What should I expect when I visit a Byzantine church?

[RC_Sojourner]

Hello,
I recently moved in with my parents, and I discovered that there is a Byzantine Catholic Church a few streets over from their house.

Anyways, I’m a Latin Rite Catholic, and I’ve never been to an Eastern Liturgy in my whole life. What should I expect, (when I eventually go)?

I don’t want to be a complete fish out of water… I remember when I went to my first Latin Mass (TLM), I had no idea what to expect.

 

[ClearWater]

Hello,
I recently moved in with my parents, and I discovered that there is a Byzantine Catholic Church a few streets over from their house.

Anyways, I’m a Latin Rite Catholic, and I’ve never been to an Eastern Liturgy in my whole life. What should I expect, (when I eventually go)?

I don’t want to be a complete fish out of water… I remember when I went to my first Latin Mass (TLM), I had no idea what to expect.

I’d be curious to know, as well!

 

[Vico]

Hello,
I recently moved in with my parents, and I discovered that there is a Byzantine Catholic Church a few streets over from their house.

Anyways, I’m a Latin Rite Catholic, and I’ve never been to an Eastern Liturgy in my whole life. What should I expect, (when I eventually go)?

I don’t want to be a complete fish out of water… I remember when I went to my first Latin Mass (TLM), I had no idea what to expect.

The emphasis is on the Resurrection in the Divine Liturgy. There are several liturgies used in the Byzantine Catholic Church, mostly the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. Expect to stand mostly and not kneel (which is penitential and Sunday is the celebration of the Resurrection) and there is some sitting also. Incense is normal as well as singing (no musical instruments). Generally there are eight sets melodies called tones that are rotated in use. You can find recordings here: metropolitancantorinstitute.org/

The general portions of the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom or the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great:

Liturgy of Preparation (Prothesis, may occur before people arrive)
Liturgy of the Catechumens (Includes the Gospel and Homily)
Liturgy of the Faithful (includes Eucharistic Prayer and Holy Communion)

It is normal to have a priest and cantor and lector. Sometimes there is a deacon.

Streaming Divine Liturgy from Holy Ghost Byzantine Catholic Church:

ustream.tv/channel/holy-ghost-church

 

[RyanBlack]

First of all, there’s no need to be anxious. Most Eastern Catholics in the west are accustomed to Latin Catholic visitors who are unfamiliar with the Divine Liturgy.

You may see people venerating the icons. If you wish to do so, you certainly may, but don’t feel as if you must. If you decide to do so, just imitate what others are doing.

You will notice that there is more repetition than in the Roman Mass. Also, there will lots of use of incense.

The basic outline of the Divine Liturgy is the same as the Roman Mass–a liturgy of the word and a eucharistic liturgy.

There is an opening blessing, prayers and hymns, and what is known as the Little Entrance. After the Little Entrance, there is the Epistle reading and the reading from the Gospel, which if followed by the homily.

After the homily, there is an offertory, and then the eucharistic liturgy begins with the singing of the Cherubic Hymn, which if followed by the Great Entrance. After the Great Entrance, the Creed will be sung, followed by the anaphora, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Communion. Communion is received from a spoon (unless it is a Melkite parish). It is the Byzantine tradition to stand throughout the eucharistic liturgy, as well as to receive communion.

Again, there’s no reason to be anxious. Just imitate the locals.

 

[RC_Sojourner]

Wow, okay now I’m way more interested in this now. Basically, you’ve given me some scant details, and my imagination is now running wild with what it must be like!

So, if you stand most of the time, are there pews? Ok, I know you probably do, as there is sitting, but it just seems weird to be standing in a pew that long…

And, people are venerating icons off to the sides and stuff, just as everything is going on?

Hmm, I had to check their schedule tomorrow, to see if I might go after Mass, but it looks like their only Liturgy is going to conflict with my Mass time. I just may go next week though, they have a Saturday evening Liturgy which I might go to.

Also, why do you guys call it a Liturgy instead of a Mass? Do you have Masses as well?

Oh, and I should ask, will it be in a different language?

