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Coptic Church & Ecumenical Movement - Saint Mina Coptic ...

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CHAPTER 3<br />

ORIENTAL ORTHODOX AND<br />

EASTERN ORTHODOX<br />

DIALOGUE<br />

The restoration to full unity between the two families of Orthodoxy is an <strong>Ecumenical</strong> priority for<br />

the <strong>Coptic</strong> Orthodox <strong>Church</strong>. After 1,500 years of separation and division, the Holy Spirit drew<br />

the two families together to canvass concrete proposals for full unity of faith.<br />

The Oriental Orthodox family consists of the <strong>Coptic</strong>, Syrian, Armenian, Ethiopian, Indian and<br />

Eritrian <strong>Church</strong>es. The Eastern Orthodox family consists of the Constantinople, Alexandrian,<br />

Antiochian, Jerusalem, Russian, Romanian, Serbian, Greek, Cyprite, Georgian, Polish,<br />

Bulgarian, Albanian and Macedonian <strong>Church</strong>es.<br />

The breach of ecclesiastical communion between the Eastern and the Oriental Orthodox<br />

<strong>Church</strong>es came in the fifth century as a result of controversies concerning the divine and human<br />

nature of Christ at the Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD. The Oriental <strong>Church</strong>es rejected the<br />

teachings of this council and never acknowledged it as the fourth ecumenical council. The<br />

Eastern <strong>Church</strong>es however, recognised and acknowledged Chalcedon along with the three other<br />

ecumenical councils.<br />

The two families of Orthodoxy, although having led a separate historical life, today show great<br />

similarities in dogmatic faith, ecclesiology, liturgy and spirituality. This is due to their common<br />

fidelity to the ancient tradition, thought, life and principles of church authority and<br />

administration.<br />

For over 1,500 years the two families were separated with little attempts at reconciliation and<br />

steps towards full communion. Through the efforts of the Faith and Order Commission of the<br />

World Council of <strong>Church</strong>es, unofficial consultation between the Oriental and Eastern Orthodox<br />

<strong>Church</strong>es in a spirit of joy and hope. The initial success at Denmark in 1964 was a joyful<br />

surprise. Outstanding scholars from both sides belonging to two traditions not in communion<br />

with each other for a millennium and a half could confess together that “we recognise in each<br />

other the one Orthodox faith of the <strong>Church</strong>”. We publish the agreed statements from the 4<br />

unofficial consultations.<br />

20

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