the problem is, no matter how many history books you read about this - no matter how many times both sides banter back and forth saying that their side of history is more convincing, SOMETHING is the truth. It just bugs me. Either something happened or it didn't. Either Catholicism is right or Orthodoxy is right. But both can't be. There is an objective truth but it seems that both sides are so irreconcilable that we won't be able to find that objective truth.
The EO - well, they cannot continue to teach outside the parameters of the already established teachings derived through out the ages through the Chair of Peter. But they hold the practical truth from ancient times. [which does not always meet the needs of the current issues]
BUT they cannot change anything to meet the current heresies so long as they do not allow or follow the Chair of Peter who is in fact the Teacher - chosen by the Father and Christ Who are One.
This is why when questions arise - it is to remain a mystery.
But there really is no mystery - because the Church was set here to always give the truth. In every generation for all times. That is the point of the Church as well as give us sacraments...to edify our souls.
The EO are correct to say - they do not know and it is a mystery because they cannot define truth. They have the sacraments. They have the edifying Eucharist - but if you want truth - if you seek answers - there is one place that Christ rest this on.
In this way - if ever someone is searching the truth - He did not hide it - He did not leave it to the individual to decide - He did not abandon us in our need - and the need to know is significant for without which heresy occurs.
IF we did not need the Teacher in all generations - then through out history - heresy would still would be with us. And if heresy did not matter - why set up a truth at all?
Our times are no different than in ancient times. People come up with new false teachings every century. Every single century hundreds crop up.
Some are recycled - some are more diverse.
And as we see - or should see - the time for teaching and a teacher is ongoing. It wont stop til time stops.
So long as strange doctrines can occur - the Chair of Peter still stands. And humans will always come up with crazy formulas. Always.
And the gates of hell shall NOT prevail - is the promise to Peter. To Peter and his chair. Historically this is a known fact by East and West.
So we cannot say where is truth? It is where Christ said it would remain.
Look to Peter.
It is that simple.
No offense to the EO. I like them, i do. I appreciate they have untainted sacraments. I appreciate they are our estranged brethren. But the fact is the truth remains with the chair.