ANSWER:
The two communions (Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox) are not formally in communion. The clergy cannot concelebrate in most cases, which is the sign and reality of being in communion. In the Middle East (Greek Orthodox Patriarchate / Jacobite Oriental Orthodox Patriarchate), the relations are extremely close and there are many instances of de-facto communion. One has to look at the individual Oriental Orthodox churches (Armenian, Jacobite, Coptic, Ethiopian, Eritrean, diaspora) to evaluate the possibilities of reunion. In the United States, it is not uncommon to see Oriental Orthodox christians be members of Eastern Orthodox parishes and in some cases be allowed to receive communion. Often, there Oriental Orthodox christians are received into full and permanent communion by simple confession of faith.
There is an ongoing dialogue and commission but the lack of urgency, as well as vested political interest in maintaining the status-quo for the time being.
For more information on a specific instance of dialogue, see
http://orthodoxwiki.org/Pastoral_Agreement_between_the_Coptic_Orthodox_and_Greek_Orthodox_Patriarchates_of_Alexandria_(2001)
See also http://www.orthodoxunity.org/ |
