I went to my first Divine Liturgy

[5Loaves]

I too went to my first Ruthenian/Byzantine Catholic church today as well. It was their 5pm Vespers/DL. I got there a few mins early and realized I was the only one that showed up! Luckily the priest realized I wasn’t a regular and gave me page numbers in the people’s book so I could follow most of it. I think I could have followed it easier if I had someone to help in the congregation but I’m always up for a liturgical adventure!

I couldn’t receive because I’m not yet Catholic so Father just had me bow my head and pronounced a blessing.

Afterwards Father gave me a short primer on the DL and how a lot of it works. And also how a person with the name Eugene O’Brien became a Byz Cath priest LoL
**
Related to all of this: can someone tell me what the after communion portion was about with the cross w oil on the forehead and the unconsecrated bread?**

All in all a beautiful and personal experience. I’m definitely going back to see a Sunday DL as well as after I’m received into the church so I can take communion off the gold spoon!

S prazdnikom!
What an interesting first experience. This being one of the 12 Great Feasts of the Eastern and Orthodox Churches I’m sure Father was happy someone showed up for the Vespers. (I’ll leave the having of Sat. night DL to someone else. )

That was the Artoklasia also called Litiy. It’s a beautiful little service. Partly my name comes from it because I’m very fond of it.

We went to the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation for Vespers tonight since it is their altar Feast day. There were two Metropolitans and 8 priests and we received blessed bread from the 5 loaves but no anointing. Wheat, wine and oil were all present with the five loaves on the table but only the bread seemed to receive a blessing, by the Metropolitans and the 8 priests who each kissed the loaf they were praying over as a unit. I’m used to being anointed at this festal Vespers litiy but maybe the anointing is more a Slavic thing than a Greek thing. I can’t complain-- they fed us the most delicious meal after Vespers.

P.S. I don’t know about the Ruthenian practice but for us Russians after the priest draws the cross in oil on your forehead you would kiss his right hand that is holding the brush. This is the same when receiving blest bread from him or after kissing the hand cross at the close of DL-- kiss his hand.

 

[TheExorcist]

S prazdnikom!
What an interesting first experience. This being one of the 12 Great Feasts of the Eastern and Orthodox Churches I’m sure Father was happy someone showed up for the Vespers. (I’ll leave the having of Sat. night DL to someone else. )

That was the Artoklasia also called Litiy. It’s a beautiful little service. Partly my name comes from it because I’m very fond of it.

P.S. I don’t know about the Ruthenian practice but for us Russians after the priest draws the cross in oil on your forehead you would kiss his right hand that is holding the brush. This is the same when receiving blest bread from him or after kissing the hand cross at the close of DL-- kiss his hand.

He did the cross in oil with his fingers (unless I missed the brush) and after he drew the cross I kissed the crucifix he had in his hand, and then took a small piece of the non consecrated bread.

 

[paglione]

I was born and raised in the Latin Rite. As a recent revert back to the Church, I learned of the different rites of which I never knew existed. I just attended a Byzantine Catholic Church annunciationbyzantine.org/

The church itself was beautiful, much more than a typical Latin Rite church here in the States. It reminded me of the old Catholic Churches in Mexico…which by the way I have never seen their equal, their beauty is beyond anything I have seen in Canada or America…maybe the European Churches rival them.

The Divine Liturgy was beautiful, I immediately felt as if I was transported to the ancient times. It was completely chanted from the beginning until the end. Even the reading of the new testament was chanted.

We were completely lost throughout but a helpful person gave us a sheet that guided us through the prayers.

Sunday, March 25, 2012
Dear Carlos 19,
I am a Latin rite Catholic all of my life but I recently went to my first Byzantine Catholic Liturgy (Ukrainian Catholic). I immediately fell in love with the Divine Liturgy, its great beauty, purity, sacredness, the chanting, the incense, the Eucharist with the golden spoon. But most of all the faithful chant the responses to the priest’s prayers of the Liturgy. The faithful do not just sit there are listen to the priest say the prayers of lthe Mass that so often happens in the Latin rite.
I have learned how to use the Byzantine Mass book (the missal) and now I am able to follow the priest in the Liturgy. Yes, I would go back. I only wish that Roman Catholics would understand that they are not the only Catholics- that there are other Catholic rites and traditions that give honor and glory to God and are in union with the Pope of Rome.
Peter Aglione

Some observations:

This is just my opinion only and I mean no criticism. For me in order to get the full message, I think I would need a break from chanting, especially in the readings of the scriptures.

