The Second Round of Bilateral Theological Consultations between the Russian Orthodox and Coptic Orthodox Churches

Moscow Theological Academy, Sergiev Posad, Russia. November, 16-19 2023

We give thanks to our God, glorified in the Holy Trinity, Who has blessed us with the opportunity to hold our second thelogical consultation at the Moscow Theological Academy between representatives of the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Russian Orthodox Church. As per the agreements reached in Lievelde, the Netherlands, we carried our theological consultations in order to mutually clarify the theological views of our Сhurches.

We express our gratitude to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and all Russia, and to His Holiness Pope Tawadros II for their support of our consultations. We thank His Grace Bishop Kirill, Rector of the Moscow Theological Academy and Bishop of Sergiev Posad and Dmitrov, for his hospitality and personal participation in the consultations.

The Russian Orthodox Church was represented by His Grace Bishop Kiril of Sergiev Posad and Dmitrov, Rector of the Moscow Theological Academy; His Reverence Father Stephen Igumnov, His Reverence Father Paul Lizgunov, Deacon Sergiy Panteleyev; as well as invited experts, His Reverence Hegumen Adrian Pashin, and His Reverence Hieromonk Theodore Yulaev.

The Coptic Orthodox delegation included: His Grace Bishop Kyrillos, General Bishop in the Diocese of Los Angeles and Dean of St Athanasius and St Cyril Coptic Orthodox Theological School; His Reverence Father Macarius Refela; and His Reverence Hieromonk Daoud al-Antony.

With this communique we again affirm that our bilateral theological consultations do not have as their goal the task of replacing the official theological dialogue, which took place in the 20th century for decades between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches.

According to the Communique passed during the consultation in Lievelde, the starting point of our consultation was the examination of the Two Agreed Statements on Christology, which was reviewed at the meetings of the Joint Commission. In accordance with this the commission, the Russian Orthodox Church compiled remarks about the Second Agreed Statement. In response, the Coptic Orthodox Church provided answers to these remarks, during the second round of bilateral theological consultations which was dedicated to this task.

We should note the cordial, brotherly atmosphere, guided by the Holy Spirit, when we had time to thoroughly examine the questions at hand which allowed us to make great steps towards furthering understanding between our Churches. We reached many clarifications regarding the Second Agreed Statement at Chambessy, including:

·      viewing the writings of Theodoret of Cyrus in light of Canon 13 of the Second Council of Consantinople;

·      translating that the formula of St. Cyril of Alexandria "μία φύσις τοῦ Θεοῦ Λόγου σεσαρκωμένη",as "one incarnate nature of the Logos," instead of "one nature of the incarnate Logos," as translated in the Second Agreed Statement;

·      presenting the thorough explanation of the Coptic Orthodox understanding of the fullness of the Divinity and humanity in Christ;

·      examining the wills and energies in Christ

·      understanding of formulas including, “one incarnate nature of God the Logos,” and “one composite nature;”

·      depending/exploring the writings of Athanasius of Alexandria, the Cappadocian Fathers and Cyril of Alexandria, as well as Dioscorus of Alexandria, Severus of Antioch, Maximus the Confessor and John of Damascus.

In order to continue fruitful scientific-theological dialogue, we find it useful to discuss in the interim various aspects of our dialogue in different forms including theological conferences. We agreed to exchange links to sources which most-clearly demonstrate the official theological positions of our Churches.

We also found it beneficial to hold theological consultations more than once per year. The next consultation will be held from March 4-7, 2024 in Egypt, to address further our Christological terminology and related issues. We then plan to address other issues, according to the list of issues decided upon in Lievelde, Netherlands.

To schedule an interview with Dean of the School, please contact Communications Department, Hani Philobbos at: hani.philobbos@acts.school