*Bricks in the Original Church of the East Building in Jerusalem*
*(Photo by Bob Thiel)*

Earlier this week, Pope Leo XIV met with leaders of groups considered to be churches of the east (see Pope Leo XIV met with ‘Churches of the East’–what did 1st century Christians believe?).

But, do they represent the original Church of East?

Do they have the same beliefs and practices?

If not, who does?

What was the original 'Church of the East'? Was Jerusalem the 'mother church'? What were the beliefs of the original 'Church of the East'? Do the Chaldean Catholic Church, Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East, or many churches considered to be a 'Church of the East' hold to the original beliefs and practices? Does the Continuing Church of God hold to the original beliefs and practices of the mother 'Church of the East'? Did Pope Leo XIV admonish churches of the east to hold to their early traditions? Was Jude/Thaddeus possibly the half-brother of Jesus? Does the Lamsa Bible translation of Jude 1-3 show that Gentiles were NOT to change original Christian practices? Who may have been the first Christian (s) to have gone to Edessa of Mesopotamia? Is it believed that relatives of Jesus ever led the Church of God in Edessa? Was the trinity an original belief or was it brought to Mesopotamia by Ephrem in the late 4th century? Was there a school with Macarius who taught Lucian in Edessa? Did Lucian get ordained by Serapion of Antioch? Who were leaders of the Edessa church? Were Marcionites a problem? What were some of the first century beliefs and practices of the original Church of the East that most groups calling themselves a version of that do not hold, but are still held and taught by the Continuing Church of God? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more.

A written article of related interest is available titled 'Early Christianity in Edessa and the Church of the East,' URL: Early Christianity in Edessa and the Church of the East

A free e-book with history, references, doctrines, scriptures, and prophecies is also available titled 'Beliefs of the Original Catholic Church: Could a remnant group have continuing apostolic succession?,' URL: cogwriter.com/Original-Catholic-Beliefs.pdf

Youtube video link: Original Church of the East