Throughout their shared history, Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches have lived through a very complex and sometimes tense relationship - not only theologically, but also politically. In most cases these tense relationships remain to this day; indeed, in some cases the tension has increased. In July 2019, scholars of both traditions gathered for an unprecedented conference devoted to exploring these tensions. This book, the first in a two-volume set of the essays presented at the conference, explores historical and theological themes with the goal of inspiring a direct dialogue between Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches. Like the conference, the volume brings together representatives of Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches, as well as theologians from different geographical contexts where tensions are the greatest. The published essays represent the great achievements of the conference: willingness to engage in dialogue, general openness to new ideas, and opportunities to address tensions and heal inherited wounds.