That They Might All Be One - Unity talk

[Bendix]

The Coptic Orthodox certainly do have the Pope

This is an interesting subject. I wonder if individual Orthodox churches/traditions (both Eastern and the ancient Oriental churches) will (continue) to move towards perfect communion with the Holy See? I almost see that being a higher probability then their own internal “unification.”

 

[ConstantineTG]

This is an interesting subject. I wonder if individual Orthodox churches/traditions (both Eastern and the ancient Oriental churches) will (continue) to move towards perfect communion with the Holy See? I almost see that being a higher probability then their own internal “unification.”

The Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches don’t see themselves as the same Orthodox Church. So its not an “internal” matter as much as it is with the Roman Catholic Church. But you know what, the Oriental Orthodox are closer to communion with Rome and Constantinople than Rome and Constantinople is to each other.

 

[Hesychios]

This is an interesting subject. I wonder if individual Orthodox churches/traditions (both Eastern and the ancient Oriental churches) will (continue) to move towards perfect communion with the Holy See? I almost see that being a higher probability then their own internal “unification.”

Constantine is right.

The situation between the non-Chalcedonians and Holy Orthodoxy is not an ‘internal’ anything. If you study the situation you will see that.

The miaphysite non-Chalcedonians would more likely (and with far more reason) see the schism between Holy Orthodoxy and the Papal communion as an internal dispute (although I am sure they are more realistic than that).

 

[Bendix]

The Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches don’t see themselves as the same Orthodox Church. So its not an “internal” matter as much as it is with the Roman Catholic Church. But you know what, the Oriental Orthodox are closer to communion with Rome and Constantinople than Rome and Constantinople is to each other.

Pardon me. I did not mean to suggest unity between the Eastern Orthodox and the Ancient Oriental churches, but unity among the many Eastern Orthodox state/ethnic churches.

You’re right about the Oriental Orthodox. I don’t think they have the national and often secular historical issues that divide the Catholic Church from the Eastern Orthodox.

 

[Bendix]

Constantine is right.

The situation between the non-Chalcedonians and Holy Orthodoxy is not an ‘internal’ anything. If you study the situation you will see that.

The miaphysite non-Chalcedonians would more likely (and with far more reason) see the schism between Holy Orthodoxy and the Papal communion as an internal dispute (although I am sure they are more realistic than that).

I never suggested that is was.

 

[Mickey]

Eastern Orthodox state/ethnic churches.

There is no such thing as an Eastern Orthodox state/ethnic Church.

The Holy Orthodox Church…is the Holy Orthodox Church.

 

[Aramis]

There is no such thing as an Eastern Orthodox state/ethnic Church.

The Holy Orthodox Church…is the Holy Orthodox Church.

Only on paper…

The Russian Orthodox Church was (for some of the 20th century, including some of the Communist period, and all of the 17th-19th centuries) the state Church of Russia, and is the state-backed church in the 21st (albeit not the state church any more).

Most of the various ethnic branches originate as National Churches backed by the power of the state.

 

[5Loaves]

We had a wonderful time tonight at a St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox parish tonight… akarhist, paraklesis & veneration of a number of holy relics tonight in San Jose. What a spread they put on for us before the St. Nicholas in Hymnology and Visual Images presentations!

During the dinner I was chatting with some members of the parish. They asked where I was from and when they heard I am a Byzantine/Eastern Catholic they volunteered “We’re not really very different, are we?” They didn’t skip a beat, just kept right on chatting hospitably. I have heard this so many times for Orthodox laity, perhaps more Greeks than Russians, the two groups I have the most contact with. Often it’s the “Catholic” they are responding to when saying this I think because not many even know what Byzantine/Eastern/Greek Catholics are. It seems like the two infallible dogmas of the Catholic Church, Immaculate Conception, and Assumption of Mary are maybe not even known of to them; I’ve never heard an ordinary lay person bring them up as issues.

 

[Mickey]

Only on paper…

The point of my post was (and you know this well)…that the Holy Orthodox faith is the Holy Orthodox faith.

I suppose many of the Eastern Catholic Churches are also not ethnic churches…only on paper.

 

[Alveus_Lacuna]

I never suggested that is was.

You specifically used the word “internal.”

 

[ConstantineTG]

Sorry, I can’t resist

 

[BusterMartin]

Constantine…

…well played!!

:clapping: :bowdown: :clapping:

 

[Formosus]

@5Loaves

I’ve had similar experiences with Greek Orthodox. A priest at a parish in the St. Louis are asked me if I was Orthodox, which I told him I was I not but that I was Ukrainian Catholic. He said “Close enough,” and told me how he was friends with the Ukrainian priest in those parts.

Generally back home in the South though, I found that most Orthodox either didn’t know about Greek Catholics or were not quite as willing to admit our similarities. Not a big deal though.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Constantine…

…well played!!

:clapping: :bowdown: :clapping:

We do have Opti-Pope Prime(acy)

 

[dochawk]

During the dinner I was chatting with some members of the parish. They asked where I was from and when they heard I am a Byzantine/Eastern Catholic they volunteered “We’re not really very different, are we?”

I’ve gotten the same reaction to my tri-barred cross when asked if I was orthodox–“yeah, that’s orthodox.”. Similarly, the Russian orthodox at a job site wer protective of my son in law, making clear to someone that he was one of theirs.

We have multiple orthodox at our parish, too.

some folks just refuse to participate in schism

hawk

 

[Alveus_Lacuna]

some folks just refuse to participate in schism

Some folks just refuse to obey their bishops.

 

[Phillip_Rolfes]

And some bishops ought not to be obeyed. This can go on and on.

 

[Ghosty]

This past Sunday my family received the Eucharist from the hands of a Syriac Orthodox priest who was concelebrating the Melkite Divine Liturgy with our Catholic priest. Syriac Orthodox and Antiochian Orthodox were in attendance and received the Eucharist as well.

At the local Armenian Orthodox church the priest invited me to receive the Eucharist and I responded that I’m Catholic, to which he responded “so? We believe the same Creed and Faith”.

I like the expression “refuse to participate in Schism”.

Peace and God bless!

 

[Phillip_Rolfes]

I like the expression “refuse to participate in Schism”.

I’m with you, Ghosty. In countries where Christianity is under oppression it is common knowledge that Catholics and Orthodox share Communion, intermarry, and priests even serve the Liturgy in each other’s parishes. I guess our differences don’t run that deep. Having the luxury of freedom of religion is certainly a blessing, but religious oppression really seems to reduce our theological mountains to the molehills they really are.

 

[Mickey]

This past Sunday my family received the Eucharist from the hands of a Syriac Orthodox priest who was concelebrating the Melkite Divine Liturgy with our Catholic priest. Syriac Orthodox and Antiochian Orthodox were in attendance and received the Eucharist as well.

Some folks just refuse to obey their bishops.