Are we welcome to receive Orthodox sacraments?

[Michael96]

We are taught that if we are unable to attend a Catholic mass then we may attend an Orthodox church to receive communion.

But one Orthodox acquaintance told me that this would be like an Anglican taking comminion in a Catholic mass; while we may think it’s OK the Orthodox Chuch does not as they do not recognise the Catholic Church as having valid apostolic succession (and so we cannot be in communion with them even if we wanted to be).

Can anyone point to any authoritive orthodox sources for an answer to this question?

 

[1ke]

It would be up to your friend to produce evidence that the Orthodox reject Catholic Holy Orders and deny apostolic succession.

As to receiving the Eucharist in their church-- you are correct that the Catholic Church does not forbid Catholics from receiving in the Orthodox Church. You are also correct that the Orthodox, from their end, do not allow it.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

We are taught that if we are unable to attend a Catholic mass then we may attend an Orthodox church to receive communion.

But one Orthodox acquaintance told me that this would be like an Anglican taking comminion in a Catholic mass; while we may think it’s OK the Orthodox Chuch does not as they do not recognise the Catholic Church as having valid apostolic succession (and so we cannot be in communion with them even if we wanted to be).

Can anyone point to any authoritive orthodox sources for an answer to this question?

We (Catholics) are permitted to receive Orthodox Eucharist, The Orthodox however are very restrictive of who may receive in their Church.

 

[Michael96]

Thanks for confirming that 1ke

I am surprised the Church does not inform us more clearly that we’re not welcomed by the Orthodox church to take communion in their Church; I would certainly not want to cause any offense and would much rather receive a blessing (or simply stay and pray while they took communion) during mass if the occaision ever arose.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Thanks for confirming that 1ke

I am surprised the Church does not inform us more clearly that we’re not welcomed by the Orthodox church to take communion in their Church; I would certainly not want to cause any offense and would much rather receive a blessing during mass if the occaision ever arose.

Its not that we are unwelcome, but rather that they want to be sure we receive properly, according to their traditions. I don’t believe they mandate conversion to the Orthodox faith, but rather that you are properly instructed on how to receive at their Mass, before they allow you to do so.

Jim

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Here’s what I found online. This appears to be authoritative.

QUESTION:

I have a question about receiving communion. I am Roman Catholic and I know we normally do not allow non-Catholics to receive communion during our services. However, I see in our catechism that there is an exception for Orthodox christians. They are also allowed to receive communion at Catholic services. Is the same true for Orthodox churches. Can I receive communion if I attend an Orthodox service?

ANSWER:

It has been many years since I read the Roman Catholic regulations on admitting non-Catholics to the Eucharist, but if I remember correctly, the Roman Catholic regulations state that an Orthodox Christian may receive the Eucharist in a Roman Catholic Church:

for good reason or cause
only with the mutual agreement of the local Roman Catholic and Orthodox ordinaries, i.e., diocesan bishops
While one might argue that any number of situations constitute a “good reason or cause,” the critical point is that without the mutual agreement of both the Orthodox and Roman Catholic bishops, offering Communion to an Orthodox Christian would not be allowed. I know of no situations where local Roman Catholic and Orthodox ordinaries have made such an agreement.

Further, Orthodox Christianity does not permit its faithful to receive Holy Communion in non-Orthodox communities, whether they be Roman Catholic, Protestant, or whatever. Hence, while Roman Catholicism may extend Eucharistic hospitality to Orthodox Christians, it does not mean that Orthodox Christians are permitted to accept such hospitality.

**For Orthodox Christians, the Eucharist is a visible sign of unity; to receive the Eucharist in a community to which one does not belong is improper. If one does not accept all that the Church believes and teaches and worships, one cannot make a visible sign of unity with it. **The Eucharist is the result of unity, notthe means by which unity is achieved. While many non-Orthodox see this as a sign that the Orthodox Church excludes non-Orthodox from the Eucharist, in reality the opposite is true. Because a non-Orthodox individual has chosen not to embrace all that Orthodox Christianity holds, the non-Orthodox individual makes it impossible for an Orthodox priest to offer him or her communion. It is not so much a matter of Orthodoxy excluding non-Orthodox as it is the non-Orthodox making it impossible for the Orthodox to offer the Eucharist.

Sometimes people argue, “But Father, I believe everything the Orthodox Church teaches.” If this is indeed the case, then the question is not one of Eucharistic hospitality but, rather, “Then if you believe everything the Orthodox Church teaches, why haven’t you become an Orthodox Christian?”

The bolded part sounds exactly like reason we tell non-Catholics they may not receive communion in the Catholic church.

 

[Michael96]

Thanks! The bolded bit was exactly the reason given to me; that the Eucharist was such a powerful display of communion that it wouldn’t be proper to share with those not in the Orthodox Church.

Thanks very much; I’m glad that’s cleared up so that I can act with due respect in an Orthodox Church if ever I need to.

 

[Dauphin]

It’s a travesty that someone not of the Catholic faith could conceivably be allowed to receive the Eucharist in a Catholic Church.

