In addition, every meeting ends with a conclusive statement, or "agreed statements." You can see both official and non-official "Agreed Statements" here:
http://www.textfiles.com/occult/orthodox.txt
It is here where I get one of my favorite Orthodox quotes that justifies my cause to unite with Byzantines:
"Disputes merely about words must not be suffered to divide those who think alike." (St. Athanasius)
I dearly do we think alike. All the arguments that I read about are just "words" not "faith." We have the same faith expressed in different words, and some hardliners still want to keep us divided. St. Athanasius, the Apostolic and one of the greatest pillars of faith, pray for us.
In Geneva 1970, where the quotes of Metropolitan Paulose were used, the most important agreed statement is such:
+ The theologians found that they were still in full and deep agreement with
the universal tradition of the one undivided Church .
+ Through visits to each other, and through study of each other's liturgical
traditions and theological and spiritual writings, they rediscovered other
mutual agreements in all important matters: liturgy and spirituality,
doctrine and canonical practice.
+ They concluded by saying `` Our mutual agreement is not merely verbal or
conceptual it is a deep agreement that impels us to beg our Churches to
consummate our union by bringing together again the two lines of tradition
which have been separated from each other for historical reasons for such a
long time. We work in the hope that our Lord will grant us full unity so
that we can celebrate together that unity in the Common Eucharist. That is
our strong desire and final goal''.
These men have done the research to make sure that the agreements were not merely word or mouth, but they studied liturgical and canonical practices and are SURE that we are Orthodox not by tongue, but by practice that have always existed since the split. Regardless of what anyone accuses me of, I am confident and peaceful that my Church upholds the right faith as many on the opposing side in conclusion to this convention has given us. Regardless of the dissentions here, knowing that I am confident in my own faith, I can choose to discontinue, but I decide not to because I love my fellow Orthodox and I wish to show them we have never erred.
In Aarhus 1964, two important agreements I want to quote from:
+ The well known phrase used by our common father, St. Cyril of Alexandria
``the one nature of God's Word Incarnate'' was at the centre of the
conversations. Through the different terminologies used by each side,
they saw the same truth expressed. On the essence of the Christological
dogma they found themselves in full agreement.
+ As for the Council of Chalcedon (451) both families agreed without
reservation on rejecting the teaching of Eutyches as well as Nestorius, and
thus the acceptance or non-acceptance of the Council of Chalcedon does not
entail the acceptance of either heresy.
This is obviously self-explanatory. In Bristol 1967, two key agreements IMO:
+ Ever since the fifth century, we have used different formulae to confess our
common faith in the One Lord Jesus Christ, perfect God and perfect Man. Some
of us affirm two natures, wills and energies hypostatically united in the
One Lord Jesus Christ. Some of us affirm one united divine-human nature,
will and energy in the same Christ. But both sides speak of a union without
confusion, without change, without division, without separation. The four
adverbs belong to our common tradition. Both affirm the dynamic permanence
of the God-head and the Manhood, with all their natural properties and
faculties, in the one Christ. Those who speak in terms of ``two'' do not
thereby divide or separate. Those who speak in terms of ``one'' do not
thereby commingle or confuse.
+ They discussed also the continuity of doctrine in the Councils of the
Church, and especially the mono-energistic and monothelete controversies of
the seventh century. They agreed that the human will is neither absorbed nor
suppressed by the divine will in the Incarnate Logos, nor are they contrary
one to the other.
Again, self-explanatory. Nothing in this that I did not say or express to you, my beloved. In Corinth 1987, and many other official and non-official meetings afterwards, this is decively Orthodox:
+ As discussed in Bristol in 1967, the Joint Sub-Committee concluded that the
four attributes of the wonderful union of the natures belong also to the
common tradition since both sides speak of it as ``without confusion,
without change, without division, without separation''. And thus those who
speak in terms of ``two'' don't thereby divide or separate. Those who speak
in terms of ``one'' don't thereby co-mingle or confuse.
Therefore one will or two wills, one nature or two natures, we in fact say the same thing. I hide nothing from you. Neither am I condemning anyone. I am only defending myself while showing you we believe in the same thing.
To continue answering posts, Maximus writes:
Attempts at reunion and compromise with the Non-Chalcedonians have been made a number of times. They have always resulted in confusion, schism, and tragedy.
I will answer to this with the Oriental interpretation of history with some objectivity to it another time.
May the Lord spare us from such efforts at false unity.
I TOTALLY agree. Rest assured, so far, I see nothing "false" between OO's and EO's.
As for the other post against us on Monotheletism, I think I exhausted the situation enough.
Finally, for today, I will reply to a good point that "Rick of Wessex" made:
What's wrong with what Arius or Nestorius or Sabellius said? Could these guys be right? Perharps their views were misrepresented, too? Perhaps the Church Fathers were a bunch of ignorant man who did not know what they were dealing with?
Arius, Nestorius, Sabellius are CLEARLY heretics through their writings. Show me, however where we erred in the faith, and I will either defend myself or admit fault. Our writings may not be clear to you, but they confess no confusion, alteration, division, or seperation. I am sure these are very familiar Chalcedonian terms. On top of that, there is something called "the Confession" that the priest sings at the end of every Liturgy. It is very beautiful. I will share it with you and then end my discussion.
Amen! Amen! Amen! I believe! I believe! I believe and confess to the last breath, that this is the life-giving body that your only-begotten Son, our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ took from our lady, the lady of us all, the holy Theotokos Saint May. He made it one with his divinity without mingling, without confusion and without alteration. He witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate. He gave it up for us upon the holy wood of the cross, of his own will, for us all. Truly I believe that his divinity parted not from his humanity for a single moment nor a twinkling of an eye. Given for us for salvation, remission of sins and eternal life to those who partake of him. I believe, I believe, I believe that this is so in truth. Amen.
Amen! Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and unto the ages of all ages. Amen!
Xrictoc anecti!
If I have offended in my posts, please forgive me.
