Aris, Greetings.
Aris:
Hi Michael,
Thanks for the information.
So when you say the creed, do you say “through the Son” or do you say “And the Son”?
How does the Eastern Catholic view the filioque issue that separates the Orthodox from the Catholic Church?
I ask this because there are many seeming similarities in culture and rite or practices between the Eastern Catholics and Orthodox.
As ByzCath pointed out, we use the Nicene Creed agreed upon by all the Patriarchs during the 4th Ecumenical Council. That is “proceeds from the Father.” end, no additions. The Filioque was inserted into the Creed sometime in the 5th or 6th century in Spain to help combat the movement of Arianism that prevailed throughout the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church at that time.
Regarding your question on how the Eastern Catholic views the filique issue, I cannot speak for all Eastern Catholics, but of the ones I communicate with and worship with, we are taught that the Filique is a complementary understanding to the Trinity by the Roman Catholics since Scholasticsm is an important focus of the Western Church (not so in the Eastern Catholic Church).
The Filioque was actually forced upon the majority of the Eastern Catholic Churches within the US for many many years (and elsewhere) during the Divine Liturgy (which is what we call the Mass).
In 1995, His Holiness Pope John Paul II authored the Oriental Lumens, which called for all Eastern Catholic churches to restore themselves to their original Eastern Theology, which meant removal of all Roman/Latin rite influences. We are in a wonderful time in this new Millenium. As you stated, you are correct in your observations that you see many similarities between Eastern Catholic and our Eastern Orthodox counterparts. As per our Holy Father, we are striving to make that difference seamless.
In my particular Church, to an Orthodox visitor, there is almost virtually no differences at all other than we commemorate Pope John Paul II during the Litanys 4 times. (actually more than in my local Roman Catholic Church down the street), however, where we say Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever, Amen, our local OCA church says Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and Ages unto Ages, Amen.
Also, I previously touched upon the Seven Mysteries of Christ, as opposed to the Seven Sacraments of Christ. They are one and the same, but in my personal observations, we in the Eastern side tend to accept the Mysteries, as opposed to analyzing them into a Dogma. Once again, a complementary understanding between the two lungs of our Church.
Bottom line. The Trinity is real. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
Does it really matter to your salvation to know who proceeds from who? All are equal, and all are Lord! It is a mystery.
Aris, I hope I was able to answer your questions.
Slava Isusu Christu! Glory to Jesus Christ!
As an FYI, I was born and raised as a Roman Catholic, but through the Mysteries of the Holy Spirit, my family and I were brought to our local Byzantine Catholic Church. I am now one of the oldest alter servers in our parish, and I love it. I truly cannot get enough of the Divine Liturgy, and celebrating the Divine Liturgy, which is over 1700 years old, and being a member of the Church founded by St. Peter the Rock, and St. Andrew the First Called, is a very moving and spiritual blessing indeed! Please feel free to PM me if you wish.
To become one, we must approach the Lord and the Church as a child, in true innocence and just accept things, not necessarily always try to define them (which is okay for those who need it), and then require the definition be accepted by all. Once we can succeed in this challenge, then hopefully the Body of Christ will start to come together again.
Bless, Father Ambrose! You are truly insightful.
Michael
