Salvation without Christ

Not only within the Latin Churches. Far from it, actually.

Here are some eastern fathers.

St.Maximus of Constantinople CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: St. Maximus of Constantinople : “After the Ecthesis had been withdrawn, and the Type, Typos, substituted by the Emperor Constans, St. Maximus was present at the great Lateran council held by St. Martin at his instance in 649. He wrote from Rome (where he stayed some years): “The extremities of the earth, and all in every part of it who purely and rightly confess the Lord look directly towards the most holy Roman Church and its confession and faith, as it were to a sun of unfailing light, awaiting from it the bright radiance of the sacred dogmas of our Fathers according to what the six inspired and holy councils have purely and piously decreed, declaring most expressly the symbol of faith. For from the coming down of the incarnate Word amongst us, all the Churches in every part of the world have held that greatest Church alone as their base and foundation, seeing that according to the promise of Christ our Saviour, the gates of hell do never prevail against it, that it has the keys of a right confession and faith in Him, that it opens the true and only religion to such as approach with piety, and shuts up and locks every heretical mouth that speaks injustice against the Most High.”

Cyril of Alexandria, Letter to Celestine (ep. 11), paragraph 1 Fourth Century Christianity » Cyril’s (ep. 11) Letter to Celestine (CPG 5310/8636) : “If it were possible to stay silent, to avoid censure, and to escape the expected distress by not writing to your religiousness about everything which is set in motion despite such compelling circumstances, in which some are now undermining the orthodox faith, I would have said to myself, “Silence is good and free from danger; it is better to keep quiet than to be agitated.” But because God demands that we be level-headed in these circumstances and because long-standing custom of the churches convinces us to consult with your piety, I am again writing of necessity. “

And 6: “We are not publicly withdrawing from communion with him before communicating these things to your religiousness. **Therefore see fit to decree what you think is prope**r and whether anyone ought to commune with him or rather publicly renounce him on the grounds that no one should commune with one who believes and teaches such things. The decision of your perfection should be made clear through letters to the pious, God-loving bishops of Macedonia and all those in the East.”

John Chrysostom, Correspondence with Pope Innocent I, “From John to Innocent,” chapter 4 CHURCH FATHERS: Correspondence with Pope Innocent I (Chrysostom) : “Having considered therefore all these things, and having been clearly informed of all particulars by my lords, our most devout brethren the bishops, may you be induced to exert your zeal on our behalf; for in so doing you will confer a favour not upon ourselves alone but also upon the Church at large, and you will receive your reward from God who does all things for the peace of the Churches. Fare you well always, and pray for me, most honoured and holy master.”

Athanasius, Apologia Contra Arianos 20: CHURCH FATHERS: Apologia Contra Arianos, Part I (Athanasius) “Thus wrote the Bishops of Egypt to all Bishops, and to Julius, Bishop of Rome. Eusebius and his fellows wrote also to Julius, and thinking to frighten me, requested him to call a council, and to be himself the judge, if he so pleased.”

Theodoret of Cyrus, Letter 113 to Leo of Rome CHURCH FATHERS: Letter 113 (Theodoret) : “If Paul, the herald of the truth, the trumpet of the Holy Ghost, hastened to the great Peter in order that he might carry from him the desired solution of difficulties to those at Antioch who were in doubt about living in conformity with the law, much more do we, men insignificant and small, hasten to your apostolic see in order to receive from you a cure for the wounds of the churches. For every reason it is fitting for you to hold the first place, inasmuch as your see is adorned with many privileges. Other cities are indeed adorned by their size, their beauty, and their population; and some which in these respects are lacking are made bright by certain spiritual boons. But on your city the great Provider has bestowed an abundance of good gifts. She is the largest, the most splendid, the most illustrious of the world, and overflows with the multitude of her inhabitants. Besides all this, she has achieved her present sovereignty, and has given her name to her subjects. She is moreover specially adorned by her faith, in due testimony whereof the divine Apostle exclaims your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. And if even after receiving the seeds of the message of salvation her boughs were straightway heavy with these admirable fruits, what words can fitly praise the piety now practised in her? In her keeping too are the tombs that give light to the souls of the faithful, those of our common fathers and teachers of the truth, Peter and Paul . This thrice blessed and divine pair arose in the region of sunrise, and spread their rays in all directions. Now from the region of sunset, where they willingly welcomed the setting of this life, they illuminate the world. They have rendered your see most glorious; this is the crown and completion of your good things; but in these days their God has adorned their throne by setting on it your holiness, emitting, as you do, the rays of orthodoxy. Of this I might give many proofs , but it is enough to mention the zeal which your holiness lately showed against the ill-famed Manichees, proving thereby your piety’s earnest regard for divine things. Your recent writings, too, are enough to indicate your apostolic character. For we have met with what your holiness has written concerning the incarnation of our God and Saviour, and we have marvelled at the exactness of your expressions.”

And when we get close to the ending of the letter: “But I await the sentence of your apostolic see. I beseech and implore your holiness to succour me in my appeal to your fair and righteous tribunal. Bid me hasten to you, and prove to you that my teaching follows the footprints of the apostles.”