Attending another Rite's services

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I’m a Latin Rite Catholic. If I were to attend a Divine Liturgy or Vespers at a Byzantine Rite parish, how much of their particular traditions (that differ from the Latin Rite’s) should I assume during the service? For instance, should I cross myself in the Latin or Byzantine style?

More to the point: I am attending a Vespers service at an Orthodox parish this evening (because it’s only a couple miles away, much closer than any Eastern Rite Catholic parish I know of, and it has a web site that has a schedule). I might eventually attend a service at a Byzantine Rite parish (at least 15 miles away) but until then, to satisfy my curiosity for Eastern Christianity, this Orthodox parish will have to suffice. Should I feel uncomfortable crossing myself right-to-left, or doing their sign of reverence (not a genuflection, but some other gesture)?

(Don’t worry, I know the laws of the Church regarding relations between Catholics and Orthodox.)
 
japhy said:
I’m a Latin Rite Catholic. If I were to attend a Divine Liturgy or Vespers at a Byzantine Rite parish, how much of their particular traditions (that differ from the Latin Rite’s) should I assume during the service? For instance, should I cross myself in the Latin or Byzantine style?

More to the point: I am attending a Vespers service at an Orthodox parish this evening (because it’s only a couple miles away, much closer than any Eastern Rite Catholic parish I know of, and it has a web site that has a schedule). I might eventually attend a service at a Byzantine Rite parish (at least 15 miles away) but until then, to satisfy my curiosity for Eastern Christianity, this Orthodox parish will have to suffice. Should I feel uncomfortable crossing myself right-to-left, or doing their sign of reverence (not a genuflection, but some other gesture)?

(Don’t worry, I know the laws of the Church regarding relations between Catholics and Orthodox.)
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I would follow their customes and gestures. Most that I have visited have been happy to have me visit and pleased that I was trying to follow their traditions.
 
Do whatever makes you feel comfortable. There are no liturgical police.
 
You may, without fear, adopt the liturgical praxis of the Catholic or Canonical Orthodox parish in which you are worshiping, provided doing so does not cause scandal.

So, for example, do not approach for communion in an Orthodox parish without the Pastor’s prior approval. Doing so will likely cause scandal. Said approval is not likely to be forthcoming, but sometimes…

But as to the postures, the general guideline in the Catholic parishes is to use the postures indicated either in the pewbooks or by the priests and deacons.

As to crossing yourself, in a Byzantine Catholic parish, few will object either way. The Orthodox are more likely to notice.
 
bpbasilphx said:
Do whatever makes you feel comfortable. There are no liturgical police.
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Amen!

You’ll find that in the parishes that use the byzantine rite there is not the sense of “uh-oh, I’m being watched.” I can’t explain it. It’s something each man has to experience for himself.
 
mgy100 said:
You’ll find that in the parishes that use the byzantine rite there is not the sense of “uh-oh, I’m being watched.” I can’t explain it. It’s something each man has to experience for himself.
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Could that possibly be because everyone there is more focused on God than on getting the person next to them to notice them? 😉
 
mgy100 said:
Amen!

You’ll find that in the parishes that use the byzantine rite there is not the sense of “uh-oh, I’m being watched.” I can’t explain it. It’s something each man has to experience for himself.
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I disagree. Every Eastern parish I’ve been in, I’ve had someone comment on my adherence to the Byzantine traditions and what it told them about me. From when I touched the ground in a profound bow to when I crossed myself during blessings, they’ve commented on it all and typically where they assume that means I came from. I’ve also seen women jerking their heads to point out newcomers to each other, looking them up and down and giving disapproving glances toward uncovered or poorly covered heads, arms, or legs. I’ve seen them give the same looks to those dressed conservatively with suits or mantillas. Every newcomer’s action has been scrutinized in every Eastern parish I’ve attended.

Once past the initial scrutinies and introductions, there is a wider sense of freedom to move as desired instead of a need for uniformity found in the west. So people do make a profound bow differently, receive blessings differently, move around to light candles or venerate icons, stand or sit, cross themselves at will, and for that there is little to no attention paid.
 
We attended a Byzantine Divine Liturgy for the first time this weekend and we were definitely “checked out” by the parishoners. Not in a scrutinizing or bad way, only that they were seeing new faces in their small Church they have never seen before. A couple of people helped us find our way through the missal - there was a lot of flipping back and forth, but we didn’t find it too difficult to keep up and participate. Not one single person questioned our actions at all - they were very polite and welcoming.

~Liza
 
lizaanne said:
We attended a Byzantine Divine Liturgy for the first time this weekend and we were definitely “checked out” by the parishoners. Not in a scrutinizing or bad way, only that they were seeing new faces in their small Church they have never seen before. A couple of people helped us find our way through the missal - there was a lot of flipping back and forth, but we didn’t find it too difficult to keep up and participate. Not one single person questioned our actions at all - they were very polite and welcoming.

~Liza
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A lot of the scrutiny is because they are small parishes (our Byzantine church is 15 adults, 4 kids, including us!), and never forget they are slightly surprised to have newcomers. Our priest has commented that he has the occasional visitor, but they do not always return. Sometimes the parishioners are simply wondering, “Will this person come back?” I know the people at our church were so excited that we came to a weekday Presanctified Liturgy, and to a second Sunday, that they put our names in the bulletin!
 
:confused: I’m attending a wedding in a Byzantine Catholic Church in October. Is there anything I should know?
 
idrum677 said:
:confused: I’m attending a wedding in a Byzantine Catholic Church in October. Is there anything I should know?
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Well, you’re in a different boat than I am: I assume you personally know someone who’s a Byzantine Catholic. I don’t, so I have no one to ask in person, which is why I asked here.

