Oriental Orthodox Churches refer to a group of Christian churches that belong to the larger family of Orthodox Christianity. These churches are distinct from the Eastern Orthodox churches, which split from them in the 5th century due to theological disputes, primarily related to the nature of Jesus Christ.
The Oriental Orthodox Churches encompass several ancient and independent Christian traditions, including the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church, the Syriac Orthodox Church, and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Despite their regional and cultural variations, these churches share a common faith, liturgical practices, and sacraments.
The Oriental Orthodox Churches hold to the belief in the "one nature" of Jesus Christ, known as Miaphysitism. This means that they proclaim that Christ is one Person, fully divine and fully human, with the divine and human natures united inseparably in his personhood. This theological understanding distinguishes them from the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, which adhere to the doctrine of "two natures" in Christ (divine and human).
The Oriental Orthodox Churches also have a rich heritage, with a long history of preserving ancient Christian traditions and liturgical practices. They have made significant contributions to art, architecture, theology, and spirituality throughout the centuries. Despite facing numerous challenges and periods of persecution, they have remained steadfast in their faith and continue to serve as important centers of spirituality for millions of believers worldwide.
