Assyrian Church of the East, once the largest Christian church --- How similar is it to Catholicism?

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So the Assyrian Church of the East has less than half a million members. But in the Middle Ages until persecution, the ACoE was once the most expansive church, from Mesopotamia to China to India.

I think we often forget about this church. But its size was once quite large, especially in the Middle Ages. One could say, with some nuance, that the Assyrian Church was to the East Asia what The Catholic Church was to Europe and the Orthodox Church was to Eastern Europe.

Anyway, any idea how similar their views are on
  • Intercession of saints
  • Veneration of Mary
  • Using Images
 
Per recent dialog and point statements, very close.

The “disagreements” which led to the schism between the Oriental Christians and the other churches were a matter of talking past one another. The Union of Brest put it best: “because we don’t want to understand one another.”

hawk
 
It’s hard to find info on the ACoE. But I read they aren’t as inclined to use icons, for example. Any idea on that?

Plus their ancient rejection of Theotokos has led some to say (again, just quick comments) that they have’t fostered a Marian devotion like the Eastern Orthodox and Catholics have.
 
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I don’t think it’s accurate to say the Assyrian Church of the East was once the most expansive. It would be more accurate to say the Church of the East was the most expansive. The Assyrian Church of the East is one successor of the Church of the East, the others being the Ancient Church of the East and the Chaldean Catholic Church. The Chaldean Catholic Church is the largest of these churches (about double the size of the next largest), and is in communion with Rome.
 
What does the present state of both the Assyrian Church (and the Orthodox Church) mean for the future of the Catholic Church? Thoughts?
 
The Assyrian Church of the East and the Eastern Orthodox communion are very different entities, at least in the context of re-union with the Catholic Church.

Their schisms occurred for different reasons. The former is now only a few hundred thousand strong, while the Eastern Orthodox number in the hundreds of millions.

And then don’t forget the Oriental Orthodox – different still.
 
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Oh no, what was trying to ask does the demographic trends of both the Assyrian and Eastern Orthodox Churches bear ominous trends for the Roman Catholic Church’s future?

The Eastern Orthodox does seem to have plenty of people here or there but the Assyrian Church as mentioned by the thread has receded. Is this a sign?
 
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