Ecclesiology of the East

In Cyril of Jerusalem’s Catechetical Lectures we find the basically universal view of the East. The church is the spiritual society which God called into existence to replace the apostate Jewish church. It is the “pillar in the ground of the truth” with the Holy Spirit as its supreme teacher and protector. It is called Catholic (universal) since it calls the faithful together everywhere. The church is one and holy, the home of wisdom and knowledge extended throughout the entire world. It is considered the bride of Christ and the mother of us all. Through the church only can men receive saving instruction and be admitted to the kingdom. Most notably absent is any discussion of hierarchical structure or any contrast or distinction between the empirical and spiritual societies.

The preeminence of Rome remained undisputed in the East during the patristic period. The leading position claimed by the popes was freely conceded by all at the councils of Ephesus (431) and Chalcedon (451). The Eastern fathers did not, however, understand this preeminence to be by divine right. The Eastern churches never treated Rome as the constitutional center and head of the Church, much less as the infallible oracle of faith and morals. They did not take issue with resisting its express will on occasions.

Peter’s primacy among the Apostles was acknowledged without reservation. However, there is no suggestion that Peter’s position as leader carried with it any different status than common to the other Apostles in the Eastern view.