Difference in Eastern Rites

[JW55]

A few questions:

1- Are there significant differences between the individual
eastern rites in their worship practices or are they all
similar?
2- Would some be deemed more conservative or liberal than
others?
3- Are some rites more accepting of individuals from their ethnic
origins than others? I have the impression that ethnic tradition
has initailly bound them together, but this may be changing
in many places.
4- Do you feel most converts to your rite are from Roman
Catholics, E. Orthodox, Protestants or other?

Thanks.

 

[FrRJBoyd]

A few questions:

1- Are there significant differences between the individual
eastern rites in their worship practices or are they all
similar?

There are various rites that are termed Eastern: the Byzantine rite, the Coptic rite, the Maronite rite, the Armenian rite, etc. They can be as different from each other as they are from the Roman rite. However, several Eastern Churches may follow the same rite, and so are very similar. For example, the Ukranian and Melkite Churches both follow the Byzantine rite, and so have many similarities, as well as each having some beautiful traditions of their own. I recommend attending as many Eastern rites Churches as you can. It is a wonderful experience.

2- Would some be deemed more conservative or liberal than
others?

While the answer is yes, they are generally much more conservative than your average Roman rite parish.

3- Are some rites more accepting of individuals from their ethnic
origins than others? I have the impression that ethnic tradition
has initailly bound them together, but this may be changing
in many places.

I have visited Churches representing the various Eastern rites and been welcomed by each one of them. Sadly, many Catholics of the Roman rite know nothing of the Eastern Churches, and often confuse them with the Orthodox. I have found that the Eastern Churches welcome Catholics from the Roman rite to their liturgies, sometimes inviting them even to serve on the altar and sing in their choirs. Changing rites, however, can be more difficult depending on the individual bishops who make the decision. The preservation of tradition is very important.

4- Do you feel most converts to your rite are from Roman
Catholics, E. Orthodox, Protestants or other?

Please do not refer to Roman rite Catholics who either decide to attend an Eastern rite Church regularly or actually change rites as “converts.” We are, after all, together, the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. This being said, many Roman rite Catholics have fled parishes where questionable liturgical practices and unorthodox homilies prevail and have found a place of refuge in various Catholic Churches which follow the Eastern rites.

God bless,

Fr. Boyd

 

[JW55]

There are various rites that are termed Eastern: the Byzantine rite, the Coptic rite, the Maronite rite, the Armenian rite, etc. They can be as different from each other as they are from the Roman rite. However, several Eastern Churches may follow the same rite, and so are very similar. For example, the Ukranian and Melkite Churches both follow the Byzantine rite, and so have many similarities, as well as each having some beautiful traditions of their own. I recommend attending as many Eastern rites Churches as you can. It is a wonderful experience.

While the answer is yes, they are generally much more conservative than your average Roman rite parish.

I have visited Churches representing the various Eastern rites and been welcomed by each one of them. Sadly, many Catholics of the Roman rite know nothing of the Eastern Churches, and often confuse them with the Orthodox. I have found that the Eastern Churches welcome Catholics from the Roman rite to their liturgies, sometimes inviting them even to serve on the altar and sing in their choirs. Changing rites, however, can be more difficult depending on the individual bishops who make the decision. The preservation of tradition is very important.

Please do not refer to Roman rite Catholics who either decide to attend an Eastern rite Church regularly or actually change rites as “converts.” We are, after all, together, the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. This being said, many Roman rite Catholics have fled parishes where questionable liturgical practices and unorthodox homilies prevail and have found a place of refuge in various Catholic Churches which follow the Eastern rites.

God bless,

Fr. Boyd

Thank you Fr. Boyd-

This is a a very informative and helpful response. My apologies on the Roman Catholic conversion comment. An “oops” on my part. I am aware that this is not a conversion from one rite to another, but unfortunately in my narrative, I see I failed to make that distiction and lumped everything together. Thanks for clarifying that point.

 

[Patchunky]

3- Are some rites more accepting of individuals from their ethnic
origins than others? I have the impression that ethnic tradition
has initailly bound them together, but this may be changing
in many places.

