Orthodox and Eucharistic Adoration

[ConstantineTG]

There is this thread of an Adoration Flash Mob in England by two Franciscan Friars, and in the discussion one commented that you will see who are the Catholics and Orthodox in the crowd. Now of course the poster meant both believe in the Real Presence and would thus reverence the Blessed Sacrament in the Monstrance. I would expect Eastern Catholics to know what to do even though Eucharistic Adoration was never part of the Eastern traditions. But how would the Orthodox really react if they are in a public area and a Monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament was placed in their midst?

 

[Rawb]

If it were me I’d probably cross myself, bow, and keep walking.

 

[JonNC]

If it were me I’d probably cross myself, bow, and keep walking.

I’m a Lutheran, Rawb, and I’d probably do the same.

Jon

 

[CompSciGuy]

Since we’re on the subject, I thought I would ask briefly, do Orthodox believe that Catholics have valid sacraments? Catholics believe this about Orthodox.

 

[jam070406]

Since we’re on the subject, I thought I would ask briefly, do Orthodox believe that Catholics have valid sacraments? Catholics believe this about Orthodox.

I believe they would claim they don’t know. In other words, they know where God is but can’t say where He isn’t.

 

[Volkov]

I find the idea somewhat disturbing… Of the “flash mob,” not the adoration, that is.

As an Orthodox Christian, I have been taught to cross myself when passing by a Catholic church, so I suppose I would do just that. I really have no idea what “Eucharistic Adoration” involves from a Catholic perspective.

As for sacraments, the position I’ve usually encountered is that of “we know we have them, and that’s all we can really say.” This is emphatically not to state we don’t think others have them. We’re just not too caught up in spelling it all out–it’s out of our hands anyway, is it not?

Please note, as this may explain the position better, that as far as I’m aware Orthodoxy has historically not designating a precise number of sacraments even for itself. Seven has come into popular consciousness, but I seem to recall reading that this stems from RC influence coming into play during later centuries, at least in the Russian Church (via Ukraine and Kyiv-Mohila). We’re okay with the “spirit moving where it will,” so I think that most Orthodox would not in the least be trying to insult anyone by saying we “don’t know.” It’s just the most logical and theologically consistent answer we can give based on our understandings.

That said, as a cradle old calendar Orthodox (not so much into being PC, my section of the Orthodox world), I can tell you that in my own experience, almost everyone I’ve known among the laity growing up has regarded the Catholic Church as a sacramental church in terms of everyday interactions with Catholics. But according due respect is not the same as agreeing on doctrine. And the distinctions are far deeper than just the Papacy and filioque.

 

[CompSciGuy]

As for sacraments, the position I’ve usually encountered is that of “we know we have them, and that’s all we can really say.” This is emphatically not to state we don’t think others have them. We’re just not too caught up in spelling it all out–it’s out of our hands anyway, is it not?

I would say that’s a pretty reasonable response. Our reasoning is that, since the Orthodox bishops and priests have the gift of apostolic succession, their sacraments must be valid.

 

[Hesychios]

There is this thread of an Adoration Flash Mob in England by two Franciscan Friars, and in the discussion one commented that you will see who are the Catholics and Orthodox in the crowd. Now of course the poster meant both believe in the Real Presence and would thus reverence the Blessed Sacrament in the Monstrance. I would expect Eastern Catholics to know what to do even though Eucharistic Adoration was never part of the Eastern traditions. But how would the Orthodox really react if they are in a public area and a Monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament was placed in their midst?

I don’t know what a flash mob is

Anyway, as a relatively new eastern Catholic I think you realize we easterns think of the Eucharist more as a verb than as a noun, so Eucharistic adoration always anticipates Eucharistic consumption . It is *in the eating *that a Eucharist is doing what it was intended to do. Why anyone would want to adore the Holy Eucharist for an extended time and then walk away from it doesn’t make much sense to me.

Anyway, as brief as it is we too adore the Eucharist, even as we swallow it … we even (as you know) adore the gifts before the epiclesis, which is not the same thing but sort of anticipates a great happening.

I too cross usually myself when I pass Catholic chapels (and even cemetaries). However I wouldn’t criticize a non-Catholic who did not do this.

I give the Roman Catholic sacraments the benefit of the doubt, but I cannot claim that all Orthodox would do the same, or even that they necessaily should. If I came across a procession with a monstrance I would probably respectfully stand there until it passes and cross myself, whether it was Old Catholic, SSPX or Roman Catholic.