Ukranian Catholicism

[Upgrade25]

I have noticed a strong pull to Ukranian(and Slavic(correct me if wrong terminology)) Catholicism. The constant pleas of “Lord, have mercy,” and the amazing chant of the more Slavic traditions drew me in, in a way not felt since the first time I heard polyphony. The only such church in my area is Ukranian Catholic.

How would I prep for such a Liturgy? Do I try to memorize it, and what should I expect? I know that there isn’t kneeling. Is it ad orientem or versus populum? I know the accidents of bread and wine are mixed, but how?(Also, I assent to Concomitance.)

It’s really close to my house, and I will be getting my permit soon. Seeing as my grandparents are cool with checking out other traditions, by Spring or Summer next year I will be able to drive there.

 

[SyroMalankara]

I’d recommend, first time, just put the book down and absorb everything. Maybe the second or third Liturgy, pick up the book and follow words. You don’t want to miss the Liturgy by focusing on the text in the book your first time.

 

[JurisPrudens]

I have noticed a strong pull to Ukranian(and Slavic(correct me if wrong terminology)) Catholicism. The constant pleas of “Lord, have mercy,” and the amazing chant of the more Slavic traditions drew me in, in a way not felt since the first time I heard polyphony. The only such church in my area is Ukranian Catholic.

How would I prep for such a Liturgy? Do I try to memorize it, and what should I expect? I know that there isn’t kneeling. Is it ad orientem or versus populum? I know the accidents of bread and wine are mixed, but how?(Also, I assent to Concomitance.)

It’s really close to my house, and I will be getting my permit soon. Seeing as my grandparents are cool with checking out other traditions, by Spring or Summer next year I will be able to drive there.

Well, UGCC churches vary. Some have pews, some don’t have them and all the congregation stands.

If You are female, You might better find a head scarf (although it is not obligatory).

The Divine Liturgy is ad orientem.

The accident of bread is slightly immersed in the accidents of wine. The Communion Rite involves the priest saying the name of the communicant (“Servant of God, N., is taking Communion”); and thus he might ask Your name during communion. The Host is delivered by the spoon into the mouth.

In fact, the Ukrainian Church I have been to HAD kneeling during the Consecration. Thus, You should look at what others do.

There is not much to be done by the faithful. Of course, You might find the text of the Divine Liturgy and learn the responses. It is longer than the Western Mass, so it might take some time to learn, if You want to.

The only important difference of ritual for the ordinary faithful is the Sign of the Cross - the Greek Catholics make it by joining the thumb and two fingers, up-down-right-left. However, I don’t think anyone will be offended if You make the Sign the way You’re used to.

Enjoy!

 

[Upgrade25]

Well, UGCC churches vary. Some have pews, some don’t have them and all the congregation stands.

If You are female, You might better find a head scarf (although it is not obligatory).

The Divine Liturgy is ad orientem.

The accident of bread is slightly immersed in the accidents of wine. The Communion Rite involves the priest saying the name of the communicant (“Servant of God, N., is taking Communion”); and thus he might ask Your name during communion. The Host is delivered by the spoon into the mouth.

In fact, the Ukrainian Church I have been to HAD kneeling during the Consecration. Thus, You should look at what others do.

There is not much to be done by the faithful. Of course, You might find the text of the Divine Liturgy and learn the responses. It is longer than the Western Mass, so it might take some time to learn, if You want to.

The only important difference of ritual for the ordinary faithful is the Sign of the Cross - the Greek Catholics make it by joining the thumb and two fingers, up-down-right-left. However, I don’t think anyone will be offended if You make the Sign the way You’re used to.

Enjoy!

I’m a guy. Would my black long sleeved, collared dress shirt and khakis work?

 

[JurisPrudens]

I’m a guy. Would my black long sleeved, collared dress shirt and khakis work?

Well, for men it is the same as with the Latin Rite - just look decent.

 

[PennyinCanada]

We have kneeling in our city. I would recommend for the first few visits just to keep your head up and watch what’s going on rather than try to follow in the Divine Liturgy book. When you do want to follow in the book, sit close to someone so you can see what page they are on. It can get confusing when you are new to it. There are prayers for the deceased which get skipped over on Sunday so you can get bogged down when you should just turn the page and keep going.

I very much enjoyed Vespers on Saturday night. The hymnology is very rich and full of catechism. Very beautiful. Like singing poetry and glorifying God together. Often confession was available during Vespers as well.

During the Liturgy I feel as though I am standing on the shoulders of the saints and martyrs that have gone before me and they are there cheering me on.
God bless!

 

[RCTechGeek]

We have kneeling in our city. I would recommend for the first few visits just to keep your head up and watch what’s going on rather than try to follow in the Divine Liturgy book. When you do want to follow in the book, sit close to someone so you can see what page they are on. It can get confusing when you are new to it. There are prayers for the deceased which get skipped over on Sunday so you can get bogged down when you should just turn the page and keep going.

I very much enjoyed Vespers on Saturday night. The hymnology is very rich and full of catechism. Very beautiful. Like singing poetry and glorifying God together. Often confession was available during Vespers as well.

During the Liturgy I feel as though I am standing on the shoulders of the saints and martyrs that have gone before me and they are there cheering me on.
God bless!

I would agree about trying to follow along (see what others are doing and follow along). No matter what church you attend (whether it be one of the Byzantine churches, a Latin church, or one of the Syriac churches, doesn’t matter), you can always count on the first part containing the readings from scripture and the second half will always have the consecration of the bread and wine and holy communion. What may differ between traditions is the prayers used during the liturgy. All of the Byzantine churches (whether Eastern Catholic or Orthodox) use the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom for the most part (the translation of it may differ between the various ethnic Byzantine churches). You don’t need to try to memorize anything yet since you’re still new to it, but it might be helpful to do some research on what happens during the Divine Liturgy before you go. The language used during the Divine Liturgy can depend on the people there. If there is a fair amount of people from the old country, father might be more inclined to use Ukrainian more than English (the Ukrainians don’t seem to use Old Slavonic as the language of the liturgy anymore). At the Ukrainian parish near me, the priest and deacon like to use a mix of both Ukrainian and English for the various parts of the Divine Liturgy since we do have a fair amount of people from the old country who attend (if you’re curious, this is the mission parish in Texas). If father uses Ukrainian, there might be a guide there containing a romanization of the Ukrainian. The kneeling during the consecration is a leftover latinization (that might not have been addressed yet). At the Ukrainian parish near me, we practice the Byzantine norm which is to stand during the consecration.

One thing you may notice is that the sign of cross is made any time the trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) is mentioned. The sign of the cross is done right-to-left by joining the thumb and two fingers (symbolizing the trinity) in the Byzantine tradition (the opposite of the Latin tradition). When it comes time for communion, the way to show you are going to receive is to cross your arms. Open your mouth when you get to the priest or deacon, and he will give you communion with a golden spoon. As for how the bread and wine are mixed, the priest will prepare the bread (the prosphora loaf) to be consecrated by cutting it up and placing it on the diskos and adding the water and wine to the chalice before the Divine Liturgy starts. After it is consecrated, when it comes time for communion he will take the consecrated bread and add it to the chalice (along with a bit of hot water). Depending on the tradition of the parish, antidoron (blessed bread) might be given out at the end of the liturgy. Originally, antidoron was given out to those who did not receive communion, but everyone takes it these days whether you received communion at the Divine Liturgy or not.