We warmly welcome people who are not of our “tradition”. What we have a problem with are those who come looking for a pre-Vatican II TRAD-LAT Mass and then get upset when they don’t find it. There are also those who get mad when we do not have services in English and complain about it. You have to remember that you are VISITING OUR CHURCH! We DID NOT force you to attend nor did we BEG you to attend. If you don’t like our customs and traditions, please leave, the door is that way---->

 

[bpbasilphx]

What we have a problem with are those who come looking for a pre-Vatican II TRAD-LAT Mass and then get upset when they don’t find it

**How true this is. I’ve seen many come looking for the last holdouts of pre-V2 American 1950’s Latin Catholicism, and as you pointed out, are disappointed and upset when they don’t find it.

In one Eastern Church, the biggest supporters for having the Liturgy in Esperanto (code word) were disaffected Romans who wanted to pretend they were listening to Latin.

If you accept the Eastern Chuches on their own terms, you’ll find them a unique blessing.**

**2- Would some be deemed more conservative or liberal than
others? **

**It depends on what you mean by “liberal” and “conservative.”

From my point of view, “conservative” means to follow a given Eastern spiritual tradition, both in liturgical and other ways, in all its purity, and to purge it of Latinisms that were picked up for whatever reason.

Is it “conservative” or “liberal” to admit newly baptized babes to communion? Is it “conservative” or “liberal” to imitate Latin discipline in this matter?

Is a married priesthood “conservative” or “liberal”? (Some Eastern Churches were forced by Rome to have celibate priests.)

That’s why I say it depends on how you look at things.**

 

[osmond]

2- Would some be deemed more conservative or liberal than
others?

Nope, just “different.”

 

[Ridgerunner]

There are various rites that are termed Eastern: the Byzantine rite, the Coptic rite, the Maronite rite, the Armenian rite, etc. They can be as different from each other as they are from the Roman rite. However, several Eastern Churches may follow the same rite, and so are very similar. For example, the Ukranian and Melkite Churches both follow the Byzantine rite, and so have many similarities, as well as each having some beautiful traditions of their own. I recommend attending as many Eastern rites Churches as you can. It is a wonderful experience.

While the answer is yes, they are generally much more conservative than your average Roman rite parish.

I have visited Churches representing the various Eastern rites and been welcomed by each one of them. Sadly, many Catholics of the Roman rite know nothing of the Eastern Churches, and often confuse them with the Orthodox. I have found that the Eastern Churches welcome Catholics from the Roman rite to their liturgies, sometimes inviting them even to serve on the altar and sing in their choirs. Changing rites, however, can be more difficult depending on the individual bishops who make the decision. The preservation of tradition is very important.

Please do not refer to Roman rite Catholics who either decide to attend an Eastern rite Church regularly or actually change rites as “converts.” We are, after all, together, the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. This being said, many Roman rite Catholics have fled parishes where questionable liturgical practices and unorthodox homilies prevail and have found a place of refuge in various Catholic Churches which follow the Eastern rites.

God bless,

Fr. Boyd

It is one of my regrets that I live nowhere near a place where any Eastern Rite churches are. I think of myself as a “Latin”, through and through, (including the N.O., which I think of as quintessentially “Latin”, but that’s another subject) but I would certainly attend Eastern liturgies from time to time if I could. I do attend the TLM from time to time.

I very much doubt any would invite me to sing in their choir, though, for aesthetic reasons.

 

[gloria97000]

Conservative, liberal - My experience of the Maronite Rite since attending various Maronite churches over the past 3 1/2 years is that the Maronites are consistently orthodox (small o ) in adherence to Catholic beliefs and practice. The words, hymns, and poetic, heartfelt expressions of devotion and theology are beautiful. The reverence of the sacraments runs deep. And it is expected and enjoyed that young people- infants, toddlers, teens, and young adults- will enjoy and fully participate in the liturgy and community.

 

[Ungcsertez]

There are various rites that are termed Eastern: the Byzantine rite, the Coptic rite, the Maronite rite, the Armenian rite, etc. They can be as different from each other as they are from the Roman rite. However, several Eastern Churches may follow the same rite, and so are very similar. For example, the Ukranian and Melkite Churches both follow the Byzantine rite, and so have many similarities, as well as each having some beautiful traditions of their own. I recommend attending as many Eastern rites Churches as you can. It is a wonderful experience.

While the answer is yes, they are generally much more conservative than your average Roman rite parish.

