This is something I was researching and was wondering what would stop or prolong the process of Christian Unity. I will list what I think are issues based on my research. Please add anything I have left out.

Filioque (I think this could be worked out)
Immaculate conception (I think this could be understood)
St Photius/ Photius ( I think an agreement could be made)
Preserving traditions in both churches ( I think this is good)
I think the biggest issue is an issue of Power. ( the Pope)

I believe that in todays world that Christian Unity is inevitable. We need to stand together to combat the evil in todays society. Our youth and thier future depends on it. With churches closing and people straying it would send a very strong statement if Christian Unity were to happen in their lifetime. It isn't about us and our struggles with tradition/ change. I am sure agreements could be made but what are the major issues here?

What I have listed is what I have researched and found to be possible issues. Any advice is appreciated. I will be meeting with a couple of different priests for their opinions but ultimatly the paper will be written from my heart.
Thanks in advance for any help offered.

oh and I know the title says East and West Orthodox possible problems but is the thread about Christian Unity between Catholic and Orthodox? That is how I read it so if I posted my question in the wrong spot I am sorry.

Wow where to start,

First we must understand that the cheif concern of the Orthodox church is the healing of the human soul. In all of the church services as well as the ascetic tradition of the church we see three spiritual states. Purification,illumination and theosis.
Present day Orthodox are hard pressed to responed to the issues in an Orthodox manner because they have been so far removed from tradition that they no longer think of Orthodoxy as a curative course of treatment. It has in the old countries been reduced to a form of moralism getting their models from the west. Take what Adamantios Korais wrote after the revolution of 1821. He was the one who initiated the persicution of hesychasm and traditional monasticism.
I think that it will be easy for the West and the East to come together as one as long as one system of theology is dominate.The West has already done this with world orthodoxy and you see very little that is not the same.What will remain is all of us crazy old calender Traditionalist. We will continue to carry the banner and hold fast to the traditions that were handed down to us.
With the west comming under Frankish domination the Orthodox tradition was lost since the Franks didnt allow Orthodox bishops to be consecrated.Most recently when the Dodekanisa were under Italian rule and the Franks refused to allow a consecration of an Orthodox Bishop for the islands.
And with this happening even now the world orthodox use metaphysics and empiricism as the base of their theology.When it comes to the saints I sure they will be shelved and put away like many a statue in the west.

chadrook, I know it is a big subject. I think the Catholic Church has the same goal even though it may not be stated that way. Healing through the sacraments. Repairing our relationship with God. I need to look up most of what you wrote here. I don't get the shelved statement either. The West venerates the Saints. Shelved? Catholics are often accused of idolitry. The statues will remain as would the Icons.

I was thinking about the calendar being an issue but then I thought not really. I also thought about the elders with their ways that would be hard to accept any change. I thought we are coming upon days where the next generation doesn't have the same idea about change. A good example of this is we have a new president. Not looking to switch the topic here. I think we will find as we look back. What are we fighting about? Why are we separate? How do we become stronger? The biggest change would be unity itself. From what I can see they are so similar it may as well be the same but different.

I took a fun pc test about what religion would best describe my beliefs. I took the test and the top two with 100% totals were...Orthodox 100% and Catholic 100% listed in that order. I am Catholic and we are known for our strict teaching. Someone asked me the other day what does Orthodox mean? I told them and they were surprised.

I will look up some of the things you mentioned above. Thanks for listing them. I have so much to learn and want to be sure I explain my research properly.