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I’d like to better understand the difference between Catholicism and the Orthodox Church. The difference between Catholicism and Protestantism/Evangelical Christianity seems much clearer to me, but when it comes to Catholicism vs. Russian Orthodoxy, I’m less sure.

From what I understand, the fundamental difference is that Catholicism recognizes the Pope and the Vatican as the supreme authority and successors of Saint Peter (apostolic succession), while the Orthodox Church does not and instead has a more synodal structure. I’ve also heard there are differences regarding the Virgin Mary and the Holy Spirit, but I’m not exactly sure what they are.

So what is the big difference between them, the deeper theological or spiritual divide?

I’m asking because while reading Fyodor Dostoevsky, I noticed he was a deeply Orthodox Christian who nevertheless criticized Catholicism very harshly (for example in The Brothers Karamazov, especially the chapter “The Grand Inquisitor”). The same seems true of Leo Tolstoy. I’d really like to understand the deeper differences that led to these kinds of criticisms.

Thanks a lot!

I’d like to better understand the difference between Catholicism and the Orthodox Church. The difference between Catholicism and Protestantism/Evangelical Christianity seems much clearer to me, but when it comes to Catholicism vs. Russian Orthodoxy, I’m less sure.

From what I understand, the fundamental difference is that Catholicism recognizes the Pope and the Vatican as the supreme authority and successors of Saint Peter (apostolic succession), while the Orthodox Church does not and instead has a more synodal structure. I’ve also heard there are differences regarding the Virgin Mary and the Holy Spirit, but I’m not exactly sure what they are.

So what is the big difference between them, the deeper theological or spiritual divide?

I’m asking because while reading Fyodor Dostoevsky, I noticed he was a deeply Orthodox Christian who nevertheless criticized Catholicism very harshly (for example in The Brothers Karamazov, especially the chapter “The Grand Inquisitor”). The same seems true of Leo Tolstoy. I’d really like to understand the deeper differences that led to these kinds of criticisms.

Thanks a lot!

I’d like to better understand the difference between Catholicism and the Orthodox Church. The difference between Catholicism and Protestantism/Evangelical Christianity seems much clearer to me, but when it comes to Catholicism vs. Russian Orthodoxy, I’m less sure.

From what I understand, the fundamental difference is that Catholicism recognizes the Pope and the Vatican as the supreme authority and successors of Saint Peter (apostolic succession), while the Orthodox Church does not and instead has a more synodal structure. I’ve also heard there are differences regarding the Virgin Mary and the Holy Spirit, but I’m not exactly sure what they are.

So what is the big difference between them, the deeper theological or spiritual divide?

I’m asking because while reading Fyodor Dostoevsky, I noticed he was a deeply Orthodox Christian who nevertheless criticized Catholicism very harshly (for example in The Brothers Karamazov, especially the chapter “The Grand Inquisitor”). The same seems true of Leo Tolstoy. I’d really like to understand the deeper differences that led to these kinds of criticisms.

Thanks a lot!