance of the papal issue gave way to other historical and theological issues. I think what it ended up coming down to was a recognition that the Orthodox view of Christianity presents a more holistic picture of the faith, especially in terms of the respective emphases that are placed on the role of Christ's mission and the mode of salvation.
Great resource for an introduction to the main differences between eastern and western Christianity. Watch this series of videos with your husband if you can, it was very formative for us:
Welcome to the Orthodox Church
And here is another series of videos along the same lines, but with much greater detail and background:
Finding the Church that Jesus built
The following is a great summary of differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy (perhaps this is more relatable to me personally being that the content creator, who is a somewhat controversial figure especially on this site, has gone through a similar journey of faith that I have, although I must admit that I am far less educated than he is):
5 main differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy
A book that compares the Roman Catholic ecclesiology and papal supremacy claims with historical record:
The following will give you a concise but vivid and fairly complete history of the Orthodox faith:
The Orthodox Church by Kallistos Ware
And last but not least, the next four volume set MAY be a catechism that you could consider to start you off on your catechetical studies (along with appropriate consultation of an Orthodox priest of course):
The Orthodox Faith by Thomas Hopko
God bless you both, please let me know if you want any more information about the above or in general!
Resources below.
My wife and I made a similar journey, albeit from Roman Catholicism to Orthodoxy. Having already been a cradle Catholic, the most important issue for me was, as expected, the primacy or supremacy of the pope... at least, that's what the issue was at first. When I learned more and more about Orthodoxy, the importance of the papal issue gave way to other historical and theological issues. I think what it ended up coming down to was a recognition that the Orthodox view of Christianity presents a more holistic picture of the faith, especially in terms of the respective emphases that are placed on the role of Christ's mission and the mode of salvation.
Great resource for an introduction to the main differences between eastern and western Christianity. Watch this series of videos with your husband if you can, it was very formative for us:
Welcome to the Orthodox Church
And here is another series of videos along the same lines, but with much greater detail and background:
Finding the Church that Jesus built
The following is a great summary of differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy (perhaps this is more relatable to me personally being that the content creator, who is a somewhat controversial figure especially on this site, has gone through a similar journey of faith that I have, although I must admit that I am far less educated than he is):
5 main differences between Catholicism and Orthodoxy
A book that compares the Roman Catholic ecclesiology and papal supremacy claims with historical record:
The following will give you a concise but vivid and fairly complete history of the Orthodox faith:
The Orthodox Church by Kallistos Ware
And last but not least, the next four volume set MAY be a catechism that you could consider to start you off on your catechetical studies (along with appropriate consultation of an Orthodox priest of course):
The Orthodox Faith by Thomas Hopko
God bless you both, please let me know if you want any more information about the above or in general!
It wasn't the only thing, but this book was one of the biggest factors in my decision.
Hi and welcome! Alright, so, first off, a very good book presenting the Orthodox arguments against the Papacy is Two Paths: Orthodoxy and Catholicism.
Beyond that, Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy, along with the podcast of the same name, explains the differences between Orthodoxy and other forms of Christianity (and even talks a bit about non-Christian religions), with a really good chapter on Catholicism.
Know the Faith is also a good book that does an excellent job of explaining Orthodox theology, but does not really contrast it with Catholicism.
Hi and welcome! Christ is risen!
I will begin by recommending two books:
Two Paths: Orthodoxy and Catholicism - This is one of the best and most accessible introductions to the Orthodox stance on Catholic claims, especially with regard to the Pope.
Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy - This book (and the podcast by the same name) explains the differences between Orthodoxy and other forms of Christianity (and even talks a bit about non-Christian religions), and has a really good chapter on Catholicism.
