Eastern Christianity and Catholic dogma- questions

[ac_claire]

Hi!
I hope this is the right forum, and not too many questions for one thread. (I am fascinated by a lot of things here, and curious!)

First, I hear about the “Eastern church” a lot. Usually, does this refer to Eastern Orthodox, Eastern Catholic or both/either?

What is the difference between the Orthodox and Catholic understanding of the Eucharist…? Do Eastern Christians accept transubstantiation?

Finally, I read something in another thread about controversy surrounding Mary w/ John in Ephasus, but couldn’t understand the context. Does the EO church accept Marian dogmas such as the Assumption and the Immaculate Conception…?

 

[Alexius]

Hi!
I hope this is the right forum, and not too many questions for one thread. (I am fascinated by a lot of things here, and curious!)

First, I hear about the “Eastern church” a lot. Usually, does this refer to Eastern Orthodox, Eastern Catholic or both/either?

What is the difference between the Orthodox and Catholic understanding of the Eucharist…? Do Eastern Christians accept transubstantiation?

Finally, I read something in another thread about controversy surrounding Mary w/ John in Ephasus, but couldn’t understand the context. Does the EO church accept Marian dogmas such as the Assumption and the Immaculate Conception…?

Hello!

First things first. “Eastern Church” is as broad a term as Western Church and can refer to any of the churches of the East. Traditionally, it applied to the Eastern Orthodox Church, but not necessarily.

Both Eastern Orthodox and Catholics believe that the bread and wine become the true Body and Blood of Christ. When that occurs differs, but both believe in the change. Generally, Eastern Christians don’t delve into the Scholastic understanding and terminology influenced by Aristotle like transubstantiation and accidents; etc.

I’m not sure what you are referring to with regards to Mary and John of Ephesus. As far as the Immaculate Conception, no it is not part of Eastern Orthodox understanding. It is held that the Blessed Theotokos was born in the same nature as all of humanity. As far as the Assumption, yes they believe in this, but like Eastern Catholics, they focus on her Dormition (falling asleep [death]). It is held that on the third day, her body was taken into heaven and reunited with her soul as a foretaste of our own resurrection. It is not, however, a dogma in Orthodoxy, but is none the less part and parcel of the faith handed down.

Prayers and petitions,
Alexius

 

[Aramis]

Eastern Church:

• one or more of the non-Roman catholic churches
• one or more of the Eastern Erthodox communion churches
• The Byzantine and Antiochene (Syriac) Rite Churches (catholic, orthodox, and/or Nestorian)
• some admixutre of the above

The understanding of the Eucharist is the same. The term Transubstatiation is particularly Catholic, but the actual understanding it embodies is shared amongst the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Nestorian, and Oriental Churches.

Most of the EO accept the Assumption vis-a-vis Mary was taken to heaven bodily at the time of her death. Whether or not she was still in her body is another matter.

The Immaculate conception is trickier. Some do, some don’t, and many don’t understand why it is even an issue. Suffice it to say that Mary is held in higher esteem than any other saint (including the Archangels) by the EC’s and the EO. She’s commemorated more than any other mortal in the Liturgy of St. John and of St. Basil.

This may help, it’s from the Ruthenian Catholic usage of the DL of St. John: “It is truly proper to Glorify you, Oh Theotokos, the ever blessed, immaculate, and the Mother of our God. More honorable than the cherubim, and beyond compare, more glorious than the seraphim, who a virgin gave birth to God the Word, you truly the Theotokos, we magnify” (Theotokos = God-Birther). It is called the Theotokion, the hymn to the God-birther. The orthodox ones are very similar, differing in various translations.

Here’s the one from Orthodox Wiki:
“It is truly right to bless you, O Theotokos, ever blessed, and most pure, and the Mother of our God: more honorable than the cherubim, beyond compare more glorious than the seraphim — without corruption you gave birth to God, the Word. True Theotokos, we magnify you!”
orthodoxwiki.org/Troparion#Theotokion

The Theotokion is sung at almost every divine liturgy of St John and of St Basil. It is also sung during vespers and matins. In any case, alternate wordings are used on specific feasts.