11.

 Describe the theology of communion as set forth in the textbook.

            The textbook calls Orthodoxy's theology of the Church a theology of communion. This term refers to the fact that it is the act of communion that holds the Church together.

            St. Ignatius of Antioch saw each local Church as one of a congregation of faithful gathered around its bishop and celebrating the Eucharist — such is his idea of the Church as a Eucharistic Society, as discussed in chapter one. The Church universal is then formed by the communion of the heads of these local Churches (the bishops) with one another. Unity does not come from without — that is, from the imposition of authority from a supreme pontiff, but it comes from within, by the celebration of the Eucharist. The Church is not and never has been monarchical (as Rome maintains); it is rather collegial. It is made up of the communion of many hierarchs with one another, and of the communion of each bishop with the members of his flock. The criterion for membership in the Church, therefore, is the act of communion. Church membership is ended, conversely, when an individual member severs communion with his bishop. Likewise, a bishop ceases to be a member of the Church if he severs communion with his fellow bishops.