A beginner's questions concerning Eastern Catholicism

[theidler]

Hi everyone,
I have been enjoying all kinds of forms of the Holy Mass since my becoming Catholic this year, and am very interested in the Eastern Catholic Rites. I have a Ukrainian Catholic parish near me which I can go to, but I am quite nervous. Therefore, I was wondering if any Eastern/Byzantine Catholics on here could help me out, as the Eastern tradition is so very appealing to me.

1. How long is the liturgy in general?
2. Should I approach a priest at the parish first?
3. Do Eastern Catholics venerate many Eastern Orthodox saints?
4. Should I cross myself in the eastern way when there?
5. May I receive Holy Communion? If so, how does one do it?

Thanks for the help in advance!

 

[John_of_Patmos]

Hi everyone,
I have been enjoying all kinds of forms of the Holy Mass since my becoming Catholic this year, and am very interested in the Eastern Catholic Rites. I have a Ukrainian Catholic parish near me which I can go to, but I am quite nervous. Therefore, I was wondering if any Eastern/Byzantine Catholics on here could help me out, as the Eastern tradition is so very appealing to me.

1. How long is the liturgy in general?
2. Should I approach a priest at the parish first?
3. Do Eastern Catholics venerate many Eastern Orthodox saints?
4. Should I cross myself in the eastern way when there?
5. May I receive Holy Communion? If so, how does one do it?

Thanks for the help in advance!

Hi!

1. I would say 1 and a half hours, I could be wrong.
2. Yes.
3. Quite a few, I think.
4. I would say yes.
5. I leave this to the actual eastern catholics. Don’t make the Sign of the Cross near the Chalice, before or after you receive. There are fasting and preparation rules. Don’t stick your tongue out. Ask the priest to be sure, about fasting, confession, vespers, etc, before the Liturgy, and how exactly to receive.
   saintelias.com/ca/word/communion.php

PS congrats on being a new Catholic!

 

[chococat]

Hi everyone,
I have been enjoying all kinds of forms of the Holy Mass since my becoming Catholic this year, and am very interested in the Eastern Catholic Rites. I have a Ukrainian Catholic parish near me which I can go to, but I am quite nervous. Therefore, I was wondering if any Eastern/Byzantine Catholics on here could help me out, as the Eastern tradition is so very appealing to me.

1. How long is the liturgy in general?
2. Should I approach a priest at the parish first?
3. Do Eastern Catholics venerate many Eastern Orthodox saints?
4. Should I cross myself in the eastern way when there?
5. May I receive Holy Communion? If so, how does one do it?

Thanks for the help in advance!

1. Our Divine Liturgy (Byzantine Catholic) is one hour long
2. Not necessary,but he could help you understand the ritual of receiving the Eucharist
3. Yes
   4.Not necessary, most Latin Rite Catholics just cross themselves as they usually do.
   5.Yes! You should bow your head slightly before receiving.Then tilt your head back , do not protrude your tongue and do not close your mouth on the golden spoon that the priest uses to place the Body and Blood in you mouth. That`s it.

BTW the fasting rules are the same as the Latin Rite. Also you may cross yourself before and after receiving.

Welcome to the church. Hope you do get a chance to attend the Eastern Rite church. It is very beautiful and inspiring. Hope this heped you.
God Bless!!!

 

[RyanBlack]

1. Our Divine Liturgy (Byzantine Catholic) is one hour long
2. Not necessary,but he could help you understand the ritual of receiving the Eucharist
3. Yes
   4.Not necessary, most Latin Rite Catholics just cross themselves as they usually do.
   5.Yes! You should bow your head slightly before receiving.Then tilt your head back , do not protrude your tongue and do not close your mouth on the golden spoon that the priest uses to place the Body and Blood in you mouth. That`s it.

BTW the fasting rules are the same as the Latin Rite. Also you may cross yourself before and after receiving.

Welcome to the church. Hope you do get a chance to attend the Eastern Rite church. It is very beautiful and inspiring. Hope this heped you.
God Bless!!!

One hour is a bit short for a Sunday Divine Liturgy; I would say that 1 1/4-1 1/2 hrs is more typical, but an hour is not out of the question. The claim that the fasting rules are the same as in the Latin Church is not exactly true. Traditionally, the rule is to past from midnight. However, in the Ruthenian Church, the fasting rules have been relaxed to the point that the pre-communion fast is the same as in the Latin Church. That is not the case for all Eastern Catholic Churches. However, in any case, I don’t think it really matters, since I believe Roman Catholics visiting Eastern Catholic Churches are bound by the fasting discipline of the Roman Catholic Church, not by the fasting discipline of the Eastern Churches they are visiting.

