Conversations with Orthodoxy Cognate PAGE Society

Today we’d like to introduce you to Donn George Varghese.

Hi Donn, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Here I represent my organization Orthodoxy Cognate PAGE Society.

Orthodoxy Cognate PAGE (formerly known as Orthodoxy Beyond Limits Forum) in the month of June 2007. Inspired by Rt. Rev Kyriakose Thottupuram of Chicago, George Alexander, and Fr Thomas Geevarghese established the OBL Forum. The Forum website was inaugurated by His Grace Mor Gregorious Gabriel of Trivandrum in Chicago in the presence of Chorbishop Kyriakose Thottupuram during the month of July 2007 in Chicago, USA.

Initially, it stayed as a forum broadcasting Orthodox Christian news and the unique nature of broadcasting news comprising both Byzantine and Oriental Orthodox Churches gained a worldwide readership. A Board was constituted which consisted of Chancellor, Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Secretary.

In 2010, Orthodoxy Beyond Limits was renamed as Orthodoxy Cognate PAGE Society with registration under the Indian Societies Registration Act. K. C. Jacob became the Chairman, and a 10-member governing board was formed. The administrative structure of the Society expanded with further structures.

The society has engaged in several Pan-Orthodox Christian activities, which include meeting various Orthodox delegations, publishing books, campaigning for persecuted Christian minorities, attending conferences, rigorous fieldwork research initiatives, and so on. Orthodoxy Cognate PAGE is a major player in the Pan-Orthodox Christian movement.

The OCP Society firmly believes that both the Byzantine (Eastern) Orthodox Churches and the Oriental Orthodox Churches are the true heirs to the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church of Christ, which was the Church of the apostles and the holy fathers. We also believe these Churches teach the true faith and morals of the Church established by Christ for which the ancient martyrs gave their lives. Although due to cultural, linguistic, and political influences, these churches tried to define Christological issues in different terminologies, they believe, they profess the same faith and doctrines pertaining to the person of Christ, Who was truly God and truly man.

Although due to cultural, linguistic, and political influences, these churches tried to define Christological issues in different terminologies, they believe, they profess the same faith and doctrines pertaining to the person of Christ, Who was truly God and truly man. OCP Society urges the members of the Oriental Orthodox family to understand the historical and cultural background of the Council of Chalcedon, and members of the Byzantine Orthodox family to critically evaluate the doctrinal relevance of the Council of Chalcedon within the framework of the Christology of St. Cyril of Alexandria, which is nothing but sheer Orthodoxy.

If the Christology of St. Cyril is truly Orthodox, it was the epicenter of the theologization of the Oriental Orthodox Churches, and they did not move a millimeter away from it. If the Christological theologization of the Byzantine Orthodox Churches, either in the Council of Chalcedon or later in other dogmatic tractates, does not negate the Christology of St., Cyril of Alexandria against Nestorius, it also defends the faith of St. Cyril, the common father of both families of Orthodoxy. What surrounded the Christology of St. Cyril was a twofold system of thought explaining the mystery of Christ, which was not properly understood by each other due to the political and cultural polarizations of that particular period. Both groups actually defined the same truth in their own terminologies, which were not properly intelligible to each other at that time. However, both groups reiterated and emphasized the same truth.

The Society promotes a faster and speedy healing of the wounds inflicted on each other some fifteen centuries ago, and it also stands for a canonically accepted full Eucharistic intercommunion between these ancient Orthodox families as soon as possible (although this communion is consummated in unofficial circles). It took fifteen centuries for the fathers and theologians to realize that they are both ONE and were saying the same truth about God the Word Incarnate for the last fifteen centuries. Let us unite together, let us pray together, and let us act together for the Unity of Orthodoxy.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As mentioned above the difference between the two families of the orthodox church, is through theological and other differences, bringing up unity or a united platform was so hard in its initial days.

Differences in race, nationality, theological stand, and so on made it more rigid. We were able to remove this challenge by seeing everyone and every church from an equal perspective without considering favorites and ones with which we can not connect.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As part of our expansion, we have now concentrated more on social media and other new-generation platforms where we make content for our viewers.

What makes you happy?
More updates from all churches and more credibility and support make us happier.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ocpsociety.org/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OCP.Society 

Image Credits
St. Nektarios Monastery https://ocpsociety.org/ocp-delegate-received-at-st-nektarious-monastery-in-aegina/