Eastern Orthodoxy and Oriental Orthodoxy

[AndreiCordovan]

Can an Eastern Orthodoxy take the Communion/Eucharist in an Oriental Orthodox church(like Coptic or Armenian)? I have heard different people say different things about this.

 

[ZDHayden]

From what I know, the answer is no. This comes from the fact that, last time I heard, the Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Orthodox were still out of communion (there have been substantial gains in dialogue, however). I would, however, consult a priest at the parish you normally attend, just to be sure; he would have the best answer.

My information regarding the schism after Chalcedon comes mainly from Bishop Ware’s The Orthodox Church and my discussions with an Antiochan priest after Vespers.

I hope this helps.

 

[Cavaradossi]

Can an Eastern Orthodoxy take the Communion/Eucharist in an Oriental Orthodox church(like Coptic or Armenian)? I have heard different people say different things about this.

No, not unless the bishop allows for the Eastern Orthodox to be communed in his diocese (the reverse is also typically true).

 

[AndreiCordovan]

I wonder why aren’t the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches in communion?

 

[Hesychios]

I wonder why aren’t the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches in communion?

The so-called ‘Oriental Orthodox’ separated from both the Holy Orthodox church and Roman Catholicism ( the Roman Catholic church was part of Holy Orthodoxy at the time) over the nature of Christ. This happened as they rejected the Holy Ecumenical Council of Chalcedon (held in 451AD).

This could be partly because of the fallible nature of human expression trying to define the things of God, and perhaps there was a lot of blame on both sides. Nonetheless it has not been fully resolved. Relations tend to be cordial these days and there is a lot of mutual respect, but it is still difficult to define this Divine mystery in human words.

Thus, the ‘Oriental Orthodox’, or non-Chalcedonians are Miaphysites, the Holy Orthodox church (and along with them, the Roman Catholic church and subsequently most Protestants) would be classified as Diaphysites.

About 600 years later than Chalcedon, the Roman Catholic church made a break with Holy Orthodoxy, but in fact the Roman Catholic and Protestant churches tend to be closer to Holy Orthodoxy on this one point.

 

[GaryTaylor]

I have read a statement by the OO which seems to indicate this was a misunderstanding back then. It was a while back Michael. Really this whole thing is tragedy which I honestly believe can be resolved. You certainly wouldn’t know it by the years which have passed though. We are just a drop in the ocean of time. What Gods will is let it be done.

Michael would you say today the OO understanding of Gods nature is incorrect today? They seem to be in line with Catholicism/Orthodoxy however I have not dived deep into their belief system. Perhaps you see more clearly through study of the topic. I admit I was speed reading through it. I did catch that quote above though.

Peace and Love, GT

 

[Michael85]

I attended a Liturgy at a Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (also known as the Indian Orthodox Church) in Malaysia. This is an Oriental Orthodox Church. I told the priest that I was Roman Catholic, and he allowed me to take Communion.

 

[AndreiCordovan]

I attended a Liturgy at a Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (also known as the Indian Orthodox Church) in Malaysia. This is an Oriental Orthodox Church. I told the priest that I was Roman Catholic, and he allowed me to take Communion.

I live closer to a Coptic Orthodox Church than I live to a Greek Orthodox or Romanian Orthodox Church. I told the priest from the Coptic church that I am an Eastern Orthodox and he told me there is no problem with me attending liturgy and taking the Eucharist at their church.
But it is true that I haven’t talked with any Eastern Orthodox priest about it.

And I have also been to Armenian Orthodox churches and took the Eucharist there. The priests told me it’s OK, and there were other Eastern Orthodox people at the Armenian church because they didn’t have any other Orthodox churches near them.

 

[Matthew_Holford]

I told the priest that I was Roman Catholic, and he allowed me to take Communion.

Are you a Latin Catholic? If you are a Latin Catholic why does your tag say you are Anglican? If you told the Oriental Orthodox priest that you were Anglican do you think he would have admitted you to Communion? Do you think this was the appropriate thing to do?

 

[Zekariya]

Can an Eastern Orthodoxy take the Communion/Eucharist in an Oriental Orthodox church(like Coptic or Armenian)? I have heard different people say different things about this.

Intercommunion shouldn’t generally happen. However, if you desire to pursue this this is what you should do: Get permission from your bishop and from the Oriental Orthodox bishop.

 

[Michael85]

Are you a Latin Catholic? If you are a Latin Catholic why does your tag say you are Anglican? If you told the Oriental Orthodox priest that you were Anglican do you think he would have admitted you to Communion? Do you think this was the appropriate thing to do?

This was about 4 years ago. At the time, I was a catechumen in the Antiochian Orthodox Church, but the Orthodox priest told me that I was still a Roman Catholic (I was baptized RC) until I was received into the Orthodox Church. Since that’s what he said, that’s what I told the priest at the Malankara Church

Now I am an Anglican.

 

[GaryTaylor]

Intercommunion shouldn’t generally happen. However, if you desire to pursue this this is what you should do: Get permission from your bishop and from the Oriental Orthodox bishop.

I see this mentioned a couple times, and it may in fact be correct, but I couldn’t conceive a real life senerio where this would happen. Can’t even imagine one.

Peace

 

[mardukm]

Can an Eastern Orthodoxy take the Communion/Eucharist in an Oriental Orthodox church(like Coptic or Armenian)? I have heard different people say different things about this.

As a general rule:

Unofficially:
Armenian Apostolic and Syriac Orthodox Churches are generally more welcoming of Catholics and Eastern Orthodox. In the Traditional Patriarchal territories, intermarriage and mutual reception is not uncommon.

Officially:
The following Churches have pastoral agreements for the reception of Eucharist, Reconciliation, and Unction in cases of emergencies/extenuating circumstances; they also have official guidelines for intermarriage:

The Malankara Syriac Orthodox (Oriental) and the Catholic Churches (by extension, the Syriac Orthodox and Catholic Churches).

The Syriac Orthodox (Oriental) and Antiochian Greek Orthodox (Eastern) Churches.

The Coptic Orthodox (Oriental) and Greek Orthodox (Alexandrian Patriarchate, Eastern) Churches. The agreement between these two Churches is supposed to be valid only in the Patriarchal territory of Egypt, but obviously and naturally carries over to the “diaspora.”

The Syrian Malankara Orthodox (not to be confused with the Malankara Syrian Orthodox) and the Catholic Churches have warm relations and have been discussing guidelines for intermarriage for several years.

The Catholic Church also has an official pastoral agreement with the Assyrian Church of the East for reception of the 3 above-mentioned Sacraments in emergency/extenuating circumstances. I’m not sure if the Catholic Church and ACOE have official guidelines for intermarriage.

Blessings,
Marduk