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Do Eastern Catholics have stations of the cross? rosary? adoration?
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Harpazo
Guest
I’m just throwing this out there, but what is so wrong with Eucharistic Adoration in Eastern Catholic Churches? I’m somewhat ignorant on the subject, so please forgive me. At the Maronite parish I’ve been attending, they have a 24 hour Eucharistic Adoration in the chapel on Fridays. Is there something blasphemous about Adoration of Christ that I’m not aware of?
Pace e Bene
Andrew
Pace e Bene
Andrew
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GregoryPalamas
Guest
We have the Greek Catholic Union (GCU) but it is not as active as the Knights. I am a member of the Knights of Columbus.
CDL
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Irish_Melkite
Guest
Carson.
The GCU’s only similarity to the KoC is its function as an insurer.
Many years,
Neil
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Woodstock
Guest
There is The Patriarchal Order of the Holy Cross of Jerusalem
as well as some parishes having KoC and some having local brotherhoods.
as well as some parishes having KoC and some having local brotherhoods.
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Irish_Melkite
Guest
Again, the Patriarchal Order bears little or no resemblance to the KoC. It does not function as a KoC Council or Assembly does, being rather an individual membership in a body that rarely functions organizationally.
And, to be honest, rather than look for an entity that resembles the KoC, it is probably more pertinent to say - “no, there is no such similar entity that is organic to the Eastern Churches”.
And … so what? The topic of the thread was our devotional praxis - the KoC is not a devotion. This sudden need to examine every aspect of Eastern and Oriental Catholic existence, or - rather - to hold up every aspect of Latin life and ask if it is replicated in ours is starting to resemble taxonomic classification - to see of what species we are.
And - for the record - although one will find KoC councils here and there, they are not organic to the East and, frankly, for most Eastern Catholics the organization holds no particular draw or attraction.
Many years,
Neil
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Woodstock
Guest
I am aware of its use as a organization in a parish with the almost sole intent of fostering fraternity among the men while having the added side-benefit of charity for a good cause. If you think that has little to no resemblance to the purpose of KoC, then OK.
I do agree that every aspect seems to be getting put under the microscope, as if having no Knights of Columbus is somehow beyond belief. To me, it reflects how little is known about the eastern Churches. They can’t understand more without asking the basics first, so I don’t mind answering what I know. Thankfully there are those such as yourself who have a wealth of information to share who together with my paltry contribution can paint an entire picture for these people who know so little that they can only ask “Do you have this?” from their own experiences.
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Joab_Anias
Guest
There isn’t any criteria of rite for being in the KofC.
One must only be a practical Catholic in union with the Holy See.
It’s inconsequential that there is no specific similar organization from the eastern cultures/tradition because the KofC is theirs too.
Of course I’m not sure what they would make of a pot luck or bingo
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Aramis
Guest
Well, since sunday DL is followed by fellowship, which is a bit of a pot luck… St. Nick would have no problem with potlucks.Of course I’m not sure what they would make of a pot luck or bingo
But I’m a member of KofC #9830, out of St. Andrew’s. Formerly in #4859. Fourth Degree. Insurance Member.
And to answer the question of Adoration:
Since Christ is present everywhere, everywhen, adoration of the physical manifestation is superfluous.
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Joab_Anias
Guest
Since the holidays are coming up you might appreciate this site if you hadn’t seen it before:The truth about Santa
Welcome brother knight. I am 4th also since 2000.
Intersting. I don’t suppose to those its percieved as efficatious it is though.
Peace.
D
dessert
Guest
Yes but I was just curious and ssome of our knights are now assisting in leading our school children in the rosary learning the rosary. I was just wondering.
D.
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Joab_Anias
Guest
I think the argument is that it was a Roman devotion that was adopted and not truly eastern so in a sense is enfringing on the eastern culture that Rome itself encourges the east to maintain.
I can’t see how there could possibly be an objection otherwise.
Peace.
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Aramis
Guest
Seen it before. good site.
The truth about Santa
Adoration of the blessed sacrament is not a part of traditional Byzantine Rite praxis. It arose in the west due to differences in both praxis and theology, and it can give a focus on the presence of Christ to some who need that.
But, by byzantine theological approaches, one is just as easily able to venerate Christ and be in his presence simply by use of an Icon, as a properly written icon is a window into heaven.
Also, in the construction of Byzantine worship structures, one must also remember that the altar-table is not visible except during liturgies… and not even throughout the Divine Liturgy in many uses of the Liturgies of St. James, St Basil, and St. John; the royal doors get closed during the anaphora in many particular church’s rubrics for the divine liturgies. The Royal Doors of the iconostas block the view of the altar-table, and of the tabernacle upon it. Personal adoration of the tabernacle is thus not readily available.
