Eastern Orthodoxy

Eastern Orthodoxy Question from on 06-21-2007:

Dear Father Levis, I hope that you could help end some confusion I have. There is a Greek Orthodox church and school not far from our home. Last year, we had considered sending our son to kindergarten there, but were concerned about confusing him with the any differences in our faiths. We spoke to a Catholic priest, who assured us that the basic theologies were the same, just that the Eastern Orthodox view the Pope as just a bishop with no universal authority. We fortunately decided to send our son to our parish school. Recently this Greek Church had a festival, and my husband went into the church and picked up a pamphlet they had prepared. This pamphlet featured a page highlighting the differences between our two faiths. I was shocked to learn that the "Dogma of the Immaculate Conception is denied by the Orthodox. The Assumption of Mary is not required dogma for the Orthodox" and that "the Roman doctrine of Purgatory is rejected by the Orthodox". The pamphlet also states the contraception is not subject to to any formal condemnation by the Orthodox Church. Are these accurate views of the Easter Orthodox? If they are, they do seem to be radically different than our Catholic faith. Also, on the page the highlights the differences between Eastern Orthodoxy and Protestantism, it states that the Orthodox pray for the dead. If there is no Purgatory in their view, why pray for the dead? Thank you for your time

Answer by Fr. Robert J. Levis on 06-22-2007:

Dear MCV, While the Orthodox don't teach as dogma the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin, they still hold for the truth of this doctrine. They don't term it "Immaculate Conception" but they hold for Mary's perfect sinlessness. We Latins always held for the truth of the Assumption of Mary but we didn't define it as dogma until 1950. I expect that the Orthodox also teach the truth of this matter. I can't seem to find out what their view on PUrgatory is. Sorry. Fr. Bob Levis

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