Orthodox Christianity in Non-Agrarian Cultures

[mognar]

I found out that the Church of the East (nestorian) during the early middle ages expanded their influence even to the far east of Asia.

Some of the Mongolian tribes converted to this form of Christianity. Though I wonder, since mongolian society mostly consisted of nomadic herders and hunters, how did they practice their christianity ? (No farming - No bread - No wine). Could substitutes be used in the eucharist ?

I could imagine a certain type of protestant christianity working in such society (’‘all you need to do is to believe in Jesus’’). But what about the catholic/orthodox type of christianity, with all of its rituals/sacraments for which we need a certain resources. Should those sacraments be ignored in such situations ? Or should substitutes be used ? (When there is no bread and wine available)

 

[1ke]

Could substitutes be used in the eucharist ?

No.

Should those sacraments be ignored in such situations ? Or should substitutes be used ? (When there is no bread and wine available)

Whenever Mass is offered, bread and wine must be used. Like many other times and places, some people may have gone a long time between masses.

Trade, agriculture, and traveling priests could provide matter for the sacraments.

The question of “should” something else be used is a non-starter as nothing else **can **be used. The only way to confect a valid Eucharist is with bread and wine.

 

[gus]

No.

Whenever Mass is offered, bread and wine must be used. Like many other times and places, some people may have gone a long time between masses.

Trade, agriculture, and traveling priests could provide matter for the sacraments.

The question of “should” something else be used is a non-starter as nothing else **can **be used. The only way to confect a valid Eucharist is with bread and wine.

Japanese Christianity survived for 200 years without a priest
They appointed someone who baptised. and handed down what they were taught orally by the Jesuits from generation to generation.
When Japan was re-opened 200 years later they had two questions to verify if the missionary was authentic. Are you loyal to the father in Rome and are you celibate.

 

[mognar]

Japanese Christianity survived for 200 years without a priest
They appointed someone who baptised. and handed down what they were taught orally by the Jesuits from generation to generation.
When Japan was re-opened 200 years later they had two questions to verify if the missionary was authentic. Are you loyal to the father in Rome and are you celibate.

This actually reminded me that I have seen a documentary about the ‘‘hidden christians’’ of Japan. And there was this person keeping the eucharistic tradition, he was not a priest, and he used rice (instead of bread) and sake (instead of wine) during his private celebration of ‘‘eucharist’’.

I guess we cannot recognize this as a valid sacrament, but I think it is amazing to see, that even among persecution and lack of proper resources, the faithful somehow kept a recognition of this sacrament.

 

[andrewstx]

I found out that the Church of the East (nestorian) during the early middle ages expanded their influence even to the far east of Asia.

Some of the Mongolian tribes converted to this form of Christianity. Though I wonder, since mongolian society mostly consisted of nomadic herders and hunters, how did they practice their christianity ? (No farming - No bread - No wine). Could substitutes be used in the eucharist ?

I could imagine a certain type of protestant christianity working in such society (’‘all you need to do is to believe in Jesus’’). But what about the catholic/orthodox type of christianity, with all of its rituals/sacraments for which we need a certain resources. Should those sacraments be ignored in such situations ? Or should substitutes be used ? (When there is no bread and wine available)

Just a tip, members of Church of the East are very offended by being called “Nestorians”.