Feeling a draw to eastern Christianity

[MarcusAndreas]

As of late I’ve been feeling a draw to eastern Christianity (in communion with Rome, obviously). Everything I read about it seems to draw me in. The prayers, the hymns, the asceticism, the liturgy, the theology I’ve read, the icons (I have a little iconostasis in a corner of my room, albeit a north facing one, since the east wall is a mix of a bookshelf, my bed, and the window ), the emphasis on everyone practicing monasticism to a degree, the emphasis on spiritual reality and mystery rather than just our immediate perception, all of it seems to draw me in.
How should I react to this? It might just be that the novelty is drawing me in but I don’t know…

Does anyone have any thoughts or advice about this? Any recommendations for writers that would be a good and more organized introduction?

Another point, I do rather like the de-emphasis on imagination in prayer.

 

[ciero]

As of late I’ve been feeling a draw to eastern Christianity (in communion with Rome, obviously). Everything I read about it seems to draw me in. The prayers, the hymns, the asceticism, the liturgy, the theology I’ve read, the icons (I have a little iconostasis in a corner of my room, albeit a north facing one, since the east wall is a mix of a bookshelf, my bed, and the window ), the emphasis on everyone practicing monasticism to a degree, the emphasis on spiritual reality and mystery rather than just our immediate perception, all of it seems to draw me in.
How should I react to this? It might just be that the novelty is drawing me in but I don’t know…

Does anyone have any thoughts or advice about this? Any recommendations for writers that would be a good and more organized introduction?

Another point, I do rather like the de-emphasis on imagination in prayer.

Get yourself a good spiritual father to help you discern through this important time of your life. I would recommend one of the monks of Holy Resurrection Monastery in California.

 

[Camille_Alden]

Some major cities in the US have Byzantine churches or take a trip to one. Attend a liturgy, there are many type, not just Divine Liturgy (Mass). It is life changing. I attended my first when I was 14 years old and since have stayed in it for 40 years. I met and married my husband in a small Byzantine church of less than 50 families. You don’t have to jump ship from the Romans to the eastern, only Baptism, Chrismation, Ordination, Marriage should be in your own Rite. It is easy to move Rites officially though petition or in my case through marriage.

Glory to Jesus Christ. Glorify Him!

 

[Frank_J]

Hello MarcusAndreas

First I feel that you should call an Eastern Catholic priest in your local area and tell him you would like to start attend the Divine Liturgy. All you to say you would like to go to sort out if GOD is calling to this type of life as a Eastern Christian.

I was like you a Roman Catholic; and I started to attend Divine Liturgy to find out if this was for me. The only differents you will see is that I’m Russian Orthodox Christian. I maded that change in my life, but it took time. At first I wasn’t sure after a year so I left for three years, so I drifted for a short time,but then I desided that I wanted to convert and I haven’t look back what so ever. I’m with my brothers and sisters now…

RC say once an Roman Catholic alway a RC but that isn’t true, for me this is really me I’m an Eastern Christian and proud of it and will always will be one. I home where I belong.

One other thing is this your family will not understand why you wish to change so be awear of this and be ready.

My father for the longest time jump all over me for my converting. I feel he may not understand me but he nolonger jumps now.

I wish you luck in what you are looking for in your life.

GOD bless.

 

[PbloPicasso]

I began to follow through with this because I feel the same way. However, my wife was converting to the Latin rite while I was discerning the whole east and west thing. It was by studying Eastern Orthodoxy that I learned about the Eastern Catholic rites. I prefer the eastern liturgy for many reasons. I’d like to find a parish where Greek is used. I hear Catholics talk about the “sacred language” of Latin. But the scriptures we have were passed down to us through Greek. I have always wanted to learn Greek, well, more than the little I know. Latin is beautiful, but it doesn’t date as far back as Greek use in the Divine Liturgy.

I also love the theology after speaking with several Orthodox priests. A Byzantine priest near me told me what I’d need to do to transfer. It involves quite a bit. And if my wife was open to it I would transfer. But for the sake of our family unit I’ve chosen to set it aside and be grateful for what we have and that we are all Catholic.

Best wishes on your journey.

