Orthodox Divine Liturgy and Sunday Obligation

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Michael85

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Does attending an Eastern Orthodox Liturgy on Sunday fulfil the obligation of hearing Mass? I know it does if there is no Catholic church around but what about if there is a Catholic church nearby?
 
Michael85 said:
Does attending an Eastern Orthodox Liturgy on Sunday fulfil the obligation of hearing Mass? I know it does if there is no Catholic church around but what about if there is a Catholic church nearby?
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Just a note, if there is no Catholic church around then there is no obligation.
 
ByzCath said:
Just a note, if there is no Catholic church around then there is no obligation.
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There IS a Catholic Church around. If there’s a Catholic Church nearby, does the Eastern Orthodox Divine Liturgy fulfil the Sunday Obligation?
 
Michael85 said:
There IS a Catholic Church around. If there’s a Catholic Church nearby, does the Eastern Orthodox Divine Liturgy fulfil the Sunday Obligation?
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No. You must attend a Catholic “Mass” of any Rite. So you need to attend a Liturgy from a Church that is in communion with Rome.
 
Why ask us? Your pastor can more accurately answer this question.
 
Michael85 said:
Does attending an Eastern Orthodox Liturgy on Sunday fulfil the obligation of hearing Mass? I know it does if there is no Catholic church around but what about if there is a Catholic church nearby?
Click to expand...
There are two points raised by your post.
  1. If there is no Catholic church to go to then you are relieved of the obligation.
  2. You must in fulfilling the obligation do so in a Catholic Church, whether Latin, Eastern, or Oriental, on Sunday itself or on Saturday evening. You cannot fulfil the obligation in a non-Catholic Church or ecclesial community.
 
Michael85 said:
Does attending an Eastern Orthodox Liturgy on Sunday fulfil the obligation of hearing Mass? I know it does if there is no Catholic church around but what about if there is a Catholic church nearby?
Click to expand...
Attending an Orthodox Divine Liturgy never fulfills a Catholic’s Sunday obligation. If there is no Catholic parish, there is no obligation.
 
Spirithound said:
If there is no Catholic parish, there is no obligation.
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There would have to be a lack of a sacred place, e.g. parish church or chapel or ease, or of another Mass centre, or anywhere Mass is celebrated rather than the lack of a parish.
 
Hesychios said:
The obligation ceases, but the option remains …
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Or to be more accurate, one can attend the Orthodox Liturgy anytime, though fulfilling one’s obligation only happens by attending a Catholic Liturgy. So if there is no obligation for lack of a Catholic Liturgy, one still can and should (highly encouraged by the Catholic Church) attend the Orthodox Liturgy.
 
Michael85 said:
Does attending an Eastern Orthodox Liturgy on Sunday fulfil the obligation of hearing Mass? I know it does if there is no Catholic church around but what about if there is a Catholic church nearby?
Click to expand...
No. Only going to Mass or Catholic Divine Liturgy fulfills the Sunday obligation. If there is no Catholic church nearby, of any rite, then you are dispensed from your obligation, it seems. (that’s what I read in an article about this). Furthermore, if you happen to be at Divine Liturgy of the Eastern Orthodox, you should observe passively and not participate actively in the prayers and worship. The Church has traditionally taught this. Here is an article: christendom-awake.org/pages/thomas-crean/praying-with-non-catholics.htm God bless!
 
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