Re: CHAT: Homo Sapiens (was: fiery spirits)

>In fact, both sides have now agreed that the disagreement was
>verbal, not substantive, as a result of joint declarations in 1989,
>1990, and 1993.  An English translation is available online at
>http://www.uk-christian.net/boc/2church.shtml .  This does not amount
>to restored communion, of course, but I think the term "heretics" is no
>longer appropriate.
These joint declarations were the work of theological commissions, but
neither of the churches is governed by theological commissions but by
councils of bishops.  No council of bishops from either church has ever
agreed to these declarations.  This is because, deep down, neither church
truly believes that they share the same faith as the other church.

>Here's the central paragraph (7) of the 1990 statement:
>
>         7.  The Orthodox agree that the Oriental Orthodox will
>         continue to maintain their traditional Cyrillian terminology
>         of "one nature of the incarnate Logos" ("mia fusij tou qeou
>         Logou sesarkwmenh"), since they acknowledge the double
>         consubstantiality of the Logos which Eutyches denied.
>         The Orthodox also use this terminology.  The Oriental
>         Orthodox agree that the Orthodox are justified in their use
>         of the two-natures formula, since they acknowledge that
>         the distinction is "in thought alone" (th qewria monh).
>         Cyril interpreted correctly this use in his letter to John
>         of Antioch and his letters to Acacius of Melitene (PG 77,
>         184-201), to Eulogius (PG 77, 224-228) and to Succensus
>         (PG 77, 228-245).
This paragraph is the work of a few theologians, not the belief of the
people of either church.  Where the rubber hits the road is when you ask an
Orthodox to venerate Dioscorus or Severus or ask a Monophysite to venerate
Pope Leo or Maximus the Confessor as Saints.  I know for a fact that no
Orthodox person would venerate Dioscorus or Severus, who are both regarded
as saints by the Monopysites.  There are Orthodox services (and I have
personally heard them) in which these two are anathematized as heretics and
Orthodox are warned against the dangers or their doctrines.  I can't
imagine that any Orthodox bishop is ever going to instruct the parishes in
his diocese not to chant these services.  I do not know for a fact, but I
would assume, that the Non-Chalcedonians have similar liturgical material
in which Pope St. Leo is anathematized as a heretic.

http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/ecumenism/mono_share.htm
Gives some discussion of whether the two sides agree.  It is written from a
Chalcedonian point of view, but it is fair-minded.

Isidora