Eastern Rites for Latin Dummies?

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Hey brothers and sisters!

I was wondering if anyone had any good basic resources for our beloved eastern Churches regarding the theology of The Divine Liturgy, customs, history, etc. for a lifelong Latin Catholic such as I. You know, like the basics.

I recently moved to an area that has a few Ukrainian Catholic churches, and I would LOVE to worship the Lord at a Divine Liturgy some Sunday!! I have seen a few clips of one, and it is beautiful! God is good!👍
 
JeraldW said:
Hey brothers and sisters!

I was wondering if anyone had any good basic resources for our beloved eastern Churches regarding the theology of The Divine Liturgy, customs, history, etc. for a lifelong Latin Catholic such as I. You know, like the basics.

I recently moved to an area that has a few Ukrainian Catholic churches, and I would LOVE to worship the Lord at a Divine Liturgy some Sunday!! I have seen a few clips of one, and it is beautiful! God is good!👍
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If you want good basic information on all the eastern churches, check out the CNEWA website. Father Roberson’s book (I once owned a copy) is reproduced free there.

For information on the Ukrainian type of Divine liturgy in particular I recommend that you read the text of the liturgy in English 2] 3] (it is almost self-explanatory) and some parish websites might have more good info. I recommend the Saint Elias website from Brampton, Ontario Canada.

If you decide to attend a divine liturgy, do not follow the book strictly, don’t worry about your place in the pewbook, just observe the proceedings and take it in. You could find the place where the creed is listed, then put your finger in the book at that place and when it comes up open and read with the congregation.

If you wish to read a good book on the subject I would recommend A Commentary on the Divine Liturgy by Nicholas Cabasilas, a classic. Don’t bother reading such a book until after you have attended the liturgy a time or two or three.

If this further inspires you, I would recommend Spirituality of the Christian East: A Systematic Handbook a very good tome on the subject by Tomáš Cardinal Špidlík SJ.

Pax et Bonum
 
You’ve answered your own question! Get a copy of “The Catholic Mass for Dummies.” I got it from my local library but want to get my own copy from Amamzon. It describes the Mass and the Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysotom together with articles on the clergy, vestments and many other things. It’s a great place to start.
 
Fr. Lawrence Cross, a Russian Catholic priest in Australia, has written a couple of magnificent books that serve as excellent introductions for Roman Catholics into the Eastern(Byzantine) Catholic tradition. The first book is entitled Eastern Christianity: The Byzantine Tradition and the second is entitled Image, Symbol and Mystery: An Eastern Christian View of the Sacraments. Both books are available from Eastern Christian Publications, a small Eastern Catholic publishing company here in Northern Virginia.

Both of these books were also turned into Audio Books by “Orientale Lumen Television” and are available from their website: oltv.tv/id84.html. A third book (not yet published) by Fr. Cross on iconography is also available in Audio Book format from the following website: secure.webvalence.com/ecommerce/kiosk.lasso?merchant=OLConference&kiosk=Media&set=new. It is entitled God’s Holy Fire: A Theology of the Icon.

Each of these books/Audio Books were actually produced by the same company, and I myself filmed and edited them. But, lest anyone think that this is a shameless self-promotion, I no longer work for the company. I am simply trying to further the excellent work that they have been doing for Eastern Christianity in general, and Eastern Catholicism in particular. 😃
 
Saintlucy said:
You’ve answered your own question! Get a copy of “The Catholic Mass for Dummies.” I got it from my local library but want to get my own copy from Amamzon. It describes the Mass and the Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysotom together with articles on the clergy, vestments and many other things. It’s a great place to start.
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This book may not actually answer the questions as it is written by a Roman Catholic from a Roman Catholic perspective. This, of course, is absolutely fine, but will not really give the details on the theology and spirituality of the DL of St. John Chrysostom the way it is seen through Byzantine eyes. It may, in the long run, serve simply to inspire further questions rather than answer any.
 
Phillip_Rolfes said:
This book may not actually answer the questions as it is written by a Roman Catholic from a Roman Catholic perspective. This, of course, is absolutely fine, but will not really give the details on the theology and spirituality of the DL of St. John Chrysostom the way it is seen through Byzantine eyes. It may, in the long run, serve simply to inspire further questions rather than answer any.
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I was suggesting it as a book for beginners. I found it very helpful.
 
JeraldW said:
Hey brothers and sisters!

I was wondering if anyone had any good basic resources for our beloved eastern Churches regarding the theology of The Divine Liturgy, customs, history, etc. for a lifelong Latin Catholic such as I. You know, like the basics.

I recently moved to an area that has a few Ukrainian Catholic churches, and I would LOVE to worship the Lord at a Divine Liturgy some Sunday!! I have seen a few clips of one, and it is beautiful! God is good!👍
Click to expand...
Byzantine Catholic Catechism

– Light for Life: Part One The Mystery Believed. Pittsburgh, PA: God With Us Publications, 1994 1-887158-07-3
Code: 
                -- Light                      for Life: Part Two The Mystery Celebrated.  Pittsburgh,                      PA: God With Us Publications,1996 1-87158-09-X
– Light For Life: Part III, The Mystery Lived. Pittsburgh, PA: God With Us Publications,2001 1-887158-12-X

Or the three part set: 1-887158-06-5

store.godwithusbooks.org/the-great-fast-lent-readings/light-for-life-part-iii-the-mystery-lived/
 
Thanks, Hesychios, Vico, for the resources/links. Phillip, thanks for the heads up on something to keep in mind. By the way, great work on the chokti. Just getting used to the feel of cloth vs plastic/wood. Your check will be sent tomorrow, or Saturday (just started a new job).
 
lssanjose said:
Thanks, Hesychios, Vico, for the resources/links. Phillip, thanks for the heads up on something to keep in mind. By the way, great work on the chokti. Just getting used to the feel of cloth vs plastic/wood. Your check will be sent tomorrow, or Saturday (just started a new job).
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I will also second Vico’s advice for the “God With Us Publications” catechetical series Light and Life. It is excellent. I need to train myself to think of that series first when someone asks for some basic texts on Byzantine theology and spirituality. 😃

I’m glad you like the chotki, Issanjose. Please keep this poor sinner and his family in your prayers whenever you use it. 😛
 
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