Promoting our Eastern Sister Churches

[Hesychios]

mateo1973:

When I attended the Russian church, I already knew that they would not allow a Greek Catholic to receive communion, so I didn’t even bother to ask.

Mateo

I went to the OCA. I never asked for communion but there are two parishes in my area, very close to my home. The priest of one was a former bi-ritual Roman Catholic priest who was throwing big hints that he would commune me, but the situation was awkward and I have too much respect for the sacrament and the church to push on it, so I will never know if I was interpreting his overtures correctly.

The priest of the other was a former Episcopalian. He was very likeable and good with inquirers but I know for certain he would not commune me. I was told in no uncertain terms that it would not happen unless I was Chrismated. I didn’t ask, I was told so that there was no misconception about it. I respect that.

I like the OCA, and ACROD. I have never been to a ROCA parish although there is a bishop in my area. I am not interested in a Slavonic liturgy.

If the OCA were part of the Catholic Communion I would be in their church today, but I refuse to break with Rome and I will not accept re-Chrismation.

The Eastern Catholic churches have their problems, but that is part of their charm, individuals can make a difference! I returned to my regular Byzantine parish today after a 4 week break from it (I went to the local Roman parishes). I was missed, people wanted to talk to me. Some asked if I was well and “if I need anything, just call” and people asked if I got their emails, etc.

This is a parish of about 400 people! You simply cannot be anonymous there, everyone is glad to see you and you’ll know it.

 

[Salvo]

Hesychios:

This is a parish of about 400 people! You simply cannot be anonymous there, everyone is glad to see you and you’ll know it.

Wow! a 400 person Byzantine Catholic parish would be considered HUGE out here in California.

 

[prodromos]

Salvo:

Thanks for the info on the Bart’s forgivness of the sins of Constantinople. On another thread, people are yelping about it like it was just yesterday. I’ll be sure to tell them to take Bart’s example on this. Funny how the Orthodox didn’t ask for forgiveness ofr the genocide of the Latins in Constantinople 40 years prior. Oh well. We forgive 'em, don’t we?

Dear Salvo,

I think most Catholics would take offence if I were to refer to the Pope simply as “Johnny”

 

[Irish_Melkite]

prodromos:

I think most Catholics would take offence if I were to refer to the Pope simply as “Johnny”

Prodromos,

I agree; Patriarch Bartholomew deserves the same respect.

Many years,

Neil

 

[Edwin1961]

As most of you may already know due to my past posts, I was baptized Byzantine but my mother had me go to Roman grade school (no Byz grade school here).

When I returned back to my true rite, my pastor told me that the Roman priest should have told my mother, to take me and my two brothers to our own church on Sundays and Holy days. I guess my mother didn’t want to travel that far (only 6 miles).
I wonder if others here have experienced this while growing up.
Did the Roman priest want our family for financial contributions? (That parish was already large enough) OR to take another ByzCatholic away from their roots)? I will never know that answer but is either case common?

go with God!
Edwin

 

[Salvo]

prodromos:

Dear Salvo,

I think most Catholics would take offence if I were to refer to the Pope simply as “Johnny”

Actually we refer to the pope affectionately as JP or JP II. In Italian, we say “Giampa”. And I learned calling their Excellencies Patriarchs Bartholomew and Alexei II “Bart” and “Alex” from my Orthodox friends. All of us have the utter respect for these men and their positions.

You are right, there are many Catholics who get offended at seeing the term of affection for the pope as JPII. But usually these are Catholics with very sour personalities with no sense of humour. So, I’m really not bothered. Often times people forget that Popes and Patriarchs are living, breathing men, often with a sense of humour and a bond with the common man (JP really used to have this in spades).