Comparison chart

Eastern Orthodox versus Oriental Orthodox comparison chart
Edit this comparison chartEastern OrthodoxOriental Orthodox
Introduction (from Wikipedia) The Eastern Orthodox Church, officially the Orthodox Catholic Church, and also referred to as the Orthodox Church and Orthodoxy, is the second-largest Christian church in the world, with approximately 220 million baptised members. The Oriental Orthodox Churches are a group of Eastern Christian churches adhering to Miaphysite Christology, with a total of approximately 60 million members worldwide.
Place of worship Church Church
Use of statues and pictures Permitted, through Icons Permitted, through Icons
Place of origin Byzantine Empire. But Chrisitanity in itself was founded by the Apostles and the followers of Christ, in a sense. In the Middle East.
Birth of Jesus Virgin Birth Virgin Birth
Death of Jesus Death by Crucifixion Death by Crucifixion
Scriptures Bible: Both testaments, scriptures according to apostles. Bible: Both testaments, scriptures according to apostles
Second coming of Jesus Affirmed Affirmed
Literal Meaning orthodox- a union of Greek orthos ("straight" "correct" "true" "right") and doxa ("glory" as in Doxa Patri, "Glory to the Father") orthodox- a union of Greek orthos ("straight" "correct" "true" "right") and doxa ("glory" as in Doxa Patri, "Glory to the Father")
Resurrection of Jesus Affirmed Affirmed
About Eastern Orthodox Christians follow the teachings of Jesus and claim to be his original Church. Oriental Orthodox Christians follow the teachings of Jesus and claim to be his original Church.
Authority of Pope Denied. The Patriarch is the Orthodox version of the Pope. Coptic and Ethiopian Orthodox have their own Pope (same one).
Day of worship Sunday. Sunday.
Status of women Women are allowed to become nuns, religious sisters, and deaconesses. Women are allowed to become nuns, religious sisters, and deaconesses.
Geographical predominance Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia, Moldova, Greece, and Macedonia. Ethiopia, Egypt, Armenia, Antioch, India, and Syria
Prophet Jesus Christ Jesus Christ
Ressurection of Jesus Affirmed Affirmed
Savior Jesus Christ Jesus Christ
Mary Mary was assumed into heaven, but the Immaculate Concepcion is denied, meaning she is not sinless. Mary is venerated only as Theotokos (God-bearer) Mary was assumed into heaven, but the Immaculate Concepcion is denied, meaning she is not sinless. Mary is venerated only as Theotokos (God-bearer)
Branches Russian, Greek, Georgian, etc.. Orthodox (only difference is language). In Russia there is also a sect called the Old Believers, who are ultra-conservative. Ethiopian, Coptic, Armenian, Syrian, and Indian.

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"Eastern Orthodox vs Oriental Orthodox." Diffen.com. Diffen LLC, n.d. Web. 16 Nov 2025. < >