Feeling drawn to the East

[Pope_Noah_I]

Long story short, I was born and raised a Roman Catholic and have a very real and a very deep love for the traditional liturgical patrimony of the Latin Church. However, I’m also equally in love with the liturgical traditions of the East, in particular the Slavic Byzantine. Now, there isn’t a TLM that I could feasibly attend on a weekly basis, but there is a Ruthenian Parish not too far from where I live. Would it be considered “cheating” if I changed my canonical enrollment and became involved in the Ruthenian Church instead of the Latin one because I love the DL more than the local NO’s?

 

[5Loaves]

Long story short, I was born and raised a Roman Catholic and have a very real and a very deep love for the traditional liturgical patrimony of the Latin Church. However, I’m also equally in love with the liturgical traditions of the East, in particular the Slavic Byzantine. Now, there isn’t a TLM that I could feasibly attend on a weekly basis, but there is a Ruthenian Parish not too far from where I live. Would it be considered “cheating” if I changed my canonical enrollment and became involved in the Ruthenian Church instead of the Latin one because I love the DL more than the local NO’s?

There is nothing to prevent you as canonically Latin from fully participating in a Ruthenian Catholic church where you are free to partake of all the Mysteries. One would be expected to have actively participated in a specific Eastern church sui juris for some time before consideration of canonical change to that church would be considered appropriate. Talk with your Ruthenian priest about your concerns.

As you know Great Lent begins tomorrow evening and this coming week will be one with added liturgies at your Ruthenian Church. I hope you’ll be able to participate in them! And Forgiveness Sunday tomorrow is especially beautiful. “Let us begin the fast with joy!”

 

[bpbasilphx]

One thing–please accept Eastern Churches on their own terms, and not as the last bastion of cultural conservative Catholicism of the1950’s.

 

[wynd]

One thing–please accept Eastern Churches on their own terms, and not as the last bastion of cultural conservative Catholicism of the1950’s.

Amen. You said in your OP that you are attracted to the Slavic traditions, which is a good place to start. If you’re seeking traditional Latin Catholicism, you’ll just end up disappointed.

 

[Hesychios]

Would it be considered “cheating” if I changed my canonical enrollment and became involved in the Ruthenian Church instead of the Latin one because I love the DL more than the local NO’s?

It is a very common practice, most people who begin to attend an EC church do so because of the liturgy.

Many change canonical enrollment, it is not really that hard. However the process is a little bit lengthy, it would require you to be involved with the EC church for a while (probably about a year in the Ruthenian Eparchy of Parma, possibly up to three years in the Ruthenian Eparchy of Passaic if I remember correctly … so it varies).

You can register in an EC parish at any time and fulfill your obligations there, but you will be canonically Latin and your bishop will technically be the local Latin bishop.

I urge you to begin to explore the fuller range of Byzantine Spirituality. There are some excellent books out there, by Catholic authors (if that is a concern to you). If you need recommendations I am sure many of the regulars here can help with that.

 

[Phillip_Rolfes]

Long story short, I was born and raised a Roman Catholic and have a very real and a very deep love for the traditional liturgical patrimony of the Latin Church. However, I’m also equally in love with the liturgical traditions of the East, in particular the Slavic Byzantine. Now, there isn’t a TLM that I could feasibly attend on a weekly basis, but there is a Ruthenian Parish not too far from where I live. Would it be considered “cheating” if I changed my canonical enrollment and became involved in the Ruthenian Church instead of the Latin one because I love the DL more than the local NO’s?

To second what others have said, it isn’t a good idea to change your canonical status from the Roman Church to any of the Byzantine Churches just because one has a preference for the Extraordinary Form but no easy access to it. One ought to accept the Eastern/Oriental Churches on their own terms; we are not Latin/Roman Catholics who “celebrate Mass funny.” However, you are perfectly free to attend and even be a parishioner at any church within the Catholic Communion (Ruthenian, Ukrainian, Russian, Romanian, Melkite, Coptic, Armenian, etc.). Be aware, however, that we in the East have our own set of problems and our own baggage. The Ruthenians, in particular, are currently going through a hard time, especially with regards to liturgical reform. I’ve heard several people, mostly Ruthenians or former Ruthenians, draw parallels with the liturgical reforms of Paul VI. Just FYI.

The recommendation to explore Eastern spirituality couldn’t be emphasized more. But I think you’ll find that the more you attend the Divine Liturgy and the Hours, the more you’ll realize that Byzantine spirituality really flows from our Liturgy.

But please, come and be illumined by the light of the East, to paraphrase John Paul II.