Most Catholics in this country, and I include myself, do not know much about the Eastern Orthodox churches. Some know that there are eastern rites, like the Byzantines and the Maronites, who are in communion with Rome. I think there are about sixteen of those. But there are many other churches that are not in communion with Rome which tend to be called "Eastern Orthodox".

Some Catholics could probably name the Russian Orthodox Church and the Greek Orthodox Church as two of them. The reason for this is that they are mentioned in the popular press occasionally and also on TV news, especially if they say or do something in opposition to the Pope in Rome.

In order to try to overcome some of this ignorance, James Likoudis, a convert from Greek Orthodoxy and former president of Catholics United for the Faith, has written three books and many articles on Eastern Orthodoxy. This most recent book presents an account of his own conversion- how by study and research he came to the conclusion that the true Church of Jesus Christ is to be found in the Catholic Church under the headship of the Pope in Rome. He went to the sources, especially the Fathers of the Church and discovered that the faith they proclaimed was to be found only in the Church of Rome. He also studied the teaching of the Orthodox churches and found that they were in serious disagreement not only with Rome but also with their own ancestors who were united in one Church until the split in 1054.

The book contains thirteen Chapters and two appendices. The appendices contain two documents of Pope Pius IX in which he appeals to the Eastern Orthodox to be reconciled to Rome and to take part in Vatican Council I. Both offers were strongly rejected by the Orthodox bishops.

Likoudis is an apologist for the Roman Primacy over against the Orthodox. He presents detailed arguments to prove that the Orthodox, because they reject the Primacy of St. Peter's Successor, the Pope in Rome, have erred in several areas of Catholic faith and morals. He shows that they reject the Immaculate Conception because of a faulty understanding of original sin; they have capitulated to modern secularism in the matter of approving contraception and divorce/remarriage: they err in rejecting the Primacy of the Pope and the 'filioque' in the Creed.

The book is written in an irenic spirit with great respect for the ancient churches of the East that have been separated from Rome for a Millennium. The whole point of the book is to urge the Eastern Orthodox to reconsider some of their positions and seek reunion with Rome so that the original unity of the Church might be restored.

The author points out well that one of the main problems in dealing with the autocephalous churches of the East is that they are not united among themselves; thus, no one person or one group can speak for all of them. For, they are divided among themselves on many points. It seems that the only point on which they are united in their common hostility is towards the Pope in Rome.

Ecumenism is in the air. Since Vatican II Rome has been pushing for unity with other Christians, especially with the Eastern Orthodox. If you would like an introduction to the question- one that is sober and easy to read, then I suggest you order this book from the author and find out more about the millions of Christians who agree with Catholics on most matters concerning the Trinity, Incarnation, and the Seven Sacraments. You will also find out where we disagree and what the Catholic answer is to the objections from our Eastern brethren.

 

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