First Eastern Rite Experience

[Ad_Gentes]

‘DO’ go to the Orthodox churches on Sunday as well, (don’t replace this with your Catholic obligation though), and broaden your ‘Eastern’ experience. In fact I recommend this for all Catholics. You will find vast differences between the Rites. For myself, -over many years-, I have come to better understand the different cultures and their means of celebrating the Divine Liturgy. My own children have a much better understanding of their own rite by having attended many different expressions of the Eastern Liturgy. God bless.

I have thought about visiting the local Greek Orthodox Church, but have hesitated because I’m not sure if I should and what to expect. The truth is that, while I have been a devout and practicing Roman Catholic all my life (and fairly knowledgeable of my faith), I have been feeling drawn to the East for some time now. I have been studying Eastern Catholicism and Orthodoxy, but have even more questions than answers at this time. If you don’t mind me asking, why did you convert to Roman Catholicism from Orthodoxy? Please feel free to send me a PM if you don’t not want to post in an open forum.

Thank you and God bless.

 

[Joseph629]

I have thought about visiting the local Greek Orthodox Church, but have hesitated because I’m not sure if I should and what to expect. The truth is that, while I have been a devout and practicing Roman Catholic all my life (and fairly knowledgeable of my faith), I have been feeling drawn to the East for some time now. I have been studying Eastern Catholicism and Orthodoxy, but have even more questions than answers at this time. If you don’t mind me asking, why did you convert to Roman Catholicism from Orthodoxy? Please feel free to send me a PM if you don’t not want to post in an open forum.

Thank you and God bless.

Hello Ad,
I was born & raised RC but there was no practicing of our faith in our home (and all Masses in Latin -pre-Vatican2) By high-school, -no Church for me. In my twenties I found the need for spirituality, and after much searching ended up in the OCA, -Orthodox Church of America (originally the Russian American roots). It’s diocese includes Canada. After several years I met, married my wife who was a practicing RC. I was forced then to evaluate our situation, and discovered (through much research) that our Holy Father ‘IS’ the primary head of the Church, -as opposed to the Orthodox’s belief-. Then there was no question of my practicing as a Catholic under the Pope. I ‘DO’ continue to celebrate at Catholic Divine Liturgies when I can (live in a rural area with no Eastern rite churches), and will still attend Orthodox Liturgies as well, since they are so close to my heart and soul. The irony in all of this, is that I have come to also appreciate the Tridentine Mass, which, was the Mass that I didn’t like as a child. Goes around, comes around.

Sorry that this is just the “short” version of my spiritual journey, but at least ‘slightly’ insightful. Happy to answer anytime.

Merry Christmas (yesterday Jan 7). Joseph