Englewood, New Jersey, April 28, 2025
Photo: antiochian.org
In a recent article titled “The Chalcedonian and Non-Chalcedonian Churches: An Objective Presentation,” His Eminence Metropolitan Saba (Isper), head of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, offers clarity on the historical division and current relations between Eastern Orthodox and so-called Oriental Orthodox Churches, emphasizing that despite improved fraternal relations, Sacramental communion has never been established.
Met. Saba wrote the article in response to “a sensitive issue that has been raised in various circles” within his Archdiocese, noting that many faithful are “confused due to the lack of accurate and official information” regarding relations with the Non-Chalcedonian churches, particularly the Coptic church.
The Metropolitan notes that the division occurred after the Fourth Ecumenical Council held in Chalcedon in 451 AD, which defined Christ as “one person (hypostasis) with the fullness of both divine and human natures.” The Oriental churches reject this Council, adhering instead to “one nature from two,” creating what is considered the first schism in the Christian world.
“The Holy Fathers distinguished between the terms hypostasis (person) and physis (nature),” Met. Saba explains, noting that terminological differences played a crucial role in the misunderstanding. While Chalcedonian Orthodox use separate terms for person and nature, “non-Chalcedonians interpret the word ‘nature’ to mean both ‘person’ and ‘nature’ at the same time.”
The article acknowledges that 20th century dialogue between the churches has suggested the division may be primarily linguistic rather than substantive. However, Met. Saba points out a significant drawback: “These theological dialogues remained at the theological level without involving the faithful or sharing the results with them,” leading to continued controversy.
While relations have improved through “official visits, participation in theological conferences, and the enrollment of students from non-Chalcedonian churches in theological studies,” Met. Saba maintains the traditional Orthodox position that Sacramental unity has not been achieved: “While the churches have encouraged fraternal relations, the sharing of the Eucharist and the other Sacraments has not been established between them.”
The Metropolitan concludes by characterizing current relations as “brotherhood, meeting in love while preserving the faith as each church understands it, striving to highlight points of convergence in the hope of reaching unified expression and overcoming the historical elements that have deepened the separation.”
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