In Roman Catholic churches, services are held in Latin, while in Greek Orthodox churches, native languages are used. Orthodox and Roman Catholics believe this continuing walk includes the sacramental life of the Church. Finally, those united with the Pope of Rome are properly called “Roman Catholics,” not “Catholics,” just as we are properly called “Orthodox Christians” rather than just “Orthodox.” [There are, of course, also Orthodox Jews, Orthodox Presbyterians, etc.] Accordingly, Orthodox and Roman Catholic Easters may be celebrated up to five weeks apart. They must explain why they have changed an ancient and apostolic tradition. The Eastern Orthodox and the Roman Catholic churches separated around 1054 AD. The Roman Catholics believe in purgatory and the system of indulgences while the Orthodox don’t. Worship is usually in the vernacular, though Greek is also used. The OP is asking about Eastern Orthodox Church, of which the Greek Orthodox is part of. The foremost theological-ecclesiological division between Eastern Orthodoxy and Catholicism is the role of the Bishop of Rome, or the Pope. Roman Catholics use unleavened wafer, while members of the Greek Orthodox Church use unleavened bread. The services are held in Latin in Roman Catholic churches, while in Greek Orthodox churches, the services are held in native languages. The Catholic Encyclopedia states that in the Roman Catholic Church, the faithful crossed themselves from right to left, just as the Orthodox do, until the 15th or 16th century. Orthodox Vs Catholic Vs Protestants on Justification. For them, it is a bit more fluid of an understanding; canonical simply means that something is acceptable to be read in liturgy. Follow-up: Eastern Rites and Orthodox [8-18-2009] With respect to our July 21 comments on attending Mass in Eastern Catholic Churches, a question on file from a reader in New York raised an interesting point. The Eastern Catholic churches are in full communion with the Roman Catholic church (you may want to look up “uniatism”), and are under the Bishop of Rome (the Pope). Our correspondent wrote: "I want to ask a question about Catholics of the Roman rite attending liturgies of the Eastern rites. The Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church have been in a state of official schism from one another since the East–West Schism of 1054. There are a wide variety of worship styles. Examples include the spontaneity of the Pentecostal churches, and the more traditional worship of the Anglican churches in the Catholic tradition. Spiritually and theologically, far more unites the Western and Eastern Churches than divides. Another reason for the difference is that the Eastern Orthodox do not hold the same legalism as the Catholic Church when it comes to inspiration and canonical status. This schism was caused by historical and language differences, and the ensuing theological differences between the … In Catholic communion , the cup is withheld from the members, while the Orthodox float the "crouton looking" bread cubes in the wine. Another difference between the two religions is the concept of original sin. ” Orthodox” … The Roman Catholic church introduced instrumental music no earlier than the 7th century and the Orthodox church has never used instrumental music, but like the apostles, sang without instrument. The 'Divine Liturgy' is the centre of Orthodox spirituality.