I take heart in the provision that they must “be properly disposed”. Proper disposition means freedom from grave sin, which someone who pertinaciously rejects the Church (e.g. an Orthodox) cannot possibly have.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

It’s a travesty that someone not of the Catholic faith could conceivably be allowed to receive the Eucharist in a Catholic Church.

We recognize the Orthodox as having apostolic succession and valid sacraments. It’s not a travesty for them to receive the sacraments from us since canon law allows it: Can. 844 §3. Catholic ministers administer the sacraments of penance, Eucharist, and anointing of the sick licitly to members of Eastern Churches which do not have full communion with the Catholic Church if they seek such on their own accord and are properly disposed. This is also valid for members of other Churches which in the judgment of the Apostolic See are in the same condition in regard to the sacraments as these Eastern Churches.

 

[Dauphin]

We recognize the Orthodox as having apostolic succession and valid sacraments. It’s not a travesty for them to receive the sacraments from us since canon law allows it: Can. 844 §3. Catholic ministers administer the sacraments of penance, Eucharist, and anointing of the sick licitly to members of Eastern Churches which do not have full communion with the Catholic Church if they seek such on their own accord and are properly disposed. This is also valid for members of other Churches which in the judgment of the Apostolic See are in the same condition in regard to the sacraments as these Eastern Churches.

I know what Canon 844 says.

The excuse of apostolic succession is a feeble one. The fact remains that the Catholic Church has always taught that those in a state of grave sin may not receive the Eucharist. The fact that the Orthodox have valid sacraments does not entitle them to recieve the Lord in a Catholic Church while rejecting the Catholic, orthodox faith.

It is a travesty that the Church permits this sin of unworthy reception. Also, Holy Communion is an expression of communion. Those out of communion with the Church should not receive the Eucharist. Period.

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

I know what Canon 844 says.

The excuse of apostolic succession is a feeble one. The fact remains that the Catholic Church has always taught that those in a state of grave sin may not receive the Eucharist. The fact that the Orthodox have valid sacraments does not entitle them to recieve the Lord in a Catholic Church while rejecting the Catholic, orthodox faith.

It is a travesty that the Church permits this sin of unworthy reception. Also, Holy Communion is an expression of communion. Those out of communion with the Church should not receive the Eucharist. Period.

In order for an Orothodox person to be in grave sin, he or she must still meet the criteria for a mortal sin: Grave matter, full knowledge of both the grave matter and the offense, and deliberate and complete consent.If an Orthodox Christian does not know he or she is sinning, then maybe they aren’t.

If the Church, through the Holy Father, and the teaching of the Magisterium, permits an Orthodox Christian to receive under such reasons as given in the Canon, I should think one who opposed it would be committing a sin, esp. given that the age of the Church is much greater than most of us. Without being disrespectful to your age or your passion, it reminds me too much of the story of Lucifer.

But not to worry overmuch, as Orthodox Christians are told by *their *authority that they cannot receive the Eucharist in our parishes. It would be the case of an individual Othodox Christian who requests it.

If you don’t think it’s right, I urge you to take it up with your pastor and see what he says.

 

[Dauphin]

In order for an Orothodox person to be in grave sin, he or she must still meet the criteria for a mortal sin: Grave matter, full knowledge of both the grave matter and the offense, and deliberate and complete consent.If an Orthodox Christian does not know he or she is sinning, then maybe they aren’t.

If the Church, through the Holy Father, and the teaching of the Magisterium, permits an Orthodox Christian to receive under such reasons as given in the Canon, I should think one who opposed it would be committing a sin, esp. given that the age of the Church is much greater than most of us. Without being disrespectful to your age or your passion, it reminds me too much of the story of Lucifer.

But not to worry overmuch, as Orthodox Christians are told by *their *authority that they cannot receive the Eucharist in our parishes. It would be the case of an individual Othodox Christian who requests it.

If you don’t think it’s right, I urge you to take it up with your pastor and see what he says.

The Church has taught universally and explicitly since its foundation that no one may reject the Catholic faith and still receive the Eucharist. I choose to hold to what Catholics have always believed, not what some novel Canon seems to imply.

Every single Orthodox, by definition, suffers from material heresy. It is deeply innapropriate to assume that they are free from grave sin, given such a clear indication to the contrary (their continued adherence to their Church over the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church). Although we cannot read their hearts, it strains credulity to imagine that they’re free from grave sin if requesting Communion in a Catholic Church.

It’s kind of like suggesting that a homosexual couple should be able to receive Communion because we can’t be sure that they’re in grave sin: “Maybe they just lie in bed together and exchange kind words. Even if they sleep together, maybe they don’t know it’s wrong, so let’s be charitable and give them the Eucharist.”

I’m sure you can see the absurdity of this argument. Canon 844 is a disgrace and should be stricken from the Code of Canon Law at the earliest opportunity.

 

[Michael96]

Dauphin

It seems an academic concern as Orthodox Christians are not permitted to share in our communion.

I have to add there is much I admire about the Orthodox faith; I think they have held on to the spirituality of the faith in a way that the Catholic Church has not quite managed. Purely from a historical view it is interesting to observe that through a less centralised and authoritarian approach they have held closer to the old traditions of the Catholic-Orthodox Church. They have also held on more to the Jesus prayer which is so simple but so deep. And they also have such good beards