• Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.

The Confession of Chalcedon: A Stumbling Back to Unity?

Status
Not open for further replies.

minasoliman

Veteran
Mar 21, 2005
1,041
72
41
Visit site
✟24,050.00
Faith
Oriental Orthodox
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Republican
I respectfully assert that unity will only be possible when the Creed of Chalcedon is formally and publicly accepted by both sides.
We shall see what happens. I hope you accept whatever Creed of Ephesus 449 we have as well in that case.

God bless.
 
Upvote 0

copticorthodoxy

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Dec 5, 2005
2,582
127
44
✟70,993.00
Faith
Oriental Orthodox
Marital Status
Single
I respectfully assert that unity will only be possible when the Creed of Chalcedon is formally and publicly accepted by both sides.

I really like the Eastern Orthodox church .but We don't want false unity based on a council has been rejected by our fathers
 
Upvote 0

SpyridonOCA

Well-Known Member
Aug 18, 2007
2,509
105
✟3,415.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
I really like the Eastern Orthodox church .but We don't want false unity based on a council has been rejected by our fathers

I really like non-Chalcedonians, and I hope for there to be full unity and reconciliation as soon as possible. But I don't see how we could be the same Church without first accepting the same Ecumenical Councils and the same Christology. Hopefully the young generation will repair the mistakes of our fathers.
 
Upvote 0

copticorthodoxy

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Dec 5, 2005
2,582
127
44
✟70,993.00
Faith
Oriental Orthodox
Marital Status
Single

we could call you Chalcedonians or may be Nestorians as you call us non chalcedonians but we don't like this way
 
Upvote 0

SpyridonOCA

Well-Known Member
Aug 18, 2007
2,509
105
✟3,415.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
we could call you Chalcedonians or may be Nestorians as you call us non chalcedonians but we don't like this way

I consider "Non-Chalcedonian" to be a much more respectful and accurate term than "Monophysite". I would never call you a "Monophysite".
 
Upvote 0
Y

Yeznik

Guest


Agreed.


I can only create a primitive analogy of how the OO look at differences in traditions. Take for example the rose (flower). There are different kinds of flowers, such as color, shapes, petals, scents etc. but yet they are still classified as rose. We would look at tradition the same way as we would study roses, to approach and learn the differences between each individual flower, its history, and to appreciate its attributes and what that flower has contributed to the rose family.

In the matter of ROCOR reuniting with the ROC, praise God! The death and destruction brought about by Communism in all Orthodox Churches was horrendous and unfortunate. The Churches behind “the iron curtain” are the only ones that know about the sufferings of our clergy and we must refer to them as point in commonality between our Churches, first in order to emphasize with what our clergies have experienced, secondly to use this experience as a channel for unifying discussions. I remember once having a conversation with a person who was amazed at the number of Armenians that lived and were buried in Siberia; I explained they were mainly clergy sent there to be exiled and they were worked to death.

As a historical note, the discussions that were held from 5th century until the 13th century required the Armenian Church to accept the holidays and services designated by the Byzantine Church in order to establish Communion between Churches. Due to the re-unification of the ROCOR with ROC being something accomplished by recent events, I hope that all orthodox continue to seek unity in the same spirit, in the discussions between our Churches.

I have been to St. Vlad’s in NY, I use to visit the Saint Nerses Armenian Seminary when I was living in New York and have met and spoken with Professor Terian, Fr. Findikyan on several occasions. I also know that there is a combined effort between St. Vlad’s and St. Nerses in regards to publishing Armenian literature into English as a part the Avant series of books. If you are interested, I would recommend a recent book, specifically in regards to the Armenian tradition that has been published by St. Vlad’s press titled “Worship Traditions in Armenia and the Neighboring Christian East” edited by Roberta R. Ervine. You can read more about it here: http://www.stnersess.edu/currentEvents/pressRelease/pr.php?id=176
I would ask kindly ask if the other OO member of this forum to suggest other books. In return, I would also appreciate EO literature that you might suggest for reading.



