Im looking for some general info

[BjBarnett]

Hello! :wave:

I have been traveling around the Christian forums congregation forums to learn about other Christian beliefs. I have to say that of all the non-Catholic Christians the Eastern churches are my favorite. We have a lot more in common than I do with the protestants but we are still quite different. Pope John Paul II said "Since, in fact, we believe that the venerable and ancient tradition of the Eastern Churches is an integral part of the heritage of Christ's Church, the first need for Catholics is to be familiar with that tradition, so as to be nourished by it and to encourage the process of unity in the best way possible for each." so as the great Pontiff said I am interested in learning as much as possible about the Eastern Churches.

Now that I got that out of the way I have to admit that I do not know a whole lot about th Eastern Churches so please excuse me if my questions that I ask now and in the future are kinda silly. I just have a few to ask you today.

1. How does the structure of the church work? Does the patriarch ultimatly have control over the churches in his province?

2. I know you guys recognize the first Seven Ecumenical Councils. Have you had anymore since then? if not then why?

3. This is one truth I must find... So far no one has known........ I thought maybe via your awesome traditions and cultures you might be able to tell me. but...... How much wood can a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? I must find out! :) ;)


btw sorry for such a long post. Thanks for reading it :)

[EricTheRed]

I am a Orthodox noob but will try to answer.

1: there are several self governing churches, the patriarchs of these churches are all equal in rank. I only know the basics hopefully someone will go into more detail.

2. We recognize all seven councils but have had none since, because the bishop of rome is missing.

2. -5 tons

[Matrona]

2. We recognize all seven councils but have had none since, because the bishop of rome is missing.

That's not the reason why. We don't need a Bishop of Rome for an Ecumenical Council. We could have one--theoretically--any time we very well please, and it's not dependent on any extinct episcopal sees, or any leader of a heterodox community.

Over the past millennium, the Church has not needed an Ecumenical Council because we have not faced heresies of the magnitude of the ones that faced us during the first seven. Heresies that have popped up have been adequately dealt with by smaller scale councils. Also, the persecutions faced by the Church over the past thousand years made it unfeasible until very recently.

[EricTheRed]

oh ok. I misunderstood