The Stance of the Orthodox Church of Georgia on the Great Christian Union

Abstract

Throughout history, divisions have arisen within the Christian Church, some of which have culminated in reconciliation. Various schisms and attempts at reunification have unfolded over the centuries, spanning differences between non-Chalcedonian and Chalcedonian factions, as well as between Catholic and Protestant denominations. Perhaps the most significant schism transpired in 1054 between Greek and Latin Christians, an event often referred to as the Great Schism. Efforts to bridge this divide
were made at the Council of Lyon II and subsequently at the Council of Florence, both pivotal moments in the pursuit of Christian unity. The stance of the Georgian Orthodox Church regarding these endeavors towards reconciliation did not align with the viewpoints of prominent Georgian Orthodox saints, such as George the Hagiorite and Arsen of Ikalto, towards the Latin Church. Furthermore, throughout Georgia’s history, no conciliar decree has been issued declaring the Roman Catholic Church as heretical or schismatic. Even at significant church councils like Ruis-Urbnisi in 1104, the issue of the Latin Church was not addressed.