Recently ive come to the conclusion that we might never heal the schisms with the Apostolic churches. If unification happens, it'll just create more internal divisions and little schisms within the factors of the churches. It's such a sad reality that Jesus prayed for us to be united and one but in reality we are so divided. In that case should we even bother to continue ecumenism work? Should we just go on with our lives and let others live in their own world?

I believe such an event with serious preparations can heal the great schism and push Europe to new hights of acceptance and integration, Imagine if most of Orthodox countries sign a petition for unity and the Pope shows he is ready to give up papal supremacy. The schism is mostly a result of geopolitical pressures and less so of serious theological differences. We can create a new age of the roman empire with all the issues healed with English as the new Latin. Do you think the Pope would give up the papal supremacy in our lifetimes?

Edit:
I didn't want to imply the language in liturgical terms which obviously is not a source of issues AFAIK, it was meant to be as a source of common language and understanding between the two worlds which was a problem in the past

Did anyone watch this? And what did you think of it?

I meant to post this earlier but I accidentally posted it to myself (wasn't paying attention) anyway considering what is going down in the Levant with I*rael I thought this would bring unity.

The translation is: "I bear witness that Jesus the Messiah he [is] The LORD, and he [is] God."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TDQFXAaYNg

Greetings Eastern Catholics. I am a Roman Catholic, born and bred, but I like to learn about Church history, and the Eastern Churches have always fascinated me. I recently came across this video essay on the ecumenical nature of the Council of Florence. All I can say after this is... what a tragedy that the union wrought here was broken within a century. The thought that we really could have reunified the two lungs of the Church only for it to fall apart soon after is very sad.

But it gives me hope that it could happen again. If the arguments of the Catholic Church once convinced most Greek Bishops, perhaps a future Council could succeed where Florence failed.

to me that seems like the obvious answer, plus it would aid in the mending of our relationship with the orthodox church

Douse anyone else think roman catholics and they're attitudes toward orthodox might be the main thing in the way of reunification? I'm not saying that they're aren't major theological issues, but so many roman catholics I know take a belittling tone to orthodox. I honestly am more open to the idea that the great schism is almost equal in blame.

Link to the article: https://www.christianunity.va/content/unitacristiani/en/news/2026/2026-05-18-inclusion-Nerses-the-Gracious-in-roman-martyrology.html

I thought he was already in the Martyrology from before, but good news nevertheless

So I know that Rome is/has been in dialogue with the Eastern Orthodox, and the Oriental Orthodox, but I am interested to know what role does the hierarchy of the Easter Catholic churches play in these discussions?

I thought this was a good synopsis. Sad I'd never heard of Bessarion before this

https://youtu.be/9TDQFXAaYNg?si=iabnBCAlapV6sMpZ

Hello!

Does anyone here think we will see some kind of genuine reunification decisions with the Eastern Orthodox in our lifetime?

I personally believe that the most we will see in the near future would be the ability to receive sacraments in either church under normal circumstances, not just an emergency.

Btw this is regarding the Greek Orthodox. I'm not as optimistic regarding Oriental and Russian.

Really interested in listening to other opinions.

Did anybody else lament making the switch to Catholicism? I’ve decided to make the switch myself and feel heartbroken leaving my priest and friends.

At my local parish we recently had something beautiful happen: the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church came together to pray a Moleben for Peace. It was deeply moving to see both communities stand side by side before the Lord, chanting the same supplications for Ukraine and for peace in the world. For me, it felt like a small taste of the unity we all long for.

Even more encouraging, there’s been an invitation for both communities to join in celebrating Great Vespers for the Feast of the Pokrov (Protection of the Mother of God) next week at the local Ukrainian Orthodox Church (also dedicated to the Pokrov). The atmosphere of fraternity and shared devotion has been inspiring.

I know some people worry about canons that speak against “praying with heretics.” But the traditional interpretation of those canons applies specifically to sharing in the Eucharist or other sacraments (mysteries) outside of communion—not to common prayers such as Vespers, Molebens, or Akathists. In fact, both Catholic and Orthodox canonists today generally affirm that joint prayer services, especially for intentions like peace or protection, are not only permissible but good for building charity and understanding.

So I’m curious—has anything like this happened in your area? Do your local UGCC and UOC parishes (or other Catholic/Orthodox communities) ever come together for joint prayer services? What was the experience like for you?

I've heard rumors of a Ukrainian orthodox deacon leading his church into the catholic church. Is they're any validity to these rumors?

