Should I check out a Russian or a Greek church first?

[steve_b]

If I switched rites, I would, by definition, not be Roman Catholic anymore, but rather Byzantine, Maronite etc.

And, I am not sure I want to leave the Catholic Church at all.

You’re not leaving the CC if you change rites. You would leave the CC if you became EO.

You mentioned that the closest you could come to the Eastern experience was 30 minutes away from you. And that was a borrowed chapel, not the “full” experience you were looking for. Have you done a computer search for what you are looking for, and how far you will have to travel from your home?

 

[Augustus24]

You’re not leaving the CC if you change rites. You would leave the CC if you became EO.

You mentioned that the closest you could come to the Eastern experience was 30 minutes away from you. And that was a borrowed chapel, not the “full” experience you were looking for. Have you done a computer search for what you are looking for, and how far you will have to travel from your home?

The closest Eastern Catholic Church from me is about an hour and a half away, and they offer a DL in my area about once a month in a borrowed latin chapel, without the icon doors, and iconostasis etc.

There are three Eastern Orthodox Church within 15 minutes of me, a Greek (Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America) which is currently without a priest, a very small Russian ROCOR parish, as well as very small Coptic Orthodox Church.

About an hour away from me is an Orthodox parish which is technically under the GOAA but part of the Palestinian and Jordanian vicariate, I have been told this parish has a large number of converts, and another Greek parish with an active priest.

I would like a parish that is more welcoming to converts and newcomers and lacking in the tribalism that I have head is part of many EO parishes. For this reason, I am also considering visiting the Palestinian and Jordanian Vicariate Parish even though it is a bit of a drive.

 

[Alexander_Roman]

Didn’t Father Galadza’s son spend short time at Jordanville studying? I seem to remember something about that. It didn’t go so badly for him.

Or am I thinking of someone else?

Yes, I’m related to him by marriage. I think that wonderful Presbytera was a “one-off.”

I know you wouldn’t attack me if I told you I was UGCC . . .

(Or would you?)

Alex

 

[5Loaves]

Chrystos voskres!
Alex-

… I love attending Orthodox services at all manner of Orthodox Churches.

It only strengthens my communion with Rome within the context of a centre of Apostolic unity bringing together different Churches with their particular rites, traditions and spiritualities.

Alex

As a UGC you probably have more opportunities to worship in your home Church than I do as a Russian Catholic in a tiny parish. Without the very gracious Russian Orthodox, and sometimes Greek Orthodox offering me a home-away-from-home, my life as an EC would be VERY different. Many in my tiny parish likewise are in the ROCOR Cathedral and the OCA Cathedral for weekday services. I’m on the other side of the Bay and I have made my home-away-from-home in another Russian Orthodox parish but also sometimes go to the Holy Trinity Cathedral (OCA), the oldest Orthodox parish in the contiguous United States home to the Bishop of San Francisco and the West, and to the ROCOR Cathedral which is an exquisite temple containing the reposed St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco. On his next trip to SF Augustus24 should definitely visit this beautiful Cathedral.

I visited a ROCOR parish in western New York last year and when I identified myself as UGCC, I was set upon by the wife of the pastor: “You should become Orthodox, right now, that (Eastern Catholicism) is not the same!” …
Thought she was going to take a swing at me at one point . . .

I’ve had similar experiences, more like the blood draining out of their face as the look of horror comes into it… in both ROCOR and OCA…** and** I’ve had very genuine welcome and "we’re the same, and everything in between, come from both, as well as from the Greeks, when it came out that I’m Russian Byz Catholic.

 

[5Loaves]

The closest Eastern Catholic Church from me is about an hour and a half away, and they offer a DL in my area about once a month in a borrowed latin chapel, without the icon doors, and iconostasis etc.

I understand the unfortunate circumstances of the borrowed location of this place. On the other hand Fr. Anthony is a really wonderful very orthodox Eastern priest. His home parish, St. Basil’s, has outgrown their location in Los Gatos and has to meet now in a larger location in Palo Alto on Sundays. If only for possible spiritual direction you’d do well to spend some time with him.

There is St Anne Byzantine (Ruthenian) in SLO but since they list “Rosary prior to Divine Liturgy” on their calendar I’d be leery of that, tho it could be that it’s not otherwise significantly Latinized. I don’t know at all.

 

[Alexander_Roman]

Chrystos voskres!
Alex-

As a UGC you probably have more opportunities to worship in your home Church than I do as a Russian Catholic in a tiny parish. Without the very gracious Russian Orthodox, and sometimes Greek Orthodox offering me a home-away-from-home, my life as an EC would be VERY different. Many in my tiny parish likewise are in the ROCOR Cathedral and the OCA Cathedral for weekday services. I’m on the other side of the Bay and I have made my home-away-from-home in another Russian Orthodox parish but also sometimes go to the Holy Trinity Cathedral (OCA), the oldest Orthodox parish in the contiguous United States home to the Bishop of San Francisco and the West, and to the ROCOR Cathedral which is an exquisite temple containing the reposed St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco. On his next trip to SF Augustus24 should definitely visit this beautiful Cathedral.

I’ve had similar experiences, more like the blood draining out of their face as the look of horror comes into it… in both ROCOR and OCA…** and** I’ve had very genuine welcome and "we’re the same, and everything in between, come from both, as well as from the Greeks, when it came out that I’m Russian Byz Catholic.

This reminds me of the mother of Bl Leonid Fyodorov, the great Russian Catholic Hieromartyr. She couldn’t attend EC services and was told by her RC priest to stay away from the ROC. When Met. Andrew Sheptytsky met with her, he told her to go and attend the ROC Daily Office services because they are all holy etc.

