The Eastern Orthodox are not in union with the monophysites. There has been a great deal of theological dialogue because the Oriental Orthodox claim to believe that Christ has two separate natures in His one person and that they were anathematized because they were thought to hold to monophysitism. Perhaps they should be given the benefit of the doubt. However, we cannot ignore the testimony of the Church Fathers of the 4th Ecumenical Synod, and we are certainly in no position the Council itself.
The problem with the Oriental Orthodox today is that, while claiming to accept the theology of Chalcedon, they dissaprove of the language used and so will not accept the council even while claiming to be in theological agreement with it.
I cannot deny that there has been canonical abuses on the part of the Orthodox, particularly in the Antiochian Patriarchate and in America, on communing Oriental Orthodox faithful. However, I have not heard of any official eucharistic union or concelebration between Eastern and Oriental Orthodox clergy.
I am confident that the Old Calendarists would love to see that because it would give them some new, fresh material to publish in their journals.
Dialogue with the Oriental Orthodox is important because we are very close. They (the Oriental side) claim to believe as we do on the nature of Christ. Now the remaining 5th, 6th, 7th (8th and 9th if you accept Father John Romanides' arguments, see www.romanity.org), would not be difficult for them to accept. The challenge is to bring them to accept the 4th Ecumenical Council, then there are some major sticklers with Armenians over the sign of the cross and their liturgy. It is complex and I highly doubt, due to politics and pride on the part of the Oriental Orthodox, that such a union will ever take place. But, it would be a great blessing. The Copts, Syrians, and Ethiopians often astound the Eastern Orthodox by their piety and devotion. They have suffered greatly in the 20th century for their faith.
Yet, these are not ground for union now, but hope that one day a union, based on Truth and genuine Orthodoxy, may occur.
Edward
geh8988@gmail.com
