Since im going to become Roman Catholic I have a question about Eastern practice

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hey first off is it ok for a Roman to pray a eastern Catholic prayer(im assume its ok but im making sure) and also i cant find any eastern Catholic prayers (primary Byzantine is what i’m looking for) or like a Theotokos prayer can someone please post some thanks and God bless
 
hey first off is it ok for a Roman to pray a eastern Catholic prayer(im assume its ok but im making sure) and also i cant find any eastern Catholic prayers (primary Byzantine is what i’m looking for) or like a Theotokos prayer can someone please post some thanks and God bless
Yes, its okay to pray Byzantine prayers. But the spirituality of the prayers are different, just so you understand.

You can look up Orthodox prayers, they are just the same. There are no such thing as Catholic or Orthodox prayers really. Its not like you debate Papal Primacy in the prayers.
 
Yes, its okay to pray Byzantine prayers. But the spirituality of the prayers are different, just so you understand.

You can look up Orthodox prayers, they are just the same. There are no such thing as Catholic or Orthodox prayers really. Its not like you debate Papal Primacy in the prayers.
thank you, how are they different exactly?
 
thank you, how are they different exactly?
Prayers reflect the theology of the spirituality of the Rite. You will notice for example that God is always “Father, Son and Holy Spirit” unless addressed specifically in the prayer such as in the Our Father. Mary will always be the Theotokos.
 
From what i have seen which i admit is very limited is that the Eastern Spirituality is much more ascetic then that of the west.
 
hey first off is it ok for a Roman to pray a eastern Catholic prayer(im assume its ok but im making sure) and also i cant find any eastern Catholic prayers (primary Byzantine is what i’m looking for) or like a Theotokos prayer can someone please post some thanks and God bless
Well, here is a good website about the Byzantines, and a good place to start learning about our prayers and liturgies:thumbsup:

byzcath.org/
 
hey first off is it ok for a Roman to pray a eastern Catholic prayer(im assume its ok but im making sure) and also i cant find any eastern Catholic prayers (primary Byzantine is what i’m looking for) or like a Theotokos prayer can someone please post some thanks and God bless
It’s fine. You can even use the Orthodox versions.
 
thank you, how are they different exactly?
The spirituality of the East is different; therefore, their prayers are different. Simply looking at the prayers themselves gives you an idea. The East, in my experience, tends to have a more poetic, flowing way of praying. There is a great amount of repetition- thus making even the most simple of prayers a litany of sorts.
  • Trinitarian: This not to say that Western prayers are not that. Rather, you will find many more invocations of the Trinity (always accompanied by crossing one’s self) throughout prayers. “Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit- both now and unto ages of ages” is a very common phrase that is oft repeated not only at the end of every prayers, but also after almost every petition.
  • Communal: While prayer is personal, prayer is always in community. Even if one is praying alone, one is still praying for, and with, the Communion of Saints. It is common to use a plural form of prayer (we, our, us, etc) while praying for again, prayer is a communal activity. It is common to repeat the phrase, “Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers” or something similar often.
  • Marian: You think Roman Catholic piety is Marian? You ain’t seen nothing yet, friend. No good Eastern prayer is complete without an invocation to the Most Holy, Immaculate, and Ever-Virgin Mary the Theotokos. After each petition it is usually (always in every case I know of) said something like, “Through the intercession of the Holy Theotokos, oh Lord, save us!” Also at the end of every prayer (before the final doxology to the Trinity) is said or sung a “Theotokion”, a special hymn in honor of the Theotokos.
  • Visual: The usual practice of Eastern prayer is to pray before the icons. Icons are considered to be “windows into heaven”; it is through them that one has a deep and personal encounter with all the host of Heaven. There is a saying that goes, “God is glorified in His Saints and Angels”; icons drive home this point. Icons are always portrayed in such a manner so that their object is shown from a heavenly, glorified point of view. This is not only to give one a glimpse of heavenly glory, but also a sign of what is our destiny- to be united and glorified in God. Commonly speaking Eastern Catholic/Orthodox homes have a icon corner- a space that is specially set aside for prayer. Besides the holy icons (of which, no matter what, at least consist of Christ and the Theotokos) there is usually a family altar upon which are the Scriptures, prayer books, candles, incense, holy water, and other such devotional items.
  • Ascetic: Prayer is tough work. We are called to not only honor God with our hearts and minds, but our bodies as well. A very common practice is to pray before the icon corner/iconostasis standing; while in the West kneeling is the gesture of humility, in the East it is standing. Also common is the use of prostrations, though how many (if any) varies person to person, and such practices are usually discussed with one’s spiritual director.
That is about it. Of course, this is merely from an outsider’s perspective and general knowledge; I’m sure someone who prays in such a manner can better explain it all.
 
