New Age Churches Vs Eastern Catholic Churches

[hjig22]

Im going through a bit of spiritual trouble im feeling drawn to a new age church.The new age church in town is really rocking so to speak with alot of young people.It is also a very modern and hip church to attend.Whereas my church is a modern EC church (organ,no iconastas) that is trying to get new members in old and young.Around my area the ECs have to be modern otherwise they are doomed- we will be losing one church soon to closure, and the other has its days numbered too. I dont like the new age survices one bit and like the more traditional style of things. I also converted to the EC faith last winter.What should I do? Anyone has similar experiences? What helped you?

 

[valentino]

IMO this new age religion isn’t going to bring people a bit closer the truth.People are so lost and confused and feel the traditional view of religion is outdated and false and we should get back to real Jesus religion.Its true that Catholic have been influence by society over the past say 70 yrs.and there has been a general laxity in the population as a whole.I think Vatican2 was an effort to bring this wayward generation back to basic Catholic values but obviously it was viewed differently by most people and it failed in its attempt.I believe the only answer is that the Church itself crack down so to speak and get back to the traditional.That way at least people have a clear choice whether to accept the truth or reject it.

 

[Alex_Luciano]

Im going through a bit of spiritual trouble im feeling drawn to a new age church.The new age church in town is really rocking so to speak with alot of young people.It is also a very modern and hip church to attend.Whereas my church is a modern EC church (organ,no iconastas) that is trying to get new members in old and young.Around my area the ECs have to be modern otherwise they are doomed- we will be losing one church soon to closure, and the other has its days numbered too. I dont like the new age survices one bit and like the more traditional style of things. I also converted to the EC faith last winter.What should I do? Anyone has similar experiences? What helped you?

I totally understand you. I feel the same way sometimes. However, remember where Christ’s Church really is and have faith in the Eucharist. No matter how fun or “hip” a new age church may be, none, absolutely none, can give you the greatest gift of all; Christ in the Eucharist. Look for young people in your parish and try starting something up, I am sure many feel as you do. If you just recently became EC try not to lose that first love feel that brought you in. Also, if you are more into the traditional aspects of our faith then you definitely will get tired of the new age “hipness” after a while. I am Latin-Rite but I occasionally attend a Ruthenian parish where I’m friends with the pastor.The Eastern Catholic Churches are heirs to a beautiful tradition and need young people like you to keep the faith alive for the following generations. Be strong and pray, always pray, prayer is really our strongest weapon.

 

[Little_Boy_Lost]

To the Original Poster,

What tradition is your parish from? Not all Eastern Churches have an iconostasis. That is mostly a coptic and byzantine tradition.

 

[hjig22]

Its Ukranian Byzantine. We have no icon screen but are fortunate to have an organ.I dont think I would like music without accompanyment. When the parish was built mostly the younger generation went and they wanted no icon screen.I dont think we ever will or should have one when so many churches are closing if you go back to the true original structure youd begin to lose members. At least thats the case in my city as I mentioned before above.

 

[Little_Boy_Lost]

Ah. That sounds atypical. Most Byzantine Churches following the renewal and return to eastern traditions reinforced by the affirmations of Rome and other Latin bishops, many parishes which had no iconostasis, had altar rails and the whole like began to install them. It cause some grumbling at first, since this seemed just as foreign to some Byzantine Catholics as it does latin catholics. I personally dislike musical accompaniment myself. I’ve never been to a byzantine church with an organ, but an orthodox priest I once talked to, said if you ever see an organ, to throw it out. It’s not proper.

This link may help understand the history of the changes.
melkite.org/latin.htm

Other eastern churches, like the armenians or chaldeans don’t have an iconostasis. So I was just wondering if perhaps you were part of that tradition. The iconostasis to Byzantine liturgy is pretty integral, so to not have one, you are definately missing a lot of the majesty of the services.

 

[kitkatty]

When I was growing up .Ruthenian Byzantine parish, the Church was still pretty Latinized, but one thing I dont remember my parish or actually any other Byzantine parish I went to at that time was having an organ. But then maybe some of the Ukrainian parishes did have? Im just thinking this had to be very uncommon.

 

[AveChriste11]

Hello hjig22,

Here’s the short answer: definitley STICK with your Catholic faith!

I’ve also been down that cradle of New Age thought, and it just gets murkier and more confusing. Make sure you understand the teachings of the Catholic Church too, that way you won’t be easily swayed by some of their claims.

May I ask what type of a “New Age” church it is? I attended a Unity Church one time, and they are very New Age… following an allegorical interpretation of mostly everything in the Bible. I have since learned about historical Christianity, and have found my way out of the desert and into the arms of the Church!

Also, if something ever happened to the Eastern churches in your area you can always go Latin Rite. However, whatever you decide to do… I would keep my Christianity; with the faith that was agreed on by the seven ecumenical councils.

 

[kitkatty]

Im going through a bit of spiritual trouble im feeling drawn to a new age church.The new age church in town is really rocking so to speak with alot of young people.It is also a very modern and hip church to attend.Whereas my church is a modern EC church (organ,no iconastas) that is trying to get new members in old and young.Around my area the ECs have to be modern otherwise they are doomed- we will be losing one church soon to closure, and the other has its days numbered too. I dont like the new age survices one bit and like the more traditional style of things. I also converted to the EC faith last winter.What should I do? Anyone has similar experiences? What helped you?

Hope I am reading your post correctly,sounds like you are contrasting a new age in Church in town with your Ukrainian parish which you say has an organ, no iconastis because they are trying to be “modern” to compete with the new age Church to attract younger people ?

Having an organ isnt modern but Western, same goes for lack of iconastis. If anything an organ is the traditional, and preferred thing from my pov to have in a Western Church, especially in contrast to guitars. I dont know why your parish doesnt have an iconastis and why they do have an organ :shrug:but thats beside the point when youre comparing them to a new agey Church ; no comparison.. The thing is I dont care what the agey Church does to attract to people they dont have anything to offer you. No sacraments, no valid priesthood, no apostolic Tradition. Just stay within the Catholic Church where youre a member of. These new agey religions have nothing to offer but empty spirituality and will not bring you closer to Christ.