Communion at a Greek Orthodox Church

[scapularkid8]

I’m going to a Greek Festival and I’m hoping to get the chance to attend Divine Liturgy at the Metropolis Cathedral of Denver which is hosting the festival. I was wondering if I’m allowed to take Communion there? I know the Orthodox Churches have the Real Presence in their churches, I just didn’t know if I, being Catholic, would be allowed to receive Him from an Orthodox priest. Of course I would not be using this Communion as my Sunday Obligation as it would not be valid

 

[SIA]

I’m going to a Greek Festival and I’m hoping to get the chance to attend Divine Liturgy at the Metropolis Cathedral of Denver which is hosting the festival. I was wondering if I’m allowed to take Communion there? I know the Orthodox Churches have the Real Presence in their churches, I just didn’t know if I, being Catholic, would be allowed to receive Him from an Orthodox priest. Of course I would not be using this Communion as my Sunday Obligation as it would not be valid

I’m not certain that they will allow you to receive.

 

[scapularkid8]

I just emailed the Cathedral to see what they feel about this.

(…a little silly that my Church allows me to receive, but the Church we’re talking about has a completely separate opinion. And Christ continues to pray for us that we may be One. )

 

[zaffiroborant]

(…a little silly that my Church allows me to receive, but the Church we’re talking about has a completely separate opinion. And Christ continues to pray for us that we may be One. )

And I’d bet that’s exactly what Lutherans, Anglicans and so on would say about being excluded from receiving at a Catholic church:shrug:

 

[Milliardo]

Flat out, no, they will not allow you to take Communion. We have someone who is Catholic (and on his way to Orthodoxy as well) who, when he first went to our church, went in line to receive Communion, but the priest stopped him and told him that he cannot receive since he’s not Orthodox. So, even if you emailed them, the most likely answer would still be no. You can however take part in receiving the antidoron afterwards, since this is shared to everyone who attends. This is the Orthodox way of showing that even though you may not receive Communion, you are still part of the body of Christ and hence, you take part in sharing (the antidoron is the portion that is not consecrated and is reserved for those who cannot take Communion, whether Orthodox or not).

 

[scapularkid8]

And I’d bet that’s exactly what Lutherans, Anglicans and so on would say about being excluded from receiving at a Catholic church:shrug:

Maybe not…seeing as they don’t believe it is Actually the True Body and Blood of Christ. There’s a dogma difference which isn’t the case with Catholic and Orthodox Churches.

 

[scapularkid8]

Flat out, no, they will not allow you to take Communion. We have someone who is Catholic (and on his way to Orthodoxy as well) who, when he first went to our church, went in line to receive Communion, but the priest stopped him and told him that he cannot receive since he’s not Orthodox. So, even if you emailed them, the most likely answer would still be no. You can however take part in receiving the antidoron afterwards, since this is shared to everyone who attends. This is the Orthodox way of showing that even though you may not receive Communion, you are still part of the body of Christ and hence, you take part in sharing (the antidoron is the portion that is not consecrated and is reserved for those who cannot take Communion, whether Orthodox or not).

I was looking forward to the antidoron if I couldn’t take Communion

 

[Milliardo]

I was looking forward to the antidoron if I couldn’t take Communion

Hopefully you can get much, since the antidoron can run out fast if there are a lot of people attending.

 

[zaffiroborant]

Maybe not…seeing as they don’t believe it is Actually the True Body and Blood of Christ. There’s a dogma difference which isn’t the case with Catholic and Orthodox Churches.

It’s my understanding that Lutherans do believe it is actualy the True Body and Blood of Christ. (I think Anglicans too)

 

[valient_Lucy]

No, Catholics are not permitted to take communion at an Orthodox Church. Enjoy the Divine Liturgy though, and make sure you attend Mass to fulfill your Sunday obligation.

 

[valient_Lucy]

I just emailed the Cathedral to see what they feel about this.

(…a little silly that my Church allows me to receive, but the Church we’re talking about has a completely separate opinion. And Christ continues to pray for us that we may be One. )

I was under the impression that the Catholic Church doesn’t permit Catholics to receive communion in the Orthodox Church, unless they are in danger of death and cannot access the sacraments from a Catholic priest. Could be wrong though.

 

[SIA]

No, Catholics are not permitted to take communion at an Orthodox Church. Enjoy the Divine Liturgy though, and make sure you attend Mass to fulfill your Sunday obligation.

Catholics are not welcomed to receive at an Orthodox Church whether they are allowed to or not. They can’t receive at a Wisconsin synod Lutheran Church either.

 

[SIA]

It’s my understanding that Lutherans do believe it is actualy the True Body and Blood of Christ. (I think Anglicans too)

you are correct.

 

[Hesychios]

Maybe not…seeing as they don’t believe it is Actually the True Body and Blood of Christ. There’s a dogma difference which isn’t the case with Catholic and Orthodox Churches.

Well, others have sufficiently answered this but I must reiterate, the Orthodox will not give you the Holy Eucharist.

Orthodox may receive in a Catholic church (according to the Catholic church) but they must receive permission from their own bishop first. That is extremely unlikely, as it would be a sign of breaking faith with Orthodoxy.

