Tis_Bearself
Patron
I am considering visiting a Ukrainian Catholic Church soon. I’ve never been to one. Any tips or pointers for an RC making a first visit to their Divine Liturgy?
May visit the Ukrainian Catholic Church soon, any tips?
- Thread starter Tis_Bearself
- Start date
- Status
M
Medawlinno
Guest
Not really any tips, but if you’ve ever been to a Greek Orthodox liturgy, it’s basically the same thing; just done in Ukrainian (depending on where you go). It’s the same rite; not sure if there are any minor things that are unique or not. Some of the hymns, etc. may be done in Old Church Slavonic (which is pretty cool).
E
eagerbeaver
Guest
A few pointers
1)On entering the Church please go to the Tetrapod and bow and cross yourself [ either right to left or left to right] twice, gently kiss the Icon [ the robes of the Mother of God or saint or Christ but never the hands, face of Christ or the Theotokos ]
2) Please don’t genuflect before the Altar [ which as I’m sure you know is behind the Iconostasis]
3) Since you will probably be visiting before Pentecost - there should be no kneeling - but …
4) When you go up to Receive Eucharist - please cross your arms over your chest and be prepared for the Priest asking your name before he Communes you.
4) When Receiving Eucharist , make sure your head is tipped back slightly and your mouth is wide open [ think of nestling birds being fed by their mother ] and do not close your mouth on the spoon.
I’m sure you have heard all these before
I do hope you enjoy it
1)On entering the Church please go to the Tetrapod and bow and cross yourself [ either right to left or left to right] twice, gently kiss the Icon [ the robes of the Mother of God or saint or Christ but never the hands, face of Christ or the Theotokos ]
2) Please don’t genuflect before the Altar [ which as I’m sure you know is behind the Iconostasis]
3) Since you will probably be visiting before Pentecost - there should be no kneeling - but …
4) When you go up to Receive Eucharist - please cross your arms over your chest and be prepared for the Priest asking your name before he Communes you.
4) When Receiving Eucharist , make sure your head is tipped back slightly and your mouth is wide open [ think of nestling birds being fed by their mother ] and do not close your mouth on the spoon.
I’m sure you have heard all these before
I do hope you enjoy it
W
Wife.of.Gabriel
Guest
I’d suggest calling the priest ahead of time to let him know who you are & that you’re coming. This way, he knows if you can receive Communion before you present yourself to him to receive the Eucharist.
Last edited:
B
babochka
Guest
I don’t think this would be necessary. I have heard of this practice in Orthodox parishes , but Catholic priests generally give communion to those who reasonably present themselves for it, unless they have reason to believe that the person should not receive. And, Eastern Catholic parishes and priests are used to Latin Rite visitors.
Z
ziapueblo
Guest
Don’t worry about following along with the book. Responses are easy enough to sing along with.
Enjoy!
ZP
Enjoy!
ZP
Tis_Bearself
Patron
The church is also in a tourist area and I am sure it is used to having people stop by who aren’t regular parishioners.
The reason why I would be going there is, there is no Roman Catholic church anywhere near. Or any other church. This is the only one around in that area.
The reason why I would be going there is, there is no Roman Catholic church anywhere near. Or any other church. This is the only one around in that area.
Last edited:
E
eagerbeaver
Guest
I’ll admit that I have seen people who are clearly visitors to a Ukrainian Catholic Church questioned by the priest when they approach the Chalice.
If you can it is as well to try and contact the priest in advance - or even before he starts preparing for Liturgy
If you can it is as well to try and contact the priest in advance - or even before he starts preparing for Liturgy
Last edited:
T
TomH1
Guest
I saw a video clip on YouTube of Russian Orthodox receiving Communion. It explained the correct way to do it, which is more or less as you describe. What my question is why does the communicant give her/his name to the priest before receiving Communion?
B
babochka
Guest
Because the person’s name is used when he or she is being given Holy Communion. " The servant of God, Tom, receives the most precious Body and Blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, for the remission of all his sins and for life everlasting. Amen."
Not every priest will ask for your name at the time of Communion, but if he knows it, he will use it.
Last edited:
T
TomH1
Guest
Thank you for that.
I didn’t know because the video I saw was in Russian and only the explanation was subtitled. I could see communicants speak prior to receiving Communion and assumed they were stating their name as the narrator said they must do. However, I cannot recall seeing the priest giving Communion speak so didn’t link the two.
Interestingly in the video it said you should always give your name even if well-known to the priest. The reason they gave was because he may be focusing on something else and may not recall your name.
I didn’t know because the video I saw was in Russian and only the explanation was subtitled. I could see communicants speak prior to receiving Communion and assumed they were stating their name as the narrator said they must do. However, I cannot recall seeing the priest giving Communion speak so didn’t link the two.
Interestingly in the video it said you should always give your name even if well-known to the priest. The reason they gave was because he may be focusing on something else and may not recall your name.
P
phil19034
Guest
“Do as the Romans do” or in this case, the Ukrainians.
When performing the Sign of the Cross, do the following:
- Bow
- cross from right to left
3 hold your thumb with your middle and index fingers
God Bless
B
babochka
Guest
Do you have a link to the video?
M
Margaret_Ann
Guest
In ALL the Mysteries (Sacraments), the person is called by his or her baptismal Christian name. And if one goes to confession the traditional Byzantine way (I.e. before the icon of Christ on the iconostas), the priest will say your name in the formula of absolution.
D
dochawk
Guest
The first is to check, and see what language it will be in. Some parishes will have two times, each in a different language.
Know that we stand, rather than kneel, in respect (as the western church also did before the Middle Ages).
hawk
Know that we stand, rather than kneel, in respect (as the western church also did before the Middle Ages).
Whaaaa??? There shouldn’t be kneeling on Sunday in any event, although there are protestations on a couple of particular Sundays.
- Since you will probably be visiting before Pentecost - there should be no kneeling - but …
hawk
E
eagerbeaver
Guest
The last twice I have visited a Russian Church [ Moscow Patriarchate ] the whole Congregation has prostrated at times during Liturgy - the last time was Thomas Sunday !!
My jaw hit the floor , but my forehead did not.
My jaw hit the floor , but my forehead did not.
T
TomH1
Guest
Certainly, it’s here.
D
dochawk
Guest
I was serving at the altar for my first Melkite liturgy.
After the words of institution, I’m used to preparing the incense for use after the Epiclesis.
So I found myself holding a lit and incensed censer as joined the priest in a prostration!
After the words of institution, I’m used to preparing the incense for use after the Epiclesis.
So I found myself holding a lit and incensed censer as joined the priest in a prostration!
B
babochka
Guest
Could be he was asking their name.
- Status