Tradition · 451

Oriental Orthodox

The family of churches that accept the first three ecumenical councils but not the Council of Chalcedon (451), and hold Miaphysitism.

Its members are the Coptic Orthodox, Syriac Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo, Eritrean Orthodox and Malankara (Indian) Orthodox churches. They are in communion with each other but each is self-governing. They regard Cyril of Alexandria as their chief teacher on Christ and reject the label “Monophysite”. Modern dialogue with the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches has produced agreed statements on Christology.