www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life The Christian East & West What was the union agreement with Rome?

I am curious as to what was agreed upon between the Roman Catholic Church and the Byzantine church when they reunited. I am certain the Byzantines affirmed the primacy of the Pope and were allowed to retain its own liturgical practices and other customs. Or am I wrong about that? What about doctrine? Did they agree, for instance, to all the decrees of the Councils since the schism (Lateran, Trent, etc.) along with all their doctrinal definitions and associated anathemas, or only certain ones and "agree to disagree" with others?

I am a Roman rite Catholic that became familiar with the Byzantine Church when I lived in Cleveland in the 90's (Eparchy of Parma). I am nowhere near a Byzantine church where I live now (northeast Wisconsin) but when I'm in the Cleveland area I make a point to attend a Byzantine liturgy.

Thanks.

Fisheater.

Christ is in our midst!!

Fisheater,

Welcome to the forum. We hope your time with us is spiritually beneficial.

Bob
Moderator

Christ is in our midst!!

Fisheater,

Which agreement are you inquiring about? There is probably one for each Eastern Church that entered communion with Rome: Ukrainian, Ruthenian, Armenian, etc.

Hello Fisheater!

Happy to have you! As someone who grew up Roman Catholic I know exactly where you are coming from. You were probably raised believing the Roman Catholic Church was the only "version" of the Catholic Church that existed (due to lack of knowledge, I myself did not know until I became good friends with Eastern Catholics. Its affected me so much that when I talk about the Catholic Church I tend to solely refer to it as that (formerly I referred to it as the Roman Catholic Church, but that carves out the other 23 sui juris Churches fully in communion with the Pope of Rome).

Some Eastern Churches never entered into a schism and remained in communion with Rome since the beginning. Yes, the Eastern Catholics affirm the Primacy of the Pope and were allowed to retain their liturgical traditions and practices, since these practices date back pre schism.
Doctrinally, it can be slightly more complex because while there understandings of key dogmas come to the same conclusion, their reasoning is slightly different. One example is the Dormition of the Theotokos, which is when some Eastern Catholics (of their relative Churches, in communion with Rome), celebrate the Theotokos (i.e. Mary, who is the "God-bearer") going "to sleep" and then Christ resurrecting her from the dead, in which she is then assumed into Heaven via Christ. Catholics of the Roman Church believe in the Assumption of Mary without the Dormition, where she is solely assumed in to Heaven. Two completely valid explanations that have theological reasoning behind it that has historical origins.

Sorry for the information overload! I have plenty more to add if you want it, but I highly recommend what previous Popes have said about our relationship with the Eastern Catholic Church and its need for improvement (primarily by Roman Catholics). Some of the Popes include Pope Leo XIII (who I really like and is very underrated) and Pope Saint John Paul II, who famously talked about the "The Church must breathe with her two lungs!" (JP II).

I don't know where precisely you are at in Northeast Wisconsin but if you get the chance I would encourage you to check out Holy Resurrection Monastery in St Nazianz, WI (about an hour south of Green Bay). It would be worth the trip!

There's also Holy Protection Monastery in Eagle Harbor, MI that might be closer depending on just how far north you are.

The idea that the Theotokos did not die was a minority opinion and became popular in the Latin Church in the 19th century. The much larger and attested tradition, East and West, is that she died and three days later was assumed into heaven. Indeed the Latin Benedictine Monastery of the Dormition has a marble statue of the Theotokos lying in repose mirroring Byzantine iconography.
https://dormitio.net/assets/image-c...lika/20240815_075413-bearb.39ea5a86.webp