Catholicism vs. Eastern Orthodoxy

[andrewdodd]

I’m 15, and my mother is from a Sicilian/Austrian Catholic family, but she did not raise me in it. I know this sounds strange, but I have a nagging feeling that I have to join a Christian Church, and an apostolic one at that. However, in doing some online reading from (Orthodox) sources, it seems some Catholic dogmas were developed over the years after the start of Christianity. I want to join either the Catholic or Orthodox Church, as both are apostolic and contain all the sacraments, but I am not sure which is truer to the original faith of the apostles. Can someone help clear this up for me? I do not have a religious education, and most of my knowledge comes from the internet, so I am not too well informed, but still I have the feeling that I NEED to be Catholic or Orthodox.

 

[Formosus]

Well the best advice I can give you is to visit both churches, pray fervently and participate in their services, talk with their priests, and then make the decision that you find will bring you closest to God. One can sit and look up historical information and proof text the Fathers all day long to come to the conclusion that either side is right and the other is wrong. If you trust in God and seek His guidance, then He will help you find your spiritual home in either of these churches.

 

[andrewdodd]

The only problem is that the only Orthodox Church in my town is a Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and they do their services in Ukrainian. I saw some Polish names among the priest listing, though, so maybe they do some English services also.

 

[trophybearer]

Well the best advice I can give you is to visit both churches, pray fervently and participate in their services, talk with their priests, and then make the decision that you find will bring you closest to God. One can sit and look up historical information and proof text the Fathers all day long to come to the conclusion that either side is right and the other is wrong. If you trust in God and seek His guidance, then He will help you find your spiritual home in either of these churches.

…sound advice! God bless!!!

 

[dcointin]

Well the best advice I can give you is to visit both churches, pray fervently and participate in their services, talk with their priests, and then make the decision that you find will bring you closest to God. One can sit and look up historical information and proof text the Fathers all day long to come to the conclusion that either side is right and the other is wrong. If you trust in God and seek His guidance, then He will help you find your spiritual home in either of these churches.

This is superb advice!

 

[Nine_Two]

The only problem is that the only Orthodox Church in my town is a Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and they do their services in Ukrainian. I saw some Polish names among the priest listing, though, so maybe they do some English services also.

That can be hard if they don’t have an English service. If that’s the case I would recommend going to the Divine Liturgy anyway, but get a copy of the Liturgy in English (at the library or through the internet) and see what it actually says. As already suggested talk to the priests of both churches. Ultimately this is something that only you can decide, and no others can make the decision for you.

 

[andrewdodd]

I am thinking about visiting a Byzantine Catholic Church to see if I feel at home there, as there are several within 10 miles of my town.

 

[ConstantineTG]

That can be hard if they don’t have an English service. If that’s the case I would recommend going to the Divine Liturgy anyway, but get a copy of the Liturgy in English (at the library or through the internet) and see what it actually says. As already suggested talk to the priests of both churches. Ultimately this is something that only you can decide, and no others can make the decision for you.

The Missal in the UGCC Cathedral I go to has both English and Ukrainian side-by-side, kind of like a Latin-English Missal.

 

[Patrick_Joshua]

God Bless you on your journey, it takes alot of courage for a 15 year old to take the step of faith in todays society.

Hopefully the church will be able to breath with two lungs! So you wont have to choose!

 

[andrewdodd]

God Bless you on your journey, it takes alot of courage for a 15 year old to take the step of faith in todays society.

Hopefully the church will be able to breath with two lungs! So you wont have to choose!

I was hoping the same thing. The more I studied about the two churches, the more I wished they had never split to start with. That would make the process of finding the truth a whole lot simpler. However, if truth is present in both, that would explain the tedious nature of choosing.

 

[mardukm]

Dear brother Andrew,

I’m 15, and my mother is from a Sicilian/Austrian Catholic family, but she did not raise me in it. I know this sounds strange, but I have a nagging feeling that I have to join a Christian Church, and an apostolic one at that. However, in doing some online reading from (Orthodox) sources, it seems some Catholic dogmas were developed over the years after the start of Christianity. I want to join either the Catholic or Orthodox Church, as both are apostolic and contain all the sacraments, but I am not sure which is truer to the original faith of the apostles. Can someone help clear this up for me? I do not have a religious education, and most of my knowledge comes from the internet, so I am not too well informed, but still I have the feeling that I NEED to be Catholic or Orthodox.

Brother Formosus gave you the best advice. I would only add a few words.

Seeing as how you feel the need to choose between Eastern Orthodoxy and Catholicism, if you visit a Catholic Church, make it a Byzantine-Rite Church (Melkite, Ukranian, Ruthenian, etc.).

If I do say so myself, also check out Oriental Orthodoxy. If you want to compare/contrast Oriental Orthodoxy and Catholicism, visit an Oriental Catholic Church (Coptic, Syriac, Maronite, Syro-Malankara, Armenian, etc.).

Keep in mind that from the Catholic perspective, the Orthodox Churches are not heretics, and if you go to an Eastern or Oriental Catholic Church and ask for info about Orthodoxy, you will get a good report. The focus from the Catholic perspective is to seek what unites us and to promote understanding.

On the other hand, if you go to an Orthodox Church and ask about Catholicism, you may find instead a “bend over backwards” attempt to make Catholicism as different from Orthodoxy as night is from day. Just be ready for that, and don’t hesitate to come here to ask any questions.

Blessings,
Marduk

 

[OrdinaryMelkite]

Dear brother Andrew,

Brother Formosus gave you the best advice. I would only add a few words.

Seeing as how you feel the need to choose between Eastern Orthodoxy and Catholicism, if you visit a Catholic Church, make it a Byzantine-Rite Church (Melkite, Ukranian, Ruthenian, etc.).

If I do say so myself, also check out Oriental Orthodoxy. If you want to compare/contrast Oriental Orthodoxy and Catholicism, visit an Oriental Catholic Church (Coptic, Syriac, Maronite, Syro-Malankara, Armenian, etc.).

Keep in mind that from the Catholic perspective, the Orthodox Churches are not heretics, and if you go to an Eastern or Oriental Catholic Church and ask for info about Orthodoxy, you will get a good report. The focus from the Catholic perspective is to seek what unites us and to promote understanding.

On the other hand, if you go to an Orthodox Church and ask about Catholicism, you may find instead a “bend over backwards” attempt to make Catholicism as different from Orthodoxy as night is from day. Just be ready for that, and don’t hesitate to come here to ask any questions.

Blessings,
Marduk

Good Show, Mardukm.

 

[andrewdodd]

My mother and I attended a Latin Rite Mass today. I haven’t been to Mass for close to a year, when I went with my grandmother. I used to be bored with services, but now this one almost felt too short. I felt comfortable, but I only wish that it was longer. I heard that Eastern services are generally much longer, is this true?