 

[5Loaves]

Hi!
Ask the priest to be sure, about fasting, confession, vespers, etc, before the Liturgy, and how exactly to receive.
saintelias.com/ca/word/communion.php

PS congrats on being a new Catholic!

Yes, congratulations on being a new Catholic!

Since you are a Catholic of the Latin Church normally you may follow the Eucharistic fast of your church.

Eastern Catholic Churches are autonomous “sui iuris” Churches and the fasting discipline varies by Church sui iuris. The ordinary Eucharistic fast discipline (and other preparation) as given in the St. Elias Ukrainian Church site is abstaining from midnight until Eucharist. My Russian Greek Catholic Church follows the same disciple as the Russian Orthodox, and as given here for Ukrainians. John of Patmos also referred you to the St. Elias site. It’s full of useful information.

If there is a deacon at the Ukrainian parish you might have better luck contacting him. However, most Eastern Catholic Churches are quite used to visitors and the faithful there also should be able to help you feel at ease.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Hi everyone,
I have been enjoying all kinds of forms of the Holy Mass since my becoming Catholic this year, and am very interested in the Eastern Catholic Rites. I have a Ukrainian Catholic parish near me which I can go to, but I am quite nervous. Therefore, I was wondering if any Eastern/Byzantine Catholics on here could help me out, as the Eastern tradition is so very appealing to me.

1. How long is the liturgy in general?
2. Should I approach a priest at the parish first?
3. Do Eastern Catholics venerate many Eastern Orthodox saints?
4. Should I cross myself in the eastern way when there?
5. May I receive Holy Communion? If so, how does one do it?

Thanks for the help in advance!

You’re from BC Canada. Which parish are you talking about. If it is my parish I can help you out.

 

[theidler]

Hi everyone, thanks for all the kind answers!
Constantine, I would think the nearest parish to me is St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Victoria, BC.

I’m going to give it a go - I emailed the priest there, so we’ll see if he emails back. I’ll probably come off like a clumsy oaf, but I am sure I have done that many times already in my own Latin rite, so…

Thanks again everyone…

 

[ConstantineTG]

Hi everyone, thanks for all the kind answers!
Constantine, I would think the nearest parish to me is St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Victoria, BC.

I’m going to give it a go - I emailed the priest there, so we’ll see if he emails back. I’ll probably come off like a clumsy oaf, but I am sure I have done that many times already in my own Latin rite, so…

Thanks again everyone…

Oh, so you’re in the island. I know the priest there, he used to be the parish priest in Surrey. Just go there and introduce yourself to Fr. Theo. Also they have a wonderful choir in that parish. I’ve been there once last year when Fr. Brian was still the pastor.

 

[theidler]

Oh, so you’re in the island. I know the priest there, he used to be the parish priest in Surrey. Just go there and introduce yourself to Fr. Theo. Also they have a wonderful choir in that parish. I’ve been there once last year when Fr. Brian was still the pastor.

I will Constantine, and thanks. Though it looks to be a Fr. Edward K…

Is there a different way to greet the priest in the eastern churches? Plus, as I do my research, this parish is Catholic yes? I keep reading little bits about some eastern catholic churches separating and some are actually eastern orthodox, and all sorts of things…very confusing.

 

[ConstantineTG]

I will Constantine, and thanks. Though it looks to be a Fr. Edward K…

Is there a different way to greet the priest in the eastern churches? Plus, as I do my research, this parish is Catholic yes? I keep reading little bits about some eastern catholic churches separating and some are actually eastern orthodox, and all sorts of things…very confusing.

I’m pretty sure its Fr. Theo, as noted on the Eparchy’s website…

dormition.ca/NWEparchy/index.php?go=parishes

The only Father Edward in the Eparchy is the pastor of the parish in Richmond.

When you meet Father Theo, just great him “Glory to Jesus Christ”.

Here is Father Theo’s photo… lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AhRSL6-P0Cg/T2aiGpRufUI/AAAAAAAADP4/nFPFnN7LYbU/s720/_DSC0295.jpg

 

[theidler]

I’m pretty sure its Fr. Theo, as noted on the Eparchy’s website…

dormition.ca/NWEparchy/index.php?go=parishes

The only Father Edward in the Eparchy is the pastor of the parish in Richmond.

When you meet Father Theo, just great him “Glory to Jesus Christ”.

