www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology How do Eastern Catholics be Orthodox without becoming Orthodox?

The below was posted on the RDL board. It made me think of a recurring question I keep intending to ask about books by, for, and about Eastern Catholics (an area I believe to be lacking), so I posted a request for such in the Books section. The conversation there quickly turned into a discussion of how Eastern Catholics can be Orthodox without becoming Orthodox, which I anticipate will rightfully be a popular topic. As such, I am starting a thread to discuss that and have asked the moderators, in their kindness, to move the pertinent posts from the other thread.

If you have recommendations of books, please go to that thread and list them there.

I would agree with what Father Elias said on another thread. If union with Rome is an essential part of being Orthodox, then being an Eastern Catholic is being Orthodox. It is we, Orthodox, who would not be Orthodox. I suppose I would exhort my eastern Catholic brethren to simply be themselves.

Joe

That is an interesting comment. The Orthodox Church has St Peter also. For me, "The Pearl of Great Price" is the Orthodox faith. And the fullness of Orthodox Chritianity can only be found in the Orthodox Church. Please do not be offended by this. It is what I have come to believe in my heart.

R

Recluse, I agree with you. The pearl of great price is the Orthodox Faith. The Eastern Catholic Churches (and hear I speak only in those Churches that use the Byzantine Rite) are Orthodox in Faith, in Theology, and Spirituality. Where we have deviated, we are in error and need to correct this immediately: No Exceptions.

I understand why we cannot recieve communion in the Orthodox Church and why some question our Baptism. As a Melkite, I also know that when we say we are Orthodox, we mean we are, 100%.

I'd never heard of anyone doubting Melkites baptize in the name of the Trinity.

I admire the strides so many Byzantine Catholics have made in returning to their traditional practices and theology. Laka's right that many Melkites believe they are 100 percent Orthodox in practice and theology. I know some are maybe 99 percent.

Trouble is "ecclesiology" is a branch of "theology." Orthodox theology won't allow for some Roman beliefs, notably papal infallibility and universal jurisdiction as currently practiced. Byzantine Catholics have to formally accept that theology and ecclesiology as part of communion with the See of Rome, which Orthodox Christians can't. Of course, we long for the day there won't be any separation between us at all, Eastern or Western Rite.

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Western Orthodoxy Blog [westernorthodox.blogspot.com]

As to the underlying question, "How do Eastern Catholics be Orthodox without becoming Orthodox?" Well, that's a good question. I know many Byzantine Catholics who have become Orthodox as a result of asking it. I know of one Orthodox who became Byzantine Catholic, because he believed there had to be an earthly head to the Church...but I've never asked how he deals with formally accepting Roman theology.

Any ideas?

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Western Orthodoxy Blog [westernorthodox.blogspot.com]

Very simply? At the end of the day, folks like myself, feel that part of being Orthodox, is being in communion with the Roman see. There are miles and miles of threads in this forum alone to debate that, so I am not interested in debating it here.

Given the vast richness of Orthodoxy, I guess I am comfortable knowing that where we diverge from those not in communion with Rome, when lined up against the whole of Eastern spirituality represents only a small part of our Faith.

At the parochial and monastic level, seeking to adhear to the feasts, fasts, and life of Christ generally takes up the prepondarance of time anyway. God bless, keep, protect and preserve the monastics who engage in apologetics, polemics, or ecumenical work... But that is always secondary - the focus is first and foremost on the less nuanced seeking of salvation.

For my part, I believe that there is compatibility with early church teachings between the Latin west and Greek east and I accept the claims of the Roman party where there has been contention.

But this is an interesting question for a Western rite Orthodox to ask.

Well, if a person believes that communion with the Pope of Rome if necessary for Orthodoxy, be a member of an Eastern Catholic Church.

If a person doesn't believe that, be a member of the Orthodox Church.

Peace.

-- John

We, Romanians, have a prince who converted to Catholicism. When asked for the reason, he said: "I became Catholic to be a better Orthodox". His name is Vladimir Ghika and he is proposed for beatification.