Why do you reject the pope?

[Ave Maria]

Hi everyone. I was just wondering, why do the Eastern Orthodox reject the pope's authority as pontiff? I have never really understood this. Please explain. Thanks.

 

[gzt]

The institution as held by the west isn't, in our opinion, historically or theologically justified.

 

[Ave Maria]

The institution as held by the west isn't, in our opinion, historically or theologically justified.

Oh ok. Thanks for this information.

God Bless,
PaladinGirl

 

[Michael G]

Why do the Roman Catholics and the Protestants who schismed from Rome reject the counciliar authority of the 4 ancient Patriarchates and subscribe to a doctrine that was not formally defined by Rome until 1870?

 

[cassc]

PaladinGirl, are you familiar with the Patriarchal structure of the Ancient Christian Church and Rome's historic place there? It is important for Roman Catholics to know that the Orthodox Church has greate respect for the historical Patriarchal seat of Rome, however the role that position has taken has diviated (in some way radically) in an unacceptable manor.

 

[Avatar]

PaladinGirl, are you familiar with the Patriarchal structure of the Ancient Christian Church and Rome's historic place there? It is important for Roman Catholics to know that the Orthodox Church has greate respect for the historical Patriarchal seat of Rome, however the role that position has taken has diviated (in some way radically) in an unacceptable manor.

Don't let Benny hear you talking like that!

 

[Alexander Nevsky]

Don't let Benny hear you talking like that!

Why not? Do you reckon it wrong?

 

[Avatar]

Well, duh.

 

[Julina]

having the Pope as the authority always seemed kind of intrusive to me

 

[Avatar]

having the Pope as the authority always seemed kind of intrusive to me

I hear that. Lots of times the wife and I just want to get to bed but he just can't take a hint. No matter how many times we yawn and stretch our arms, there he sits. 2, 3 in the morning sometimes.

I think he really freaks my wife out. She's Anglican and she says he keeps giving her this 'look'. I'm not sure what she means.

 

[katherine2001]

All the Patriarchs were equal. The Pope had a primacy of honor, not of power. In power, all the patriarchs were equal. Everything was decided in council with all the patriarchs and bishops present. If the Pope was willing to go back to that and give up the heretical doctrines that were adopted after the Schism of 1054, we could be one church again. I don't know that the Pope would be willing to be the Patriarch only of the Church of Rome (and maybe all of Europe) and be equal in power with the other patriarchs. Also, in the EO, the Church is considered to be infallible, but that does not include the Patriarchs or bishops. If you think about it, most of the heresies that came up were spread by bishops and patriarchs (Arius and Nestorius being prime examples).

 

[nestoj]

I hear that. Lots of times the wife and I just want to get to bed but he just can't take a hint. No matter how many times we yawn and stretch our arms, there he sits. 2, 3 in the morning sometimes.

I think he really freaks my wife out. She's Anglican and she says he keeps giving her this 'look'. I'm not sure what she means.

Tell him there's an Ecumenical Council held and all Orthodox are attending - he'll be out of your house in no time.
(wait....how bad is it for you guys to tell a small lie to a Pope?)

 

[HandmaidenOfGod]

I hear that. Lots of times the wife and I just want to get to bed but he just can't take a hint. No matter how many times we yawn and stretch our arms, there he sits. 2, 3 in the morning sometimes.

I think he really freaks my wife out. She's Anglican and she says he keeps giving her this 'look'. I'm not sure what she means.

 

[Redheadedstepchild]

Mod Hat On

This thread has been moved from the main forum. Carry on.

Mod Hat Off​

 

[E.C.]

Nutshell:

Bishop of Rome (aka Patriarch of the West) had a position of honor among the other patriarchs. Whenever they met, Rome would be at the head of the table. Nothing more, nothing less.
But, somewhere along the line a pope got a bit pig-headed and decided that he has authority over all the other patriarchs, bishops, laymen and peons.
The East said "You're wrong".
One thing lead to another. An excommunication here, and excommunication there, a Crusade gone wrong and thus we end up with....

-Eastern Orthodox remain as we have since 33AD-ish.
-Rome keeps 'developing' and 'developing'.




If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[Reader Antonius]

The institution as held by the west isn't, in our opinion, historically or theologically justified.

Wow! That is one of the best and most succint descriptions I have ever heard of the Eastern Orthodox position.

Did you post that on the fly?

 

[Xpycoctomos]

I think we Orthodox should keep in mind or at least openly offer the benefit of the doubt that although past popes at the turn of the milenium may have given into hubris, we can't blame this on modern popes. It's fallacy that they have inherited and have grown up with. If you start with the PREMISE that the Pope is supreme in authority (Universla Jurisdiction) then it is easy to read into history, very easy. This isn't pigheadeness anymore than a protestant is a heretic for innocently believing in the hersies created by their forefathers they have never met. It's what they know.


Xpy

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

Nutshell:

Bishop of Rome (aka Patriarch of the West) had a position of honor among the other patriarchs. Whenever they met, Rome would be at the head of the table. Nothing more, nothing less.
But, somewhere along the line a pope got a bit pig-headed and decided that he has authority over all the other patriarchs, bishops, laymen and peons.
The East said "You're wrong".
One thing lead to another. An excommunication here, and excommunication there, a Crusade gone wrong and thus we end up with....

-Eastern Orthodox remain as we have since 33AD-ish.
-Rome keeps 'developing' and 'developing'.




If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Well said! I would say that the

$1,000 college bill!

was money well spent!

 

[E.C.]

Well said! I would say that the was money well spent!

If only I could say that the college taught me that.

 

[JeremiahsBulldog]

Hi everyone. I was just wondering, why do the Eastern Orthodox reject the pope's authority as pontiff? I have never really understood this. Please explain. Thanks.

'cause he has a funny hair-cut.

Oh--plus he's a heretic (or some other minor detail like that-- i can't remember).