QUESTION:
11/19/2009: Hi,
In a recent interview with Arch. Hilarion Alfeyev of the MP, he was quoted as saying that "the pre-Chalcedonian churches... though they are not in Eucharistic unity with the Eastern Orthodox Churches, share their theological, ecclesiological and moral positions."
I never thought this was so; I thought the "pre-Chalcedonian churches" held monophysite beliefs (Christ has one nature, not two). Can you comment on this remark by the Archbishop?
Eugene |
ANSWER:
There has been extensive dialogue at the highest level between the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches, especially between the 1970s and 1990s. Some of these documents are available below:
http://www.thevoiceoforthodoxy.com/orthodox_documents.html
http://orthodoxwiki.org/Agreed_Official_Statements_on_Christology_with_the_Catholic_and_Eastern_Orthodox_Churches
From a purely theological perspective, it seems that the issue is more terminology than substance, and there should be great incentive among separated Orthodox Christians who are so close liturgically to achieve full unity. A special page will be posted soon on Orthodox Answers on this topic. |
