I have a question

[GUDRUN355]

I have a question. Is it true in the Eastern Catholic tradition that women parishoners sit separately from the men? Also, I have heard that women are not allowed to go near the altar? I don’t want to sound disrespectful but I just wanted to know since I have absolutely no knowledge of Eastern Catholiic customs. Thanks for your help.

 

[wynd]

I have a question. Is it true in the Eastern Catholic tradition that women parishoners sit separately from the men?

Traditionally yes, but in my experience this is not a strictly observed custom.

Also, I have heard that women are not allowed to go near the altar?

No one is allowed in the altar area who is not performing some kind of liturgical ministry (priest, deacon, server, etc.). In the Eastern churches, only males fill these roles, so women don’t have a reason to go in the altar area.

 

[Mickey]

I have a question. Is it true in the Eastern Catholic tradition that women parishoners sit separately from the men?

I have seen this at Orthodox monasteries ROCOR and Greek. I have never seen this in the Eastern Catholic Church. I know that most ROCOR parishes do this.

Women to the left and men to the right.

 

[Chaldean_Rite]

I have seen this at Orthodox monasteries ROCOR and Greek. I have never seen this in the Eastern Catholic Church. I know that most ROCOR parishes do this.

Women to the left and men to the right.

Why does that happen?

 

[bpbasilphx]

In Fr. Abel Coutourier’s COURSE IN MELKITE LITURGY, he refers to men and women being separated, and even having separate entrances.

It could be a holdover from Judaism.

It could also be a cultural practice in societies where men and women simply do not mingle in public gatherings.

Once upon a time I visited a Greek Old Calendarist Church where a priest (obviously a convert) said that God was going to punish them for putting in pews and having men and women sit together instead of the men standing on the right and women on the left. It took all my self-control to avoid exploding, “You can walk two blocks in any direction from where we are standing and find people dying in despair because they think God hates them and THIS is what you’re worried about?”

I have seen the now Metropolitan Maximos of Pittsburgh bless women to act as sacristans. And, of course, who would be doing this and altar server duties in a women’s monastery?

 

[Patchunky]

No one is allowed in the altar area who is not performing some kind of liturgical ministry (priest, deacon, server, etc.). In the Eastern churches, only males fill these roles, so women don’t have a reason to go in the altar area.

Unless you’re sweeping the floor, vacuming the carpet, changing the candles, washing and ironing the altar linens and changing the flowers… then you call the Panni or the local nuns or the parish Ladies Altar Guild…

 

[wynd]

Unless you’re sweeping the floor, vacuming the carpet, changing the candles, washing and ironing the altar linens and changing the flowers… then you call the Panni or the local nuns or the parish Ladies Altar Guild…

Of course, that goes without saying

 

[Mickey]

Why does that happen?

The Orthodox Church continues the practice of de-emphasizing the “family” with men standing on the right and women on the left. Because of this arrangement it is emphasized that we are all equal before God (Equal distance from the altar), and that the man is not superior to the woman. Once again, because of modern western influence, in many modern churches this traditional practice has been forgotten and families stand together.
wiki.phantis.com/index.php/Eastern_Orthodox_Church

 

[DoxRox]

The Orthodox Church continues the practice of de-emphasizing the “family” with men standing on the right and women on the left. Because of this arrangement it is emphasized that we are all equal before God (Equal distance from the altar), and that the man is not superior to the woman. Once again, because of modern western influence, in many modern churches this traditional practice has been forgotten and families stand together.
wiki.phantis.com/index.php/Eastern_Orthodox_Church

You got that right…I’ve never even heard of this being the standard practice, and my priest is big on that.

 

[Mickey]

You got that right…I’ve never even heard of this being the standard practice, and my priest is big on that.

You should ask him.

It is still fairly common in many ROCOR and Serbian parishes.

 

[Chaldean_Rite]

The Orthodox Church continues the practice of de-emphasizing the “family” with men standing on the right and women on the left. Because of this arrangement it is emphasized that we are all equal before God (Equal distance from the altar), and that the man is not superior to the woman. Once again, because of modern western influence, in many modern churches this traditional practice has been forgotten and families stand together.
wiki.phantis.com/index.php/Eastern_Orthodox_Church

Very interesting. I know, traditionally, because of Muslim influence, in our CULTURE, the middle eastern Chrisitans when they have their memorials of people death (not liturgy, but familial), the men and women sat in different rooms and ate at different times (one after another), but I never heard of this concept in Liturgy.