It was extremely reverential especially when it came through the Eucharist. As we approached to take the Eucharist, some people were kissing an icon and then wiping it off. I had researched the proper way to take the Eucharist in an Eastern rite so no Amen for me but I did cross myself the Latin way…since the believers at this Church were crossing themselves backwards!!

Everyone was crossing themselves it seemed like every five minutes and at times bowing.

I really loved when the deacon said, be attentive before reading the scriptures.

The incense did not stop coming it seemed. I thought I saw a cloud of incense floating above us.

Babies were taking the Eucharist!!! This made so much sense to me, the same arguments that are given for infant baptism could also be made for the Eucharist.

Some people were kneeling when the consecration of the Eucharist was talking place,former Latins perhaps, I wanted to kneel but most were standing so I stood.

All in all it was a good spiritual experience. Will I be returning? Maybe from time to time but I realized I am a Latin through and through.

It left me with much much respect for my Eastern brothers and sisters.

 

[peace2u2]

I was born and raised in the Latin Rite. As a recent revert back to the Church, I learned of the different rites of which I never knew existed. I just attended a Byzantine Catholic Church annunciationbyzantine.org/

The church itself was beautiful, much more than a typical Latin Rite church here in the States. It reminded me of the old Catholic Churches in Mexico…which by the way I have never seen their equal, their beauty is beyond anything I have seen in Canada or America…maybe the European Churches rival them.

The Divine Liturgy was beautiful, I immediately felt as if I was transported to the ancient times. It was completely chanted from the beginning until the end. Even the reading of the new testament was chanted.

We do the same thing in the Roman Catholic Church. Although some Parishes may not. I am not sure. I know that I started participating in Morning Prayers, The Liturgy of the Hours or called Divine Office in my Catholic Church and yes it is very beautiful and a lovely way to start the day in praising and honoring God our Father in Heaven.


Psalm 63

A psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.
O God, you are my God-- for you I long! For you my body yearns; for you my soul thirsts, Like a land parched, lifeless, and without water.
So I look to you in the sanctuary to see your power and glory.
For your love is better than life; my lips offer you worship!
I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands, calling on your name.
My soul shall savor the rich banquet of praise, with joyous lips my mouth shall honor you!
When I think of you upon my bed, through the night watches I will recall
That you indeed are my help, and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy.
My soul clings fast to you; your right hand upholds me.

 

[peace2u2]

Carlos: It was terrific that you had an opportunity to experience the Light of the East, and your observations are characteristic of the Latin Catholic first exposure to Byzantine Rite Liturgy.

The Annunciation church is special, as its structure is distinctly Byzantine through and through.

BTW - the tradition of chant actually started with reference to the scripture readings. In the larger churches of New Rome / Constantinople, the readings had to be chanted in order for them to be heard by all present.

I would also note from your observations that it was actually the Latin Church that changed the direction in which you sign, so one might say, you cross yourself backwards. That said, that we cross ourselves so many times is the better take away from your experience. We signify the reference to and presence of the Holy Trinity whenever mentioned in the course of the Divine Liturgy.

How do I experience the Light of the East? I have no idea if there is any Eastern Rite Catholic Church in my area and have always desired this experience? Thanks.

 

[5Loaves]

How do I experience the Light of the East? I have no idea if there is any Eastern Rite Catholic Church in my area and have always desired this experience? Thanks.

Check the Find-A-Parish. If there is no Eastern Catholic Church near you (my parish is an hour away, so don’t use Latin Church standards to define “near”) you can look for an Orthodox Church. With the exception of the Maronite Church we come from Orthodox Churches and we share the same liturgy and spirituality they have.