Ethiopian/Eastern reunion essay idea.

[germanus]

No, because they stayed in communion with the Monophysites who were anthematized by the 4th Œcumenical Council (Chalcedon).

whether or not something happened in the past that was looked apon as a heretical action by the eastern church, we now are in a different time. We have different circumstances and current events that should urge us to unify our faith with those who are of like mind. The Ethiopian church has declared that monophysitism and nestorianism are heretical and therefore, the Eastern church is obligated through responsibility to rectify what was once undone. However, God's will be done.

[germanus]

I believe, personally, there is alot of grey area and much is yet to be discussed. May our Holy Bishops keep discussing this matter to rectify the decisions made in Chalcedon.

Are you questioning Chacedon?

Our bishops have been trying to get them back in the Church for 1,500 years!

Chalcedon itself is not the question. But the decision to stop talking...Condemning children of a faith is a decision that should not be made hastly but considered over great time. Besides, the Orthodox church condemned monophysitism, not churches who were not monophysites. The Ethiopian church is not monophysite. It is non-chalcedonian, and only because they were anathematised over a misunderstanding of linguistics. Have you ever watched a poorly subtitled film? Something gets lost in translation if a non-native language is used to describe things sometimes. Is it not possible that this could have happened at the counsel of Chalcedon? Many clergy and orthodox lay believe so.

[Kollyvas]

Evlogeite.
As one who has sympathies for the Non-Chalcedonians (I believe Alexandrian primacy in the East should be restored upon their return to Orthodoxy), I have to concur with Fr. Nikolai in his exasperation that we have been trying to restore them to unity for 1500 years. Some methods have been too ugly. Sometimes, the past responses of the Non Chalcedonians have been duplicitous and just as murderous. Today, we do have many opportunities to pursue their reunion, but if the recent cabal in porto allegre is any evidence of their current positions, we may be dealing with bodies favoring branch theory ecclesiology, moral relativism and Eucharistic ecumenism as their model for reunion. That is impossible for Orthodoxy. Yes, there may have been a basis for their resistance to the Council of Chalcedon as the Tome of Leo could be interpreted in a nestorian sense BUT the Fifth Ecumenical Council standardized terminologies and clarified the words of Holy Leo in a way acceptible to those Non Chalcedonians in resistance and many returned to Communion as a result: therefore, when resistance rejects conciliarity we have prolonged schisms like this. In regard to the Ethiopians, their missionary fervour and work has been very important. The ever-memorable and good Emperor Haile Salassie wanted unity with Orthodoxy and was charitable to Orthodox in poverty and aided Orthodox in the Holy Land. Robert Marley before his death acted as a catalyst for the conversion of many to what he perceived as Orthodoxy. Yes, obscurantists intruded and waylaid the reunion of the Ethiopians to Orthodoxy, BUT that is a sign that their administration is being intransigent in returning to Orthodoxy, not that we aren't welcoming them back. In sum, ALL SEVEN COUNCILS must be accepted for unity to come about.
In the LOVE of Christ,
Rostislav

[Priest Siluan]

It is my understanding that the Ethiopians were not present at the last 4 counsels because of communication problems???

andy holland
sinner

The same thing the Latins tell to justify their "Filoque". Also if you look at the services of the Non-Chalcedonians you will see clearly that they have certain Monophysite nature

[AndyHolland]

Honestly, I had heard that the Ethiopian Church had no physical communication with the Byzantine Empire during Chalcedon - that there was no way for messages to get back and forth and they were completely isolated.

andy holland
sinner

[尼古拉前执事]

Honestly, I had heard that the Ethiopian Church had no physical communication with the Byzantine Empire during Chalcedon - that there was no way for messages to get back and forth and they were completely isolated.

andy holland
sinner

Well even of that and the statement that they are not monophysites currently, were found to be completely true, there has been communication for the 1,500 years since then and they have chosen to stay in communion with the monophysites rather than join communion with the Orthodox Church.

[EkhristosAnesti]

Germanus,

I fail to see why you have singled out the Ethiopian Orthodox Church here. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church is on the same doctrinal and historical page as those in communion with her - the Coptic Orthodox, the Armenian Orthodox, the Syrian Orthodox etc. All these Churches denounced this so-called monophysitism at a universal council at Ephesus 475 under the direction of St Timothy of Alexandria, successor of St. Dioscoros.

As people have suggested, no re-union will occur until the matter of Councils is sorted out. We expect you to denounce your last four councils, and you expect us to accept them, and neither of our Churches will accept any comrpomise, therefore we will most probably remain out of Communion till the second coming of our Lord.

P.S. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church, as with the Armenian Orthodox Church, and all other Oriental Orthodox Churches have had numerous canonised Saints and Fathers in the last millenium, so i'm not sure where you get the converse idea.