Orthodox Christianity and Roman Catholicism have some fundamental differences, including theological, historical, and cultural distinctions.

Orthodox Christians place a greater emphasis on tradition, symbol, and mysticism than Roman Catholics, who tend to emphasize theology, dogma, and hierarchy. Orthodox Christians do not recognize the Pope’s authority in the same way Roman Catholics do. Instead, the Orthodox Church operates on a highly decentralized basis, with regional bishops playing a greater role in decision-making.

Roman Catholics, on the other hand, recognize the Pope’s authority as the head of the Church, and the Church operates with a highly centralized hierarchy. The Roman Catholic Church places greater emphasis on the sacraments and the priesthood, while Orthodox beliefs are more focused on the liturgy and the role of the divine in human life.

In terms of cultural differences, the Orthodox Church has a strong presence in Eastern Europe and Russia, while Roman Catholicism is more prevalent in the West. These differences in theology, history, and culture have led to distinct differences in religious practices and beliefs between the two branches of Christianity.