Now, I also have a brief summary. Some time ago I typed out a list of differences of belief between Catholicism and Orthodoxy. This list doesn't cover all the differences, as we also differ in our approaches to theology in a way that's not easy to explain. Still, I think the list is useful. Here it is:
Papal supremacy. Catholics believe that one bishop (the bishop of Rome, also known as the Pope) is the head of the Church and has universal jurisdiction over other bishops and over all Christians. They also ascribe certain other unique roles to the Pope which no other bishop has. The Orthodox have no such "super-bishop". All bishops are equal. We do have Patriarchs, but they're just regular bishops who happen to be in charge of administrative matters over a certain area (i.e. what gets built and where, which priest gets appointed to which parish, and so on). They don't have any power to decide what Orthodox Christians believe. The Orthodox believe that supreme authority can only be held by a council of all the bishops of the Church (or as many as can attend).
The Filioque. Catholics say that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. Orthodox say that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father alone. The original Creed stated that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father, without mentioning the Son, and the Orthodox strictly adhere to the Creed as originally written. The phrase "and the Son" (which in Latin is one word: "filioque") was added in later centuries in the West. Catholics argue that this phrase makes no difference one way or the other, and that the Orthodox are just splitting hairs. The Orthodox argue that it makes a big difference, and that you can't just change the Creed willy-nilly like that.
Development of doctrine. The Catholic Church considers it acceptable to declare new doctrines which were not believed by Catholics in previous times. Simply put, Catholic beliefs can, in principle, be changed (with only a few exceptions). The Orthodox Church strongly objects to this idea. In the Orthodox view, while it's certainly possible to develop new opinions (= personal views about non-essential topics, which are not mandatory for all Christians), it is not possible to discover new doctrines (= beliefs that are mandatory for Christians). In other words, you can't impose new rules that weren't around before. All that is essential for salvation was known by the Church from the beginning. The Church may clarify doctrines or rephrase them in words that modern people can understand, but it cannot declare that something which was widely rejected in the past is to be considered mandatory belief in the future. This is probably the main reason why we are called "Orthodox".
Leavened vs. unleavened bread in the Eucharist. The Orthodox believe that only leavened bread can be used for the Eucharist, because this is the type of bread that Christ is described as using at the Last Supper (the Gospels call the bread he was using artos, not azyma). Roman Catholics use unleavened bread, in keeping with the Jewish Passover practices. On the Orthodox side, the exclusive use of leavened bread was decreed by the Quinisext Council in 692 AD, which we regard as a continuation of the Sixth Ecumenical Council but which the Catholics do not recognize. So, we actually can never accept the use of unleavened bread, because it would go contrary to one of the Ecumenical Councils.
Original Sin. Many Catholics (and most Protestants) view Original Sin as a guilt or debt that all humans are born with. The Orthodox Church believes that Original Sin (or "Ancestral Sin", as we sometimes call it to emphasize our different view) was a corrupting influence that made human beings predisposed to sin, but no one alive today is guilty of it. To put it differently: Orthodoxy views humans as addicted to sin, while Catholicism views humans as actually guilty of sin from the moment they are born. Or at least, that is what a lot of Catholics say. Other Catholics insist that Catholicism agrees with the Orthodox position in this regard, although that makes the Immaculate Conception extremely hard to understand (if no conception is inherently "bad" by transmitting guilt, why would anyone need to be immaculately conceived?).
The Immaculate Conception. Catholics believe that Mary the Mother of God was born without the guilt of Original Sin, unlike all other human beings who are born guilty of Original Sin, and therefore Mary was in some sense more than human. This is a consequence of the Catholic view of Original Sin as implying guilt for all human beings. Since the Orthodox do not believe that anyone living after the first humans was guilty of Ancestral Sin, we have no need for any doctrine of immaculate conception. (Note: This Catholic doctrine was only introduced in the 19th century - see point 3, above.) Furthermore, we ask: If there are two possible kinds of conception - the "normal" kind and the "immaculate" kind - and one of them is just better in every way, then why doesn't God grant everyone an immaculate conception?
