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Differencies + Doctrines
The Orthodox Church teaches that all bishops are equal. To be sure, there
are different ranks of bishops (patriarch, archbishop, metropolitan, bishop);
nevertheless, a bishop is a bishop
6) CTH A canon is a "rule" or "guide" for governing The Church. Only, the
head of the church, applies them.
the Orthodox Church does not think of canons as laws, that is, as regulating
human relationship. They are meant to produce holiness by obedience.
7) The Mysteries
The Orthodox call "the mystical Supper." is mysteriously the Body and
Blood of Christ. We receive Him under the forms of bread and wine,
because it would be wholly repugnant to eat "real" human flesh and drink
"real" human blood.
The Orthodox faithful receive both the "body" and "blood of Christ" in
Holy Communion; Roman Catholics receive only the "bread," a wafer.
8) Marrige –
CTH Holy Matrimony is contract. no divorce under any conditions - no
divorce but annulment of the marriage
she was taken into the heavens, body and soul. She now sits at the foot of
her Son, making intercession for all those who implore her mercy.
Both also believe in the intercessions of the Virgin Mary and all the Saints.
Such intercessions reflect the unity of the Church in heaven and the Church
on earth.
Both also believe that the Mother of God is the Church. The Church is the
Body of Christ. Jesus iso our "brother" (Rom. 8:29). If Christ is our brother,
then, the Virgin Mary is our mother.
10) Icons
The icon is an artistic depiction of Christ, the Mother of God and the Saints.
God the Father cannot be painted, because He has never been seen. God the
Holy Spirit has appeared as a dove and as "tongues of fire." He may be
shown in this way. God the Son became a man, and He may be painted in
His human form.
Again, icons are a necessary part of Orthodox piety. The Orthodox honor
and kiss icons, a devotion which passes from the icon to the person or
persons represented in them. Icons are not idols and the Orthodox do not
worship them. Worship is reserved for God alone. The statues set up in
Roman Catholic temples are visual aids and decorations.