Compare

Compare

Catholic ChurchandGreek Orthodox Church

Catholic ChurchCatholic1054East–West estrangement
Greek Orthodox ChurchEastern Orthodox1833Autocephaly

At a glance

Key differencesIn full
  • Scripture and authorityCatholic ChurchScripture and Tradition, interpreted by the bishops in communion with the popeGreek Orthodox ChurchScripture read within Holy Tradition, the councils and the Fathers
  • Church and ministryCatholic ChurchBishops in communion with the pope, who holds universal jurisdictionGreek Orthodox ChurchBishops governing in synods; self-governing churches without a universal head
  • Creeds and councilsBothThe first three ecumenical councils (325, 381, 431); The fourth to seventh councils (451 to 787)Catholic Church alsoThe Creed says the Spirit proceeds from the Father 'and the Son' (Filioque); Later general councils of the Western Church, including Trent and the Vatican councilsGreek Orthodox Church alsoThe Creed is used without the Filioque

Below: 1 difference of emphasis.

How their histories connectIn full
Connected today?In full

Separate, in formal dialogueas of October 2026

Not in full communion. Theological dialogue continues; the 1054 sentences were lifted in 1965.

Source

Composed from each tradition’s sourced records. Where a topic is not yet recorded for one side, the Atlas says so rather than guess.

Structured comparison. Composed from each tradition’s sourced position records. No research has yet been written for this particular pair, so the Atlas shows only what those records establish.

What they share

Where they differ

  • Creeds and councils

    The Filioque

    Catholic Church
    The Creed says the Spirit proceeds from the Father 'and the Son' (Filioque)
    Greek Orthodox Church
    The Creed is used without the Filioque

    Councils received

    Catholic Church
    The first three ecumenical councils (325, 381, 431); The fourth to seventh councils (451 to 787); Later general councils of the Western Church, including Trent and the Vatican councils
    Greek Orthodox Church
    The first three ecumenical councils (325, 381, 431); The fourth to seventh councils (451 to 787)

  • Scripture and authority

    Sources of authority

    Catholic Church
    Scripture and Tradition, interpreted by the bishops in communion with the pope
    Greek Orthodox Church
    Scripture read within Holy Tradition, the councils and the Fathers

  • Church and ministry

    Church government

    Catholic Church
    Bishops in communion with the pope, who holds universal jurisdiction
    Greek Orthodox Church
    Bishops governing in synods; self-governing churches without a universal head

Different emphases, not necessarily opposed (1)

  • Salvation and grace

    Characteristic emphasis

    Catholic Church
    Justification by grace, which renews the believer and works through love
    Greek Orthodox Church
    Salvation as theosis: union with God by grace
Not yet comparable (1)

No sourced position is recorded for one side, so the Atlas does not say whether they agree:

  • Sacraments and ordinances (how christ's presence is explained): not recorded for Greek Orthodox Church

How their histories relate

Their relationship today

Separate, in formal dialogueas of October 2026

Not in full communion. Theological dialogue continues; the 1054 sentences were lifted in 1965.
Source

This record concerns the wider family to which one or both belong.

Based on The estrangement of East and West

Developments towards reconciliation

Explore further

All citations link to the Atlas’s single source register.

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