Oriental Orthodox Churches

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The Oriental Orthodox Churches are a group of ancient Eastern Christian churches that share a common Christology called Miaphysitism. They believe that Jesus Christ has one united nature that is both divine and human. They are not in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church or with the Eastern Orthodox Church, though there has been ongoing dialogue and some agreements in recent decades.

The six main autocephalous (self-governing) churches are:
- Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria (Egypt)
- Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch (and its Indian branch, the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church)
- Armenian Apostolic Church (with sees in Etchmiadzin and Cilicia)
- Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (India)
- Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
- Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church

There are also a few smaller, independent Oriental Orthodox communities sometimes linked to these churches, such as the Malabar Independent Syrian Church and the British Orthodox Church.

Today, about 60 to 80 million people belong to the Oriental Orthodox family, with the Ethiopian Church being the largest single church. They are strongest in Egypt, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Armenia, India (especially Kerala), Syria, and parts of the Levant, with communities worldwide due to migration and mission work.

Key beliefs and practice:
- They recognize the first three ecumenical councils (Nicaea, Constantinople, and Ephesus) but reject the Council of Chalcedon (451), which led to their split from the Chalcedonian churches.
- They hold to Miaphysitism, the belief that Christ’s humanity and divinity are united in one nature.
- They use three main liturgical traditions: the Armenian Rite, the West Syriac Rite (including the Malankara Rite in India), and the Alexandrian Rite (used by the Coptic, Ethiopian, and Eritrean churches).
- They maintain seven sacraments, including baptism, chrismation, the Eucharist, penance, anointing of the sick, holy orders, and marriage.
- Each church is led by a primate (patriarch, catholicos, or pope) and operates independently within its own territory. The Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches coordinates relationships among them.

Ecumenical relations:
- The Oriental Orthodox churches historically separated from the main body of Christianity after Chalcedon due to Christological disagreements. They remain in full communion with one another but not with the Eastern Orthodox or Catholic churches.
- In the 20th and 21st centuries, they have engaged in dialogue with other Christian traditions. There have been agreements on baptism recognition with the Catholic Church and ongoing conversations with Eastern Orthodox churches, though full unity has not yet been achieved.

In daily life, Oriental Orthodox communities preserve distinctive rites, languages, and customs. Their churches have deep roots in the regions they serve, including Egypt, Armenia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, India, Syria, and the Levant, while also maintaining a global presence through communities in many countries.