What Is The Difference Between Roman Catholics And Orthodox Catholics?

           The key difference between Roman Catholics and Orthodox Catholics (also called Eastern Orthodox) is that the former accepts the Pope as head of the Church, while most Orthodox Catholics are led by patriarchs.

           nlike in the Roman Catholic Church, Orthodox Christians do not have a single spiritual leader, but are rather part of 14 separate autocephalous churches. The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, however, is seen as a somewhat symbolic leader of all Orthodox Christians who are not in communion with Rome.

           In terms of theological differences, the Orthodox Church does not share the Catholic belief in purgatory, nor is there much of a differentiation between mortal and venial sins. (In this sense, the Orthodox are actually closer to most Protestants.) The Orthodox also reject the doctrine of Papal Infallibility, as well as the Immaculate Conception.