This whole thing is not predicated only upon whether we think of the Holy Eucharist as the True Presence. The sharing of the Eucharist is also a sign of agreement in points of theology, and we are simply not there.

Maybe later.

Michael

 

[Angelos]

It’s my understanding that Lutherans do believe it is actualy the True Body and Blood of Christ. (I think Anglicans too)

A Lutheran believer once told me that they believed Jesus to be bodily present IN the community during the Lord’s Supper, but NOT beneath the appearance of bread and wine. Thus, the Lutheran view of Eucharistic presence is rather different from the views of the traditional churches.

 

[Hesychios]

A Lutheran believer once told me that they believed Jesus to be bodily present IN the community during the Lord’s Supper, but NOT beneath the appearance of bread and wine. Thus, the Lutheran view of Eucharistic presence is rather different from the views of the traditional churches.

I think what you are referring to is the difference between transubstantiation and consubstantiation.

While this has been a church-splitting matter in the west, no such distinction is made in the east. Orthodox would not bat an eye over the idea. Also…

• Orthodox do not even have a precise point in time where they understand the Holy Gifts become the precious Body and Blood of Christ. Orthodox only know that it happens and that the Holy Spirit is involved.
• Orthodox do not see that receiving in one species alone is sufficient, not do they see it as insufficient.
• Orthodox do not require the recipient of the Holy Eucharist, or any other sacrament, to reach the “age of reason” (which would be considered an excommunication of sorts). It is contrary to earlier church practice. Sacraments are beneficial and effective at any age and regardless of whether the recipient understands them.
  At various times in the past, when able, the Latin church has tried to impose it’s own understanding upon the eastern churches in these matters, but to no lasting effect.

None of the Non-Papal ancient Apostolic churches (neither Holy Orthodoxy nor the Oriental Orthodox nor the Church of the East) prefer one explanation to the exclusion of the other or pursue this line of thinking. Transubstantiation is a term straight out of the Scholastic era in the west alone, more than 1000 years after Christ.

We do what we do because Christ commands it, He demands it, we do not modify or limit or otherwise frustrate the Divine Will.

Our Lord did say “DO this…”

One way to prevent the various schisms over time, or possibly heal them…east and west…is to stop “developing” Christian theology and try harder to live it instead.

Michael

 

[Angelos]

I think what you are referring to is the difference between transubstantiation and consubstantiation.

While this has been a church-splitting matter in the west, no such distinction is made in the east. Orthodox would not bat an eye over the idea. Also…

• Orthodox do not even have a precise point in time where they understand the Holy Gifts become the precious Body and Blood of Christ. Orthodox only know that it happens and that the Holy Spirit is involved.
• Orthodox do not see that receiving in one species alone is sufficient, not do they see it as insufficient.
• Orthodox do not require the recipient of the Holy Eucharist, or any other sacrament, to reach the “age of reason” (which would be considered an excommunication of sorts). It is contrary to earlier church practice. Sacraments are beneficial and effective at any age and regardless of whether the recipient understands them.
  At various times in the past, when able, the Latin church has tried to impose it’s own understanding upon the eastern churches in these matters, but to no lasting effect.

None of the Non-Papal ancient Apostolic churches (neither Holy Orthodoxy nor the Oriental Orthodox nor the Church of the East) prefer one explanation to the exclusion of the other or pursue this line of thinking. Transubstantiation is a term straight out of the Scholastic era in the west alone, more than 1000 years after Christ.

We do what we do because Christ commands it, He demands it, we do not modify or limit or otherwise frustrate the Divine Will.

Our Lord did say “DO this…”

One way to prevent the various schisms over time, or possibly heal them…east and west…is to stop “developing” Christian theology and try harder to live it instead.

Michael

I definitely agree.
I am a convert to the Orthodox Church from Islam.

 

[Peter_J]

A Lutheran believer once told me that they believed Jesus to be bodily present IN the community during the Lord’s Supper, but NOT beneath the appearance of bread and wine. Thus, the Lutheran view of Eucharistic presence is rather different from the views of the traditional churches.

I’m sure Lutheran posters can say more on this then I can, but I would say that you shouldn’t take that one person’s opinion as representative of Lutheranism.

Some Lutherans ascribe to “consubstantiation”; others are closer to the Catholic view. The one you spoke to must be a very low-church Lutheran, since he/she doesn’t even ascribe to consubstantiation.

 

[zaffiroborant]

A Lutheran believer once told me that they believed Jesus to be bodily present IN the community during the Lord’s Supper, but NOT beneath the appearance of bread and wine. Thus, the Lutheran view of Eucharistic presence is rather different from the views of the traditional churches.

I don’t see how an individual church members beliefs can be interpreted to be those of the official church. If that’s how it works then apparently the Immaculate Conception applies to Jesus’ conception since quite a number of Catholics have told me so.

 

[Frank_J]

If you’re a non-Orthodox Christian you should not be take Communion in the Orthodox Church. It is not allowed, please show repect to my Church and it’s views and don’t do it…