[Sorry, I literally know more about Judaism than I do about Eastern Catholicism, which is kind of sad. I have many friends who are Maronite, but I’ve never been to their Church, other than that I really no very little about what goes on in any Eastern Church]

 

[RyanBlack]

Wow, okay now I’m way more interested in this now. Basically, you’ve given me some scant details, and my imagination is now running wild with what it must be like!

So, if you stand most of the time, are there pews? Ok, I know you probably do, as there is sitting, but it just seems weird to be standing in a pew that long…

And, people are venerating icons off to the sides and stuff, just as everything is going on?

Hmm, I had to check their schedule tomorrow, to see if I might go after Mass, but it looks like their only Liturgy is going to conflict with my Mass time. I just may go next week though, they have a Saturday evening Liturgy which I might go to.

Also, why do you guys call it a Liturgy instead of a Mass? Do you have Masses as well?

Oh, and I should ask, will it be in a different language?

[Sorry, I literally know more about Judaism than I do about Eastern Catholicism, which is kind of sad. I have many friends who are Maronite, but I’ve never been to their Church, other than that I really no very little about what goes on in any Eastern Church]

There will most likely be pews. Veneration of icons is generally done upon entering and leaving the church. Divine Liturgy, rather than Mass, is what we traditionally call our celebrations of the Eucharist. The language will likely be English. Attendance fulfills your Sunday obligation.

 

[Zekariya]

Do not genuflect or kneel on Sundays. Making the sign of the Cross and bowing is how we show reverence on Sundays.

We make the sign of the Cross when walking past the altar. This done to show respect to the Gospel Book which is kept on the altar. Traditionally, we only reserve the Eucharist when it is needed for the sick and during Lent for the Presanctified Liturgy (similar to the West reserving the Eucharist for Good Friday). If there is no need, we don’t keep the Eucharist reserved.

It is a good idea to chose one person to copy the reverent actions. There is a lot less uniformity of what lay people do during the Divine Liturgy than the Western Mass. It can appear chaotic to visitors. That is why I suggest that you chose one individual to copy instead of copying everyone.

Never kneel to receive the Eucharist (even during a weekday Liturgy); coming back to a standing position can knock into the Chalice and cause an accident.

 

[Cojuanco]

Wow, okay now I’m way more interested in this now. Basically, you’ve given me some scant details, and my imagination is now running wild with what it must be like!

So, if you stand most of the time, are there pews? Ok, I know you probably do, as there is sitting, but it just seems weird to be standing in a pew that long…

And, people are venerating icons off to the sides and stuff, just as everything is going on?

Hmm, I had to check their schedule tomorrow, to see if I might go after Mass, but it looks like their only Liturgy is going to conflict with my Mass time. I just may go next week though, they have a Saturday evening Liturgy which I might go to.

Also, why do you guys call it a Liturgy instead of a Mass? Do you have Masses as well?

Oh, and I should ask, will it be in a different language?

[Sorry, I literally know more about Judaism than I do about Eastern Catholicism, which is kind of sad. I have many friends who are Maronite, but I’ve never been to their Church, other than that I really no very little about what goes on in any Eastern Church]

You need not worry about missing Mass. Attendance at a Byzantine Catholic Divine Liturgy fulfills your Sunday obligation.

 

[RC_Sojourner]

Do not genuflect or kneel on Sundays. Making the sign of the Cross and bowing is how we show reverence on Sundays.

We make the sign of the Cross when walking past the altar. This done to show respect to the Gospel Book which is kept on the altar. Traditionally, we only reserve the Eucharist when it is needed for the sick and during Lent for the Presanctified Liturgy (similar to the West reserving the Eucharist for Good Friday). If there is no need, we don’t keep the Eucharist reserved.

It is a good idea to chose one person to copy the reverent actions. There is a lot less uniformity of what lay people do during the Divine Liturgy than the Western Mass. It can appear chaotic to visitors. That is why I suggest that you chose one individual to copy instead of copying everyone.

Never kneel to receive the Eucharist (even during a weekday Liturgy); coming back to a standing position can knock into the Chalice and cause an accident.

Thank you! This is all very helpful information!