hey first off is it ok for a Roman to pray a eastern Catholic prayer(im assume its ok but im making sure) and also i cant find any eastern Catholic prayers (primary Byzantine is what i’m looking for) or like** a Theotokos prayer **can someone please post some thanks and God bless
Rejoice virgin Theotokos, Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, for thou hast borne the Savior of our souls.
 
Maybe all those who posted before me are more knowledgeable, I have a question for you…seems by your post your heart is in the Eastern Rite. Then why would you want to change that to the Western Rite? True, we ‘see’ things differently and having had a foot in both, I think the Eastern Rite is more intense (for lack of a better word).

One person told me: The East sees God - the Trinity - as King. The West sees God, mostly Jesus as the Good Shepherd. Though I am Eastern Rite I see so much lacking (again, for lack of a better word) in the Western Rite.

If your heart is in the East, why switch? Follow your heart.
 
Maybe all those who posted before me are more knowledgeable, I have a question for you…seems by your post your heart is in the Eastern Rite. Then why would you want to change that to the Western Rite? True, we ‘see’ things differently and having had a foot in both, I think the Eastern Rite is more intense (for lack of a better word).

One person told me: The East sees God - the Trinity - as King. The West sees God, mostly Jesus as the Good Shepherd. Though I am Eastern Rite I see so much lacking (again, for lack of a better word) in the Western Rite.

If your heart is in the East, why switch? Follow your heart.
well i feel in a rock in a hard place so to speak i feel drawn too both, what makes you be Eastern if i may ask
 
well i feel in a rock in a hard place so to speak i feel drawn too both, what makes you be Eastern if i may ask
Catholics can correct me if I am wrong, but there’s no problem with being canonically Roman and practicing ER or vice versa, or from adopting devotional practices from any Catholic Rite (as there are several).
 
hey first off is it ok for a Roman to pray a eastern Catholic prayer(im assume its ok but im making sure) and also i cant find any eastern Catholic prayers (primary Byzantine is what i’m looking for) or like a Theotokos prayer can someone please post some thanks and God bless
I suggest that you find an Eastern Church in your area and attend. Here is the Byzantine website and you can look for what are called eparchies.

byzcath.org/

I saw some in Canton and Parma. I do not know where in Ohio you live. A prayer is a prayer. East/West 7 sacraments. In the East there is lots more obvious outward expression of the mystery, use of the body, and of course the signing of the cross. Communion is via a spoon wine/bread comingled. The readings are announced by the deacon “be attentive” and there is incense used. The liturgy in the Byzantine is the liturgy of John Chrysostom. You can go to youtube and punch in liturgy of John Chrysostom and you can see it in action. It is beautiful and a wonder.

Words are different, methods different the intent is the same East/West.
 
Catholics can correct me if I am wrong, but there’s no problem with being canonically Roman and practicing ER or vice versa, or from adopting devotional practices from any Catholic Rite (as there are several).
You can be canonically Roman or canonically Eastern and attend either service. When in Rome do as the Romans when in the East do as the East.

There are times when it good to go to a Byzantine one Sunday, Melkite the next, Chaldean (they have no icons) the next and Roman. It is an education worth having. If you have access to any of the other 18 Catholic Churches then by all means visit them too. Sooner or later you will find a parish you will call home.
 
