Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States
www.suscopts.org
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Are the Coptic Orthodox in communion with the Eastern Orthodox? If not, what are the reasons?

The Coptic Orthodox Church (Non-Chalcedonian Church) is part of the Oriental Orthodox Church and is not in full communion with the Eastern Orthodox Church (Chalcedonian)...During the council of Chalcedon, the Coptic Orthodox Church had been accused of being "Monophysite." The term 'Monophysite' comes from two Greek words meaning "single nature". Monophysitism merged Christ's humanity into His divinity so that effectively it meant that in Christ there was only a single nature, the divine nature. This is NOT what the Coptic Orthodox Church believes. We believe that "Christ's divinity parted not from His humanity not for a single moment nor a twinkling of an eye" and we recite this statement in every liturgy. So, we are Miaphysite and not Monophysite. Miaphysitism (one nature) means that the Lord Jesus Christ is perfect human and perfect divine and these two natures are united together without mingling, without confusion, and without alteration in one nature; the nature of God incarnate...Also the Eastern Orthodox Churches who believe in Diophysitism (two natures) were understood that they do not believe in the unity between the two natures of Christ. In the recent dialogue, the Eastern Orthodox Churches confessed their belief in the union of the two natures according to the words of St. Cyril of Alexandria Miaphysis 'tou theo tou logo se sarkomeeni' which means one nature for the incarnated Logos of God.
 
As more dialogues continue, some obstacles still exist between the two Churches regarding recognizing certain key saints. Dioscorus is revered by the Oriental Orthodox Church but not by the Eastern Orthodox Church, whereas Leo of Rome who initiated the Tome of Leo is recognized and favored by the Eastern Orthodox Church but not by the Oriental Orthodox Church. Each Church declares that the rejected figure is perceived as a heretic or an antagonist to the Church, while the other affirms his sainthood.

Today there are many dialogues to resolve these differences and misunderstanding. More information about the current dialogues regarding the unification of the churches can be found at these websites:
http://lacopts.org/?s=Progress+Report+On+The+Joint+Commission
http://lacopts.org/orthodoxy/orthodox-life/two-families-of-orthodox/

These major differences were mainly caused by a politically charged schism that happened in the 5th century and divided the Chalcedonian (Eastern Orthodox) from the non-Chalcedonian (Oriental Orthodox) Churches. Dialogues to bridge gaps of confusion and misunderstandings began under the auspices of H.H. Pope Shenouda III of Thrice Blessed Memory and have continued until now under H.H. Pope Tawadros II of the Coptic Orthodox Church.
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