If you are willing to go an additional time to church this week, you might go to the Byzantine parish for Theophany. The parish should at least have the Divine Liturgy on January 6, AM or PM.

I would consider going tomorrow, but their website isn’t the best. It doesn’t show any Liturgy times except for Saturday and Sunday, and no bulletins… I think I’ll go next Saturday afternoon, or maybe Sunday morning. I’ll let everyone know how it goes!

 

[janeway529]

From my experience, if you arrive a bit early or stay after Mass and are able to introduce yourself to the priest, he’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have. Also, don’t stick out your tongue or hands for Holy Communion. The priest will drop the Eucharist in your mouth through a special spoon.

The particular parish/co-cathedral I visited happened to have a Romanian Catholic priest after the Ruthenian-Byzantine Divine Liturgy setting up for another Divine Liturgy for the Romanian congregation.

 

[Aramis]

Wow, okay now I’m way more interested in this now. Basically, you’ve given me some scant details, and my imagination is now running wild with what it must be like!

So, if you stand most of the time, are there pews? Ok, I know you probably do, as there is sitting, but it just seems weird to be standing in a pew that long…

Some parishes have pews. Some have chairs. A few have railings that look at first like pews, but have no bench. Some have a totally open nave.

And, people are venerating icons off to the sides and stuff, just as everything is going on?

In general, people approach the icon on the tetrapod (a small table in the middle of the center aisle (if there are chairs or pews) or center of the nave. They say a few short quiet prayers, kiss the icon, make the sign of the cross, and possiibly bow to the congregation (I was taught to bow to the congregation if there is some service going on while I venerate the icon.)

Hmm, I had to check their schedule tomorrow, to see if I might go after Mass, but it looks like their only Liturgy is going to conflict with my Mass time. I just may go next week though, they have a Saturday evening Liturgy which I might go to.

Also, why do you guys call it a Liturgy instead of a Mass? Do you have Masses as well?

Mass is a corruption of the Roman “Missa” - from the dismissal, the deacon says “Ite missa est.”

Canon Law uses the generic term “Divine Worship Service” for any Eucharistic Liturgy, and for the few non-Eucharistic liturgies which fulfill the same role in the communal praxis.

Properly, “Mass” is the term for the Roman Divine Worship Service, and liturgy is a synonym for “worship service with fixed rubrics and texts”; One can legitimately state the the Roman Mass is the Roman Rite’s Divine Liturgy; in fact, the Eastern Orthodox sometimes refer to the Roman Mass as “The Divine Liturgy of St. Gregory.”

Mass is used by the Chaldeans, Syro-Malabar, and Maronites as a matter of convenience in English; their proper terms I can’t remember which uses which, Quorbono, Qurbana…

Byzantines, we use “Divine Liturgy” or “божецтбеннара литургия” (božectvennaja liturgija) or other translated terms that mean the same - the Liturgy God instituted.

Oh, and I should ask, will it be in a different language?

it might be. If it’s a Ruthenian Church (Byzantine Catholic Metropolitan Church Of Pittsburgh - Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, Eparchy of Passaic, Eparchy of Parma, or Eparchy of Phoenix, possibly labelled Eparchy of Van Nuys), it might be in (in descending order of probability) English, Spanish, Church Slavonic, “other”…

[Sorry, I literally know more about Judaism than I do about Eastern Catholicism, which is kind of sad. I have many friends who are Maronite, but I’ve never been to their Church, other than that I really no very little about what goes on in any Eastern Church]

Good start to learn more!:byzsoc:

Oh, and don’t be surprised to see the sign of the cross done Right to Left.

 

[frjohnmorris]

Hello,
I recently moved in with my parents, and I discovered that there is a Byzantine Catholic Church a few streets over from their house.

Anyways, I’m a Latin Rite Catholic, and I’ve never been to an Eastern Liturgy in my whole life. What should I expect, (when I eventually go)?

I don’t want to be a complete fish out of water… I remember when I went to my first Latin Mass (TLM), I had no idea what to expect.