Satisfaction soteriology. Catholics (and Protestants) view salvation as a type of satisfaction of debt - in other words, sinning is like breaking a law, and God is like a policeman who has a duty to punish you for breaking that law, but there's a loophole (the sacrifice of Christ) which allows you to get away without punishment even though you deserve it. The Orthodox Church views sin more like an addiction or a disease, God more like a doctor, and the sacrifice of Christ more like the medicine that will cure you.
Purgatory. Catholics believe in purgatory - a "third place" in the afterlife where many souls undergo a "temporal punishment" which is necessary to fully purge them of the guilt of sin (because sin requires both a "temporal punishment" and an eternal "spiritual punishment", and it's only the eternal one that gets forgiven through the death and resurrection of Christ). Orthodox do not believe this.
Papal infallibility. Catholics believe that, under certain conditions, the Pope has the power to make infallible statements. We do not believe that any human being has this power. (Note: This Catholic doctrine was only introduced in the 19th century - see point 3, above.)
Those are the differences of doctrine, or belief. In addition, there are many differences of liturgical practice and disciplines. We have different styles of worship, obviously, and Orthodox priests can be married while Roman Catholic priests cannot be. However, neither side regards priestly celibacy or marriage as a matter of doctrine, so that is actually not a doctrinal difference.
Hmmm... This is a very broad question, which actually requires entire books to answer (see below, I have suggestions :) ). But the short answer is that you should be Orthodox because Orthodoxy remains the closest to the beliefs and practices of Christianity as it existed in Antiquity. We are the most traditional form of Christianity, and our claims to legitimacy are based on that.
The Catholics have changed far more, both in terms of practices (which is obvious but less important) and also in terms of beliefs (which is less obvious but more important). Even the Papacy has changed greatly. Modern Popes have vastly expanded powers compared to even medieval Popes, for example.
As for the Anglicans, they don't actually have any common beliefs. They are held together entirely by liturgical practices. You will find every possible Christian theology within the Anglican Communion, from nearly-Orthodox to nearly-Catholic to hardcore Calvinist to anything in between.
And now for the books!
Two Paths: Orthodoxy and Catholicism - This is one of the best and most accessible introductions to the Orthodox stance on Catholic claims, especially with regard to the Pope
Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy - this book (and the podcast by the same name) explains the differences between Orthodoxy and other forms of Christianity (and even talks a bit about non-Christian religions), and has a really good chapter on Catholicism
Know the Faith - this book explains Orthodox theology, particularly comparing it with Protestantism and Protestant-inspired ideas that are common in the West. This is the best introduction to Orthodox theology for Protestants.
Welcome to the Orthodox Church - this book tries to explain everything about Orthodoxy from the perspective of a fictional convert joining a fictional Orthodox parish; it's particularly good for understanding the Liturgy and other elements of Orthodox praxis
>I would convert to orthodoxy without hesitation if I was from an orthodox country but being from France it feels like I'm cutting myself from my roots and ancestors.
Lorsque la France était appelée la fille aînée de l'Église, l'Église était orthodoxe. Tous les saints pères et toutes les saintes mères de la France pendant six siècles après le baptême de Clovis étaient orthodoxes.
So I would say, do not think you would be cutting yourself from your roots and ancestors if you were to become Orthodox. On the contrary, you would be returning to the faith of your distant ancestors (though, admittedly, not the faith of your more recent ancestors from the second millennium).
And we have a few modern Orthodox saints with a strong connection to France as well, such as St. Maria of Paris.
A good book about Orthodox-Catholic differences from an Orthodox perspective (in English) is this one.
Wow, what a pack of distortions and lies. This book deals with these exact topics (among others), but notice something right off the bat. The Catholic apologist claims:
>So, the Council of Chalcedon clearly recognized Pope Leo as the successor of Peter and the Head of the Church.
But then immediately admits to the existence of Canon 28, which stated:
>For the Fathers rightly granted privileges to the throne of old Rome, because it was the royal city.
