gregorylinton asked:
How did the Catholic Papacy in Rome and the Greek Orthodox Patriarch differ from each other in terms of political power and influence?
How did the Catholic Papacy in Rome and the Greek Orthodox Patriarch differ from each other in terms of political power and influence?
Basically the Greek Orthodox Patriarch is a Bishop over other Bishops (using Catholic terminology). He has little power over the other Bishops. The Pope has considerable power to make decisions on doctrines regarding the faith and his position is superior to a Bishop. The Orthodox Church looks at the Bishops or Patriarchs as the successors of the Apostles. The Catholic church looks at it the same way but believe that Peter was the head of the Apostles and that his office is now the Pope’s. The Catholic church also has Cardinals etc but I’m just trying to give you the basic idea. My answer is very simplistic but it should help. BTW The Catholic Church recognizes the authority of the Patriarchs and Priest of the Orthodox Church. As a Catholic I give them the same respect that I would give them if they were Catholic.