Ancient Church of the East
The Ancient Church of the
East, though sharing a name with an ancient Christian tradition,
is a relatively recent religious organisation established
in 1968. It emerged with its own patriarchate as a result
of a schism within the Assyrian Church of the East, primarily
over theological and ecclesiastical issues and reforms, including
opposition to hereditary patriarchal succession, and to the
adoption of the new Roman liturgical calendar in place of
the traditional calendar. The church is distinct from the
historical Church of the East, which dates back to the early
centuries of Christianity and played a significant role in
the spread of Christianity in Asia. It has a presence in several
countries, including Iraq, Iran, and the diaspora. It upholds
Nestorian Christology and maintains its own administrative
and liturgical practices, separate from other Eastern Christian
denominations. The Ancient Church of the East is one of three
churches that claims continuity with the defunct Church of
the East.
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