Going to Byzantine service tomorrow

[5Loaves]

**There is one spoon for everyone. The advice for Eastern Catholics is to tilt your head back, so that it can drop in. I can remember an occasion where the host would not drop off and the priest tapped one of my teeth **

I’ve had experiences where the saturated host didn’t readily fall into my mouth.
I was surprised as I was watching a video of one Orthodox DL that people there clamped the lips around the spoon. It wasn’t a service in the US. I asked about it and had it confirmed that in some places that is the norm.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Wow. Must be a pretty substantial parish if they have weekday Divine Liturgy. Around here only the ROCOR Cathedral has daily Divine Liturgy, plus Vespers & Matins. I wouldn’t expect there to be many people there on a weekday, probably a cantor doing plain chant rather than a choir, possibly no deacon (major player in DL), and no eating together afterward. Not much of an introduction for you to us… but I could be wrong…

We have weekday Divine Liturgy even though its usually the 2 Sisters and one more lady who frequent it. One time I was by my lonesome.

 

[ConstantineTG]

I’ve had experiences where the saturated host didn’t readily fall into my mouth.
I was surprised as I was watching a video of one Orthodox DL that people there clamped the lips around the spoon. It wasn’t a service in the US. I asked about it and had it confirmed that in some places that is the norm.

tagay!!!

Thats what we call drinking (alcohol) in the Philippines when the whole group drinks from one cup or glass and its passed around. Usually when its hard liquor. Yes, sharing a common something is more accepted in many cultures outside the US.

 

[5Loaves]

We have weekday Divine Liturgy even though its usually the 2 Sisters and one more lady who frequent it. One time I was by my lonesome.

Would you agree with me that that isn’t really much of an introduction to us? I would not recommend it for one’s first time going to DL.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Would you agree with me that that isn’t really much of an introduction to us? I would not recommend it for one’s first time going to DL.

Yes, its not much of an introduction. Its usually a recited Liturgy rather than a sung one for starters.

 

[Hesychios]

I’ve had experiences where the saturated host didn’t readily fall into my mouth.
I was surprised as I was watching a video of one Orthodox DL that people there clamped the lips around the spoon. It wasn’t a service in the US. I asked about it and had it confirmed that in some places that is the norm.

In most Orthodox places I have been to it certainly is.

I have every reason to believe that it has been this way as far back as ever … probably since the introduction of the spoon. This is why I suspect Latin missioners into eastern Europe tried to introduce the ‘tilt head back’ method. I have never been in an Orthodox church where most of the communicants do this, at least as far as I am aware.

It doesn’t bother me, but it takes some getting used to coming from a Latin background. Orthodox are fearless in this regard

 

[CB_Catholic]

In the Byzantine Church where I occasionally attend DL the priest does not use the spoon. He dips the piece of leavened bread (the body) into the chalice and places it your mouth with his hand. He does say your name. I was disappointed the first time I went because I wanted to try the spoon This is a very small congregation–about 20 people.

 

[Hesychios]

In the Byzantine Church where I occasionally attend DL the priest does not use the spoon. He dips the piece of leavened bread (the body) into the chalice and places it your mouth with his hand. He does say your name. I was disappointed the first time I went because I wanted to try the spoon This is a very small congregation–about 20 people.

That is the Melkite practice.

 

[dochawk]

It’s also worth noting that the priest usually has to finish what’s left, as the consecrated elements are only reserved during certain times of the year. That is, he eats what’s left after all of the communicants have eaten from the same spoon. As our priests told some of the more squeamish folks in our into to Orthodoxy class, “we have to finish what’s left, and we don’t get sick; believe in God, and you’ll be fine.”

It is supposed to be the Deacon consuming, immediately after Communion. In the absence of a deacon, the priest should consume after the liturgy (although I’ve seen biritual priests stop and consme at the deacon’s time). If the priest’s health won’t permit consumption of that much wine, it will necessarily fall to someone else, who should be discrete so as not to cause scandal.

hawk

 

[andrewstx]

It is supposed to be the Deacon consuming, immediately after Communion. In the absence of a deacon, the priest should consume after the liturgy (although I’ve seen biritual priests stop and consme at the deacon’s time). If the priest’s health won’t permit consumption of that much wine, it will necessarily fall to someone else, who should be discrete so as not to cause scandal.

hawk

I don’t think there would be that much wine or at least strong wine.

In the eastern liturgy the wine is diluted twice, once during the preperation of the gifts, and then before before the gifts are given and hot water is poured into the chalice from the zeon.

 

[paglione]

Good Morning all:
I’m going to attend a service at a local Byzantine church tomorrow morning. As a Roman Catholic I know we are in communion with them, but how should I dress? I am a “Saturday Catholic” and my parish is pretty laid back on dress overall. I’m thinking slacks and a polo shirt. Does this jibe? It’ll be weird enough not knowing all the P’s & Q’s of the Mass, I want to dress properly.
Thanks all

 

[paglione]

paglione:
To: MellowCheddar from paglione
January 20, 2012
I, too, am a lifelong Latin rite Catholic (Roman Catholic) who has become profoundly attracted to the Byzantine Greek Catholic Divine Liturgy (the Mass). To me it has become more spiritually fulfilling due to the beauty of the Liturgy, the liturgical responses of the faithful (without music) and the Byzantine style of chant throughout the Liturgy.
I have not changed Catholic rites, but I find myself going to the Divine Liturgy several Sundays each month and my own R.C. parish on alternate Sundays.
The Byzantine priest has given me permission to take home the Divine Liturgy missalette so I could study it and learn the Liturgy.
The first thing you will notice in the Liturgy is the constant bowing and the constant signing of the cross each time the Trinity is mentioned (or sung). Of course the signing of the cross is from right to left and is accompanying by bowing the head.
Perhaps the next thing you will notice is the frequent number of times thoughout the Liturgy that the name of the Blessed Virgin Mary (called the Holy Theotokos, or the God-Bearer) is mentioned or sung. There is great devotion to the Mother of God.
Then you will notice that in receiving the Eucharist you must put your head back and open your mouth wide so that the priest will drop the Sacred Species (bread and wine) from a golden spoon (without touching your mouth or tongue) taken from a golden chalice.
When you receive the Eucharist, the priest will say “Servant of God…you should give your name here…receive the body and blood of Jesus Christ”.
I am going to attend the Divine Liturgy next Sunday and I am looking forward to it.
Very different from the sameness of my R.C. church of which I am still a member.
MellowCheddar, let me know of your experience with the Divine Liturgy.
paglione
Petradom737@aol.com

 

[dochawk]

I don’t think there would be that much wine or at least strong wine.

Trust me, there can be that much. .

Add a priest with stomach issues, with or without fasting, and the equivalent of a full glass of wine or more.

In the eastern liturgy the wine is diluted twice, once during the preperation of the gifts, and then before before the gifts are given and hot water is poured into the chalice from the zeon.

Not all of the Easterns add the zeon (we do).

Even so, the wine isn’t diluted all that much; it’s not like you’re adding equal parts of water or some such.

Hawk