Eastern Orthodoxy & Ecumenism

Did Rome Break Away from the Orthodox Church?

The charge that Rome rebelled against the Orthodox Church and forfeited apostolic authority gets the history backwards. A Catholic answer from the primary sources.

Why the Orthodox Old Testament Has More Books Than the Catholic Old Testament

The Eastern Orthodox Old Testament contains books the Catholic canon does not—1 Esdras, 3 Maccabees, Psalm 151, the Prayer of Manasseh. A Catholic explains why, and why his own Church drew the line tighter.

The Filioque: How One Word Split the Church—and Whether It Still Has To

The filioque—'and the Son'—is the word that helped divide Christendom. Its biblical roots, the long schism, and why Rome and Orthodoxy are closer than most think.

What the Council of Trent Actually Said About Justification

A Catholic convert reads the Council of Trent's 1547 Decree on Justification verbatim—and finds that what Protestants are taught it says is not what it says.

The Church of the East: Christianity’s Forgotten Fourth Branch

Christianity’s fourth apostolic branch—Mesopotamia to China. Apostolic origins, the 431 Christological controversy, missionary expansion, and witness today.

What Is Comparative Theology? A Catholic Perspective on Interfaith Dialogue

What is comparative theology? A Catholic introduction to the method, with examples from Catholic-Orthodox and Catholic-Protestant dialogue.

The Divine Liturgy Explained

What happens in an Orthodox Divine Liturgy? A guide to the structure, theology, and meaning of Eastern Christian worship.

The Eastern Catholic Churches

What are the Eastern Catholic Churches? A comprehensive guide to the 23 sui iuris churches in communion with Rome — their history, liturgy, theology, and role in Catholic-Orthodox ecumenism.

Why Did the Orthodox and Catholic Churches Split?

The Great Schism of 1054 divided Christianity into East and West. Explore the theological, political, and cultural causes — from the Filioque to papal authority — and why the split endures.

The Jesus Prayer and Hesychasm

What is the Jesus Prayer and why is it central to Orthodox spirituality? Explore hesychasm, Gregory Palamas, and the prayer of the heart.

Oriental Orthodox vs. Eastern Orthodox

What is the difference between Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Orthodox churches? Explore the Council of Chalcedon, Christology, and reunion efforts.

The Orthodox Christian Calendar and Feasts

A guide to the Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar — the Twelve Great Feasts, fasting periods, Pascha, and how the Church sanctifies time.

Orthodox vs. Catholic vs. Protestant

Orthodox vs. Catholic vs. Protestant — the key differences explained. A side-by-side comparison of authority, salvation, sacraments, worship, and what all three traditions still share. Updated 2026.

Orthodox Christianity for Beginners

New to Eastern Orthodoxy? A beginner's guide to Orthodox beliefs, worship, sacraments, and what makes the Orthodox Church unique.

Orthodox Easter vs. Catholic Easter

Why do Orthodox and Catholic Easter fall on different dates? Explore the calendar, theology, and liturgical differences between Pascha and Easter.

Orthodox Fasting

A comprehensive guide to fasting in the Eastern Orthodox Church — the four major fasting periods, weekly fasts, dietary rules, and the spiritual theology behind Orthodox asceticism.

Orthodox Icons Explained

What are Orthodox icons and why do Eastern Christians venerate them? Explore the theology of icons, the iconoclasm crisis, and how icon veneration differs from idolatry.

Orthodox Monasticism Explained

What is Orthodox monasticism and why does it matter? Explore the Desert Fathers, Mount Athos, hesychasm, and the monastic ideal in Eastern Christianity.

Orthodox vs. Catholic

What are the real differences between Orthodox and Catholic theology? A point-by-point comparison of papal authority, the Filioque, original sin, and sacraments.

Orthodox vs. Protestant

How do Orthodox and Protestant Christians differ on Scripture, salvation, sacraments, and worship? A point-by-point theological comparison.

Theosis

What is theosis? A comprehensive guide to the Christian doctrine of deification — from its biblical roots through the Church Fathers to its place in Orthodox and Catholic theology today.

The Meletian Schism: The Egyptian Church Crisis That Shaped Nicaea

The Meletian Schism divided the Egyptian church over lapsed Christians during the Diocletian persecution. Learn how it shaped the Council of Nicaea's Canon 6 and intersected with Arianism.

Should Eastern Orthodoxy Exist in the West?

Examining whether Eastern Orthodoxy can legitimately exist in Western territories according to its own ecclesiology and teachings on papal jurisdiction.

Eastern Orthodoxy Explained

What is Hellenistic Christianity? A complete guide to Eastern Orthodox theology, theosis, liturgy, sacraments, and the Church's ancient roots in Christian Hellenism.