I go to a Greek Orthodox Church
Having to interact with Greeks might be a deal-breaker.
That being said, other than not having a Pope, what are the main differences between Orthodoxy and Catholicism?
Having to interact with Greeks might be a deal-breaker.
There are also Russian, Serbian, Antiochian, Georgian, and Ukranian Orthodox Churches out there, all of which are in communion with each other (besides the current political schism between the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople and the Russian Orthodox Church).
Here are a few instances of Eastern Orthodoxy being different from Roman Catholicism:
The Holy Spirit comes from the Father only, not the Father and the Son. This is due to the Roman Catholics adding filioque to the Nicene Creed starting in the 6th century. The Orthodox believe that this messes with the hiearchy of the Trinity.
The Orthodox distinguish between God's essence (what He is) and His energies (His uncreated operations). Both are divine and fully part of God.
Instead of purgatory, there is theosis. Theosis is the process of becoming one with God by cooperating with His energies and the going through the lifelong journey of repentance.
The Orthodox do not believe in original sin/original guilt, but rather we just inherit the consequences of Adam's fall (such as corrupt human nature and death).
Married men are allowed to become priests.
The Orthodox distinguish between God's essence (what He is) and His energies (His uncreated operations).
Can you explain that a little more, or recommend some further reading?
St. Gregory Palamas taught this: God's essence (what He is in Himself, His inner being) is completely transcendent, utterly unknowable and unapproachable to any creature, ever. No created mind can touch it or participate in it without God ceasing to be God.
But God ain't locked away like some distant clockmaker. He really reveals Himself and unites us to Himself through His energies-His uncreated operations, actions, grace, light, glory, love, all that proceeds from His essence yet remains fully divine. These energies are eternal, uncreated, fully God Himself in His outgoing activity.
So the distinction is real-not just in our heads-but it don't split God into parts or wreck His perfect simplicity. It's like the sun: you can't grab the sun's core (essence), but its rays (energies) reach ya, warm ya, light ya up, and let ya truly encounter the sun without burning ya to a crisp.