The Eucharist

[Xpycoctomos]

I am well aware that you believe the Eucharist is truly the Body and Blood of Christ and that it isn't just a mere "symbol" (not using this term in theological way) of His Body and Blood.. but really and truly. I am curious how the Oriental Orthodox view Consubstantiation and Transubstantiation. Do you feel comfortable subscribing to either one of the terms? If you do, do you subscribe to the terms with all of hte western understanding that surrounds either term or do you have a slightly different way of defining Transubstantion or Consubstantiation. In other words... if you feel comfortable using the term transubstantion, do you as well feel comfortable with the Roman Catholic definition and explanation of this term, or do you have your own definition and explanation that makes more sense within the Oriental way of viewing theology. I apologize for my vagueness. I suppose I should just wait for responses and then ask from there.

John

[CopticGirl]

I am well aware that you believe the Eucharist is truly the Body and Blood of Christ and that it isn't just a mere "symbol" (not using this term in theological way) of His Body and Blood.. but really and truly. I am curious how the Oriental Orthodox view Consubstantiation and Transubstantiation. Do you feel comfortable subscribing to either one of the terms? If you do, do you subscribe to the terms with all of hte western understanding that surrounds either term or do you have a slightly different way of defining Transubstantion or Consubstantiation. In other words... if you feel comfortable using the term transubstantion, do you as well feel comfortable with the Roman Catholic definition and explanation of this term, or do you have your own definition and explanation that makes more sense within the Oriental way of viewing theology. I apologize for my vagueness. I suppose I should just wait for responses and then ask from there.

John

So I'm no expert on this stuff, and I'm sure some of the smarter people on here, (like mina and erini :thumbsup: ), can better explain it...but I was told that we do not use those terms because they are trying to provide some sort of explaination for the unexplainable. We do believe in the concept of transubstantion, but we don't call it transubstantiion. Our sacraments are called Mysteries and the Eucharist is known as the "Mystery of <ysteries".

I don't know if this helps or not...but that's all I know!

God Bless,
Elizabeth

[Xpycoctomos]

Well, I think that is the truest explanation any Orthodox can give. I suppose I am wondering what the Oriental Orthodox reaction is to the western concepts of Transubstatiation and Consubstiation.