Oriental Orthodoxy
The term
Oriental Orthodoxy refers to the communion of
Eastern Christian Churches that recognize only the first three
ecumenical councils â€" the
First Council of Nicaea, the
First Council of Constantinople and the
Council of Ephesus â€" and reject the
dogmatic definitions of the
Council of Chalcedon. Hence, these Churches are also called
Old Oriental Churches. Despite potentially confusing nomenclature, Oriental Orthodox churches are distinct from the churches that collectively refer to themselves as
Eastern Orthodoxy.
The
schism between Oriental Orthodoxy and what would become the
Roman Catholic and
Eastern Orthodox churches occurred in the
5th century. The separation resulted in part from the Oriental Orthodox churches' refusal to accept the
Christological dogmas promulgated by the
Council of Chalcedon, which held that
Jesus has two natures — one divine and one human, although these were inseparable and only act as one
hypostasis. To the hierarchs who would lead the Oriental Orthodox, this was tantamount to accepting
Nestorianism. In response, they advocated a formula that stressed unity of the Incarnation over all other considerations. The Oriental Orthodox churches are therefore often called
Monophysite churches, although they reject this label, which is associated with Eutychian Monophysitism, preferring the term "non-Chalcedonian" or "
Miaphysite" churches. Oriental Orthodox Churches reject the Monophysite teachings of
Eutyches and the
Dyophysite teachings of
Nestorius.
In the
20th century, the Chalcedonian
schism was not seen with the same relevance any more, and from several meetings between the
Roman Catholic Pope and Patriarchs of the Oriental Orthodoxy, reconciling declarations emerged.
The confusions and schisms that occurred between their Churches in the later centuries, they realize today, in no way affect or touch the substance of their faith, since these arose only because of differences in terminology and culture and in the various formulae adopted by different theological schools to express the same matter. Accordingly, we find today no real basis for the sad divisions and schisms that subsequently arose between us concerning the doctrine of Incarnation. In words and life we confess the true doctrine concerning Christ our Lord, notwithstanding the differences in interpretation of such a doctrine which arose at the time of the Council of Chalcedon.
From the common declaration of Pope John Paul II and HH Mar Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, June 23 1984According to the canons of the Oriental Church, the four Archbishops of
Rome,
Alexandria,
Ephesus (later transferred to
Constantinople) and
Antioch were all given status as
Patriarchs by the First Council of Nicea (predating the schism) — each of the four being responsible for those bishops and churches under him within his own quarter of
Christendom (with the exception of the Archbishop or
Patriarch of Jerusalem, who was to be independent of all of these.) Thus, the Archbishop of Rome (ie, the Pope) has always been held by the others to be in Communion, and fully sovereign within his own quadrant. The technical reason for the schism was that the Bishop of Rome excommunicated the others in 451, for refusing to accept his imposition on them of the "separated natures" teaching, thus declaring them to be out of communion with him, although they have continued to recognise him as an equal. With the recent declarations, it is unclear whether the Archbishop of Rome still considers the other three to be excommunicated, or now sees them as being fully in Communion as before.
It teaches that it is the
One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church founded by
Jesus.
The Oriental Orthodox Communion is a group of churches within Oriental Orthodoxy which are all in
full communion with each other. The communion includes:
* The Oriental Orthodox Communion
** The
Armenian Apostolic Church** The
Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria
*** The
British Orthodox Church**The
Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church of the East (also known as the Indian Orthodox Church)(According to the Supreme court of India, Indian orthodox church is a part of Syriac orthodox church and Patriarch of Antioch is Spiritually the head of Indian Orthodox church.)
** The
Eritrean Orthodox Church (Tewahedo Church)
** The
Ethiopian Orthodox Church (Tewahedo Church)
** The
Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch (also known as the Syrian Orthodox Church)
*** The
Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox ChurchThe
Assyrian Church of the East is sometimes, although incorrectly, considered an Oriental Orthodox Church. Being largely centered in what was then the
Persian Empire, it separated itself administratively from the
Great Church of the
Roman Empire around AD 400, and then broke communion with the latter in reaction to the
Council of Ephesus held in 431. Additionally, the Assyrian Church venerates
Saints anathematized by the previously mentioned Church and its descendants. In addition, the Assyrian Church accepts a
Nestorian or Nestorian-like
Christology that is categorically rejected by the Oriental Orthodox Communion.
*
Website on the unity between Oriental and Eastern Orthodox Churches*
Common declaration of Pope John Paul II and HH Mar Ignatius Zakka I Iwas*
Saint Takla Haymanot Coptic Orthodox Church - Alexandria - Egypt)*
St. Mary's Orthodox Syrian Church, Niranam (A Parish of Malankara Orthodox Church, founded by Apostle Thomas, in AD 54)*
Trilingual information on the Armenian Church*
The Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Western)*
The Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)*
The Prelacy of the Armenian Church of America*
Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul*
Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem*
Resources on the Syriac Orthodox Church*
Saint Mark Coptic Orthodox Church of Washington, DC