 

[ConstantineTG]

As of late I’ve been feeling a draw to eastern Christianity (in communion with Rome, obviously). Everything I read about it seems to draw me in. The prayers, the hymns, the asceticism, the liturgy, the theology I’ve read, the icons (I have a little iconostasis in a corner of my room, albeit a north facing one, since the east wall is a mix of a bookshelf, my bed, and the window ), the emphasis on everyone practicing monasticism to a degree, the emphasis on spiritual reality and mystery rather than just our immediate perception, all of it seems to draw me in.
How should I react to this? It might just be that the novelty is drawing me in but I don’t know…

Does anyone have any thoughts or advice about this? Any recommendations for writers that would be a good and more organized introduction?

Another point, I do rather like the de-emphasis on imagination in prayer.

Attend Liturgy regularly. Talk with the clergy, get involved with the parish life. At this point you have nothing to lose. If you one day wake up and feel you want to stay being Roman Catholic, then you can just start attending an RC parish again. Since we can attend any Catholic Liturgy and even have our confessions heard in any Catholic Rite, take advantage of those. I also go to Liturgy on every Great Feast. Try to attend Vespers, Matins and Divine Liturgy in the same weekend as much as you can if its offered.

You will only know if this is truly for you by immersing yourself in the parish life of an Eastern parish.

 

[ConstantineTG]

I began to follow through with this because I feel the same way. However, my wife was converting to the Latin rite while I was discerning the whole east and west thing. It was by studying Eastern Orthodoxy that I learned about the Eastern Catholic rites. I prefer the eastern liturgy for many reasons. I’d like to find a parish where Greek is used. I hear Catholics talk about the “sacred language” of Latin. But the scriptures we have were passed down to us through Greek. I have always wanted to learn Greek, well, more than the little I know. Latin is beautiful, but it doesn’t date as far back as Greek use in the Divine Liturgy.

I also love the theology after speaking with several Orthodox priests. A Byzantine priest near me told me what I’d need to do to transfer. It involves quite a bit. And if my wife was open to it I would transfer. But for the sake of our family unit I’ve chosen to set it aside and be grateful for what we have and that we are all Catholic.

Best wishes on your journey.

I doubt that even the Greek Catholic or Greek Orthodox Churches are using Koine Greek though.

 

[Alveus_Lacuna]

I doubt that even the Greek Catholic or Greek Orthodox Churches are using Koine Greek though.

As I understand it, in Greece and other places it is used almost exclusively. I don’t think that any modern Greek is used, so when you hear Greek in “diaspora” parishes it is indeed Koine.

 

[PbloPicasso]

As I understand it, in Greece and other places it is used almost exclusively. I don’t think that any modern Greek is used, so when you hear Greek in “diaspora” parishes it is indeed Koine.

Yes. I realize that. I am told that some around my area do. But I haven’t visited an Orthodox parish yet. One day. I received advice from an Orthodox priest online about where I should look. Unfortunately the parish I wanted to visit was having problems with a scandal that he advised me to avoid unless I was intent on visiting.

 

[5Loaves]

Great time of the year for this. We’ve begun our anticipation of Great Lent towards Pascha a couple of weeks ago with Zaccheus Sunday and these Sundays of preparation. The time of Great Lent is chuck full of services even in places that don’t normally have more than Sunday Divine Liturgy. Great Compline services are really among my favorite and you could as well go to those at an Orthodox Church, as I do.

Fr. Hopko’s The Lenten Spring: Readings for Great Lent like his The Winter Pascha: readings for the Christmas-Epiphany Season is a wonderful combination of text straight from liturgy and services combined with his reflections, teachings.

There is no substitute for Divine Liturgy and services so this is again a perfect time of the year to be able to experience these. Spending time during Great Lent in the Eastern Catholic and Orthodox Churches will surely give you a very rich experience as well for your Lenten journey within the Latin Church.

 

[ConstantineTG]

As I understand it, in Greece and other places it is used almost exclusively. I don’t think that any modern Greek is used, so when you hear Greek in “diaspora” parishes it is indeed Koine.

I see, thanks. I mistakenly thought they are using modern Greek.

 

[Alveus_Lacuna]

I see, thanks. I mistakenly thought they are using modern Greek.

Nope, I think it’s more analogous to Latin, where the average Greek speaker doesn’t understand the irregular parts of the liturgy.

 

[ciero]

Nope, I think it’s more analogous to Latin, where the average Greek speaker doesn’t understand the irregular parts of the liturgy.

Most speakers of modern Greek can understand 80% or more of what is used in the Liturgy.

