Resources for Latins learning about the East

  • Thread starter Thread starter PazzoGrande
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
P

PazzoGrande

Guest
Can anyone suggest books or sites that can teach Latins about the Easterners? I’m looking for info like their vestments, languages, customs, etc. Resources for English-speakers are hard to find.

And yes, I know there are 20 different churches I’m asking about; I’d like to learn about them all!
 
Paulist Press publishes 101 Q&A about Eastern Catholicism (I think that’s the title) by Deacon Ed Faulk of the Melkite GC Church. It’s an excellent starting point. You’ve posted a large order, though. You will likely have to pare it down to a topic or a Church at a time. You can always ask questions here or seek out an Eastern/Oriental community forum on-line that has a different type of member base (as to what I mean by that, see my next comment).

One risk that I’ve seen here is that, too often, questions are answered by well-intended Latins who will tell an inquirer 'Well, I’ve heard … ’ or "I know … ’ and provide absolutely incorrect info. You need to carefully note who is providing the info (not that you can’t also find EC/OC posters who will also offer wrong answers because they are in over their heads).
 
Diakonia said:
Paulist Press publishes 101 Q&A about Eastern Catholicism (I think that’s the title) by Deacon Ed Faulk of the Melkite GC Church. It’s an excellent starting point. You’ve posted a large order, though. You will likely have to pare it down to a topic or a Church at a time. You can always ask questions here or seek out an Eastern/Oriental community forum on-line that has a different type of member base (as to what I mean by that, see my next comment).

One risk that I’ve seen here is that, too often, questions are answered by well-intended Latins who will tell an inquirer 'Well, I’ve heard … ’ or "I know … ’ and provide absolutely incorrect info. You need to carefully note who is providing the info (not that you can’t also find EC/OC posters who will also offer wrong answers because they are in over their heads).
Click to expand...
Meaning you need to make sure that they have some sort of Eastern Catholic Church listed in their religion section? Should that also apply to Eastern Catholics who answer questions on the other forums?
 
Father George Appleyard wrote a short primer a few years back specifically intended to be used in Latin RCIA classes, Light of the East: A Guide to Eastern Catholicism for Western Catholics that you can get from the Eparchy of St. Josaphat bookstore.

Fr. Lawrence Cross of the Russian Catholic Church also wrote a nice introduction called Eastern Christianity: The Byzantine Tradition that is usually available on Amazon. The Knights of Columbus also have a booklet in the Veritas series on the Eastern Catholic Churches; I am attaching a version of that booklet written by Ukrainian Greek Catholic Bishop (Emeritus) +Basil Losten.
 
PazzoGrande said:
Can anyone suggest books or sites that can teach Latins about the Easterners? I’m looking for info like their vestments, languages, customs, etc. Resources for English-speakers are hard to find.

And yes, I know there are 20 different churches I’m asking about; I’d like to learn about them all!
Click to expand...
Books and websites are useful but to learn about us you need to come take part in Divine Liturgy and our other services. Tonight is the festal vigil for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, and tomorrow is DL for the Feastday. 🙂

Find a parish here
 
Books and websites are useful but to learn about us you need to come take part in Divine Liturgy and our other services. Tonight is the festal vigil for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, and tomorrow is DL for the Feastday.
Click to expand...
On the Gregorian calendar, that is. Indeed, “come and see” is the best approach.
 
Diakonia said:
Paulist Press publishes 101 Q&A about Eastern Catholicism (I think that’s the title) by Deacon Ed Faulk of the Melkite GC Church. It’s an excellent starting point. You’ve posted a large order, though. You will likely have to pare it down to a topic or a Church at a time. You can always ask questions here or seek out an Eastern/Oriental community forum on-line that has a different type of member base (as to what I mean by that, see my next comment).
Click to expand...
Just ordered. Thanks! 👍
 
Attending Divine Liturgy and other Services in an Eastern Catholic parish is probably the best resource . . .

Alex
 
5Loaves said:
Books and websites are useful but to learn about us you need to come take part in Divine Liturgy and our other services. Tonight is the festal vigil for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, and tomorrow is DL for the Feastday. 🙂

Find a parish here
Click to expand...
Alexander_Roman said:
Attending Divine Liturgy and other Services in an Eastern Catholic parish is probably the best resource . . .

Alex
Click to expand...
Yeah I tried actually, but the one and only Eastern Catholic community we have here doesn’t even have a priest to regularly celebrate Divine Liturgy anymore (I’m in Hawaii, it’s Ukrainian; there aren’t any other in Communion with Rome).
 
PazzoGrande said:
Yeah I tried actually, but the one and only Eastern Catholic community we have here doesn’t even have a priest to regularly celebrate Divine Liturgy anymore (I’m in Hawaii, it’s Ukrainian; there aren’t any other in Communion with Rome).
Click to expand...
Go to the Orthodox then. If you just want to feel and experience, its the same thing. You may not be able to receive Communion nor fulfill your Sunday Obligation, but the prayers are 99.9% the same (the only difference is they do not commemorate the Pope).
 
PazzoGrande said:
Yeah I tried actually, but the one and only Eastern Catholic community we have here doesn’t even have a priest to regularly celebrate Divine Liturgy anymore (I’m in Hawaii, it’s Ukrainian; there aren’t any other in Communion with Rome).
Click to expand...
S prazdnikom! We were at the Orthodox Church tonight. Our parish didn’t have the festal vigil. This is a favorite Feast for me. I wouldn’t miss this Vigil. Rugburns on the forehead 😃

Rejoice, O Life-bearing Cross, the invincible trophy of godliness, door to Paradise, firm support of the faithful, a wall that encompasses the Church!
Through you corruption has been destroyed and abolished.
The power of death has been swallowed up, and we are raised from earth to Heaven.
You are a weapon that cannot be vanquished, the adversary of demons, the glory of the martyrs, the true adornment of saints, and the haven of salvation that grant the world great mercy.

Orthodox Churches in Hawaii
.
 
PazzoGrande said:
Can anyone suggest books or sites that can teach Latins about the Easterners?!
Click to expand...
Bread & Water, Wine & Oil: An Orthodox Christian Experience of God by Archimandrite Meletios Webber as a highly readable introduction.

The videos Catherine Alexander did with the monks are all excellent:
“Who are Eastern Catholics?” PART 1 and PART 2 with Fr. Maximos of Holy Resurrection Monastery
Eastern Catholic Theology PART 1 and PART 2 with Fr. Abbot Nicholas of Holy Resurrection Monastery
Fasting in the Byzantine Church Year and Feasting in the Byzantine Church Yearwith Fr. Moses of Holy Resurrection Monastery
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top