That is very VERY clearly and obviously a denial of the idea that the Pope of Rome was "the successor of Peter and the Head of the Church." Canon 28 says that the Pope of Rome has special privileges for political reasons (because Rome was the capital of the Empire) and that these privileges were granted "by the Fathers" (not by God).
Now, what follows is an attempt to handwave away the importance of this by saying that Patriarch Anatolius and some later commentators agreed with the Pope in rejecting Canon 28. That doesn't change the fact that the bishops at the Council initially approved it. So the very same people who wrote things like "You are set as an interpreter to all of the voice of blessed Peter" also wrote that "the Fathers rightly granted privileges to the throne of old Rome, because it was the royal city." In light of this, it cannot be argued that those people - the bishops present at Chalcedon - agreed with any kind of papal supremacy. Clearly they did not, otherwise they would have never written Canon 28 in the first place.
You can't just quote a group of people when they seem to agree with you, and ignore a clear statement where they oppose you because "well that statement was later rejected by others so it doesn't count". The issue is not whether the statement "counts" as a valid canon or not, the issue is that it reveals the thinking of the Fathers at Chalcedon. Even if we were to reject the validity of Canon 28, the bishops at Chalcedon still said what they said. They did not believe in papal supremacy.
First, of all, I have no problem admitting that Roman Catholicism is the direct descendant of AN apostolic Church. Historically, this cannot be denied. Its bishops can be traced back to St. Peter. Its historical lineage runs parallel to that of the eastern churches. However, assuming you continue your study of Orthodoxy, the more you learn, I suspect the more you will realize that, in a lot of ways, Roman Catholicism shares more in common with its protestant offspring than with its eastern brethren of antiquity. This makes sense because of the chasm of isolation that formed between the two geographical regions of the empire. The western side, with its sophisticated Roman legal code and advanced representative government, grew towards a "rationalizing" view of the world and everything in it. This view indeed extended into the realm of the divine, as western theologians proceeded to build on the works of Plato in attempts to apply his philosophies to the Christian religion. Eastern, Greek philosophy was more diverse. In the east, theologians did not see the divine as something to be "explained" in the natural course of reason. Instead, the Church was viewed as a vehicle, delivered by Christ, to actually EXPERIENCE the divine. In the east, we can see that the ideas about knowledge are more "experiential" rather than "rational." The innate truth of a thing does not require subjectivity to some ideal view of that thing. Truth in the natural world as in the Church, relies more on our experience of it than our intellectual recognition of its abstract nature.
Keeping all of this in mind, when we think about the schism (also the Church before the schism but especially the branches formed by the schism), we see that post-schism, the western church continues to probe, analyze, define, and rationalize the faith. The effort found its exemplar in the likes of Thomas Aquinas, who proceeded to rationalize and "prove" the veracity of ALL aspects of the Christian life. Aquinas was so influential in the western church, that the seminaries had all but discarded the works of the patristic fathers right up until very recently (and I have no idea what in the hell they are learning these days). In fact, the protestant reformation in many ways is a reaction to the installation of "thomism" as the more or less, new, "official" theology of the church. Protestant formed their own schools of reason, and continued to bicker over fundamentals with the Roman church, the most stark example being the holy Eucharist. Unfortunately, subjecting a mystery like the Eucharist to mere human reason, the inevitable outcome, given the limitations of the human mind, presents itself as nothing other than the denial of what Christ told us it REALLY is... His body and blood.
None of this has occurred to any comparable extent in the east. The faith of the east is a LIVED, EXPERIENCED faith. Yes, the east has had its share of magnificent theologians, cleverly synthesizing the teachings of patristic theology with spirituality of the age and exercise of the church's ministry. But never have these theologians considered it their duty to rationalize the faith. At best, these men understood their task as akin to excluding certain heretical understandings of tradition so as to guide the people of God into a closer relationship with his church through right understanding and meditation. It has therefore never been the responsibility of a Christian to "understand" completely the sacraments that give him life... go back to the example of the holy Eucharist. The western church demands now that children become a certain "age of reason" in order to receive the sacrament. The implication is that, to fully come into "communion" with the Church, you should be able to pin its mysteries down and make them subject to your rational mind. Nothing exists in the east. In Orthodoxy, we believe that LIVING the sacramental life of the church changes a person, irrespective of his personal capability of reason.
