Hello my gentle friend!
This is a controversial issue that tons of books, essays etc are written about. It’s kind of difficult to share my opinion because of my poor english, but I’ll try.
There is much misunderstanding about it. Unfortunatelly, other Christians often judge Orthodox for being close-minded and old-fashioned, but the truth is that every single thing we do is in order to protect and keep the unchanged Orthodox faith. In my humble opinion, Christians from other denominations have to keep this in mind and don’t hurry to judge us.
I’ll post here the opinion found on James’ blog, that is exactly how I feel:
Ideally it would be lovely for all Christians to achieve unity so we can all share the one faith once more. However I think that comes from further dialogue addressing doctrinal issues directly rather than glossing over them which is what it seems the current Ecumenical movement today is doing. Ecumenism also seems to put every Christian group on a level par acting as though all doctrine is relative which is dangerous because it puts heresy on the same level as true doctrine which is dangerous.
Talking about unity between Eastern Orthodox and Catholics, though it’s of the essence, I truly believe that unity can not be achived for now, and maybe for a long time, because there are too many issues to be sort out there (theological, doctrinal and even political issues). However, about unity between Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox I think unity is much more realistic, because there are still some issues, like the councils and anathemas, but concerning the Eastern and Coptic Orthodox, it’s the same faith just different language to describe the same things. Now, about Orthodox-Protestant unity, though it’s sad, unity is way too difficult to be achieved.
To sum up: With Coptic Orthodox we Eastern Orthodox have actually the same faith described in different language, with Catholics we have many similarities, common history and heritage but still serious issues to be solved, and with Protestants unity is even more difficult at the moment because there are many and serious differences.
However, I have to say that I am very sad that Christians are divided, it totally breaks my heart. As far as I am concerned, I always try to focus on the similarities than the differences, but it’s not always easy, because I don’t want to make compromises with my faith. But I pray sincerely, with all my heart, that one day all Christians will be able to be called real brothers and sisters in Christ, united, like we were in the early Christianity.
God bless you!
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