Catholics can correct me if I am wrong, but there’s no problem with being canonically Roman and practicing ER or vice versa, or from adopting devotional practices from any Catholic Rite (as there are several).
Yes, many Eastern Rites who have migrated to North America end up in RC parishes because its the only Catholic parish close by, or its the most convenient one (distance, number of services, discounts in the parish-attached schools, etc.). And many devout RCs have found the Eastern Spirituality more to their liking (like myself) and have been full-time members of the Eastern communities and attend their services almost exclusively.
 
The spirituality of the East is different; therefore, their prayers are different. Simply looking at the prayers themselves gives you an idea. The East, in my experience, tends to have a more poetic, flowing way of praying. There is a great amount of repetition- thus making even the most simple of prayers a litany of sorts.
  • Trinitarian: This not to say that Western prayers are not that. Rather, you will find many more invocations of the Trinity (always accompanied by crossing one’s self) throughout prayers. “Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit- both now and unto ages of ages” is a very common phrase that is oft repeated not only at the end of every prayers, but also after almost every petition.
  • Communal: While prayer is personal, prayer is always in community. Even if one is praying alone, one is still praying for, and with, the Communion of Saints. It is common to use a plural form of prayer (we, our, us, etc) while praying for again, prayer is a communal activity. It is common to repeat the phrase, “Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers” or something similar often.
  • Marian: You think Roman Catholic piety is Marian? You ain’t seen nothing yet, friend. No good Eastern prayer is complete without an invocation to the Most Holy, Immaculate, and Ever-Virgin Mary the Theotokos. After each petition it is usually (always in every case I know of) said something like, “Through the intercession of the Holy Theotokos, oh Lord, save us!” Also at the end of every prayer (before the final doxology to the Trinity) is said or sung a “Theotokion”, a special hymn in honor of the Theotokos.
  • Visual: The usual practice of Eastern prayer is to pray before the icons. Icons are considered to be “windows into heaven”; it is through them that one has a deep and personal encounter with all the host of Heaven. There is a saying that goes, “God is glorified in His Saints and Angels”; icons drive home this point. Icons are always portrayed in such a manner so that their object is shown from a heavenly, glorified point of view. This is not only to give one a glimpse of heavenly glory, but also a sign of what is our destiny- to be united and glorified in God. Commonly speaking Eastern Catholic/Orthodox homes have a icon corner- a space that is specially set aside for prayer. Besides the holy icons (of which, no matter what, at least consist of Christ and the Theotokos) there is usually a family altar upon which are the Scriptures, prayer books, candles, incense, holy water, and other such devotional items.
  • Ascetic: Prayer is tough work. We are called to not only honor God with our hearts and minds, but our bodies as well. A very common practice is to pray before the icon corner/iconostasis standing; while in the West kneeling is the gesture of humility, in the East it is standing. Also common is the use of prostrations, though how many (if any) varies person to person, and such practices are usually discussed with one’s spiritual director.
That is about it. Of course, this is merely from an outsider’s perspective and general knowledge; I’m sure someone who prays in such a manner can better explain it all.
Thanks, that’s actually a pretty good description.
 
An important note to the poster, the difference between ‘Orthodox’ and ‘Catholic’ is not theological, but ecclesiastical. I forgot which Council cited this formally, Vat II probably.

What that means is, the division between the Churches is not theology or the practice of religion but the administration and authority within said religion. Therefore it is not wrong to pray or attend a Orthodox service versus a Catholic one although the Church would much prefer you to attend a Catholic one

Not to say, however, there are not small theological differences, one being the Filioque, but in the long run this debate is not recognized as an impeding barrier theologically (in the sense that would cause authorities to classify the other authorities practice/liturgy/prayers as entirely heretical.)
 
hey first off is it ok for a Roman to pray a eastern Catholic prayer(im assume its ok but im making sure) and also i cant find any eastern Catholic prayers (primary Byzantine is what i’m looking for) or like a Theotokos prayer can someone please post some thanks and God bless
In fact many are indulgenced, for the faithful of any Church sui iuris:

23 - The prayers of the Eastern Churches

By nature of the catholicity of the Church “the particular gifts the particular parts bring to the rest of the whole Church, such that the whole and each part increase” (LG 13) in all the spiritual gifts of Divine generosity – Hence it came about that the prayers from various traditions of the East, even among the faithful of the Latin rites,especially in these recent years, are employed, with considerable spiritual benefit in private or public piety.

