Starożytni świadkowie wiary. Kościoły przedchalcedońskie w dialogu z Kościołem rzymskokatolickim

Abstract

The Pre-Chalcedonian Churches constitute a large group between the Ancient Oriental Churches. They are: Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate of Egypt, Orthodox Church of Ethiopia, Orthodox Church of Eritrea, Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East, Syrian Orthodox Church of Malankar, Armenian Apostolic Church (Catholicosate of all Armenians: See of Etchmiadzine and Catholicosate of Cilicia: See of Antel ias-Beyruth). This group of Churches broke down with the great Ecumeny of the whole Church because of incapability to adopt the doctrinal statement of the Council of Chalcedon (451) about two natures: human and divine in one Person of the Son of God, the Word Incarnate. In fact – due to the terminological insufficiency - the chalcedonian doctrine elaborated in Greek was presented to them in Syriac as backing the nestorianism. Theological declarations signed by the Roman popes and the heads of the Pre- Chalcedonian Churches confirmed the common christological faith. The agreements were expressed in the terms used by Chalcedon: the Union between the divinity and humanity of Christ is real, perfect, without blending or mingling, without confusion, without alteration, without division. Thus the suspected monophysitism of the Oriental Orthodox Churches has been finally overcome. Apart of this, the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue Between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches was established in 2003. On the opportunity of its yearly meetings (from 2004 to 2008) the Commission prepared an agreed statement on the nature and the constitution of the Church, which is due to be presented later on this year. However, the reached level of doctrinal consensus already permitted to establish the limited sacramental hospitality between the Roman Catholic Church and the Syrian Orthodox Church.