Are Greek Orthodox people heretics?

By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10

The relationship between the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Greek Orthodox Church (and other Eastern Orthodox churches) is a nuanced historical and theological matter.

From the strict historical perspective of the Coptic Orthodox Church, the Council of Chalcedon (451 A.D.) was the point of separation. At this council, the Greek (Byzantine) and Roman churches adopted a formula of "two natures" for our Lord. The Coptic Church, following the theology of St. Cyril of Alexandria, rejected this as a departure from the faith. We maintain the Miaphysite Christology: "One Nature of the Incarnate Logos," where the divinity and humanity are united without mingling, without confusion, and without alteration.

Regarding whether they are "heretics":

1. Historical Condemnations: For centuries following Chalcedon, both sides viewed the other as heterodox. The Greek Orthodox viewed us as "monophysites" (a term we reject, as it implies the humanity of Christ was swallowed up by His divinity, which we do not believe), while the Coptic Church viewed the Chalcedonians as having fallen into the Nestorian error by dividing Christ into two natures.
2. Modern Dialogue: In the late 20th century, official theological dialogues took place between the Oriental Orthodox (including Copts) and the Eastern Orthodox (including Greeks). Both sides realized that their Christological differences were largely a matter of terminology rather than essence. The Joint Commission (1989/1990) concluded that both families of churches have maintained the same Apostolic faith in the Person of Christ, despite the different ways of expressing it.
3. Current Status: While a theological agreement was reached stating that both are essentially Orthodox, full communion has not yet been restored at the official level. Therefore, while they are not viewed as "heretics" in the same sense as the Arians or Nestorians who denied the essence of the faith, we remain in a state of schism (separation).

It is important to distinguish this from Protestants, who are heretics because they have rejected the Holy Sacraments, the priesthood, the intercession of the Saints and the, and the Holy Tradition of the Church. The Greek Orthodox, by contrast, share with us a deep reverence for Tradition, the Sacraments, and the Fathers, even though we remain separated by the historical definition of the Council of Chalcedon.