§ 1.41 a plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who devoutly recite the Office of the Paraclisis or the Akathistos hymn in the church or oratory, or in a family, a religious community, and in general when several of the association of Christ’s faithful in the end agree to honorably and devoutly recite. In other circumstances, however, the indulgence will be partial.

But in regard to acquiring a plenary indulgence, it is not required for the recitation of a complete Akathistos hymn, but it is enough for an adequate continuous recitation of any part of legitimate according to custom.

In the Christian faithful of the Eastern Churches, where the practice of these devotions does not exist, other similar exercises in honor of the blessed Virgin Mary, of the statues established by the patriarchs, enjoy the same indulgences.

§ 2. A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who, for the time and on occasion of some devoutly recite the prayer from the following:
  • The Prayer of Thanksgiving (from the Tradition of the Armenians);
  • Evening Prayer, Prayer for the Faithful Departed (from the Byzantine Tradition);
  • The Prayer of the Shrine, the Prayer "Lakhu Mara’, known as the “To thee, O Lord” (from the tradition of the Chaldeans);
  • A Prayer for the Offering of Incense, Prayer to Glorify Mary the Mother of God (from the Coptic tradition);
  • Prayer for the Remission of Sins, Prayer for Following in the Footsteps of Christ (from the Ethiopian Tradition);
  • Prayer for the Church, Prayer After the Celebration of the Liturgy (from the Maronite Tradition); and the
  • Intercessions for the Faithfully Departed from the Liturgy of St. James (from the Syrian-Antiochene Tradition).
23
Preces Orientalium Ecclesiarum
Catholicitatis vi, Ecclesiae « singulae partes propria dona ceteris partibus et toti Ecclesiae afferunt, ita ut totum et singulae partes augeantur » (LG 13) quoad universa spiritalia Divinae largitatis munera: inde factum est ut preces ex variis traditionibus orientalibus, etiam apud fideles latini ritus, ultimis praesertim his annis, sparsae sint, et haud modico cum religiosae pietatis emolumento sive privatim sive publice usurpatae.
§ 1.41 Plenaria indulgentia conceditur christifideli qui hymnum Akathistos vel officium Paraclisis in ecclesia aut oratorio, vel in familia, in religiosa Communitate, in christifidelium consociatione et generatim cum plures ad aliquem honestum finem conveniunt pie recitaverit. In aliis rerum adiunctis vero indulgentia erit partialis.
Quod attinet vero ad hymnum Akathistos pro indulgentia plenaria acquirenda non requiritur recitatio integra, sed sufficit recitatio continua congruae alicuius partis iuxta legitimam consuetudinem.
Apud christifideles orientales, ubi harum devotionum praxis non habeatur, alia similia exercitia in honorem beatae Mariae V., a Patriarchis statuta, iisdem indulgentiis gaudent.
§ 2. Partialis indulgentia conceditur christifideli qui, pro tempore ac pro re, aliquam precem ex sequentibus devote recitaverit: Oratio pro gratiarum actione (ex Traditione Armenorum); Oratio vespertina, Oratio pro defunctis (ex Traditione Byzantina); Oratio Sanctuarii, Oratio « Lakhu Mara » seu « Ad te Domine » (ex Traditione Chaldaeorum); Oratio ad thurificationem, Oratio ad glorificandam Dei Matrem Mariam (ex Traditione Coptica); Oratio pro remissione peccatorum, Oratio pro adipiscenda sequela Christi (ex Traditione Aethiopica); Oratio pro Ecclesia, Oratio post expletam Liturgiam (ex Traditione Maronitarum); Intercessiones pro defunctis ex Liturgia S. Iacobi (ex Traditione Syro-Antiochena).

vatican.va/roman_curia/tribunals/apost_penit/documents/rc_trib_appen_doc_20020826_enchiridion-indulgentiarum_lt.html
 
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