Here is Father Theo’s photo… lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AhRSL6-P0Cg/T2aiGpRufUI/AAAAAAAADP4/nFPFnN7LYbU/s720/_DSC0295.jpg

Hmmm…can’t find an email to Fr. Theo. Do you have one? Or should I just email the parish itself and see if I can schedule a meet and greet with him so I can get to know how everything works? Very excited, I’ve got to say.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Hmmm…can’t find an email to Fr. Theo. Do you have one? Or should I just email the parish itself and see if I can schedule a meet and greet with him so I can get to know how everything works? Very excited, I’ve got to say.

Its in that very website you will see the directory of clergy and you fill find Fr. Theo’s email right there.

Or just go there and introduce yourself. He is a very nice person and an awesome priest.

 

[John_of_Patmos]

BTW the fasting rules are the same as the Latin Rite. Also you may cross yourself before and after receiving.

God Bless!!!

Tow things:
~So since I’m a Roman, if I go to a Byzantine Liturgy, can I just follow my Roman discipline?
~Also, I read that they don’t want people making the Sign of the Cross near the Chalice (or any other sudden movements), to prevent accidents.

 

[The_Idiot]

Tow things:
~So since I’m a Roman, if I go to a Byzantine Liturgy, can I just follow my Roman discipline?
~Also, I read that they don’t want people making the Sign of the Cross near the Chalice (or any other sudden movements), to prevent accidents.

1. Yes - providing that you mean that you follow the one hour Pre-Communion fast. Please also remember that Eastern Catholics normally stand during the Service - as one good friend put it - once you enter church and the Royal Doors are open you stand - and then remain standing until the end of the service except for the reading of the Epistle and then the Homily.
2. This is correct and equally they would prefer that you do not kneel to receive the Holy Gifts - remember you Receive both the Body and most Precious Blood from the Chalice by a small golden spoon.

 

[theidler]

1. Yes - providing that you mean that you follow the one hour Pre-Communion fast. Please also remember that Eastern Catholics normally stand during the Service - as one good friend put it - once you enter church and the Royal Doors are open you stand - and then remain standing until the end of the service except for the reading of the Epistle and then the Homily.
2. This is correct and equally they would prefer that you do not kneel to receive the Holy Gifts - remember you Receive both the Body and most Precious Blood from the Chalice by a small golden spoon.

That’s interesting about the standing part…I would always worry about people fainting…!

Oh and for Holy Communion - do you kiss the paten after receiving? I see this happen in some videos.

 

[The_Idiot]

Some kiss the Chalice - some do not

You may see folk venerating the Icons on the Tetrapod as you return after Communion - that should NOT be done - think about it - What has just touched your lips ?

 

[Hesychios]

You may see folk venerating the Icons on the Tetrapod as you return after Communion - that should NOT be done - think about it - What has just touched your lips ?

A most excellent insight!

 

[ConstantineTG]

Tow things:
~So since I’m a Roman, if I go to a Byzantine Liturgy, can I just follow my Roman discipline?

Sure thing, we should follow the spirituality we live.

~Also, I read that they don’t want people making the Sign of the Cross near the Chalice (or any other sudden movements), to prevent accidents.

Well, you can sign and bow before you approach. I’ve seen people do it. But you should be a step or two from the chalice, not right in front of it.

 

[Patchunky]

1. Yes - providing that you mean that you follow the one hour Pre-Communion fast. Please also remember that Eastern Catholics normally stand during the Service - as one good friend put it - once you enter church and the Royal Doors are open you stand - and then remain standing until the end of the service except for the reading of the Epistle and then the Homily.

Depends on the Eparchy.

Munhall/Pittsburgh and Passaic sit and stand throughout the whole Divine Liturgy.

So do the Ukrainians.

Just do whatever everyone else is doing.

 

[THE_ENCORE]

1. How long is the liturgy in general? 1-1.5 hours
2. Should I approach a priest at the parish first? That’s all up to you
3. Do Eastern Catholics venerate many Eastern Orthodox saints? We venerate both catholic+orthodox saints until the year we came back in communion (1500ish)
4. Should I cross myself in the eastern way when there? yes, I see both ways done but the Eastern way is more accepted
5. May I receive Holy Communion? If so, how does one do it? Yes, you just walk up(obv u must be a member of the catholic church which u said u were) and u can receive, though at Eastern churches u receive the blood and the body and not just the body(like Latin-rite)

Your first experience at a Eastern Church will be great(the Liturgies are feel much more Apostolic)