Russian Catholics bear a unique witness to Christ - and you do as well.

May the Saints of Russia protect you always!

Alex

 

[5Loaves]

There is St Anne Byzantine (Ruthenian) in SLO but since they list “Rosary prior to Divine Liturgy” on their calendar I’d be leery of that, tho it could be that it’s not otherwise significantly Latinized. I don’t know at all.

I never like to appear to “dis” any parish… on further exploring I see that St Anne Byzantine (Ruthenian) in San Luis Obispo has a wonderful montage of the massive renovation and building that resulted in their current temple. WOW! They must be a strong community to have taken on such a large project.

 

[Montalo]

I think we are beginning to truly understand each other, Smad!

Your point is well taken.

I visited a ROCOR parish in western New York last year and when I identified myself as UGCC, I was set upon by the wife of the pastor: “You should become Orthodox, right now, that (Eastern Catholicism) is not the same!”

I smiled and nodded courteously before beating a hasty retreat . . .

Thought she was going to take a swing at me at one point . . .

Alex

thats my parish

well, the one im going to be Baptized/Chrismated in in the fall

EDIT: To add relevance to the thread, I have personally found my my home in the Russian Church (ROCOR)
main differences

GO is on the New( Revised Julian) Calander, MP is on the Old (Julian) Calander

the Greeck churches that I personally have been to have pews, while my(future) parish does not

 

[Alexander_Roman]

thats my parish

well, the one im going to be Baptized/Chrismated in in the fall

It’s a wonderful parish with a simply terrific pastor and his wife!!

I love the icon of Our Lady of Pochaev you have there!

Alex

 

[Montalo]

It’s a wonderful parish with a simply terrific pastor and his wife!!

I love the icon of Our Lady of Pochaev you have there!

Alex

ive exchanged emails with the pastor, he is a lovely and quite helpful man

Just to clarify, we are talking about Sts. Theodore(which is/will be mine), and not the one in rochacha

 

[Alexander_Roman]

ive exchanged emails with the pastor, he is a lovely and quite helpful man

Just to clarify, we are talking about Sts. Theodore(which is/will be mine), and not the one in rochacha

It’s a superb parish! You are very lucky!

Alex

 

[JohnVIII]

Dominus Vobiscum!

And with thy spirit!

 

[steve_b]

The closest Eastern Catholic Church from me is about an hour and a half away, and they offer a DL in my area about once a month in a borrowed latin chapel, without the icon doors, and iconostasis etc.

There are three Eastern Orthodox Church within 15 minutes of me, a Greek (Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America) which is currently without a priest, a very small Russian ROCOR parish, as well as very small Coptic Orthodox Church.

About an hour away from me is an Orthodox parish which is technically under the GOAA but part of the Palestinian and Jordanian vicariate, I have been told this parish has a large number of converts, and another Greek parish with an active priest.

I would like a parish that is more welcoming to converts and newcomers and lacking in the tribalism that I have head is part of many EO parishes. For this reason, I am also considering visiting the Palestinian and Jordanian Vicariate Parish even though it is a bit of a drive.

How close is your Church to you?

 

[5Loaves]

…Russian Catholics bear a unique witness to Christ - and you do as well.

May the Saints of Russia protect you always!

Alex

Thank you. We actually were not in the formal Schism, but eventually the rift reached us and eventually we came into communion with the Catholic Church.

I pray we can continue to survive, we four parishes in the US. I need to write to Fr. Loya. He and Katie did a run down of the ECCs/OCCs on the program last Sunday., 5/1, #344 and we Russians were left out.

 

[smad0142]

May God bless and expand those four parishes.

 

[Augustus24]

How close is your Church to you?

The current Roman Catholic church I attend is about 10 minutes away. There are closer ones, but it is one of the famous California missions, and the beauty and historicity of the building is unsurpassed.

 

[steve_b]

The current Roman Catholic church I attend is about 10 minutes away. There are closer ones, but it is one of the famous California missions, and the beauty and historicity of the building is unsurpassed.

Is it by chance the one where Fr Junipero Serra is buried near the altar?

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

The closest Orthodox parishes in my area are up in Fresno, 60 miles north from my town. There is a Greek, Serbian, and Coptic up there in Fresno. Here in town there is only Coptic. That is 100% middle eastern and I’d feel ethnically too fish outta water with them I think. I’ve considered looking at the Greek or Serbian up in Fresno. I just think an hour away is a really lousy scenario…

I’m really fascinated by Orthodoxy now and would like to see what it’s all about but honestly, this might sound goofy, but I’m a little nervous and freaked-out about looking into it! I don’t know what to expect. I’ve heard stories that are very conflicting…

 

[Rawb]

The closest Orthodox parishes in my area are up in Fresno, 60 miles north from my town. There is a Greek, Serbian, and Coptic up there in Fresno. Here in town there is only Coptic. That is 100% middle eastern and I’d feel ethnically too fish outta water with them I think. I’ve considered looking at the Greek or Serbian up in Fresno. I just think an hour away is a really lousy scenario…

I’m really fascinated by Orthodoxy now and would like to see what it’s all about but honestly, this might sound goofy, but I’m a little nervous and freaked-out about looking into it! I don’t know what to expect. I’ve heard stories that are very conflicting…

bow…meet an old Visalia boy living in Fresno attending St. Peter the Apostle Serbian Orthodox Church. I’d be happy to be your personal guide through the world of Orthodoxy. PM me if you’re interested.

 

[5Loaves]

bow…meet an old Visalia boy living in Fresno attending St. Peter the Apostle Serbian Orthodox Church. I’d be happy to be your personal guide through the world of Orthodoxy. PM me if you’re interested.

Wonderful! This is exactly the kind of invite I was hoping would come up.