Dialogues Between East and West: Catholic and Orthodox Churches in Past and Present
A special issue of Religions (ISSN 2077-1444). This special issue belongs to the section "Religions and Theologies".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 May 2026 | Viewed by 23
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
We invite submissions for a Special Issue on Dialogues Between East and West: Catholic and Orthodox Churches in Past and Present.
Western and Eastern Christianity sprang from common roots, but over the centuries, historical, theological, political and cultural factors have gradually set them apart. The most significant formal act of this separation was the Great Schism of 1054, which, through mutual excommunication, permanently divided the territories of the Byzantine and the Western Roman Empire in terms of ecclesiastical jurisdiction, culminating in the divergent development of the Byzantine and Roman Churches. A comparative study of the histories of the two churches offers an opportunity to explore how different theological emphases, church organizational models and liturgical traditions developed. Recognizing these structural differences contributes to a deeper understanding of Christian theology and anthropology and explores how the two churches influenced political systems, the arts, education and social thought. However, the subject is not limited to the analysis of disputes and breaking points but also includes attempts at rapprochement. These include the union movements that began in the late Middle Ages and the Early Modern Period, fitting into political processes, the mutual theological approaches observed in the Modern Era and certain stages of ecumenical dialogue that developed after the Second Vatican Council. The connections between Christian denominations that split from the Catholic Church and Orthodox Christianity also complement this discussion. We invite studies examining the topics mentioned above for inclusion in our Special Issue.
We request that, prior to submitting a manuscript, interested authors initially submit a proposed title and an abstract of 200–300 words summarizing their intended contribution by 1 February 2026. Please send it to the Guest Editor, Dr. András Forgó (forgo.andras@pte.hu) and cc the Special Issue Editor of Religions, Ms. Joyce Xi (joyce.xi@mdpi.com). Abstracts will be reviewed by the Guest Editor for the purposes of ensuring proper fit within the scope of the Special Issue. Full manuscripts will undergo double-blind peer review.
We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Dr. András Forgó
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- autocephaly
- Catholicism
- church governance
- church history
- Church Union Movements
- Conciliarism
- ecumenical movements
- Greek Catholics
- liturgical movements
- Orthodoxy
- papacy
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