Is the Lebanese Church Catholic or Orthodox?

[Sunflower15]

I believe it is called Maronite, the Lebanese church, but I don’t know if it’s Catholic or Orthodox.

What is the Melkite Church?

I am trying to learn at least a little about other traditions, or is it churches?

Thanks.

 

[oneGODoneCHURCH]

I believe it is called Maronite, the Lebanese church, but I don’t know if it’s Catholic or Orthodox.

Catholic

What is the Melkite Church?

Both Catholic and orthodox I believe.

I am trying to learn at least a little about other traditions, or is it churches?

Thanks.

there is 2000years of history here i don’t think any of use know it all

 

[Aramis]

The Maronites are Catholic; there is no corresponding Orthodox equivalent.

The Melkites are Catholic; their orthodox counterpart is the Antiochian Orthodox Church.

Both are fully in union with Rome. The Maronites were out of communication but never in scism, for several hundred years, coming back into communication and reaffirming their unity in the 12th C. The Melkites had been the Antiochian Orthodox; the majority of the synod voted to come back into union, and did so; The modern AO are the synodal minority from that decision; they left the synod to remain free of Rome.

Both are also Patriarchal Churches; They consider their union to be one of equals, not one of submission, per se. The head of their church is their Patriarch, who is in Union with the See of Peter, and the visible head of the Catholic Union of Churches, the Pope.

They are fully valid and fully licit; you can fulfill your sunday obligation with them, and can receive all the sacraments (except ordination) as a Latin.

The Eastern Catholic churches have a separate body of Canon Law from the Latin Church; some things done in Eastern Churches are forbidden to be done in the Roman Church. EG: Using leavened bread for the Eucharist, churches without confessionals, no holy water at the doors, married priests.

Ordination is reserved to persons of the same Rite as the church they are ordained to serve in, with a strong preference that they be of the same church sui iuris.

 

[Sunflower15]

The Maronites are Catholic; there is no corresponding Orthodox equivalent.

The Melkites are Catholic; their orthodox counterpart is the Antiochian Orthodox Church.

Both are fully in union with Rome. The Maronites were out of communication but never in scism, for several hundred years, coming back into communication and reaffirming their unity in the 12th C. The Melkites had been the Antiochian Orthodox; the majority of the synod voted to come back into union, and did so; The modern AO are the synodal minority from that decision; they left the synod to remain free of Rome.

Both are also Patriarchal Churches; They consider their union to be one of equals, not one of submission, per se. The head of their church is their Patriarch, who is in Union with the See of Peter, and the visible head of the Catholic Union of Churches, the Pope.

They are fully valid and fully licit; you can fulfill your sunday obligation with them, and can receive all the sacraments (except ordination) as a Latin.

The Eastern Catholic churches have a separate body of Canon Law from the Latin Church; some things done in Eastern Churches are forbidden to be done in the Roman Church. EG: Using leavened bread for the Eucharist, churches without confessionals, no holy water at the doors, married priests.

Ordination is reserved to persons of the same Rite as the church they are ordained to serve in, with a strong preference that they be of the same church sui iuris.

Thank you! Very informative and interesting! So, can have communion or confession there? Now, they don’t have confessionals? How do they confess people?

 

[Catholic1954]

You may receive communion at a Maronite Mass. They receive by intinction. I don’t who they handle confession at our local Maronite Church. Their priest serves a couple of parishes in different cities and isn’t as availble as the ours.

 

[Aramis]

In a traditional byzantine (Including Melkite, Ukrainian, Ruthenian aka Carpetho-Rusyn, and Romainian Catholic Churches) parish, in front of the iconostas, standing, facing the Icon of Christ, with the priest’s stole held on top of your head by the priest. Truly humbling.

In a less traditional parish, standing next to the altar, behind the iconostas, with father’s hands and stole upon your head.

In a heavily latinized parish, in the confessional, the sacristy, or in Rev. Father’s Office.

I don’t know about the Maronites for sure, but they are likely to have confessionals.

Chaldeans tend to have confessionals as well, from what I’ve seen and read.

 

[Sunflower15]

The Maronites are Catholic; there is no corresponding Orthodox equivalent.

The Melkites are Catholic; their orthodox counterpart is the Antiochian Orthodox Church.

Both are fully in union with Rome. The Maronites were out of communication but never in scism, for several hundred years, coming back into communication and reaffirming their unity in the 12th C. The Melkites had been the Antiochian Orthodox; the majority of the synod voted to come back into union, and did so; The modern AO are the synodal minority from that decision; they left the synod to remain free of Rome.

Both are also Patriarchal Churches; They consider their union to be one of equals, not one of submission, per se. The head of their church is their Patriarch, who is in Union with the See of Peter, and the visible head of the Catholic Union of Churches, the Pope.

They are fully valid and fully licit; you can fulfill your sunday obligation with them, and can receive all the sacraments (except ordination) as a Latin.

The Eastern Catholic churches have a separate body of Canon Law from the Latin Church; some things done in Eastern Churches are forbidden to be done in the Roman Church. EG: Using leavened bread for the Eucharist, churches without confessionals, no holy water at the doors, married priests.

Is holy water not used at all? Why? I have never even thought about why we have it… Priests can marry after ordination, or they had to be previously married? [like our Deacons] Are the beards required for men? I notice all Eastern priests I have ever seen [in photos, I have never seen one personally] have beards.

Ordination is reserved to persons of the same Rite as the church they are ordained to serve in, with a strong preference that they be of the same church sui iuris.

 

[Aramis]

Is holy water not used at all? Why?

Used often… but mostly for giving blessings. Only one batch is made each year… on the feast of Theophany. Everyone takes home a bottle or two for when the kids are sick, for blessing the home, for use in prayer. The Parish keeps a stash as well.

I have never even thought about why we have it…

Because it is a sacramental! It aids you in your quest for grace!

I happen to know right where my bottle is. And, the little one being sick, She’s going to get a dose of it with a parental prayer tonight.

Priests can marry after ordination, or they had to be previously married? [like our Deacons]

Married before ordination to the deaconate, or celibate. Same as for Roman Deacons. Except that there is no bar to going on to the prieshood. Only men without wives may be ordained bishops, but traditionally, they could be without wives because of either celibacy or having been widowed…

Note that not all eastern churches allow married clerics, and some only allow married men to the deaconate.

Are the beards required for men? I notice all Eastern priests I have ever seen [in photos, I have never seen one personally] have beards.

I’ve met several who don’t. Rt. Rev. Fr. Wes Izer, Father Bishop William, Father Bishop George (of Eternal Memory), Father Bishop Gerald…

the beards vary from particular church to particular church. Ruthenians don’t require it, and the beard was, for a while, banned…

Ukrainians tend towards it, but not all have one.