Catholic and Orthodox Unity
When some speak of Catholic and Orthodox Christians, they discuss differences. After all, these western and eastern branches of Christianity broke communion with each other in AD 1054 as a result of political and theological disputes that emerged during earlier centuries.
However, we prefer to focus on the unity of our faith. We are especially interested in the question: “What does Catholic and Orthodox unity reveal about the early Church?”
A wise priest once said: “Catholic and Orthodox Christians belong to the same Church.” He explained that, even though Catholic and Orthodox Christians are not in formal communion with each other – at the moment, we share the same Christian faith.
The Mother of God and John the Holy Baptizer Offer the Prayers of the Saints to Jesus Christ
This is an important observation, because, sometimes, when we focus on differences, we overlook unity; and, when we overlook unity, we may miss the implications of that unity. So let us consider the shared faith of Catholic and Orthodox Christians with an eye toward discovering what that unity reveals about the early Church.[1]
A short list of our shared Catholic and Orthodox beliefs includes:
- The Nicene Creed is our profession of faith.[2]
- The Eucharist (εὐχαριστία) truly becomes the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Christ.[3]
- The Old Testament canon of Scripture includes the Deuterocanonical books.[4]
- Jesus gave the Church seven Sacraments (efficatious signs that give grace) – Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Confession, Marriage, Ordination, and Annointing of the Sick.[5]
- The Church recognizes three holy orders – bishop, priest, and deacon.[6]
- Apostolic Succession from the original twelve apostles preserves the deposit of faith.[7]
- Because of the Communion of Saints, Christians can, and should, pray for, and request the intercessory prayers of, Saints on Earth, in Purgatory, and in Heaven.[8]
- Reference to Mary as God-bearer (Θεοτόκος) and Mother of God (Μήτηρ Θεοῦ) affirm that her son, Jesus, is fully God and fully man.[9]
- Acknowledging that Mary was sinless (κεχαριτωμένη) affirms that Jesus was born without sin.[10]
- Acknowledging that Mary was a perpetual virgin (αἰώνιος παρθένος) who had only one child, Jesus, affirms her unique role as the Mother of God.[11]
- We could also mention a miriad of Sacramentals, including: praying the rosary or prayer rope (κομποσκίνι), making the sign of the cross, lighting candles, burning incense, bearing a crucifix, displaying icons, and so forth.[12]
Mother of God
As we consider this list, we realize that Catholic and Orthodox Christians must have adopted these shared beliefs either before or after their separation. The latter scenario seems improbable; and, in fact, the historical record – which is abundant – shows that Catholic and Orthodox Christians share these beliefs today because these were the beliefs of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church before the schism.[13]
The implication is clear. Teachings that contradict these shared beliefs are innovations – ideas that emerged within factions that broke away from the united Catholic and Orthodox Church after AD 1054. This observation should shape our thinking when we say that we want to worship in a Church that resembles the Church of the Apostles. That Church was the united Catholic and Orthodox Church before AD 1054.[14]
We unite our prayers with Jesus, when he prayed to the Father:
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.” (John 17:20-23)
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[1] For information about the faith of the Catholic Church, including on topics listed below, see Catechism of the Catholic Church, https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM
[2] Orthodox Church of America, Volume I – Doctrine of Scripture, They Symbol of Faith, Nicene Creek, https://www.oca.org/orthodoxy/the-orthodox-faith/doctrine-scripture/the-symbol-of-faith/nicene-creed
[3] Orthodox Church of America, Volume II – Worship, The Sacraments, Holy Eucharist, https://www.oca.org/orthodoxy/the-orthodox-faith/worship/the-sacraments/holy-eucharist#:~:text=Thus%2C%20the%20eucharist%20in%20the,manifestation%20to%20us%20in%20Christ
[4] Orthodox Church of America, Volume I – Doctrine and Scripture, Sources of Doctrine, Bible, https://www.oca.org/orthodoxy/the-orthodox-faith/doctrine-scripture/sources-of-christian-doctrine/bible1
[5] Orthodox Church of America, Volume II – Worship, The Sacraments, The Sacraments, https://www.oca.org/orthodoxy/the-orthodox-faith/worship/the-sacraments/the-sacraments
[6] Orthodox Church of America, Volume II – Worship, The Sacraments, Holy Orders, https://www.oca.org/orthodoxy/the-orthodox-faith/worship/the-sacraments/holy-orders#:~:text=The%20sacrament%20of%20holy%20orders%20takes%20its%20name%20from%20the,of%20God’s%20Kingdom%20in%20eternity
[7] Orthodox Church of America, Volume III – Church History, Second Century, Protecting the Church from Falsehood and Heresy, https://www.oca.org/orthodoxy/the-orthodox-faith/church-history/second-century/protecting-the-church-from-falsehood-and-heresy
[8] Orthodox Church of America, Volume IV – Spirituality, Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving, Intercessory Prayer, https://www.oca.org/orthodoxy/the-orthodox-faith/spirituality/prayer-fasting-and-almsgiving/intercessory-prayer
[9] Orthodox Church of America, Volume I – Doctrine and Scripture, The Symbol of Faith, Incarnation, https://www.oca.org/orthodoxy/the-orthodox-faith/doctrine-scripture/the-symbol-of-faith/incarnation#:~:text=As%20such%2C%20it%20was%20held,of%20God%20has%20become%20in
[10] Orthodox Church of America, Volume II – Worship, The Church Year, Dormition of the Theotokos, https://www.oca.org/orthodoxy/the-orthodox-faith/worship/the-church-year/dormition-of-the-theotokos
[11] Orthodox Church of America, Volume I – Doctrine and Scripture, The Symbol of Faith, Incarnation, https://www.oca.org/orthodoxy/the-orthodox-faith/doctrine-scripture/the-symbol-of-faith/incarnation#:~:text=Mary’s%20child%20is%20the%20eternal,of%20her%20as%20a%20child
[12] See also Orthodox Church of America, Volume IV – Spirituality, Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving, The Jesus Prayer, https://www.oca.org/orthodoxy/the-orthodox-faith/spirituality/prayer-fasting-and-almsgiving/the-jesus-prayer
See also Orthodox Church of America, Volume II – Worship, The Church Building, Sign of the Cross, https://www.oca.org/orthodoxy/the-orthodox-faith/worship/the-church-building/sign-of-the-cross#:~:text=For%20these%20reasons%20Christians%20place,to%20shoulder%2C%20right%20to%20left
See also Orthodox Church of America, Volume II – Worship, The Church Building, Christian Symbols, https://www.oca.org/orthodoxy/the-orthodox-faith/worship/the-church-building/christian-symbols
[13] Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part One, Section Two I. The Creeds, Chapter Three I Believe in the Holy Spirit, Article 9 I Believe in the Holy Catholic Church, Paragraph 3. The Church is One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic, https://www.vatican.va/content/catechism/en/part_one/section_two/chapter_three/article_9/paragraph_3_the_church_is_one,_holy,_catholic,_and_apostolic.html
[14] For more information about this topic, see James Likoudis, The Divine Mosaic: Piecing Together Catholic and Orthodox Unity (St. Louis, MO: En Route Books and Media, 2023). https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CPWFKHM2