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| St. Constantine and the 318 Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council (in Nicea, A.D. 325) |
| "In his apostolic letter Orientale Lumen Pope John Paul II called upon the Latin Church to 'show concretely, far more than in the past, how much she esteems and admires the Christian East and how essential she considers its contribution to the full realization of the Church's universality.' "The Pope said that a 'conversion' is required of the Latin Church, that she may respect and fully appreciate the dignity of the Eastern Christians, and accept gratefully the spiritual treasures of which the Eastern Catholic Churches are the bearers, to the benefit of the entire Catholic Communion" -The Eastern Catholic Churches in the U.S. For those faithfully trying to follow this call, seeking information not only on the Eastern Catholic Rites but also on the Eastern Catholic Churches which practice them, below are some indespensible documents and links. These will also assist you in gaining an appreciation for the Catholic Church's true and official position on ecumenism with the Orthodox Churches. |
| Eastern Christianity: Ecumenical Links and Information |
| 1. Eastern Christian Websites From East to West Introducing the West to the Treasures of Eastern Catholicsim Arimathea An intriguing site on "Eastern and Ancient Christianity" Opus Libani Focuses on the "Seven Catholic Churches of the Near East" Orientale Lumen Excellent source of information on Eastern Catholic Churches EWTN's Eastern Catholic Churches Forum Ask an expert your questions on Eastern Christianity The Byzantine Forum A place where Eastern Christians can meet and dialogue about the Faith. CIN East Valuable information and documents on the Eastern Churches CNEWA Helping our brothers in the Near East. Provides excellent articles on the Eastern Churches Melkite Greek Catholic Church Insightful information on the role of the Eastern Catholic Churches The Armenian Church An excellent Armenian Apostolic site covering the Armenian spiritual heritage St. Gregory of Narek The Great Armenian mystical poet and his Prayer Book of Lamentations Stephanos An informitive site presenting the historic Eastern Orthodox view on Contraception Looys Kreesdosee An Ecumenical Site on the Armenian Church by Wm. Der-Ghazarian 2. Documents of the Catholic Church Eastern Catholic Churches in the United States An excellent primer on the relationship between the Latin and Eastern Catholic Churches Orientalium Ecclesiarum The Second Vatican Council's decree on the Eastern Catholic Churches (called by some "the least known document of Vatican II") Orientale Lumen Pope John Paul II's appreciation for & insight into the beauty of Eastern Christianity. Union of Brest Historic statement of reunion between the Ukranian and Latin Churches. Catechism of the Catholic Church A compendium of the Orthodox Faith of the Catholic Church Greek Melkite Proposal of "Double Communion" A blueprint, perhaps, for restoring communion? Clarification on the Filioque Vatican clarification of its teaching on the Procession of the Holy Spirit. One Single Source An Orthodox Response to the Vatican's Clarification on the Filioque 3. Joint Statements between Catholic and Orthodox Balamand Agreement A landmark mutual recognition of the validity of the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches and a condemnation of proselytism between them. Common Declaration on Christology by Pope John Paul II and Armenian Apostolic Catholicos Karekin I Joint Communique of Pope John Paul II and Armenian Apostolic Catholicos Karekin II Common Declaration on Christology between the Catholic Church and the Assyrian Church of the East 4. Other Helpful Links by Latin and Eastern Christians New Advent Informitive Roman Catholic Links Catholic Answers Roman Catholic Apologetics (instrumental in my decision to leave Fundamentalism) Couple to Couple League Explaining the historic teaching on contraception in understandable language One More Soul An excellent Roman Catholic Pro-Life Resource Byzantine Catholic Daily Prayer and Lectionary An excellent resource for Eastern Christians |
| As you read these, I think you will get a sense of the deep respect the Church of Rome bears towards the Churches of the East and her great desire, as manifested in the person of the Pope of Rome, to work with the Orthodox Churches in hope of some day restoring full unity. I encourage all to follow the call of the Pope, in hope that East and West may become better acquainted based on accurate knowledge, mutual respect and true Communion. This, indeed, is one of the purposes of this web-site: to assist the Catholic Church, as Pope John Paul II has put it, to once again "breathe with both lungs." |
| "Take every care to preserve the unity of the Spirit by the peace that binds you together" -St. Paul to the Ephesians 4:3 |