I recommend that you continue your study of Orthodoxy. I will give you some very very basic resources, and maybe if you need some additional details you can ask me to supplement this.
A relatively short, easy to read book refuting the various claims to papal jurisdictional supremacy and infallibility made by the Roman see over the centuries and now one of the mainstays of Roman Catholicism. Two Paths by Michael Whelton
A series of videos by a western convert to Orthodoxy (from Anglicanism). Welcome to the Orthodox Church
Unfortunately, and maybe this is really what you were looking for, I cannot advise you on the availability of Orthodox parishes in your area. Perhaps someone else will be better versed in the jurisdictions of Orthodoxy to assist you there.
Ok, I've answered some other posts in a few comment threads here, but I also wanted to make sure I add a book recommendation and video recommendation (or two).
The book: Two Paths: Orthodoxy & Catholicism: Rome’s Claims of Papal Supremacy in the Light of Orthodox Christian Teaching. This is one of the best English-language explanations of the Orthodox view on the Papacy and Catholicism.
The videos:
Now, I also wanted to answer some of your questions more directly, "from the beginning" as it were:
>Are there different schools of thought about Catholicism and its relationship with Orthodoxy within the Orthodox Church? For example, are there some Orthodox who are much less hardline and more conciliatory towards the Catholic Church?
Yes, but they are a relatively small minority. Some theologians and clergymen of the Ecumenical Patriarchate have started holding a conciliatory or even positive view of Catholicism in recent decades (since the 1960s), and this is one of the reasons for a cooling of relations between the EP and other Patriarchates. Also, the members of the various Catholic-Orthodox Joint Commissions always come out with statements that are vastly more Catholic-friendly than what most Orthodox would say.
>How much of what Catholics believe are Orthodox allowed to believe?
I mean... in the grand scheme of things, we agree on something like 90% of Christian doctrine, no? We're certainly a lot more similar to each other than either one is to Protestantism.
>Can [Orthodox] believe in Purgatory and the Filioque? I've read that historically these things weren't really doctrines the Orthodox Church said were wrong just more of they couldn't confirm or deny.
That would be false. We definitely and absolutely deny them in the sense in which Catholics understand them. Now, there are some very ecumenically minded people (mostly Catholics, though a few Orthodox as well) who argue that it may be permissible for Orthodox Christians to believe in purgatory or the Filioque, but they do this by giving different meanings to those words than they have in Catholicism.
For example, if by "purgatory" we mean the ultra-general idea that "you don't get to Heaven or Hell in the next second after you die, but rather some time later, after your soul goes through some events of some kind", then yeah, sure, by that definition we can believe in "purgatory" too. But it is dishonest to pretend that the Catholic dogma of purgatory amounts to no more than this general idea. Catholics believe in a concept FAR more specific than "some time passes and some things happen between death and reaching the permanent afterlife".
As for the Filioque, it was very strongly rejected through the writings of St. Photius the Great, which were confirmed to represent Orthodox doctrine at the Council of Constantinople of 879-880 - a council that we consider to have Ecumenical authority, and which we sometimes count as the Eighth Ecumenical Council (for example, it was listed as such in the Encyclical of the Eastern Patriarchs from 1848).
Now if you re-interpret the Filioque to mean something different from what both sides thought it meant for a thousand years, then perhaps it can be argued that we may believe it too - but again, that's just dishonest.
>My understanding is the same for the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption of Mary, they weren't things that Orthodox Christians rejected but they didn't necessarily say officially that they were true.
