Compare traditions
Catholic vs Orthodox Church: What Is the Difference?
Church Near Me editorial · Published · Editorial policy Desk-researched from parish, diocesan and denominational publications. Where a time or fee is stated, the source and check date are named. Confirm with the parish before travelling.
Quick answer
Catholic and Orthodox Christians share the ancient creeds, seven sacraments, bishops and devotion to Mary, but have been divided since the Great Schism of 1054. The main differences are the authority of the Pope, the filioque wording in the Nicene Creed, married parish priests in Orthodoxy, and a different date for Easter in most years.
On this page
Catholic Church and Orthodox Church at a glance
| Topic | Catholic Church | Orthodox Church |
|---|---|---|
| Authority | The Pope has universal jurisdiction, with bishops in communion with him. | Self-governing national churches led by synods of bishops; the Ecumenical Patriarch has a primacy of honour. |
| Nicene Creed | Says the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father “and the Son” (the filioque). | Keeps the original wording: the Spirit proceeds from the Father. |
| Clergy | Latin-rite priests are normally celibate. Eastern Catholic churches may ordain married men. | Married men may be ordained priests; bishops are chosen from celibate monastic clergy. |
| Communion | Unleavened bread in the Latin rite. Orthodox Christians may receive if they ask of their own accord. | Leavened bread, given with wine from a spoon. Normally only for Orthodox Christians. |
| Worship | The Mass, in many musical styles; congregations usually sit in pews. | The Divine Liturgy, sung throughout, with icons and an icon screen; many stand for most of the service. |
| Calendar | Gregorian calendar: Christmas on 25 December; Western date for Easter. | Easter follows the Julian reckoning, so it usually falls later. Some churches keep Christmas on 7 January. |
Why did the Catholic and Orthodox churches split?
Tensions between the Latin West and the Greek East built up over centuries: the authority of the Bishop of Rome, the filioque added to the Creed in the West, and cultural and political divides. The mutual excommunications of 1054 are the traditional date of the split, and the sack of Constantinople by crusaders in 1204 deepened it.
In 1965 Pope Paul VI and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras lifted those excommunications. Theological dialogue continues, but the two churches are not in full communion.
How are the Orthodox churches organised in the UK?
Orthodox parishes in Britain belong to several jurisdictions that share one faith, including the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain, and Russian, Romanian, Serbian, Antiochian and other dioceses. Services may be in Greek, Church Slavonic, Romanian or English, and many parishes use English for part or all of the liturgy.
Some churches that look Orthodox are Eastern Catholic, such as Ukrainian Greek Catholic parishes, which use Byzantine worship but are in communion with the Pope.
What should I expect as a visitor?
At an Orthodox Divine Liturgy you are welcome to stand, light a candle and venerate icons if you wish, but Communion is for Orthodox Christians; at the end, everyone may usually receive blessed bread (antidoron). At a Catholic Mass, non-Catholics are invited to come forward for a blessing or stay seated. In both, modest dress is appreciated, and in many Orthodox parishes women cover their heads.
Find a church near you
The best way to understand the difference is to visit. Browse Catholic Church and Orthodox Church churches by town, or search by postcode for the closest congregations.
Common questions
Do Catholics and Orthodox have the same sacraments?
Yes. Both recognise seven sacraments (the Orthodox often call them holy mysteries), and the Catholic Church regards Orthodox sacraments and priesthood as valid.
Can Orthodox Christians receive Communion in a Catholic church?
Catholic church law allows Orthodox Christians to receive if they ask of their own accord and are properly disposed, but most Orthodox churches ask their members to receive only in Orthodox churches.
Why is Orthodox Easter on a different date?
Both churches use the same rule for Easter, but the Orthodox calculate it with the older Julian calendar. The dates sometimes coincide, as they did in 2025, but Orthodox Easter is usually one or more weeks later.
Are Orthodox priests allowed to marry?
A married man can be ordained deacon or priest, but a priest cannot marry after ordination, and bishops are chosen from celibate clergy.