Family doesn’t end on earth so I would not be in favor of this practice. Also, the family is the school of God, and image of the Trinity, I see no reason to remove that icon during the Sacrifice of the Mass.

 

[Chaldean_Rite]

You should ask him.

It is still fairly common in many ROCOR and Serbian parishes.

I was at a Serbian parish yesterday for a memorial and there was no segregation of the sexes. Beautiful parish. St. George Serbian Orthodox parish in San Diego (near Sea World).

 

[Mickey]

I was at a Serbian parish yesterday for a memorial and there was no segregation of the sexes. Beautiful parish. St. George Serbian Orthodox parish in San Diego (near Sea World).

I did not say every parish. They are the parishes where you are most likely to see it in America. It is much more common over seas and especially in monasteries.

 

[Mickey]

I never heard of this concept in Liturgy.

It is a very old tradition.

I would not be in favor of this practice.

I did not ask for your opinion–but thanks for expressing it.

 

[Saponaria]

You should ask him.

It is still fairly common in many ROCOR and Serbian parishes.

I was in ROCOR for about 10 years and found this rare rather than common. I knew of one parish that did this fairly consistently and they were not the norm in many many ways. But my experience is only in the SE.

 

[Patchunky]

I have a question. Is it true in the Eastern Catholic tradition that women parishoners sit separately from the men? Also, I have heard that women are not allowed to go near the altar? I don’t want to sound disrespectful but I just wanted to know since I have absolutely no knowledge of Eastern Catholiic customs. Thanks for your help.

This was actually a very common practice until recently even here in the US and it was also practiced in Roman Catholic parishes.

I can remember the hat clips on the pews on the “mens” side of the church and none on the womens side. This was in my Baba’s Slovak Roman Catholic parish. When they got new pews, the hat clips disappeared.

The Byzantine Catholic church I go to when I visit relatives still has the hat clips on the “mens” side pews.

I’ve been in Italian and German and Lithuanian Roman Catholic churches where I live and they still have the hat clips on the “mens” side pews…

 

[GUDRUN355]

I just want to say how helpful everyone has been with my question and how interesting the replies have been. A heartfelt thank-you. One other question: Would it be allowed for an outsider to visit an Eastern Catholic church? There is a beautiful Russian Othodox Church in my neighborhood that I’ve been curious about for years. They have quite a large congregation and many social and cultural events not to mention the charity work. I would just love to visit but I don’t want to break any rules. I say this because I have the utmost respect for all of our Christian brethern.

 

[Mickey]

I was in ROCOR for about 10 years and found this rare rather than common. I knew of one parish that did this fairly consistently and they were not the norm in many many ways. But my experience is only in the SE.

No. I do not think it is the norm.

I experienced it at Jordanville and a Greek monastery. I’m sure there are many traditional parishes which practice this also.

 

[Mickey]

I just want to say how helpful everyone has been with my question and how interesting the replies have been. A heartfelt thank-you. One other question: Would it be allowed for an outsider to visit an Eastern Catholic church? There is a beautiful Russian Othodox Church in my neighborhood that I’ve been curious about for years. They have quite a large congregation and many social and cultural events not to mention the charity work. I would just love to visit but I don’t want to break any rules. I say this because I have the utmost respect for all of our Christian brethern.

“Outsiders” are encouraged to visit Eastern Catholic or Orthodox Churches. Go for the Church tour!

 

[Mickey]

This was actually a very common practice until recently even here in the US and it was also practiced in Roman Catholic parishes.

I can remember the hat clips on the pews on the “mens” side of the church and none on the womens side. This was in my Baba’s Slovak Roman Catholic parish. When they got new pews, the hat clips disappeared.

The Byzantine Catholic church I go to when I visit relatives still has the hat clips on the “mens” side pews.

I’ve been in Italian and German and Lithuanian Roman Catholic churches where I live and they still have the hat clips on the “mens” side pews…

Cool!! I did not know that.