Holy Wednesday Question

[BusterMartin]

If someone were coming into the Church through an Eastern Catholic Church, I have been told it does not have to be done at Easter; rather, they can receive Penance, Chrismation,and Eucharist when all parties (priest, deacon, sponsor, candidate) feels the time is right. If this is true, but the person does want to come in at or around Easter, what is done regarding Holy Wednesday and Holy Unction? Would they receive Penance before Holy Wednesday, then Holy Unction on that day, with Chrismation and Eucharist following closer to Easter? Or, should Holy Unction not be received until after Chrismation and Eucharist are received?

 

[josephdaniel29]

If someone were coming into the Church through an Eastern Catholic Church, I have been told it does not have to be done at Easter; rather, they can receive Penance, Chrismation,and Eucharist when all parties (priest, deacon, sponsor, candidate) feels the time is right. If this is true, but the person does want to come in at or around Easter, what is done regarding Holy Wednesday and Holy Unction? Would they receive Penance before Holy Wednesday, then Holy Unction on that day, with Chrismation and Eucharist following closer to Easter? Or, should Holy Unction not be received until after Chrismation and Eucharist are received?

Holy Unction is a sacrament of the Church and is only available to members of the Church. The person in question could not receive anointing until after Baptism/Chrismation.

 

[smad0142]

What exactly happens for Byzantine Christians on Holy Wednesday? How do they celebrate it? Why and how does Holy Unction fit in? And is Holy Unction what the West would call the Sacrament of the Sick? And is Holy Wednesday the Wednesday of Holy Week as opposed to Ash Wednesday?

Thanks!!

 

[ciero]

What exactly happens for Byzantine Christians on Holy Wednesday? How do they celebrate it? Why and how does Holy Unction fit in? And is Holy Unction what the West would call the Sacrament of the Sick? And is Holy Wednesday the Wednesday of Holy Week as opposed to Ash Wednesday?

Thanks!!

On the evening of Holy Wednesday (and in some traditions at the end of all the fasting periods), the service of Holy Unction is served. When done in it’s entirety it includes 7 readings from the Epistles and 7 Gospel readings along with 7 anointings.

Yes this is the sacrament of the sick in the West, and in the Byzantine tradition it is offered to all as we are all sick (sinners).

Holy Wednesday is the Wednesday in Holy Week, the week before Pascha. What is Ash Wednesday? We don’t know that one in the East?

And before anyone asks as they always do this time of year, YES this anointing is Sacramental, and IS for the remission of sins. And YES it is open to RCers who happen to come to the service. And NO it is NOT used as a general absolution.

 

[smad0142]

If it is not a time of general absolution and it remits sins, is there a time for individual Confession? Or should one only approach the Sacrament without any mortal sin, and yes I know that is a Latin term?

And when does Lent Begin in the East? Or rather is it also on Ash Wednesday and do they simply just have another name for that day? Thanks!!

 

[malphono]

And when does Lent Begin in the East? Or rather is it also on Ash Wednesday and do they simply just have another name for that day? Thanks!!

In the East and Orient, Lent (aka Great Lent, aka the Great Fast, etc) officially begins on what is usually called “Clean Monday” two days before Ash Wednesday.

 

[ciero]

If it is not a time of general absolution and it remits sins, is there a time for individual Confession? Or should one only approach the Sacrament without any mortal sin, and yes I know that is a Latin term?

And when does Lent Begin in the East? Or rather is it also on Ash Wednesday and do they simply just have another name for that day? Thanks!!

If the service is for the remission of sin, and I know I have sin that needs to be dealt with, why would I not take part in the Unction? The service is for us sinners, not something for the Saints.

Read the Pascal sermon of St. John Chrysostom, that may help you understand how we Byzantines think.

Lent begins on Clean Monday, this year it was the same week as Ash Wednesday next year one week later, the year after that we are 5 weeks apart.

 

[5Loaves]

Great Lent begins at Forgiveness Vespers the evening before Clean Monday. The vestments and coverings of the altar and the icon stands are changed during the service to the dark color for Lent. Lent has begun "…Now that we have come to the setting of the sun… " Clean Monday is the first full day of Great Lent. Seems like yesterday…

 

[josephdaniel29]

Great Lent begins at Forgiveness Vespers the evening before Clean Monday. The vestments and coverings of the altar and the icon stands are changed during the service to the dark color for Lent. Lent has begun "…Now that we have come to the setting of the sun… " Clean Monday is the first full day of Great Lent. Seems like yesterday…

But if we are going to get really, really technical - Forgiveness Vespers is on Monday since the ecclesiastical day begins at sundown.