Twelve Similarities Between the Orthodox and the Catholic Churches - Introduction

Brothers and sisters: Christ is among us! He is, and always shall be!

Why do this?

Brothers and Apostles: Sts. Peter and
Andrew, founders of the Churches in
Rome and Byzantium respectively,
embracing.

In the tradition – pun fully intended – of my most popular post, Twelve Differences Between the Orthodox and the Catholic Churches, I wish to formulate yet another comparison between the Catholic and the Eastern Orthodox Churches, this time exploring 12 things which make us very like each other. Once again, I will limit the number to 12, knowing very well that I could’ve come up with many more. However, I do think these are the principal ones.
I intend to demonstrate that despite our differences, we are so like each other that we’ll be convinced through these examples that our estrangement was not in God’s original will, and that reconciliation and reunion between the two Churches is not only desirable, but the only path open to us if we are to be faithful to the Gospel. Jesus’ prayer that we may all be one is not meant for some eschatological future, it is meant for history, in my opinion. We must yearn for unity and also work to attain it.

What are my sources?

Now, documenting the teaching of the Catholic Church is relatively easy, because all of it is contained in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It’s a little more challenging for the Orthodox because they lack an “Ecumenical” Catechism, that is, a faith summary in question and answer format, or by subject, binding upon their entire communion. They do, however, have many catechisms that agree in all their doctrinal essentials, but that are addressed to the faithful of their different jurisdictions, or to different audiences, ranging from children to the adults; and from beginners to the knowledgeable people.

For this reason, I quote from a number of Orthodox sources, as follows:

·         The Orthodox Catechism Basic Teachings of the Orthodox Faith, posted by the Very Reverend Fr. Constantin Alecse (CA);

·         The Catechism of the Eastern Orthodox Church, written by the Rev. Constas H. Demetry, D. D. (CD);

·         The Longer Catechism of The Orthodox, Catholic, Eastern Church, also known as the Catechism of St. Philaret (Drozdov) of Moscow (PD);

·          The Orthodox Wiki (OW).

The abbreviations between parentheses at the end of each entry are the ones I’ll use to source the Orthodox entries. Also,I’ll be adding others Eastern Orthodox doctrinal sources to this list as I find them. Also, I’ll take all my biblical quotes from the versions found at The Bible Gateway and at Biblos.com.

What’s the plan?

Since I’ve identified 12 points of similarities, I’ve decided to break them down in as many blog posts, to keep them short and not overwhelming. When I complete the series, I will post an index to all points and then consolidate them into a single PDF publication to facilitate dissemination.

I also intend to discuss the similarities briefly, state where the Orthodox differ from the Catholic view, and add some questions for discussion and reflection that may help us come closer together. I will do these questions from a Catholic viewpoint, and I invite my Orthodox readers to add their own questions in the comment box to expand the discussion.
Due to my numerous commitments, I cannot promise a post every day, but I’ll do so as frequently as the Lord allows. For that, I ask for your patience.

The first similarity between the Catholic and the Orthodox Churches which I will review is the commitment of both Churches to a notion of Revelation that is larger than Holy Scripture. That is to say, both the Catholic and the Orthodox Churches receive, transmit, and revere Tradition as the all-encompassing vessel in which the Church hands down the Tradition “once and for all delivered to the saints” to each generation of Christian believers.

I hope that you all like the new series and that you all join me in praying to the Holy Spirit for assistance and enlightenment.