The Divine Mosaic: Piecing Together Catholic and Orthodox Unity

by James Likoudis

This book collects essays, speeches, and presentations given over the course of James Likoudis’ seven decades as a Catholic. As a convert from Eastern Orthodoxy, he has devoted the greater portion of his life to the work of ecumenism, “that they all may be one” (Jn. 17:21). Within these pages, he refutes common objections to Catholicism as well as provides a sound basis for a truly Catholic ecclesiology. It is hoped that this book will be a welcome contribution to ecumenism and will bring the Church of Christ, which subsists fully within the Catholic Church, that much closer to healing its wounds and offering a vision of a united Christianity to the world–a prerequisite of fulfilling the mission entrusted to it by Christ.

Paperback: $29.95 | Kindle: $9.99

TESTIMONIALS

“What are the principal obstacles to the prospects of Catholic–Orthodox unity? Dr. James Likoudis, himself a convert from Greek Orthodoxy, offers a unique and challenging answer in this marvelous new collection of essays, articles, and speeches: the chief impediments are not primarily the dogmatic divides between Orthodoxy and Catholicism, but rather the internal divisionsboth administrative and magisterialwithin and between the Byzantine Orthodox churches themselves. Without descending into triumphalism, Likoudis makes a fraternal, detailed and compelling case that the underlying historical issues inherent in Orthodoxy’s presumptive imperial ecclesiology without an emperor and synodality without the Divine Primacy leads to a divisive power vacuum which can only and ultimately be filled by the diaconal service of the Apostolic See of Rome.” – Fr. Daniel Dozier, MA, Adjunct Professor of Sacred Scripture, Byzantine Catholic Seminary of Saints Cyril and Methodius; Author of 20 Answers on Eastern Catholicism 

“In these essays Dr. Likoudis addresses the stumbling blocks that stand in the way of reconciliation.  He tackles the historical roots of these controversies while dispelling strawman arguments against Catholic ecclesiology.  In doing so, he demonstrates that Eastern Orthodoxy and Catholicism are not as far apart as some Orthodox apologists would have us believe.” – Rev. Deacon Anthony Dragani, PhD, Professor of Religious Studies, Mount Aloysius College; Author of Adrian Fortescue and the Eastern Christian Churches

“I’m thrilled to learn of the publication of The Divine Mosaic: Piecing together Catholic and Orthodox Unity.  For many years its author, James Likoudis, has been a tireless laborer for fraternal dialogue between Catholic and Orthodox Christians.  Few know these two ecclesial worlds so thoroughly and few can so successfully untie the knots of misunderstanding that have gotten in the way of reconciliation.  My hope is that this important collection of essays will receive a careful reading from those in East and West that care about the unity and catholicity of Christ’s Church.” – Marcellino D’Ambrosio, PhD, Senior Fellow, St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology; Author of When the Church Was Young: Voices of the Early Fathers

“In our modern era of mass communication, the Ecumenical work of reunion will not be carried out in full without lay involvement. And there is, perhaps, no member of the laity of either of the “two lungs” of apostolic faith that has done more to further the dialogue than James Likoudis. In his masterpiece: The Divine Mosaic: Piecing Together Catholic and Orthodox Unity, we have laid out for us the intellectual framework that all of us can benefit from. Whether you are a seasoned apologist, theologian, or philosopher, and whether you are clergy or laity, you are going to benefit and learn from this great work. It is my prayer that every Catholic who is serious about his or her faith will place this book at the top of the list of necessary reads. If you are reading this, you may well have already bought the book. My advice is to buy some more copies for friends.” – Tim Staples, Senior Apologist, Catholic Answers; Author of Behold Your Mother: A Biblical and Historical Defense of the Marian Doctrines (From the foreword)

“Dr. Likoudis balances between the extreme of pretending that there are no significant differences between Catholics and Orthodox, and the other extreme of consigning one another to the darkest pits of Hades. Dr. Likoudis is a living example of how to dialogue with the Orthodox about important differences without falling into a rigid fundamentalism that refuses to see grace present in the Orthodox church.” – Michael Lofton, Founder, Reason and Theology; Author of Answering Orthodoxy: A Catholic Response to Attacks from the East (From the afterword)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A convert from Greek Orthodoxy, James Likoudis is an internationally known apologist, one who has dedicated his life to reconciling his Eastern Orthodox brethren with the Catholic Church Jesus Christ founded. He excels in analyzing the key issues that separate Catholics and Orthodox, including regarding papal and conciliar history, and he cherishes all we hold in common in Christ.

Likoudis served for more than twenty-five years at the lay apostolate Catholics United for the Faith (CUF), including as president. His other books include The Pope, The Council, and The Mass; The Divine Primacy of the Bishop of Rome and Modern Eastern Orthodoxy: Letters to a Greek Orthodox on the Unity of the Church; Eastern Orthodoxy and the See of Peter: A Journey Towards Full Communion; Ending the Byzantine Greek Schism; and Heralds of a Catholic Russia: Twelve Spiritual Pilgrims from Byzantium to Rome. He has written and lectured widely on ecumenism, religious education, liturgy, sex education, family life, and the role of the laity in the Church. He is also a former college instructor in history and government, with over twenty years of teaching experience. Likoudis received an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit (2020). He and his late wife Ruth have six children, thirty-five grandchildren, and forty-five great-grandchildren.

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