Anglican 39 Articles

[O.S.Luke]

Orthodox generally do not commit themselves the Aristotelian metaphysic with the distinction between substance and accidents (whence “transubstantiation”).

But some Orthodox have used these terms, and even more have come very close to it.

The Greek equivalent “metaousiosis” is used frequenetly in Greek theological writings.

I’ve seen Latin translations of the Divine Liturgy done by Orthodox which render the Epiclesis “…transubstantiando illus per Spiritu Sancti Tui.”…
There are any number of proper terminologies to explain this msytery. “Transubstantiation” is just one of them.

I stand corrected, Basil. Thank you. I found some writings this morning that further confirm what you said. Thanks for the illumination - they would have been helpful for my graduate school work 20 (ok, 20+) years ago on the Real Presence!

Gennadius (Patriarch around the time of the Council of Florence) used the term metousiosis/transubstantiation in a sermon. However, in more recent times (particularly the writings of Kallistos “Tim” Ware), it is more and more recognized that the term was misused and often used in error.
Kallistos Ware:

As the words of the Epiclesis make abundantly plain, the Orthodox Church believes that after the consecration the bread and wine become in very truth the Body and Blood of Christ: they are not mere symbols, but the reality. But while Orthodoxy has always insisted on the REALITY of the change, it has never attempted to explain the MANNER of the change: the Eucharistic Prayer in the Liturgy simply uses the nuetral term metaballo, to ‘turn about’, to ‘change’, to ‘alter’.

It is true that in the seventeenth century not only individual Orthodox writers, but Orthodox councils such as that of Jerusalem in 1672, made use of the Latin term ‘transubstantiation’ (in Greek, metousiosis), together with the Scholastic distinction between substance and accidents. But at the same time the Fathers of Jerusalem were careful to add that the use of these terms does not constitute an explanation of the manner of the change, since this is a mystery and must always remain incomprehensible.

Yet despite this disclaimer, many Orthodox felt that Jerusalem had committed itself too unreservedly to the terminology of Latin Scholasticism, and it is significant that when in 1838 the Russian Church issued a translation of the Acts of Jerusalem, while retaining the word transubstantiation, it carefully paraphrased the rest of the passage in such a way that the technical terms substance and accidents were not employed.

Today a few Orthodox writers still use the word transubstantiation, but they insist on two points: first, there are many other words which can with equal legitimacy be used to describe the consecration, and, among them all, the term transubstantiation enjoys no unique or decisive authority; secondly, its use does not commit theologians to the acceptance of Aristotelian philosophical concepts. - from The Orthodox Church, © 1993, pp 283-4

I use a lot of Ware’s writings, as well as Anglican Dom Gregory Dix, in my writings and research on sacramental theology. I found this very fascinating dialogue between Ken Peck (an Anglican), Brett Johnson (a Protestant layman), Phil Porvaznik (Catholic apologist), and Michael Brazier (never heard of him before) regarding Orthodoxy and Transubstantiation (click on the link).

O+

 

[kotek]

Apostate it may be, but technically it is still a member of the Anglican Communion, which ACNA is not, pending a formal vote on the matter by the AC. I do watch the upcoming CoE Synod, and a certain resolution, with interest, though. OTOH, communion with +Cantaur is not the definition of Anglicanism. That is, ACNA is Anglican as is.

GKC

Anglicanus-Catholicus

Yes I know which resolution you are watching. If it passes then the CoE will be in full Communion with the ACNA, most of the other members of the AC are in Communion with the ACNA. Once Cantaur is then the ACNA wil be a de facto member.

 

[GKC]

A formal vote of the AC will be required. If the CoE desires that the ACNA be admitted, that is only one vote, when the vote is taken. If it is.

GKC

Yes I know which resolution you are watching. If it passes then the CoE will be in full Communion with the ACNA, most of the other members of the AC are in Communion with the ACNA. Once Cantaur is then the ACNA wil be a de facto member.