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I've looked around but can't really find a proper answer. Would anyone mind clarifying this for me?

I'm a Western Orthodox Christian, and I attended the baptism of my young cousin on Sunday, and this question just popped into my head.

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1 Answer

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Big question! Here is my source:

  • The culture - The East is familiar to Greek, Russian and Arabic languages/cultures, and the West is more familiar to Americans and English languages/cultures
  • The Clergy Vestments
  • The Liturgy/Mass - The East primarily uses the Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom, and the West primarily uses the Liturgy of Saint Gregory the Great.
  • The East has an Iconostasis ("Icon Wall") separating the Sanctuary from the rest of the church, and the West either has a rail (like the old Roman Catholic style) or nothing at all separating the Sanctuary from the rest of the church
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Interesting...thanks for the answer! Though, could you elaborate on the differences between the cultures? – Arbiter Aug 23 '11 at 23:21
Sorry to bother again. But could you possibly elaborate on the first point? – Arbiter Aug 26 '11 at 22:27
@Purmou I personally don't have any experience with Eastern Orthodox. Here is an interesting article that discusses the culture of their worship (starting about half-way down at "Characteristics"). – Richard Aug 27 '11 at 1:21
Thanks for the link, I got the clarification I was looking for. Thank you! :) – Arbiter Aug 27 '11 at 9:41

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