Eastern Orthodox – Roman Catholic Theological Differences - Areas of Agreement On Doctrine

Areas of Agreement On Doctrine

Both churches accept the decisions of the first seven Ecumenical Councils of the undivided Church. These are:

  • The Council of Nicea
  • The First Council of Constantinople
  • The First Council of Ephesus
  • The Council of Chalcedon
  • The Second Council of Constantinople
  • The Third Council of Constantinople and
  • The Second Council of Nicaea.

There is therefore doctrinal agreement on:

  • The divinity and nature of Jesus
  • Apostolic Succession
  • The threefold ministry of bishops, priests and deacons.
  • The broad structure of the visible church,
  • The sinless life of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the honour due to her as Theotokos
  • Invocation of the Saints
  • The acceptance of the Seven Sacraments as Sacraments
  • Priestly confession,
  • The use of images in worship
  • The solemn celebration of the Divine Liturgy and the affirmation of its sacrificial nature (understood as being a mystical participation in the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Jesus at the Last Supper)
  • The bread and wine becoming in the Eucharist the body and blood of Jesus Christ.

Neither Church community subscribes to the Protestant teachings expressed in the five solae, especially regarding the teachings of salvation through faith alone (understood as requiring no acts of love and charity) or of Sola Scriptura (understood as excluding doctrinal teachings passed down through the Church from the apostles in the form of Sacred Tradition).

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