Dialogue between Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Christians

Introduction

The Association ‘Dialogue between Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Christians’ was registered in November 2000. Its main aim is to promote practical exchanges and dialogue between Eastern Orthodox Chalcedonian Christians (Greek, Russsian, Serbian, Romanian, Bulgarian, etc) and Oriental Orthodox or non Chalcedonian Christians whose Churches have been separated since the schism which followed the Council of Chalcedon in 451.

Founded by Christine Chaillot, an Eastern Orthodox writer specialist of the Oriental Orthodox Churches (Coptic, Ethiopian/Eritrean, Armenian, Syrian Orthodox and Malankara in India), the Association is under the presidency of Protopresbyter Boris Bobrinskoy, theologian and dean of the Orthodox Institute of Theology of Saint Sergius in Paris from 1993 to 2005 ; and the vice-presidency of Michel Stavrou, professor in the Institute of Saint Sergius. Some Oriental Orthodox members support in an active way the work of the Association such as Father Yacub Aydin (Syrian Orthodox Church), Deacon Philippe Sahag Sukyassian (Armenian Church), Father Moussa (Coptic Church) and Father Zedengel (Ethiopian Church).

In 2001 the Association has been accepted as a member of the Orthodox Fraternity in Western Europe : Fraternité Orthodoxe en Europe occidentale. 

The Association aims at making better known the life, spirituality and traditions of the Oriental Orthodox who are more and more numerous, as are the Eastern Orthodox, in the diaspora - including in Western Europe, in Northern America, in Latin America and in Australia- in order to help in the progression of the practical dialogue between the two families of Churches (Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox). Thus the Association organizes lectures, meetings, concerts and pilgrimages.

We hope that this website may be beneficial to all the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox who have a constructive interest in this dialogue.

Even though the Association and its members have a close interest in the Official Theological Dialogue, this website is not designed for a theological debate which is the particular work of the concerned Patriarchs, bishops and theologians. However, as information, one finds here some references of the Texts of the Official Theological Dialogue (begun in 1985 and preceeded by the Non-Official Dialogue since 1964), in which are included some texts of the Official Dialogue about the recommended steps to be followed for the practical dialogue.

Since the schism following the Council of Chalcedon in 451, the Oriental Orthodox Churches have been labelled ‘monophysites’, for centuries. However, these Churches refuse this appellation. In the frame of our dialogue, we must respect their request : it is preferable to use the term ‘Oriental Orthodox’ which was officially chosen in 1985 at the beginning of the Official Theological Dialogue. In English the name ‘Oriental Orthodox’ is currently used and is therefore found in this website. One should use it in other languages as well.

In French and other languages one often finds the name ‘pre-Chalcedonian’ Orthodox to name the Oriental Orthodox. The name ‘pre-Chalcedonian’ can lead to confusion as well as it also includes the Christians of the Assyrian Church or Church of Persia who have not accepted the Council of Ephesus (431). The term ‘non-Chalcedonian’ (or those who have not accepted the Council of Chalcedon in 451) would be more appropriate but it is little used as some think that ‘non’ gives a negative connotation.

The main documents about the Association will be found on this website as well as the annual reports and some texts related to the annual activities of the Association.
A section presents some Texts of the Official Theological Dialogue, with some speaking of the practical dialogue. Other texts about the Official Dialogue will be added gradually.
One can also find articles and texts of conferences about the Oriental Orthodox Churches and the Dialogue ; texts explaining activities produced for the practical dialogue around the world ; presentations of books on the Oriental Orthodox Churches and the Dialogue ; letters of blessing by Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox prelates and personalities who support the activities of the Association ; some addresses and websites ; correspondence ; and geographical maps.

The main aim of the Association and of this website is, of course, to encourage people everywhere to do whatever is possible to promote this practical dialogue between Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Christians.

The Association has most of its members in Europe. In the future, we hope that more members from other continents may join it. The Association wishes to help Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Christians to organize events similar to the ones described in this website, and also of other types, in all the countries where it is possible. The ideal way would be to form an active group for this practical dialogue, country by country.

We hope to receive some texts describing the meetings and other activities relative to this practical dialogue organized in different countries and continents in order to put them on this website so that all people who have an interest may get inspiration for work in their own local context.

On this website we shall try to develop, as much as possible, a general network  of information.

The maintenance of a website demands a lot of time. We wish to find Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox collaborators, enthusiastic as we are for this dialogue and ready to help us for the organization of the website and of the Association.

All the texts of the Association ‘Dialogue between Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Christians’ can be copied on condition that the references of the Association and of this website are given.

On this website the information is found in two main languages, French and English. In the future, if some translations of the texts of this website are made into other languages, please send them to us in order to make them accessible on the website.

Please send your texts about your experiences of the practical dialogue between Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox as well as your suggestions on this website to acchaillot@hotmail.com