 

[Cecilianus]

Even if you can’t find a Greek-speaking Catholic parish (aren’t many ), I just wish there were parishes that used Greek tones. They are truly heavenly.

 

[OrdinaryMelkite]

As of late I’ve been feeling a draw to eastern Christianity (in communion with Rome, obviously). Everything I read about it seems to draw me in. The prayers, the hymns, the asceticism, the liturgy, the theology I’ve read, the icons (I have a little iconostasis in a corner of my room, albeit a north facing one, since the east wall is a mix of a bookshelf, my bed, and the window ), the emphasis on everyone practicing monasticism to a degree, the emphasis on spiritual reality and mystery rather than just our immediate perception, all of it seems to draw me in.
How should I react to this? It might just be that the novelty is drawing me in but I don’t know…

Does anyone have any thoughts or advice about this? Any recommendations for writers that would be a good and more organized introduction?

Another point, I do rather like the de-emphasis on imagination in prayer.

The Four-Volume “Philokalia” is About As Good Of An Introduction To Eastern Orthodoxy/Catholicism As Any Other Work.

 

[OrdinaryMelkite]

As of late I’ve been feeling a draw to eastern Christianity (in communion with Rome, obviously). Everything I read about it seems to draw me in. The prayers, the hymns, the asceticism, the liturgy, the theology I’ve read, the icons (I have a little iconostasis in a corner of my room, albeit a north facing one, since the east wall is a mix of a bookshelf, my bed, and the window ), the emphasis on everyone practicing monasticism to a degree, the emphasis on spiritual reality and mystery rather than just our immediate perception, all of it seems to draw me in.
How should I react to this? It might just be that the novelty is drawing me in but I don’t know…

Does anyone have any thoughts or advice about this? Any recommendations for writers that would be a good and more organized introduction?

Another point, I do rather like the de-emphasis on imagination in prayer.

The DeEmphasis On Imagination in Prayer Was a Draw for Me As Well.

 

[MarcusAndreas]

The Four-Volume “Philokalia” is About As Good Of An Introduction To Eastern Orthodoxy/Catholicism As Any Other Work.

I’ve been told that’s advanced reading for experienced hesychasts so I don’t think I’m going to read that.

I was recommended “The Way of the Pilgrim”, any thoughts from fellow CAFers?

 

[Cecilianus]

I’ve been told that’s advanced reading for experienced hesychasts so I don’t think I’m going to read that.

I was recommended “The Way of the Pilgrim”, any thoughts from fellow CAFers?

A wonderful book - but its main piece of guidance will be simply to praise the Philokalia and tell you to buy it.

My recommendation is to start with the Apophthegmata Patrum. It’s published in English under the title “The Sayings of the Desert Fathers”, translated by Sister Benedicta Ward (Cistercian Publications, I think).

 

[OrdinaryMelkite]

A wonderful book - but its main piece of guidance will be simply to praise the Philokalia and tell you to buy it.

My recommendation is to start with the Apophthegmata Patrum. It’s published in English under the title “The Sayings of the Desert Fathers”, translated by Sister Benedicta Ward (Cistercian Publications, I think).

I Forgot That One!!!

Thanks For The Reminder, Cecilianus!!!

Yes, That Is An EXCELLENT Introduction to Eastern Spirituality. Ward Is A Great Collector and Judicious Editor Of These Holy, Edifying Tales.

 

[5Loaves]

Yes, That Is An EXCELLENT Introduction to Eastern Spirituality. Ward Is A Great Collector and Judicious Editor Of These Holy, Edifying Tales.

I haven’t picked it up in quite a while but I’ve really liked Bread & Water, Wine & Oil: An Orthodox Christian Experience of God by Archimandrite Meletios Webber as a highly readable introduction.

Get yourself a good spiritual father to help you discern through this important time of your life. I would recommend one of the monks of Holy Resurrection Monastery in California.

The videos Catherine Alexander did with the monks are all excellent:
“Who are Eastern Catholics?” PART 1
“Who are Eastern Catholics?” PART 2 with Fr. Maximos of Holy Resurrection Monastery
Eastern Catholic Theology PART 1 and PART 2 with Fr. Abbot Nicholas of Holy Resurrection Monastery
Fasting in the Byzantine Church Year and Feasting in the Byzantine Church Yearwith Fr. Moses of Holy Resurrection Monastery