Oriental Orthodox Churches

Introduction

The Oriental Orthodox Churches are a group of Christian churches adhering to miaphysite Christology, with a total of approximately 60 million members worldwide. These churches are primarily located in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. They are distinct from the Eastern Orthodox Churches that adhere to the Chalcedonian Definition.

A photograph of an ancient Oriental Orthodox Church, showcasing its unique architectural features.

A photograph of an ancient Oriental Orthodox Church, showcasing its unique architectural features.

History

The Oriental Orthodox Churches trace their origins to the apostolic era, and they maintain that their leaders are the direct successors to the original twelve apostles of Jesus. The schism between the Oriental Orthodox and the rest of Christianity occurred in the 5th century over differences in Christological terminology. The Oriental Orthodox Churches rejected the Council of Chalcedon in 451, which they felt over-emphasized the dual nature of Christ, and instead adhered to miaphysite Christology, which holds that Christ has one single nature that is both divine and human.

Theology

The theological perspective of the Oriental Orthodox Churches is largely based on the teachings of Cyril of Alexandria, who emphasized the unity of Christ's divine and human natures. This perspective is often referred to as Miaphysitism, and it contrasts with the duophysite perspective of the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, which holds that Christ has two distinct natures in one person.

Liturgy

The liturgical practices of the Oriental Orthodox Churches are rooted in the traditions of the early Christian Church. They use the Alexandrian Rite, the Antiochene Rite, and the Armenian Rite in their liturgies. The liturgical language used varies from church to church, with some using the ancient language of their region, such as Coptic in the Coptic Orthodox Church and Ge'ez in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, and others using the vernacular language of their congregation.

Churches

The Oriental Orthodox communion comprises six autocephalous churches:

1. Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria 2. Syriac Orthodox Church 3. Armenian Apostolic Church 4. Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church 5. Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church 6. Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church

Each of these churches is independent in its internal affairs, but they are in full communion with each other, recognizing each other's sacraments and maintaining similar liturgical and theological traditions.

See Also

• History of Christianity
• Council of Chalcedon
• Miaphysitism
• Alexandrian Rite
• Antiochene Rite
• Armenian Rite
• Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria
• Syriac Orthodox Church
• Armenian Apostolic Church
• Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
• Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church
• Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church