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Explanation of St. Cyril of Alexandria's Christology
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Hello all. After my last two posts I have received requests to write a more detailed post explaining St. Cyril's Christology. St. Cyril was the Archbishop of Alexandria and taught a form of Christology that became known as Monophysitism. As explained earlier, this is a belief that Christ possesses only one nature. In the Western Church and among the Eastern Orthodox there is a belief that Jesus Christ is one person who consists fully of a divine nature and fully of a human nature. Monophysitism believes that Christ only possesses one united nature. This nature is the result of the divine and human natures becoming united. Thus, there is one person, Jesus Christ, and this person has only one, united, nature. St. Cyril wrote an Epistle where he highlights his Christology. He writes that the Word (Jesus Christ), consisting of the same substance of the Father, came to earth and was born in the flesh. Thus, Jesus is fully divine while also existi...
Modern Ecumenical Efforts
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Today, many churches around the world are working towards developing communion with the Oriental Orthodox Churches. Most of the Oriental Orthodox Churches are members of the World Council of Churches where they work towards Christian unity with other church bodies from around the world. The Oriental Orthodox also have established bilateral relations with the Eastern Orthodox which has enabled the two to grow much closer together- though they are still not in communion at this time. (Osthathios) In 2014, the Anglican Communion signed an agreement with the Oriental Orthodox Churches that stated that they were in full agreement in regard to their Christology. The statement mentions that they have reached a "mutual understanding." (Office) In 2017, the two communions released another statement that affirmed their mutual agreement regarding "the procession and work of the Holy Spirit." (Office) Thus, their Pneumatology (understanding of the Holy Spirit) is ...
The Ge'ez Language
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The Ge'ez language is a language used in Ethiopia. It is also the liturgical language of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Ethiopians have been using the language for over two millennia. It is distantly related to the Sabaean language which was brought to ancient Ethiopia by travelers from Arabia. Ethiopian Christians developed the Ge'ez alphabet in the 300s and have continued to use it in their liturgy. Ge'ez fell out of common usage sometime before the 1200s. Ge'ez was later developed into a new language that closely resembles its origins- Amharic. Amharic is now the national vernacular of Ethiopia and is commonly spoken by most of its citizens ("Inscribing Meaning"). Ge'ez is an extremely artistic language. Ethiopian Christians would often combine Ge'ez letters with images in order to produce ecclesiastical art. These art forms possess a powerful aesthetic and are used by Ethiopian Christians as objects of devotion and even healing. Examples ...
Coptic Monasticism
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Coptic Christians have historically viewed monasticism- or living a religious life separated from secular society, with great favorability. Monastic life- living as a monk or nun- was, and still is, held in high esteem. There is much respect for all monastics, from past to present. There is not much information available about the beginning of Coptic (Egyptian) monasticism as it began somewhere in the beginning of the 300s. However, the massive growth of monasticism throughout Egypt throughout the fourth century finds its roots in the rapid growth of Christianity in the region. The Holy See of Alexandria soon developed to the point where it controlled the churches in Egypt. However, we lack information as to how the church grew and became organized. St. Athanasius would soon relate the life of St. Antony who is considered as one of the forerunners of the monastic movement in Egypt. Even if he was not the first monk, he was the first influential and most p...
The Importance of Alexandria in Early Christianity
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Alexandria, Egypt was extremely important in the early centuries of the Christian Church. It was the seat of the largest theological school in the world at that time and produced great thinkers such as Clement of Alexandria and Origen. Alexandria was known as the "pride of Africa" and was considered by some to be larger than Rome and Antioch. The city was also the intellectual center of the Mediterranean throughout the first centuries AD (Oliver, 01). Alexandria was home to the most prestigious catechetical school in the world at that time. It only increased in status after the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in 70 AD. Many Jews who would later become known as Christians fled to Alexandria and started a school to develop and project Christian thought. Alexandria was originally founded by Alexander the Great who promoted religious tolerance. Thus, from Alexander's reign all the way up to the first centuries AD, many religions and cults we...
The Monophysite Controversy
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The early Christian Church was undivided until the Council fo Chalcedon in 451 AD. All churches were in communion with one another. However, there was considerable differences between them. These churches spoke different languages and thought using different frameworks. Initially, the Western and Eastern Churches were united. Eventually, the Eastern Churches would become divided. Going one way would be the Byzantine Church, still in union with the West until 1054 AD, and the "monophysite churches which chose to go in their own separate direction. The Fourth Ecumenical Council, also known as the Council of Chalcedon, occurred in 451 AD and led to this split in Eastern Christianity. The council drafted and affirmed the Definition of Faith which was opposed by the "monophysite" churches that would make up Oriental Orthodox Christianity. The Oriental Orthodox Churches thought that the Chalcedonian Definition had strayed from Christian orthodoxy concerning Chr...