What role did the Eastern Orthodox Church play in affirming the outcomes of the earlier councils?

The Eastern Orthodox Church played a significant role in affirming the outcomes of earlier ecumenical councils by generally upholding the decisions made during these gatherings, while also presenting its own theological perspectives, particularly regarding the nature of papal authority.

Historically, the Orthodox Church recognized the importance of the councils, particularly those recognized as ecumenical, such as the First Council of Nicaea and the Council of Chalcedon. These councils established foundational doctrines of Christianity, such as the nature of Christ and the Holy Trinity, which the Eastern Orthodox Church continues to affirm. However, the Orthodox tradition conveys that any authority must remain collective and conciliar rather than singularly centralized in the papacy, which led to discussions and disagreements regarding the extent of papal power.

This nuanced position illustrates a commitment to the earlier councils’ outcomes while also emphasizing the importance of local and national orthodoxies and maintaining a critical perspective on the authority of the Roman papacy, which diverges from the Western tradition. Thus, the role of the Eastern Orthodox Church is not simply one of rejection but rather one of engagement with the theological implications of church authority articulated in earlier councils.