Dummy's Guide to the Maronite Rite?

[AmandaPS]

I’m interested in learning more of the Eastern Catholic Rites, but seem to hit what I think is a big snag. (For me anyways). Specifically, I’m interested in learning more of the Maronite Rite. I’ve been to several sites, but can’t seem to get past the difference in vocabulary and terms. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[legeorge]

We have a shrine down the road that practices the Maronite Rite. I ablolutely love it. I have been to the Maronite masses many many times. I don’t know how knowledgeable I am on the topic, but I could try to answer some of your questions.

 

[metal1633]

AmandaPS:

I’m interested in learning more of the Eastern Catholic Rites, but seem to hit what I think is a big snag. (For me anyways). Specifically, I’m interested in learning more of the Maronite Rite. I’ve been to several sites, but can’t seem to get past the difference in vocabulary and terms. Anyone have any suggestions?

I am a Maronite Catholic. What would you like explained?

 

[e-catholic]

Well,
Can you tell us some basics? Is the Maronite rite similar to the Eastern Rite, or the Latin Rite?

What is the basic history of the Maronite Rite? What part of the worls did it begin in? Was it always in communion with Rome?

What type of liturgy do the Maronites practice?

 

[AmandaPS]

I understand for the most part the some of history of the Maronite Rite; that it has never been out of communion with Rome, and that it is Lebanese in origin.

1. What is an eparchy, and why does it seem like it’s larger than a diocese?
2. Is a Chorbishop the same as an Archbishop/Bishop?
3. What type of Liturgy is used, and can you describe it please?
4. What is the difference between the Maronite Rite and the Syriac or Antiochian Rite?
5. I’ve seen the words Qorbono, Qubbas (sorry if it’s spelled incorrectly), and have no idea what they mean.

I’m sorry if these questions are silly, but lately, I’ve slso had a strong, unknown desire to learn Aramaic. I don’t know why, but I feel compelled to learn more about it. There’s a Maronite Rite Church close to where I live, but since I can’t even attend a Latin Rite Mass, there’s absolutely no possibility of me attending a Maronite Rite service any time soon.

 

[metal1633]

e-catholic:

Is the Maronite rite similar to the Eastern Rite?

By “Eastern Rite” I assume you mean “Byzantine”. There are at least a Dozen Eastern Rites and the Maronite is one of them.

The Maronite Church has always been in Communion with Rome, though not always in contact. The western Church thought the Maronites had died out until the Crusaders came to the Middle East and rescued them from the Muslims. The Maronite Church is the Church of the Apostillic See of Antioch. And the Maronite Patriarch is the Catholic Patriarch of all the East. We get our name from St Maron who died in the year 410. Our Liturgy is Aramaic and the recipient of the oldest Liturgical Traditions in the Church. A full history can be found here…bkerke.org.lb/themaronites.html

The Liturgy is the product of two Traditions. That of Edessa and Antioch. The Anaphora of the Apostles, which the Maronite Church shares in common with the Church of Edessa, is the oldest Anaphora in the Catholic Church.

Anaphora=Eucharistic Prayer.

The Maronite Anaphora of the Twelve Apostles represents the oldest tradition of the Church of Antioch, being brought to Antioch by St Peter, therefore the Maronite Church, in its Liturgy, preserves the way of Worship of the Apostles and their earliest Disciples. St. John Chrysostom took the Eucharistic Prayers with him to Constantinople and they became the basis of the Byzantine liturgy.

 

[metal1633]

AmandaPS:

1. What is an eparchy, and why does it seem like it’s larger than a diocese?
2. Is a Chorbishop the same as an Archbishop/Bishop?
3. What type of Liturgy is used, and can you describe it please?
4. What is the difference between the Maronite Rite and the Syriac or Antiochian Rite?
5. I’ve seen the words Qorbono, Qubbas (sorry if it’s spelled incorrectly), and have no idea what they mean.

An Eparchy is a Diocese. They are larger because there are fewer Maronite Churches. A chorbishop is an honorary position for a Priest who is a close assistant of a Bishop. Liturgy is in Aramic. it follows a similar pattern as the Roman Rite except the Preperation of the Gifts comes first, then the lighting of the Church. Then the Hymns Prayers and the Readings and Homily. Then comes the Anaphora and then the Kiss of Pease. Then comes three prayers of Thanksgiving. One to the Father then the Son then the Holy Spirit. Then comes Communion. The Antiochean is a family of Rites. There are 5 rites and the Maronite it is one of them. Qorbono is Syriac and Quddas is Arabic. They are what we call the Mass. You say Mass, we say Qorbono. The Syriac means “Offering” and the Arabic means “To make Holy”.

And why cant you go to mass? Even if your in a state of Serious sin you can attend. You just cant Partake of the Eucharist.