Those are in a different category.
The immaculate conception is a historical theologoumenon (personal theological opinion) which was indeed believed by a minority of Orthodox theologians. It has always been highly controversial and opposed by the majority, but was never formally condemned as heresy.
Regarding the Assumption of Mary... well, okay, this really depends on what you mean by "assumption". Catholicism teaches that Mary did not die, but rather ascended to Heaven bodily as Christ did. Orthodoxy teaches that Mary did die normally of old age, but her tomb was found empty when it was opened after three days (again, in an obvious parallel to Christ), because she was resurrected and taken bodily to Heaven.
Either way, Orthodoxy and Catholicism agree that Mary is in Heaven with both her body and her soul, like Christ and Elijah and a few other Old Testament figures, but unlike the vast majority of humans who are currently in Heaven only with their souls (awaiting the General Resurrection at the Second Coming, when they will get new bodies).
So we agree on the end result, and only disagree on how Mary got there. This can legitimately be regarded as an unimportant difference, and some do indeed see it that way.
>What is the Orthodox Church's stance on natural law and its relation with doctrine? Is it given the same level of authority as in the Catholic Church?
As far as I know, we have no beliefs about "natural law" at all.
>The Catholic and Orthodox Churches both accept the first 7 ecumenical councils I believe. But after that the Catholic Churches have had many more while the Orthodox Churches haven't had anymore that they recognize
Oh, but yes we did! We had this one and this one and these ones, all of which are regarded as having Ecumenical authority but not usually given a number for some reason.
The reality is that we have some weird obsession with the number seven and go out of our way to make the Ecumenical Councils fit that number, even when it makes little sense. For example, there was an Ecumenical Council in the year 681, and another one in 692. By any reasonable standard, these were separate events. But for some reason we add them together and call them the Sixth Ecumenical Council, just so that the next one (in 787) can count as the Seventh. And although there have been other Ecumenical Councils that we recognized as such after 787 (for example the one in 879-880, mentioned above), we're not really sure whether to give them numbers or not - some Orthodox sources give them numbers, some don't. As far as I can tell, all this is because someone at some point decided that it would be mathematically pleasing for there to be precisely seven councils, no more and no less.
>The only answer I can really find here as to why that would be is that the other Catholic councils don't get accepted because the people rejected them. I find this to be rather laughable as an idea and more of a way to come up with an excuse for not accepting church councils you already don't want to accept. The best argument I can think of for why some councils are accepted by the Orthodox Church and others aren't is that to be an Ecumenical Council you need support of the Patriarchs and since most of the Catholic councils excluded easterners from the Orthodox Church they could not give their acceptance to the councils and thus they are not valid. Can anyone shine light on this issue?
"Because the people rejected them" really is the reason. There were several councils in the first millennium, too, that we don't count as Ecumenical for the exact same reason.
Look at it this way: The Church is allowed to change her mind. All the councils that we reject, were rejected almost unanimously within the same generation when they were held (usually 10-20 years after the fact, sometimes even less). So basically, a council is held, and then a few years later most of the people who attended the council say that they were wrong in light of new arguments and evidence. What happens then? We reject that council.
>My understanding is that the Orthodox Church doesn't say it is a sin to not go to Church on a Sunday necessarily, though it might be if you make a habit of not going.
That is correct.
>So what are valid reasons for missing a Sunday service? Could it be as simple as I want to go visit family/friends that I haven't seen in a while?
Valid reasons are medical problems, matters of life and death, and unexpected emergencies. A standard example is that if you are driving to church and see a person bleeding on the sidewalk, you should stop to help them, call an ambulance, and make sure they are safe, even if it means missing church that day. Or in a less extreme example, if a neighbor calls you on Sunday morning asking for your help with something that can't wait until the next day, you should go help them.
But planning in advance to miss church in order to do something that doesn't have to be done that precise day, is not a valid reason to miss church.
I hope this was all helpful! God bless!
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