Does Chalcedon Divide or Unite?: Towards Convergence in Orthodox Christology

by Paulos Mar Gregorios (Editor), William H. Lazareth (Editor), Nikos A. Nissiotis (Editor)

The breach ecclesiastical communion between the “Eastern” and the “Oriental” Orthodox came about in the fifth and sixth centuries as a result of controversies about the relation between the human and divine natures in Christ. Beginning at the Council of the Chalcedon (451), these controversies also involved the whole of the Church in both East and West for at least two centuries.
The 1500 years since Chalcedon have seen numerous attempts at reconciliation. Several time the two side came close to agreements, but to this day the breah continues.

A new series of unofficial conversations began in our times in connection with the meetings of the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches. These conversations covered most of the issues on which agreement was necessary before communion could be restored.

This Volume provides the general reader for the first time with an easily accessible survey of selected essays, discussions, and the mutually agreed statements of scholars involved from the two different Church traditions of Eastern Christianity. Their deliberations climax with the historic ecumenical affirmation: “We recognize in each other the one orthodox faith of the Church.... On the essence of the Christological dogma we found ourselves in full agreement.”

89 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981