In the view of Orthodox churches, how is Christ's nature understood compared to Western theology?

In Orthodox theology, Christ's nature is understood as a heavy unity of natures, which emphasizes the belief that in the one person of Jesus Christ, both divine and human natures coexist without separation, confusion, or alteration. This view, referred to as "miaphysitism" in some contexts, underscores the idea that the two natures are united in the one hypostasis of Christ.

This theological stance contrasts with the Western understanding, particularly as articulated in the Chalcedonian definition, which stresses a distinction between Christ's two natures—divine and human—while maintaining their coexistence within a single person. The Orthodox perspective places greater emphasis on the unity of Christ's personhood as central to understanding His work of redemption and the incarnation, highlighting the inseparability of His divine and human aspects.

Thus, the emphasis on the heavy unity of natures in Orthodox thought reflects a deep theological commitment to preserving the integrity of Christ's identity as fully God and fully man, allowing for a holistic understanding of His role in salvation history.