Various Rites in Communion with Rome - Similar Liturgies?

[Zeldarocks]

My RCIA sponsor, and a good friend of mine, once told me of the Church in Ethiopia (I think it was in Ethiopia) having a Liturgy very similar to that of the Latin Rite; despite never having known of the others’ existence. He cited this as proof of the Catholicity and authenticity of the Universal Catholic Church. What of this? Is there any veracity to this tale?

 

[aluminumthuribl]

My RCIA sponsor, and a good friend of mine, once told me of the Church in Ethiopia (I think it was in Ethiopia) having a Liturgy very similar to that of the Latin Rite; despite never having known of the others’ existence. He cited this as proof of the Catholicity and authenticity of the Universal Catholic Church. What of this? Is there any veracity to this tale?

Zeldarocks,

Congrats on your soon-to-be reception into the Church! I know this is an exciting time for you! Please be assured of my prayers for you!

I have heard this story too, however, not sure if it is Ethiopia or not? Hmmm… I will be doing some heavy searching today! LOL In the mean time I can’t wait to read the responses that come in.

Thanks for this question!

& Congrats again! (if you don’t mind me asking & not to take away from the point of this thread…what tradition are you coming from?)

Deo Gratias,

-Cody

 

[Zeldarocks]

Pentecostal Charismatic (Assemblies of God)

 

[SonCatcher]

I have attended a liturgy of the Divine Liturgy (St. John Chrysostom’s, I think) in the Ruthenian rite. There were many similarities to the Latin rite in the broad structure of the liturgy. Basically, it begins with the proclamation of the Bible followed by a homily/sermon. We recite the creed and then celebrate the Eucharist. The differences tend to be minor, such as the text, inclusion or exclusion of a given prayer or litany and the liturgical language used. Many Eastern rites use this liturgy. There are other liturgies in use for specific feasts and in other rites but I think the basic structure will be similar, just the subtleties will change.

Don’t confuse that for a similar experience by any stretch. You can’t really know what the liturgy is like any rite until you have experienced it for yourself.

 

[Zeldarocks]

This doesn’t completely answer my question though. My original question was with regards to the catholicity of the liturgies among the rites, specifically: A tale told to me by my sponsor about the Church in Ethiopia (I think it was in Ethiopia) having a Liturgy very similar to that of the Latin Rite; despite never having known of the others’ existence. He cited this as proof of the Catholicity and authenticity of the Church.

I was wondering whether or not there was any veracity to this tale.

 

[Digitonomy]

A tale told to me by my sponsor about the Church in Ethiopia (I think it was in Ethiopia) having a Liturgy very similar to that of the Latin Rite; despite never having known of the others’ existence. He cited this as proof of the Catholicity and authenticity of the Church.
I was wondering whether or not there was any veracity to this tale.

There is veracity to the tale. The way you phrased it makes it sound as though the Church in Ethiopia and the Church in Rome sprang up independently and created liturgies that through coincidence and/or the influence of the Holy Spirit turned out to be very similar.

A better way to describe it is that the liturgies of all the apostolic churches had a common origin, and have gradually evolved and diverged over time, while retaining many key features that are similar or identical. Ethiopia was separated by distance from the rest of the Christian world very early on, and for many centuries. For this reason some of their practices are farther removed from those of the Latin Rite than say, the Greek Orthodox Church.

 

[ByzCathCantor]

This doesn’t completely answer my question though.

Zeldarocks: our prayers are with you as you complete your initiation!

Your RCIA instructor was certainly well intentioned in making this point, and I do applaud your curiousity.

The Catholic Church is incredibly diverse, yet many do not fully appreciate that fact. For example, I’m a Byzantine-Ruthenian Catholic. Loosely translated, that means I belong to a Catholic Church that follows the Byzantine Rite, evolving in Eastern Europe using a liturgical language now referred to as Old Church Slavonic (as opposed to Greek, the genesis language of the Byzantine Rite, originating in Constantinople). The faith was brought to that part of the world by Sts. Cyril and Methodius, brothers who are often referred to as Apostles to the Slavs, sent as missionaries by the Patriarch of Constantinople from where the Byzantine Rite originated.

