The Catholic Church is divided geographically into two great divisions, the East and the West. In the East there is a further division of churches into those which are in communion with the Pope and those which are not. Those which are connected with Rome are called "UNIATE," or more correctly, "Eastern CATHOLIC Churches." Those which are not connected with Rome are called Orthodox Churches.

The Greek Church is one of these Eastern Churches, and in Greece, this Church is divided into those who are united with Rome and those who are not. That is, the Catholic Greek Church and the Orthodox Greek Church.

The Orthodox Eastern Churches are divided into many branches and acknowledge the supremacy of five Patriarchs -- Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem, and Cyprus.

In essential matters, the Orthodox Churches believe as the Western Church for the most part. However, they do not accept the authority of the Pope. Their priests are validly ordained and their bishops validly consecrated. Priests are allowed to be married men, provided they marry before they become deacons.

Their liturgy is similar to the Catholic Eastern liturgy, but different from the Western liturgy except in essential parts such as the consecration.