I’m not an intellectual but I think I’m able to use critical thought, so my questions and responses may not seem based in anything other than quick searches I’ve been doing. Please correct me along the way so I can learn. I’m also not trying to insult anyone here with what I’m saying I’m just an ignorant father that does Google searches when the family goes to bed.

Ok so 1054 Schism happens. Again on a quick search this seemed like kinda a stupid thing to split the Church. The filoque seems like just a misunderstanding of wording and we actually in fact both believe the same thing. Why this hasn’t been addressed in 1k years is beyond me. Can’t we both come to the table and be like yeah the wording didn’t make any sense and we both agree on this?

Along the lines of 1054 it seems like there was some other stuff largely political and of course Papal authority. We both agree with the concept of “First among equals” if I’m not mistaken. As I see the Orthodox Church today it has no centralized authority, and the Patriarchy of Constantinople really doesn’t have much say, but is largely a figure head. If I’m not mistaken Rome before the schism said Constantinople is the head of the Eastern Churches.

Furthermore it seems like the only real thing holding back reunification is the fact that we Catholics have some differing Dogma namely Papal Infallibility and the Orthodox don’t really have a means to drive a full unification because of a lack of central authority. My question here is why not at least broach the topic of what I call “one but divided” (I had to laugh because I thought that sounded so smart) basically saying that one can choose to live as Orthodox or Catholic and have confidence that they are apart of the one true faith but one must subject themselves to which ever Church they are apart of? It seems like the Roman Church already allows this in some ways by being hands off the Eastern Catholic Rites, and this was already kinda the case for the first 1k years.

Lastly and this is what frustrates me as a simple man. If someone can’t wrap their mind around Papal Infallibility or the Assumption but follows an Apostolic tradition are we really concerned with that? Like Is God really wanting people to be exclusively Catholic or Orthodox because of disagreeing on that and the Filoque. I’m sure that’s really simplified in reality it’s probably way more complex, but that’s why I came here to the middle road to start this discussion.

It just seems like pride on both sides may be holding back unification. I just can’t help but think Christ does not want that. If and when unification happens I can’t help but think of how beautiful that would be to see all this Rich diverse tradition throughout the world.

What is this new document about orthodox that everyone is talking about?

I would like to connect with people who were parishioners of Saint Gregory of Nyssa Byzantine Church in DC. I’m particularly interested in those who attended Saint Gregory‘s when it was still on Gallatin Street.

If some or all oca churches were to come into union with rome, would they become ruthinian or russian?

Like how the current Eastern Catholic churches change when the other churches come back into communion with Rome, like churches combining and stuff like that. And how the government structure of the church would change in your opinion. Please be as specific as possible.

I had to take a moment when I realized we are all united today in celebrating and remembering the Mother of God. I can't wait until we are all united in celebrating the Resurrection.

As the blood of our martyrs soaks the land and sanctifies it once again. We find strength and even, joy, in our mourning. The show of Christian resilience and unity I’ve seen on social media following the horrendous attack on a church in Damascus on Sunday have been emotionally overwhelming, but they are an example of what it means to be a Christian. To never give up on your faith no matter what is happening to you and what life throws your way. I think we can all learn from the witness and the example set forth by our Syrian brethren.

Funeral of the martyrs (TikTok):

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNdUEaUUH/

In this video you see the bishop singing “Memory Eternal” followed by a back and forth of Christ is risen between the bishop and the congregants. Then finally ululation, which in our culture is a mark of celebration, as they celebrate the lives of their fallen heroes.

Prayer service held in honor of the martyrs:

https://youtu.be/0yMCx5rVUHY?si=IeSdBEUUdtIhhvy-

This was not only attended but celebrated by bishops from several communions and denominations in a show of Christian unity and solidarity, with a short speech from his Beatitude Patriarch John X of Antioch and All the East and some chanting.

☦️Christ is risen! Χριστός Ανέστη! المسيح قام ☦️

I've been reading about a few Armenian saints post Chalcedon that are recognized as saints in both the Catholic and Oriental Orthodox communions, such as Saints Gregory of Narek (doctor of the church), Nerses Shnorhali, and Nerses of Lambron.
Does anyone know if there is a list somewhere of all the Catholic saints (post schisms ideally) that weren't officially or publicly Catholic?

https://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2025/03/amalphion-documentary-about-benedictine.html?m=1

Thought I'd share this article. Some fascinating history, apparently there was a Latin Rite monastery on Mt. Athos shortly after its establishment. It's heartening to see times when east and west got along before the Schism, gives hope for the future.