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scapularkid8
Guest
In an Eastern church if I’m not in a state of grace, may I go forward for a communion blessing like in a Western church?
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Diak
Guest
At the conclusion of Liturgy in many traditions the faithful process to venerate the icon on the tetrapod and then to the Priest who offers them the Cross to venerate and the Antidoron (blessed bread remaining from the Communion loaves that was not consecrated). You can always go up for that.
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chrisb
Guest
No. You have an opportunity after Communion to Venerate the Cross and you can ask for a Blessing by the Priest after that but there really is no rubric for receiving a Blessing in the midst of Communion in the Divine Liturgy.
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Kiechlin
Guest
Hello, friend in Christ!
I wonder if you’d consider that you could approach the Priest before or after the Liturgy for confession. (Assuming he is Catholic-i.e. as discussed in your other thread).
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Diak
Guest
The last poster gives an even better idea - then you can approach the Holy Mysteries!!! While venerating the Cross and receiving the Antidoron is a good thing, obviously the ideal would be the reception of the Mysteries.
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bpbasilphx
Guest
Remember that arms crossed over the breast is the normal posture for receiving Communion, at least in the Byzantine tradition.
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Frbrendan
Guest
Meaning that if you approach the priest in this posture, he will think you are there to receive Communion, rather than asking a blessing as in the west.
But others before me have made the best method clear. Go to the priest either before or after Liturgy and go to Confession. Then there will be no problem with receiving the Mysteries.
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aspirant
Guest
It drives me CRAZY when Latins encourage this posture to mean “not receiving.”
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Kiechlin
Guest
Why? It’s just a difference in the two traditions. Unless you mean it drives you crazy when this is encouraged by Latins, for Latins, going to an Eastern Liturgy, if that makes senseIt drives me CRAZY when Latins encourage this posture to mean “not receiving.”
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aspirant
Guest
It is not a traditional Latin practice, and it unnecessarily creates confusion. When Eastern Catholics, for example, go to receive communion in a Latin parish. I’ve actually witnessed occasions where the person has to say “No, Father, I am receiving the Eucharist.” They should not have to do this.
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Aramis
Guest
Cardinal Arinze has stated that authentic Roman praxis does not include non-communicants approaching to receive, either… therefore any posture denoting seeking a communion blessing in the Roman Church is an abberation.
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WetCatechumen
Guest
What Aramis said.
Earlier in my journey I attended an Orthodox Church and approached the Priest for a blessing. He gave it to me (and to my friend) and we were both able to kiss the chalice of Christ’s most precious blood which also contained his flesh.
While I obviously recognize this as liturgically inappropriate, being separated by merely a millimeter of gold from my God was quite a treasured experience. It basically made my year.
Earlier in my journey I attended an Orthodox Church and approached the Priest for a blessing. He gave it to me (and to my friend) and we were both able to kiss the chalice of Christ’s most precious blood which also contained his flesh.
While I obviously recognize this as liturgically inappropriate, being separated by merely a millimeter of gold from my God was quite a treasured experience. It basically made my year.
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searn77
Guest
At my Orthodox church the catechumens come up for a blessing with the others who are coming up for Communion. The people who do not want to receive come up and before the priest says anything, they ask for a blessing and he blesses them. I don’t recall if people who come up for a blessing cross their arms or not. At the western rite Orthodox church that I’ve been to, if you are not going to receive Communion (whether it be that you’re not Orthodox, you haven’t fasted, you’d rather go to confession first, etc.), you’re encouraged to come up with your arms crossed to receive a blessing.
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