www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life The Christian East & West Reunion/Reconciliation

Speaking from a Western/Catholic perspective obviusly,

If the Orthodox Churches chose to return to communion with Rome, would ALL of the Orthodox Churches join together and at once, or would it be possible for only certain autocephalous Churches to join? Could the Romanian Orthodox Church join without the Russian Orthodox Church, etc. etc.? I ask this because it seems that the Greek Orthodox Church(es) are on better terms with the Catholic Church than say the Russian Orthodox Church.

ChristTeen287

P.S. It would seem odd to refer to the Orthodox as one united religious body if the latter were to occur. If one part of this so-called "united" body could return without another part, and it still be completely within the limits of the relationships of these bodies...well, it just seems odd to me. I mean, for a church to be truly united it needs more than just a common Faith, right? Maybe not, because even though the Catholic Church does not have autocephalous churches inside her, it does have churches which are basically only united by Faith...but then once again, they ain't autocephalous. Right? Or wrong? I'm open to some correction so have yourselves a field day.

CTeen:

The only "correction" that I might suggest is that now you can feel free to speak from an "Byzantine/Orthodox" perspective. After all you've been with us now more that you've been with them, and besides which you're heart is with us, n'est-ce pas? [I hope this smiley face thing works]

With respect to the issue of the Latin and Orthodox Churches reconciling [I wanted to put it neutrally, rather than say: "When the Latin Church returns to Communion with Orthodoxy or vice versa], it should happen with the agreement of the entire Communion rather than individual autocephalous churches.

The idea is that if they are a Communion united in Faith, they should not act apart from each other in such an important matter so as to break Communion with each other. Also it might be seen a merely another case of "uniatism" writ slightly larger ["sheep stealing" on an ecclesial scale{rather than just an eparchial scale}]. And it would almost certainly create a fairly significant break off group within the reconciling Orthodox Church.

Having said that, of course, it technically could happen, but I should not hold my breath were I you.

An interesting case [and maybe someone with more up to date info could chime in] is with the Oriental Orthodox Churches.

I have heard that the Antiocheans are working out or have worked out some sort of interCommunion with the Coptic Church. If this is true and the other Orthodox Churches have neither reestablished Communion with the Coptic Church on one hand nor anathematized the Antiocheans for doing so, on the other, then that would be a very graced state of affairs.

And it could perhaps provide a model of progress or road map or half way station for the Catholic Communion which has much better relations with the Oriental Orthodox apparently.

So it would be something like: Catholics being in communion with Oriental Orthodox who in turn would be in communion with Byzantine Orthodox. Of course this would not past the test of more strict Orthodox......

As far as the Greeks being more friendly than the Russians, I am not sure about that, esp. at the grassroots level. And even at the hierarchical level, it may only be marginally so and not sufficient to make any real difference. But I could be wrong. Perhaps you have other information.

cix

herb.

ps: re Common Faith, it seems to me that there is a greater diversity/disparity of theology within the Catholic Communion than within Orthodoxy, no?

Every Church is free to do as it wishes (or, as it feels the Holy Spirit guiding). A local Church (e.g., Jerusalem) could reestablish communion with Rome and the other dozen or so Orthodox Churches wouldn't necessarily participate in this communion. It's not an all or nothing thing, each Church can choose to do as it wants.

Not sure as to the state of official relations/discussions, but Copts in America who have no local parish are allowed to receive communion from Antiochian Churches by order from above (not sure how far above, whether Metro. Philip, or all the way to Ignatius IV)

Herbigny,

My heart is with both the Western and Eastern Churches . Thanks for the input.

ChristTeen287

I have NEVER heard of this happening with reference to the Coptic Orthodox Church (would appreciate any leads), but there is something like this between the Antiochians (Greek Patriarchate of Antioch) and the Syriac Orthodox (THE Patriarchate of Antioch). It is similar to the joint statement of the present Pope of Rome and the present Patriarch of Antioch.