May I suggest that you do not try to follow the service the first time. There are so many variations according to the feast, tone of the week, etc. and prayers said privately by the Priest that it usually completely confuses a person the first time that they attend the Byzantine Liturgy. I also suggest that you sit or stand, depending on the traditions followed by the parish, in the back so that you can observe how the faithful respond to the Liturgy.
It may be confusing to you, but if you outline the Latin Mass and compare it to an outline of the Byzantine Liturgy, you will find that they follow the same order. We just fill in the blanks differently. Every time that I attend a Catholic Mass, I feel right at home because of this.
Fr. John W. Morris

 

[frjohnmorris]

First of all, there’s no need to be anxious. Most Eastern Catholics in the west are accustomed to Latin Catholic visitors who are unfamiliar with the Divine Liturgy.

You may see people venerating the icons. If you wish to do so, you certainly may, but don’t feel as if you must. If you decide to do so, just imitate what others are doing.

You will notice that there is more repetition than in the Roman Mass. Also, there will lots of use of incense.

The basic outline of the Divine Liturgy is the same as the Roman Mass–a liturgy of the word and a eucharistic liturgy.

There is an opening blessing, prayers and hymns, and what is known as the Little Entrance. After the Little Entrance, there is the Epistle reading and the reading from the Gospel, which if followed by the homily.

After the homily, there is an offertory, and then the eucharistic liturgy begins with the singing of the Cherubic Hymn, which if followed by the Great Entrance. After the Great Entrance, the Creed will be sung, followed by the anaphora, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Communion. Communion is received from a spoon (unless it is a Melkite parish). It is the Byzantine tradition to stand throughout the eucharistic liturgy, as well as to receive communion.

Again, there’s no reason to be anxious. Just imitate the locals.

How do the Melkites give Communion if not with a spoon like Antiochian Orthodox?

Fr. John W. Morris

 

[5Loaves]

How do the Melkites give Communion if not with a spoon like Antiochian Orthodox?

Fr. John W. Morris

The Precious Body in my experience is cut into small rectangles and the priest dips, intinction, each individually into the Precious Blood, then placed in the mouth of the faithful. I believe they use a spoon for communing infants.

 

[theistgal]

Just so you know, if you “slip up” and genuflect, or make the Sign of the Cross the “wrong” way, etc. NO ONE is going to give you a hard time about it! We have a lot of RC visitors at our little parish in Sherman Oaks and chances are no one will notice or even care what you do. I’d say what others have said, just listen, enjoy and don’t worry!

 

[Stella_Matutina]

RC Sojourner,

Did you end up going yet? How was it?

 

[Tridentine_MT]

The Precious Body in my experience is cut into small rectangles and the priest dips, intinction, each individually into the Precious Blood, then placed in the mouth of the faithful. I believe they use a spoon for communing infants.

This is the way it is done in Malta, at the Greek Catholic Church.

greekcatholicmalta.com/

 

[Robertwilliam]

July 7, 1996 at the Vatican in St. Peter’s Basilica was celebrated a Pontifical Liturgy in the Byzantine rite. Led worship the Holy Father John Paul II concelebrated with His Beatitude Patriarch Miroslav Ivan Lubachivsky, the bishops and priests of the UGCC.
This event came to Rome a few thousand Greek Catholics from around the world. The delegation of Belarus led apostolskyy vyzytator Archimandrite Sergius Hayek.
Liturgy accompanied theological commentary about authorship. Gleb Lonchyna. The text reads Bogdan Grasshopper.
Studio Footage “Cathedral” 1996. Published media resources UGCC ugcc.tv in December 2012, the 416 anniversary of the Union of Brest.

youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=m-KGcgViPEI#t=4

please wait till it loads, I dont know why this one took so long to load. Youtube meh

 

[andrewstx]

Thank you! This is all very helpful information!

I would consider going tomorrow, but their website isn’t the best. It doesn’t show any Liturgy times except for Saturday and Sunday, and no bulletins… I think I’ll go next Saturday afternoon, or maybe Sunday morning. I’ll let everyone know how it goes!

Probably that is because on weekdays most Eastern parishes do not hold Mass or the Divine Liturgy. On weekdays it is often Vespers.