What also needs to be realized is that some of the theological conclusions were also drawn out by the political circumstances. This is the 21st century and “blame game” will not create any results for unity from either side, but rather it would stir animosity. The discussions need to continue on theological bases, and each side would need to accept the validity of the Sacraments of Baptism and Communion, in order to establish unity rather quickly. If these discussions start to dwell on more of the ecclesiastical structures rather the Sacramental unity between Churches, then these discussions will be short lived and the unification delayed.
You have brought up critical point, which is a process of the resolution, the process of forgiveness between the Churches. What are your thoughts?

I am not sure I understand what you mean. Can you please explain? Perhaps an example?


A basic comparison I would give is the writings of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III and Bishop Kalistos Ware in explaining orthodoxy to the non-orthodox. They explain orthodoxy in a spiritual and mystical approach to God, rather than a logistical and legalistic approach. The explanations of Salvation, Communion, Baptism and other practices for the orthodox are basically the same, when dealing with people from a non-orthodox background. And in regards to us being our own biggest adversaries, during this time in history we have been given the biggest opportunity for a resolution and to establish unity that we have had over the last 1600 years.

In Christ,

Yeznik
 
Upvote 0

Grigorii

Regular Member
Feb 19, 2006
411
57
✟23,456.00
Faith
Anglican
Marital Status
Married


Indeed - truly the Lord is glorified in His martyrs!

But at some point - this I would affirm with Fr. Sergius Bulgakov - discussion alone becomes spiritually dangerous if an already accomplished intimacy between our two bodies is not acted upon. How will I as an Eastern Orthodox get to know the spiritual heart of my Oriental brethren if we do not act and pray as brothers? I know that initiatives are taken by both our bodies but the theological agreements underpinning such initiatives are often poorly understood by Orthodox Christians (especially on the web it seems). One such blessed initiative was a couple of years ago when an Armenian Priest was not available to do the commemoration of the dead for the remembrance of the Genocide committed against the Armenians, the Russian (MOSPAT) priest did the service assisted by an Armenian Deacon.

I was actually present at the book presentation when it came out here at SVS - and bought it then and there! I haven't had a chance to read it yet though.


Indeed!

The discussions need to continue on theological bases, and each side would need to accept the validity of the Sacraments of Baptism and Communion, in order to establish unity rather quickly.
Since this is already practiced in local communities perhaps a theological justification could be phrased for an already present practice of limited intercommunion as a response to the direction the Spirit of God is leading His Church into? Instead more theology and speculation, perhaps we need to practice the theology we already have in common which will then lead us to the next step? What is theology after all but prayerful union with all in/withChrist our God, His Spirit and His Father?

If these discussions start to dwell on more of the ecclesiastical structures rather the Sacramental unity between Churches, then these discussions will be short lived and the unification delayed.
The problem, I think, has been identified by Fr. Nicholas Afanasieff as universal ecclesiology which is not the only traditional ecclesiology (though, thanks to St. Cyprian of Carthage) it is the dominant one. A eucharistic / baptismal ecclesiology is (I believe) more Scriptural and more in line with other traditions (at least in the EOC).

You have brought up critical point, which is a process of the resolution, the process of forgiveness between the Churches. What are your thoughts?
Let me think and pray about that. It is a vital question.

True,.. and food for thought.

Fr. Deacon Gregory
 
Upvote 0

Anglian

let us love one another, for love is of God
Oct 21, 2007
8,092
1,246
Held
✟28,241.00
Faith
Oriental Orthodox
Marital Status
Married
I rather thought Yeznik's posting one of the most deeply-thought through and sensitive comments on this very difficult issue.

None of what I have read here is of the kind of false ecumenism which tries to play down issues that may still divide us; it is the positive and honest sort which, whilst facing up to the remaining differences, also has something to say about the many things that unite us.

It is worth remembering that there has never been an example of this sort of schism being healed, so, as sinful mankind we have no hope save in He who gives hope to the world. So, of course, we none of us would abandon the heritage left us by our forefathers - but if it falls to this generation to build on it constructively and in true faith, then, humbled though we would be by the challenge, we have His command to 'be one' to obey.

Constructive and thoughtful dialogue - and Yeznik's comments were both - has a role to play in this.

In Christ,

Anglian
 
Upvote 0
Status
Not open for further replies.