Ask an Orthodox Christian

[E-RPM SOFT COM]

How does the Orthodox Church view the Coptic Church?

[Angelos]

Are you concerned that the Orthodox churches have devolved in silos of "ethnic" churches that luck universal ("Catholic") appeal?? For all my misgivings about the pope, having a unified leadership has helped the Catholic church become truly universal.

If one goes to a Catholic church in NYC, he/she will see people from many races and ethnic groups praying together. If one goes to a Greek Orthodox church, he will just see Greeks who speak Greek, talk about Greece and eat Greek food. This silo/ethnic mentality is a big turn-off for potential converts 

[trifecta]

How does the Orthodox Church view the Coptic Church?

Take a look earlier in this thread (page 1) and you will get a fuller answer.
But to answer your question.   We like them loads, but are not in communion
with them.  This is because they pulled out of the 4th Ecumenical Council. 
Their disagreement was about politics, not theology.   We hope to be in
communion with them soon. 

[trifecta]

Are you concerned that the Orthodox churches have devolved in silos of "ethnic" churches that luck universal ("Catholic") appeal??

Yes, but there are more important issues.   More to follow.

For all my misgivings about the pope, having a unified leadership has helped the Catholic church become truly universal.

You have a point.  A king (or a royal family) tends to unite a people.  However, it doesn't ensure correct theology.   We got the right doctrine.   As much as we want unity (and we do), doctrine is more important.

Like a king, a pope can change the church's thinking at the drop of a hat.  Pope Pius and Vatican I is a good demonstration of this.  After more than 1800 years of Christianity, the Bishop of Rome suddenly becames infallible (when speaking ex cathedra)?  Only a monarch can make such a change so quickly.  In Vatican II, change becomes a good thing.  And since then there have been lots of changes in liturgical practices.   The problem with the modern Papacy is the same as with monarchy:  Your religion is as only good as its leader. 

Orthodox, on the other hand, never change our liturgy and practices.  Does that make us stagnant?   Maybe a little, but it also keeps us from bad theology and in conformation with  the church of the Apostles.   

We have our problems, but no one in the church is denying the Trinity, resurrection, or incarnation of Christ--it's too much part of how we think (although I, as a convert, am not the best example of this.)

Another example:  The liberation theology movement of the 1980s in Latin America was taking hold and had nothing to do with the gospel.  So, while the RCC church was unified, this  branch was not practicing correct theology.  IMHO, Pope John Paul II's best accomplishment was not his travels, but quashing this movement.   Yes, this is an example of the plusses of papal authority, but in our church, nothing like this happens in the first place, because Holy Tradition is part of each person. 

If one goes to a Catholic church in NYC, he/she will see people from many races and ethnic groups praying together.

This is a beautiful thing about the RCC, I must admit.

If one goes to a Greek Orthodox church, he will just see Greeks who speak Greek, talk about Greece and eat Greek food. This silo/ethnic mentality is a big turn-off for potential converts 

Yeah, this is a problem, but even though I am not Greek, I have felt welcome at a Greek Orthodox Church.  And their food is excellent!

Still, this mentality is an obstacle.  However, as more converts come into the church (my church is about 30 to 40 percent convert), this attitude will and is changing.