 

[deogratias]

This months issue of Inside The Vatican had a multi-page spread about a Maronite Rite Marriage in Rome. One of it’s young writers met her “Middle Eastern Christian Prince” as she calls him while working in Rome. The wedding was explained and it included a lot of background on the Maronite Rite as well.

I thought the custom of placing the crowns on the heads of the bride and groom as a symbol of how God crowned the matriarchs and patriarchs of the church in the past, very lovely also.

The article noted that originally the Maronite Liturgy was in Aramaic, the language spoken by Christ but that the Arab invasion brought about a change to clasical Arabic though Aramaic continues to be used in the words of the consecration.

The article explained how this rite is rich in old testament symbolism, for instance, the tipping of the chalice in the four directions of the compass during the ocnsecration which is an adaption of the jewish sacrificial ritual of sprinkling the four corners of the altar with the blood of the sacrificial lamb to symbolizxe now the shedding of Christ’s blood for the entire universe.

The article said “tipping” not actually spilling and so I assume there is not actual spilling of the precious blood.

One picture showed the bride drinking the precious blood from the chalice, holding it herself.

I think there is a Maronite Church here, I’ll have to try to attend some weekend.

 

[Hesychios]

metal1633:

By “Eastern Rite” I assume you mean “Byzantine”. There are at least a Dozen Eastern Rites and the Maronite is one of them.

The Maronite Church has always been in Communion with Rome, though not always in contact. The western Church thought the Maronites had died out until the Crusaders came to the Middle East and rescued them from the Muslims. The Maronite Church is the Church of the Apostillic See of Antioch. And the Maronite Patriarch is the Catholic Patriarch of all the East. We get our name from St Maron who died in the year 410. Our Liturgy is Aramaic and the recipient of the oldest Liturgical Traditions in the Church. A full history can be found here…bkerke.org.lb/themaronites.html

The Liturgy is the product of two Traditions. That of Edessa and Antioch. The Anaphora of the Apostles, which the Maronite Church shares in common with the Church of Edessa, is the oldest Anaphora in the Catholic Church.

Anaphora=Eucharistic Prayer.

The Maronite Anaphora of the Twelve Apostles represents the oldest tradition of the Church of Antioch, being brought to Antioch by St Peter, therefore the Maronite Church, in its Liturgy, preserves the way of Worship of the Apostles and their earliest Disciples. St. John Chrysostom took the Eucharistic Prayers with him to Constantinople and they became the basis of the Byzantine liturgy.

That was a pretty doggone good post!

It’s hard to say something so to the point in so few words.

And for further clarification to e-Catholic, most of the Eastern Catholic posters here seem to be from one of the Byzantine Rite churches: Melkite, Ruthenian and possibly Romanian (there should be others, but I haven’t seen them).

So we could be confused and think the Byzantines are the Eastern Rites, but in fact we know that they are just a part of the picture. It is good to see an interest here in the Maronite church as well.

 

[Hesychios]

AmandaPS:

1. Is a Chorbishop the same as an Archbishop/Bishop?

No, actually a chorbishop is not a true bishop, but rather a priestly assistant. I think it is like a mitred archpriest. In other words, allowed to wear the episcopal garb but not invested with all of the authority of a bishop. In ancient times the Chorbishop represented the bishop in the countryside, far from the city where the bishop would normally reside and work. In the other Antiochian churches they would be given a bishop’s hood, I suppose the Maronites would use the Latin-style mitre they have been using for a few hundred years now.

1. What type of Liturgy is used, and can you describe it please?
2. What is the difference between the Maronite Rite and the Syriac or Antiochian Rite?

Metal1633 answered 1-3 & 4 reasonably well, I think. The whole region of what today is Syria, Lebanon and much of Turkey was linked to Antioch (and Edessa) and the liturgies of several groups derive from them. It is basically the liturgy of St James, modified in the isolation of the mountains there in Lebanon.

The liturgy of Saint James is reputedly the oldest complete liturgy in Christianity. If it is done well it must be marvelous.

1. I’ve seen the words Qorbono, Qubbas (sorry if it’s spelled incorrectly), and have no idea what they mean.

That is what the liturgy is called.

See here

I’m sorry if these questions are silly, but lately, I’ve slso had a strong, unknown desire to learn Aramaic. I don’t know why, but I feel compelled to learn more about it. There’s a Maronite Rite Church close to where I live, but since I can’t even attend a Latin Rite Mass, there’s absolutely no possibility of me attending a Maronite Rite service any time soon.

The questions are not silly, they come through normal interest.

Again, I echo Metal1633, you can always go to a Qurbono, or a Mass and pray. Pray to the Holy, Divine Immortal One. Pray for guidance that you should know what you must do.

The doors are not closed to you, you are always welcome.

Come and pray!