Oriental Orthodox Churches

Oriental Orthodox Churches
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Name	Oriental Orthodox Churches
Type	Eastern Christianity
Main classification	Eastern Christian
Orientation	Miaphysitism
Polity	Episcopal polity
Separated from	Chalcedonian Christianity (451 AD)
Language	Coptic, Armenian, Ge'ez, Syriac, Malayalam
Headquarters	Various (Etchmiadzin, Cairo, Damascus, Addis Ababa, Kottayam)
Members	~60 million

Oriental Orthodox Churches constitute a communion of autocephalous Christian churches adhering to Miaphysite Christology, with origins in the theological controversies of the Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD. This family of churches, which includes the Coptic, Armenian, Ethiopian, Eritrean, Syriac, and Malankara traditions, maintains a distinct ecclesiastical identity from both the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church. They are united by a shared theological heritage, liturgical practices, and a common rejection of the Chalcedonian Definition, while being in full communion with each other. The communion is a major branch of Eastern Christianity, with a significant presence across the Middle East, Armenia, the Horn of Africa, and the Malabar Coast of India.

History

The defining historical moment for the Oriental Orthodox Churches was the Council of Chalcedon in 451, which promulgated a Christological definition asserting two natures in Jesus Christ. Leaders such as Dioscorus of Alexandria and Severus of Antioch opposed this formula, advocating for a Miaphysite understanding, leading to their condemnation and exile. This schism resulted in the formation of separate non-Chalcedonian hierarchies in regions like Egypt, Syria, and Armenia, with the latter having rejected Chalcedon earlier at the Council of Dvin in 506. Throughout subsequent centuries, these churches endured periods of persecution under the Byzantine Empire, the Sasanian Empire, and later Islamic rule, including the Rashidun Caliphate and the Ottoman Empire. Significant events include the survival of the Coptic Church under the Fatimid Caliphate, the preservation of Armenian identity after the Armenian genocide, and the expansion of the Ethiopian Empire as a Christian kingdom.

Theology and doctrine

The central theological tenet is Miaphysitism, expressed in the formula of Cyril of Alexandria: "one incarnate nature of the Word of God." This contrasts with the dyophysitism of Chalcedon, though dialogues have clarified substantial agreement with the Christology of Eastern Orthodoxy. The communion recognizes the first three Ecumenical Councils: the First Council of Nicaea, the First Council of Constantinople, and the Council of Ephesus. It venerates a shared set of saints, including Athanasius of Alexandria, Gregory the Illuminator, and Frumentius. Sacramentally, it holds to seven holy mysteries, with baptism, chrismation, and the Eucharist being central. The Nicene Creed is used in its original form without the Filioque clause.

Organization and communion

The Oriental Orthodox Churches are a family of autocephalous bodies in full communion, each headed by a supreme patriarch or catholicos. The main sees are the Coptic Pope in Cairo, the Catholicos of All Armenians in Etchmiadzin, the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch in Damascus, the Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in Addis Ababa, and the Catholicos of the East in Kottayam. Governance is typically synodal, with a holy synod of bishops assisting the primate. While administratively independent, they cooperate through bodies like the Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches and engage in joint theological commissions with other Christian world communions.

Liturgy and worship

Liturgical life is rich and ancient, conducted in classical liturgical languages: the Alexandrian Rite in Coptic and Ge'ez, the Armenian Rite in Armenian, and the West Syriac Rite in Syriac and Malayalam. Worship is highly sacramental and symbolic, with the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil or Saint Gregory the Illuminator being central. Distinctive features include extensive use of incense, chant traditions like Coptic music and Armenian chant, and rigorous fasting calendars. Major feasts include Christmas, Epiphany, and Easter, often calculated according to the Julian calendar. Architectural styles feature unique elements such as the Coptic and Ethiopian circular church designs.

Demographics and distribution

The communion has an estimated 60 million adherents worldwide. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is the largest, with a major presence in Ethiopia and the Ethiopian diaspora. The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria is the largest Christian community in the Middle East, centered in Egypt with a global diaspora. The Armenian Apostolic Church is a central institution for Armenians worldwide, with significant populations in Armenia, Lebanon, and the United States. The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church is based in Kerala, India. Other communities are found in Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, and Eritrea, with growing diasporas in Europe, North America, and Australia due to migration and events like the Syrian Civil War.

Relations with other Christian churches

Historically separated from both Eastern Orthodoxy and Catholicism, the late 20th century saw a thaw in relations. Official theological dialogues with the Eastern Orthodox Church have concluded that historical Christological differences were largely due to terminology, though full communion remains unrealized. Relations with the Catholic Church have improved since the Second Vatican Council and meetings between popes like Paul VI and Shenouda III. The communion is a member of the World Council of Churches and engages in ecumenical discussions with churches like the Anglican Communion and the World Methodist Council. However, issues of jurisdiction, especially in India with the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, and past proselytism remain sensitive points.

Category:Oriental Orthodoxy Category:Eastern Christianity Category:Christian denominations