Is the Coptic Church part of the Eastern Orthodox Church?

[John1]

Please forgive me for my ignorance about this, but I was wondering is the Coptic Church was part of the Eastern Orthodox Church?

 

[malphono]

Please forgive me for my ignorance about this, but I was wondering is the Coptic Church was part of the Eastern Orthodox Church?

Not exactly. Properly speaking, the Coptic Orthodox, (along with the Syriac Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, & Ethiopian Orthodox) is considered one of the Oriental Orthodox Churches. (The Assyrian Church of the East is not technically part of that.) Likewise, the Coptic, Syriac, & Armenian Churches in union with Rome (including, among others, the Maronite and Chaldean Churches), are considered Oriental Catholic Churches (sui juris).

The term “Eastern Orthodox” generally applies to the usage of Constantinople, aka Byzantine. The term “Eastern” is also used for those Churches of Byzantine tradition that are in union with Rome.

 

[Harpazo]

Please forgive me for my ignorance about this, but I was wondering is the Coptic Church was part of the Eastern Orthodox Church?

The Copts are Non-Chalcedonian Orthodox (they don’t accept the definitions of the council of Chalcedon, but believe the same exact things as the Eastern Orthodox) as are the Syriac Orthodox, Ethiopian Orthodox, Eritrean Orthodox, and Armenian Apostolic. from what I hear, they are pretty close to reunion with the Chalcedonian Orthodox (otherwise known as the Eastern Orthodox, or simply “the Orthodox”).

Hope that helps!

In Christ,
Andrew

 

[John1]

Thanks for the information. Merry Christmas.

 

[mardukm]

Dear brother Andrew,

The Copts are Non-Chalcedonian Orthodox (they don’t accept the definitions of the council of Chalcedon, but believe the same exact things as the Eastern Orthodox) as are the Syriac Orthodox, Ethiopian Orthodox, Eritrean Orthodox, and Armenian Apostolic. from what I hear, they are pretty close to reunion with the Chalcedonian Orthodox (otherwise known as the Eastern Orthodox, or simply “the Orthodox”).

Not exactly. There is a powerful traditionalist faction among the Eastern Orthodox who still regard the Oriental Orthodox as heretics. One of the most prominent groups among that faction are from Mt. Athos, whose influence among the EO is not a light one. Besides that, the Atonement theology and penitential spirituality of the Oriental Orthodox would present the same problems among EO as many EO imagine it does with the Latin Catholic Church. There is also the issue of marriage - the EO permit for divorce and remarriage in circumstances unheard of among the OO, and one cannot forget that the OO generally hold to the doctrine of the indissolubility of marriage, which the EO do not. Further, the OO have an appreciation for Natural Law that is largely missing from the EO. Another point of variance would be the EO belief in a “Cyprianic” ecclesiology, which the OO do not hold. In the latter matters, as well as a few others, the OO and the CC are much closer than the OO and the EO.

Also, IMHO, the Syrian Orthodox and the Armenians are objectively and subjectively closer to reunion with the CC than with the EO at this point. As far as the Copts are concerned, though I believe they are objectively closer to reunion with the CC, subjectively speaking, as a certain prominent and influential CO metropolitan seems to be rather anti-Catholic in his outlook, and is very friendly with the EO, it would seem reunion is closer to the EO.

Blessings,
Marduk

 

[Aramis]

The Armenian Apostolic Orthodox are already in communion with the CC, albeit limited. Armenians of both sides are permitted the sacraments on both sides, by formal treaty.

The Syrian Orthodox and the Assyrian Church of the East also have such communion agreements.

Note that these are not full unions, and restrict concelebration.