Ecclesial Boundaries and National Identity in the Orthodox Church

The study by Tamara Grdzelidzes examines the relationship between autocephaly and religious nationalism in the Orthodox Church and proposes a eucharistic hermeneutics to preserve the concepts of autocephaly and synodality from misappropriation by religious nationalists.

Format: Hardback
Length: 276 pages
Publication date: 03 July 2023
Publisher: University of Notre Dame Press

The study by Tamara Grdzelidzes titled "Ecclesial Boundaries and National Identity in the Orthodox Church" delves into the current state of ecclesiology within the Orthodox Church, with a specific focus on the history of autocephaly and its connection to the rise of religious nationalism. To date, the Orthodox Church has yet to adequately address the pressing issue of religious nationalism. In order to fill this gap, Grdzelidzes offers a comprehensive solution to the ecclesiological challenges posed by the emergence of group-related sentiments within Orthodox communities.

The monograph by Grdzelidzes begins by examining the historical background of autocephaly and synodality within the Orthodox Church. As she explains, the political autonomy granted to local churches in the Eastern Roman Empire, which later evolved into autocephaly, inherently carried the seeds of group-related sentiments, whether national or ethnic. Over time, these sentiments have given rise to religious nationalism, which has further hindered the ability of autocephalous churches to disengage from their national political involvements. Consequently, Orthodox Churches find themselves unable to engage in a meaningful conversation regarding the hermeneutics of authority.

After providing a historical backdrop, Grdzelidze presents a solution to this ecclesiological problem. She proposes a eucharistic hermeneutics, which aims to safeguard the concepts of autocephaly and synodality from being misappropriated by religious nationalists. This proposal is rooted in the fundamental principle that the Church represents the Body of Christ and, therefore, encompasses the entire people of God and the entirety of God's creation through the sacramental life. By adopting this eucharistic mode of visioning the Church, Grdzelidzes believes that a resolution to the crisis of borders and boundaries within the Orthodox Church can be achieved.

In conclusion, Grdzelidzes' study provides a valuable contribution to the field of ecclesiology by offering a comprehensive solution to the challenges posed by religious nationalism within the Orthodox Church. Through her examination of the historical roots of autocephaly and synodality, as well as her proposed eucharistic hermeneutics, Grdzelidzes provides a framework for preserving the core values of the Church while addressing the contemporary issues of borders and boundaries. This work is essential for scholars, clergy, and laypersons alike who are interested in understanding the complex relationship between religion, nationalism, and the Orthodox Church.

Dimension: 229 x 152 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780268204983