If I were you, I’d talk to the people who are getting married: they could certainly clue you in.
 
idrum677 said:
:confused: I’m attending a wedding in a Byzantine Catholic Church in October. Is there anything I should know?
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Look at the different discussions in the Eastern Catholicism forum and you will find plenty to help you out.

The main thing is Holy Communion - it is done on a spoon. 🙂 I’ll let you surf for more details - everything you need to know is in this forum already.

~Liza
 
idrum677 said:
:confused: I’m attending a wedding in a Byzantine Catholic Church in October. Is there anything I should know?
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My husband is a Ruthenian (Byzantine) Catholic, and our wedding, though it took place in my Latin Rite Church (also southeastern Mass.!) incorporated elements of the Byzantine wedding liturgy, with a Byzantine priest. We were “crowned”, the vows were a little different, and my Irish relatives were totally confused! It was, however, just beautiful.

You can find out all you need to know on these forums; Communion is the big thing you will need to know about. Just slightly tilt your head back and open your mouth WITHOUT putting your tongue out. You’ll be fine.
 
Thanks liza and dixie. I will check out the other forums.
:blessyou:

It’s a cousin of mine getting married but it her fiance that is Byzantine. I asked on this forum b/c I don’t really know him and he lives in another state. I wasn’t trying to hijack your forum japhy. 😊
 
idrum677 said:
:confused: I’m attending a wedding in a Byzantine Catholic Church in October. Is there anything I should know?
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If you’re just attending and not a member of the wedding party, then all you really need to do is smile and tell the bride how gorgeous she looks. 🙂

I am Latin Rite and had a Byzantine Catholic wedding last year - here’s a link to a (regrettably too short) video showing us preparing to be crowned: youtube.com/watch?v=BYwEd3O_ECA

(It was the first time I’d ever been to a Byzantine Catholic wedding too! 😉 )
 
japhy said:
I’m a Latin Rite Catholic. If I were to attend a Divine Liturgy or Vespers at a Byzantine Rite parish, how much of their particular traditions (that differ from the Latin Rite’s) should I assume during the service? For instance, should I cross myself in the Latin or Byzantine style?

More to the point: I am attending a Vespers service at an Orthodox parish this evening (because it’s only a couple miles away, much closer than any Eastern Rite Catholic parish I know of, and it has a web site that has a schedule). I might eventually attend a service at a Byzantine Rite parish (at least 15 miles away) but until then, to satisfy my curiosity for Eastern Christianity, this Orthodox parish will have to suffice. Should I feel uncomfortable crossing myself right-to-left, or doing their sign of reverence (not a genuflection, but some other gesture)?

(Don’t worry, I know the laws of the Church regarding relations between Catholics and Orthodox.)
Click to expand...
I’m so excited for you! The OCA (Orthodox Church in America) is my favorite branch of Orthodoxy. I can answer this one.
  1. The OCA churches are technically Russian in flavor, but they are the LEAST ethnic of all the Orthodox churches. You will not experience the Xenophobia that you might if you were to go to an entrenched Greek or Albanian church (for instance). 👍
  2. Bring something to cover your head, many OCA parishes, especially the little ones, do things according to tradition. :byzsoc: Women cover their heads as a general rule. A mantilla will broadcast your Western sisterhood and eliminate the need to do any explaining. You can also wear a scarf, hat, or bonnet. Most of the smaller OCA churches are made up of converts.
  3. Cross yourself any way you want. :crossrc: The theology of crossing is in the hand position more than the direction. Thumb, index, and middle fingers put their tips together to symbolize the trinity, ring and pinky are together and in the palm, showing the two natures of Jesus (man/God). You’ll find that converts cross slowly and cradle Orthodox cross so fast that it looks like they’re playing a banjo.
  4. The Orthodox kiss everything. The cross, the priest, one another, icons, you name it, they kiss it. :hug3:
  5. It looks like there are no pews at this church. You can wander about the sanctuary and commune with saints in front of their icons, or just meditate during litanys. In Russia there is always movement. :bowdown: Bows are to the floor. (Muslims got their bowing from the Christians!)
  6. If you are sensitive to incense, you may want to be near a window. They will use lots. :highprayer:
The Orthodox Church is the more feminine branch of Catholicism. More perfume (incense), more music (chanting, choral, congregational singing, cantors, etc), more make-up (color everywhere and glitter), and a more whole-body way of worship. Everything is repeated, usually three times. Everything takes longer. It’s not better, it’s just different.

Let us know how it went!:blessyou:
 
Our deanery lenten mission is this week and each night it is at a different church. Thursday it is being held at the Maronite church and it will be a Divine Liturgy. I was able to attend last year for the first time and really was fascinated by the whole thing.
 
idrum677 said:
Our deanery lenten mission is this week and each night it is at a different church. Thursday it is being held at the Maronite church and it will be a Divine Liturgy. I was able to attend last year for the first time and really was fascinated by the whole thing.
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I wasn’t aware that the Maronite Church celebrates a weekday Divine Liturgy during the Great Fast?

U-C
 
Ungcsertez said:
I wasn’t aware that the Maronite Church celebrates a weekday Divine Liturgy during the Great Fast?

U-C
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I do not believe they have maintained the sam customs of aliturgical days as Byzantines… It could well be a Latin influence, on the other hand Eastern christians of Oriental patrimony are not nearly as similar in some praxis as they look on the surface…

I started a new thread here.
 
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