The Orthodox Church and Unity

By Dom Thomas Becquet 0.S.B., Prior of the monastery
the Moscow Patriarchate to represent it at the Council, and the absence of any representative from Constantinople or the Greek Orthodox churches (which seemed to be evidence of disagreement at the very root of Orthodoxy), all provided quite sufficient grounds for asking "but what is Orthodoxy?"
Can one confront the Catholic Church with its hierarchical structure and centralised organisation with another, Eastern, Church (with all the differences this implies), as a partner in dialogue?
And, first of all, what do many Western Christians know about the Eastern Churches, or about the most important one, known as the Orthodox Church?
Then, what part does the Orthodox Church play in our modern pre-occupation with Christian unity, and the generous efforts made by so many Churches and Christian denominations as part of what is called "the Ecumenical movement"?
Mr. Wares book can be particularly recommended to anyone who wants to learn about the Orthodox Church.
Reality
The author knows Orthodoxy in ik living reality, since he has spent a great deal of time in Greece, Mount Athos, and in the Near East; his Oxford researches have also helped to familiarise him with the history and institutions of these areas. One can have complete confidence in him.
And above all on one particular point: Mr. Ware. who was received into the Orthodox Church in 1958, has retained an objectivity and freedom of judgement which. from such a man and where such a subject is concerned. deserve my unreserved praise. One has only to read what he says about the light in which the Orthodox Church ought to view the concept of the papacy in order to realise that these attributes of conscience and judgement have to be qualified with superlatives.
The book is divided into two parts. The first retraces the history of Orthodoxy. As in every study of human history, the past of a people or a religious group will help to explain the institutions which arc its foundations now. And now. at a time when "through the action of the Holy Spirit" (Instruction of the Holy Office. December 1949), so many non-Catholic Christians have consecrated their lives to the cause of reunion, Protestants as well as Catholics have realised how "in reunion discussions the contribution of the Orthodox Church has often proved unexpectedly illuminating" (p.11).
Background
The author continues: "Precisely because the Orthodox have a different background from the West they have been able to open up fresh lines of thought. and to suggest long-forgotten solutions to old difficulties." The Melchite Patriarch Maximos IV also gave proof of this good faith when he declared at the Vatican Council that he was ready to accept even the sacrifice of his Fasten' Church, reunited to Rome, if, at this price, Orthodoxy would be willing to negotiate reunion.
The history of the origins of the Orthodox Church, as it is described in the first two chapters "The Origins" and "The Church of the Seven Councils", leaves us with a feeling of nostalgia. Until 1054, in effect (apart from a few difficult periods), West and East were united; or. if you will, the entire Church lived through the same difficulties and the same triumphs, and the saints of the East were the saints of the Catholica.
I cannot summarise this history here, but must insist on the need for it to be read. The Orthodox Church still draws from its past, and its fidelity to its original traditions and its horrors of change differentiate it considerably from the religious forms of Western Christianity,
The history of the Orthodox Church shows us the heroism of the Eastern Christians who fought for their faith against both religious and political aggressors. Orthodoxy has always sought to base itself, in its adherence to the Seven Councils. on the Gospel.
To repeat: this is admirably presented history: it brings us right up to the present day without omitting one important fact about any of the 15 autonomous bodies which constitute the Orthodox Church.
At this point. it should perhaps be noted that the title of the hook
may mislead some. It cannot signify that there is one Orthodox Church, in the sense in which we describe the Catholic Church as One; this is indeed One, unified in all its aspects. As the author says: "The -Orthodox Church is thus a family of self-governing Churches." They are what is called "autocephalous" churches. which is to say that each is juridically independent of the others. The primacy of the Patriarch of Constantinople is only an honorary one. There are, therefore, eleven autocephalous churches, and four others which have not yet achieved full independence.
How then are they all included under the common heading of Orthodoxy?
This question is answered in the second half of the book. Here the author describes for us the deepest convictions of Orthodoxy where the essential features of the Christian faith are concerned. Catholic readers are sure to discover how near these are to the teachings of the Fathers of the Church (Catholics. too, should know more about the Fathers).
Where essential differences are concerned, they will see that these often arise from doctrines formulated by theological schools (such as there are also in Catholic theology) or from the heat of controversy. This is particularly evident in anything which concerns the nature of the Church. But when he deals with the living faith, the sacraments, the eucharistic liturgy, prayer. icons and the monastic life, their is nothing which we cannot admire, and indeed imitate. The East has much to teach us to re-teach us.
Efforts
A last word on ecumenical relations. If sufficient notice has been paid to Orthodoxy's considerable efforts on behalf of unity, was it not solely because of its presence at the Council of Churches at Geneva and because of its repeated affirmations that it intended to remain true to all that Christ has given to, and asked of, His Church.
It is being increasingly acknowledged today that the blame for the history of schisms and heresies has to be shared. What every Catholic should realise is the extent to which, where our brothers in Christ are concerned even and above all when they gave us "a living testimony to the value of suffering in the Christian life" (p. 334) ignorance and indifference have fostered disunion.
Timothy Ware's book will make our Orthodox brothers known and loved.