As you can see from my example, it sometimes gets a little difficult to explain without some historical reference.

To attempt to answer your question specifically, I would guess your RCIA instructor was refering to the either the Coptic (Egypt) or Eritrean / Ge’ez (Ethiopia) Catholics. However, I’m puzzled because neither follow the Latin Rite in their worship, as your friend and instructor inferred. The both descend from the Church of Alexandria and have a unique Rite.

He could be referring to the Maronites, who descend from the Church of Antoich and do have a Western style of worship. It’s quite beautiful actually, and most Latin Rite Catholics adapt to it quite readily. It is however classified as an Eastern Rite.

Either way, you are now exposed to a bit of the full breadth of the Catholic Church, East and West!

P.S. There is a chart in circulation that outlines all of this. I would be glad to post it here if that would be helpful to you.

 

[Zeldarocks]

That would be appreciated; although again, I don’t feel like you completely answered my question though: Since the various Rites developed independently from each other, that would attest to the true catholicity and authenticity of the Church, correct? I’m referring to the Rites established by the various apostles which are in full communion.

 

[ByzCathCantor]

That would be appreciated; although again, I don’t feel like you completely answered my question though: Since the various Rites developed independently from each other, that would attest to the true catholicity and authenticity of the Church, correct? I’m referring to the Rites established by the various apostles which are in full communion.

The ancient Church consisted of five major Patriarchates (the Pentarchy), each founded by one or more of the Apostles.

Rites of the Church followed from these major Patriarchal Churches (Sees, if you will) of the ancient Church.

Church of Jerusalem (founded by all Apostles) - St. James, Brother of Our Lord, as first vicar
Church of Antioch - St. Peter
Church of Rome - St. Peter
Church of Alexandria - St. Mark
Church of Constantinople - St. Andrew

All of these Churches are considered to be the components of the original One, Holy, Catholic Apostolic Church.

Sorry if I didn’t manage to answer you completely last time. From your OP, I thought you were trying to correctly identify the Church and/or Rite mentioned by your friend and RCIA instructor. The Egyptian and Ethiopian Churches decend from the Church of Alexandria.

 

[ConstantineTG]

There is Liturgical dancing in the Ethiopian Liturgy. So yes, they are similar

Depends what you mean by similar. All Liturgies of all Rites follow a similar formula, having the readings, Psalms, Gospel, homily, Anaphora and distribution of Communion.

If you want to see what Eastern Liturgies are like, you can visit Eastern Catholic or Orthodox parishes. Or from the comfort of your own home…

oltv.tv/id25.html

There is also a full Coptic Divine Liturgy on YouTube youtu.be/aVFgnHHOWHc

And also St. Elias in Brampton, Ontario has a wealth of videos sharing the Ukrainian Catholic Church way of worship: youtube.com/user/tsyhan

 

[SonCatcher]

That would be appreciated; although again, I don’t feel like you completely answered my question though: Since the various Rites developed independently from each other, that would attest to the true catholicity and authenticity of the Church, correct? I’m referring to the Rites established by the various apostles which are in full communion.

I think I understand the question, now. This is basically correct. The two rites had the same origin even if their development was separated through the centuries.

There are similar parallels in the development of doctrine. Both East and West have the same belief concerning the Eucharist. There is similar devotion to the Theotokos (Mother of God). Spend enough time on it and you will find quite a bit.

 

[jimrob]

There is a clear progression from the various forms of the Mass used in the Latin Rite back to Koine Greek Liturgy of St John Chrysostom (4th century) and the Syriac Liturgy of St James of Jerusalem (1st century). All three are in current use within parts of the Catholic Church. The Greek Orthodox Churches use the Liturgy of St John Chrysostom with some minor additions and the Armenian Apostolic and Serbic Orthodox Churches use a modified form of it. The Liturgies used by the Coptic and Ethiopian Churches are based on the Liturgy of St James of Jerusalem. The Anglican Orders of Holy Communion (Common Prayer and ASB) derive from the Sarum Rite of the Mass. So yes, they are all related.