Eastern Church visits for the future

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MontChevalier

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Hail brothers and sisters!

I wanted to know some information on which eastern catholic churches would be prudent to visit in the Levant for a pilgrimage. Any advice? Or perhaps some explinations on customs and cultures? What should I do in a Maronite Church? What not to do in a Coptic Church? What is best in a Melkite Church? etc etc etc…

Thanks,
-MontChevalier
 
Um, the main thing you can do is be reverent, and pick up a pew book/Missal.

To make the Sign of the Cross after the Byzantine fashion (any church labeled “Greek Catholic” such as the Melkites), you start by placing your thumb, index, and middle finger together. Then, you close your hand with your ring and pinky finger.

greekorthodox.org.au/general/images/Sign-of-the-Cross-final.jpg

You start on the forehead, go down to your navel, up to your RIGHT shoulder (as opposed to left), and then to your LEFT. Often this will be followed by a bow all the way to touching the ground with your right hand.

The Syriac fashion (for Chaldean, Maronite, and Syriac churches) is to do the same but going from LEFT to RIGHT.

Roman Catholics are the only ones who kneel on Sundays, especially during Easter. So don’t kneel unless everyone else is doing it. Some places do actually do kneeling even though it’s not called for. It’s usually just a sign of reverence and not a sign of irreverence like the lack of kneeling in the Roman liturgy.

Byzantines often go up and venerate the priest’s hands after Divine Liturgy. It just involves a quick peck on top of the hand whilst shaking. Make sure your lips are dry.

Which reminds me. Byzantines venerate icons. Here is the traditional way to do it, making a reverence. You approach the icon, and make the Sign of the Cross, bow touching the ground with your right hand, make the Sign of the Cross again, bow, and on the way up, you kiss the icon - generally you aim for the foot of the particular person in the image, and then come up and make the Sign of the Cross again and bow, touching the ground, and you’re doing. This is called a “reverence”.

Don’t wear lipstick.

You can’t receive communion, I’m guessing, but most churches don’t mind if you go up for a blessing from the priest. Just tell him you can’t receive - or stand back and cross your arms over your chest - don’t lean forward.

Byzantines and Maronites receive only on the mouth by intinction. Byzantines are served communion on a golden spoon - the bread, which is leavened, is placed into the chalice. Also, the priest or the deacon, whoever is distributing, should be told your name because they call you by name in the serving. Don’t say Amen. Lean forward, tilt your head back, and open wide.

Maronites use hosts but the priest dips them in the chalice so you have to receive on the tongue, basically Roman style.

No need to genuflect in these churches! Crossing yourself and a profound bow are sufficient signs of adoration for Christ in the Eucharist.

Can’t help with the Copts. But if you go to a Melkite Church or a Maronite Church or a Coptic Church you probably should not talk about how awesome Islam is and how it’s a religion of peace.
 
It is great that you are visiting our Eastern brothers. You can receive communion at the Churches in communion with Rome, Melkite, Maronite, Chaldeon etc. The Orthodox will not allow non-Orthodox to receive, but the Roman rules allow us to receive Eucharist at Orthodox if they were to allow it.

Try to visit Orthodox churches as well, they have traditions that are not influenced by the Vatican which go back to the New Testament churches.
 
Um, the main thing you can do is be reverent, and pick up a pew book/Missal.

To make the Sign of the Cross after the Byzantine fashion (any church labeled “Greek Catholic” such as the Melkites), you start by placing your thumb, index, and middle finger together. Then, you close your hand with your ring and pinky finger.

greekorthodox.org.au/general/images/Sign-of-the-Cross-final.jpg

You start on the forehead, go down to your navel, up to your RIGHT shoulder (as opposed to left), and then to your LEFT. Often this will be followed by a bow all the way to touching the ground with your right hand.

The Syriac fashion (for Chaldean, Maronite, and Syriac churches) is to do the same but going from LEFT to RIGHT.

Roman Catholics are the only ones who kneel on Sundays, especially during Easter. So don’t kneel unless everyone else is doing it. Some places do actually do kneeling even though it’s not called for. It’s usually just a sign of reverence and not a sign of irreverence like the lack of kneeling in the Roman liturgy.

Byzantines often go up and venerate the priest’s hands after Divine Liturgy. It just involves a quick peck on top of the hand whilst shaking. Make sure your lips are dry.

Which reminds me. Byzantines venerate icons. Here is the traditional way to do it, making a reverence. You approach the icon, and make the Sign of the Cross, bow touching the ground with your right hand, make the Sign of the Cross again, bow, and on the way up, you kiss the icon - generally you aim for the foot of the particular person in the image, and then come up and make the Sign of the Cross again and bow, touching the ground, and you’re doing. This is called a “reverence”.

Don’t wear lipstick.

You can’t receive communion, I’m guessing, but most churches don’t mind if you go up for a blessing from the priest. Just tell him you can’t receive - or stand back and cross your arms over your chest - don’t lean forward.

Byzantines and Maronites receive only on the mouth by intinction. Byzantines are served communion on a golden spoon - the bread, which is leavened, is placed into the chalice. Also, the priest or the deacon, whoever is distributing, should be told your name because they call you by name in the serving. Don’t say Amen. Lean forward, tilt your head back, and open wide.

Maronites use hosts but the priest dips them in the chalice so you have to receive on the tongue, basically Roman style.

No need to genuflect in these churches! Crossing yourself and a profound bow are sufficient signs of adoration for Christ in the Eucharist.

Can’t help with the Copts. But if you go to a Melkite Church or a Maronite Church or a Coptic Church you probably should not talk about how awesome Islam is and how it’s a religion of peace.
Oh, wow, I did not know some of these things. Is there a book on the Eastern Catholics which someone could help me with? I am really interested in learning more about them.

In truth, I never knew these people existed. In my study of history, not once did I ever notice them. Once, when I was in Wikipedia looking up information on Roman Catholicism, in a vertical bar on the right of the screen there came a selection of other religions (Protestants, Anglican, Eastern Catholic etc etc etc; with the Roman Catholic in bold). When my eyes fell on Eastern Catholics, the first thing that popped into my mind was Catholicism in the east, which made no sense to me. I figured it was the same as Catholicism in general, but having to see Eastern Catholics up front, as I have (Not in real life. Yet) I was shocked at how different they were.

In my “crusade” (if that’s the proper term) to search for historical truth, these people – these brothers; the correct term – change everything. I want to know if there’s anyone here with knowledge on books of the eastern Catholics history and doctrines, etc etc etc? I want to add them to my Amazon wish list.

Would help me out alot. 🙂

Oh, and if you look closely at my signature, you’ll see the terms “Knight Hospitaller”. This should already show that never, EVER, would I say something like “Islam is the religion of peace”. 😛

Thanks for all your help.
-MontChevalier
 
If you are in your catechumanate portion of your discernment, let the priest know before liturgy; some prefer to dismiss the catechumens to discuss the Word with a deacon before communion. Many don’t but you never know.
 
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