I have visited Churches representing the various Eastern rites and been welcomed by each one of them. Sadly, many Catholics of the Roman rite know nothing of the Eastern Churches, and often confuse them with the Orthodox. I have found that the Eastern Churches welcome Catholics from the Roman rite to their liturgies, sometimes inviting them even to serve on the altar and sing in their choirs. Changing rites, however, can be more difficult depending on the individual bishops who make the decision. The preservation of tradition is very important.

Please do not refer to Roman rite Catholics who either decide to attend an Eastern rite Church regularly or actually change rites as “converts.” We are, after all, together, the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. This being said, many Roman rite Catholics have fled parishes where questionable liturgical practices and unorthodox homilies prevail and have found a place of refuge in various Catholic Churches which follow the Eastern rites.

God bless,

Fr. Boyd

Likewise Father, please do not refer to the numerous Eastern and Oriental-Eastern Christians in union w/Rome as mere “rites”. We are full, self-governing Churches with tradition that goes back to Apostolic times.

U-C

 

[FrRJBoyd]

Likewise Father, please do not refer to the numerous Eastern and Oriental-Eastern Christians in union w/Rome as mere “rites”. We are full, self-governing Churches with tradition that goes back to Apostolic times.

U-C

I believe I did refer to them several times as Churches; if I slipped up once, my apologies.

 

[Ungcsertez]

I believe I did refer to them several times as Churches; if I slipped up once, my apologies.

How about all of us start saying Eastern Catholic Churches or Eastern and Oriental Christians in union w/Rome, as it is more respectful.

U-C

 

[FrRJBoyd]

How about all of us start saying Eastern Catholic Churches or Eastern and Oriental Christians in union w/Rome, as it is more respectful.

U-C

Sure. Out of curiosity, how do you normally like to refer to the Church that follows the Roman rite?

 

[Diak]

There are several terms that describe the canonical reality of Eastern Catholic Churches - particular Catholic Churches, Churches sui iuris, particular ritual Churches, and several others.

An old term that is still in use is “Greek Catholic” to specifically describe those Churches of the Byzantine-Constantinopolitan ritual tradition. This is the term our Churches took upon themselves (“Hrekokatolik” in the case of Ukrainian) upon coming into full communion with Rome.

Speaking for myself, I simply refer to those who belong to the Latin ritual tradition as “Latin Catholics”, as does most of our hierarchy, and as does the Latin hierarchy often when corresponding with us on canonical matters.
FDRLB

 

[Diak]

An excellent primer document on the Eastern Catholic Churches is a volume in the Knights of Columbus Veritas series:
www.kofc.org/un/eb/en/resources/cis/CIS342.pdf

This was written by His Grace Bishop +Basil Losten, the emeritus bishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Eparchy of Stamford.

 

[Ungcsertez]

Sure. Out of curiosity, how do you normally like to refer to the Church that follows the Roman rite?

…Roman Catholics.

U-C

 

[FrRJBoyd]

…Roman Catholics.

U-C

That’s very confusing, since it’s disputed whether to refer to the entire Church as the Roman Catholic Church, as the pope is in Rome. Some Eastern Catholics I know say yes, some say no. I wish Pope Benedict did not give up the title Patriarch of the West. Western Catholics or Latin Catholics makes more sense to me. The term “Catholic” itself sometimes can be used for people outside the Catholic Church, such as it is with the so-called Anglo-Catholics. I understand the realities, but terminology can be confusing!

 

[malphono]

That’s very confusing, since it’s disputed whether to refer to the entire Church as the Roman Catholic Church, as the pope is in Rome. Some Eastern Catholics I know say yes, some say no. I wish Pope Benedict did not give up the title Patriarch of the West. Western Catholics or Latin Catholics makes more sense to me. The term “Catholic” itself sometimes can be used for people outside the Catholic Church, such as it is with the so-called Anglo-Catholics. I understand the realities, but terminology can be confusing!

FWIW, in discussions of East and West, I normally try to use Roman Church, Latin Church or Western Church depending on the circumstance. It’s pretty much the same way I use Oriental or Eastern Churches if the issue is more general, or Syriac Churches or Byzantine Churches, etc, if it’s more specific. Seems to me it helps keep things clearer.