Further, the eastern churches tend to use leavened bread; the precious body is not in a form convinient to display for public adoration, either.
The combination of the lack of need, with the lack of convinince, has prevented the theology for adoration (save for during communion) from developing.
It is not seen as “effective” or “ineffective” but as simply “foreign and unneeded”.
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Joab_Anias
Guest
Oh, I agree with preserving the culture for sure and the only thing I would take issue with at all is the last three words. I do not believe adoration of Christ no matter what the form is seen as foriegn or uneeded by any Catholics dispite difference in forms of host or culture. I understand what you mean though. Its a western culture practice and needent be adopted lest you feel that would somehow deminish your preservation of culture. Perfectly understandable.
Peace.
A
Aramis
Guest
We have Icons for Veneration and Instruction. We do not need a special devotion to the physical presence outside the liturgy; We know that Christ is Ever Present, and when we need a reminder of that, the Pantocratnor Icon sits in Judgement and Mercy to remind us.
It isn’t incompatible as a personal devotion, but the whole of byzantine praxis and doxis is incompatible with western style Adoration in the Monstrance, or adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the Tabernacle.
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theistgal
Guest
I do sympathize with the yearning for Eucharistic Adoration in the Eastern Rite churches. I’m a Latin Rite Catholic, but in April I married a Byzantine Catholic and that’s the church we both attend now.
But I’ve experienced some “cognitive dissonance” due to the differences in the rites, primarily in the way the Eucharist is approached. It’s getting easier now, because I’m reading some good books abuot how the Eastern Churches view the sacraments and I understand it a little better.
But every so often I do feel the need to “play hooky” from the Divine Liturgy and go to a Mass - and I still pray the Rosary in my car every morning on the way to work! And you know what? That really helps me, because when I go back to the Byzantine church I have a better appreciation of the similarities between us as well as the differences.
So maybe that would help you too - learn to breathe with both lungs! There are riches and wonders and beauties in both directions - both East and West worship Christ, “Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity” - just in different ways!
But I’ve experienced some “cognitive dissonance” due to the differences in the rites, primarily in the way the Eucharist is approached. It’s getting easier now, because I’m reading some good books abuot how the Eastern Churches view the sacraments and I understand it a little better.
But every so often I do feel the need to “play hooky” from the Divine Liturgy and go to a Mass - and I still pray the Rosary in my car every morning on the way to work! And you know what? That really helps me, because when I go back to the Byzantine church I have a better appreciation of the similarities between us as well as the differences.
So maybe that would help you too - learn to breathe with both lungs! There are riches and wonders and beauties in both directions - both East and West worship Christ, “Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity” - just in different ways!
P
Pani_Rose
Guest
In the East the Hail Mary is prayed…
Hail,Mother of God, Virgin Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb; for you gave birth to Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of our souls.
…or some pray it Hail Mary, full of grace…the Savior of our souls. Then many pray it just as Rome does. :byzsoc:
Hail,Mother of God, Virgin Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb; for you gave birth to Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of our souls.
…or some pray it Hail Mary, full of grace…the Savior of our souls. Then many pray it just as Rome does. :byzsoc:
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yeshua
Guest
The Western Hail Mary is actually normative practice for the Maronites. It was enforced by Jesuit missionaries as a part of the adaptation of Latin tradition during the period after Trent. As time has progressed, the Hail Mary and accompanying Rosary has become a part of daily Maronite praxis, so much that I doubt there is any effort whatsoever to remove it’s presence.
And to be honest, as much as I am a stickler about Maronite tradition, it doesn’t bother me so much. There are not any major or even minor theological worries regarding the Western Hail Mary, and while I have minor reservations about the rosary, I don’t see any immediate harm. The only questionable issue would be the radiating topic of Virgin statuary.
Having the rosary has been another expression of praise towards Mary, alongside the traditional Oriental praises, which has no doubt played a role in bringing Moslems and Maronites together. Is it not our tradition, yes, has is substituted some traditional Maronite Mary roles, yes, but I think it has also been beneficial, though certainly not in the ways the original Jesuits wanted it to be (Latin conforming).
Peace and God Bless!
G
GregoryPalamas
Guest
Yeshua,
You’ve probably commented on this before but perhaps you could start a thread that would help us all understand how Muslims and Eastern Christian often coexist around the devotion to Mary. I know that many have suggested that this is and may well be an even better avenue of evangelization in future.
CDL
Y
yeshua
Guest
GregoryPalamas,
I have created the thread A Bridge for Muslims and Eastern Christians, let this train of discussion move there.
Peace and God Bless!
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