Why is there a prohibition?

[Agape_Thom]

If a Latin Rite Catholic visits an Orthodox church, he should genuflect before the tabernacle, because it houses the true Body, Blood, Soul, Divinity, and Humanity of Our Lord, Jesus Christ - the same as in the Catholic Church. But he may not receive thereof (except in extreme circumstance).

A poster in another forum/thread made the above statement. If the statement is true, why is it so? If the sacramental bread/wine is considered to be of the same substance as that in a Roman Rite church, why the prohibition on taking part in the elements. Just curious.

 

[FightingFat]

If a Latin Rite Catholic visits an Orthodox church, he should genuflect before the tabernacle, because it houses the true Body, Blood, Soul, Divinity, and Humanity of Our Lord, Jesus Christ - the same as in the Catholic Church. But he may not receive thereof (except in extreme circumstance).

A poster in another forum/thread made the above statement. If the statement is true, why is it so? If the sacramental bread/wine is considered to be of the same substance as that in a Roman Rite church, why the prohibition on taking part in the elements. Just curious.

Because we are not fully in communion.

 

[Hecares]

Because we are not fully in communion.

I agree. Receiving Holy Communion together is a sign of our communion, or unity. Since we are not totally in communion with these Churches, we should not do something that proclaims that we are.

 

[Pakesh]

A poster in another forum/thread made the above statement. If the statement is true, why is it so? If the sacramental bread/wine is considered to be of the same substance as that in a Roman Rite church, why the prohibition on taking part in the elements.

Just to be clear, that “substance” is the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The Orthodox are in imperfect communion with us, yet they have all the valid seven sacraments, most especially Holy Orders and The Eucharist. Therefore, showing their tabernacle respect is really showing respect to Jesus, who is present in the Eucharist.

God Bless,
Pakesh

 

[johnnykins]

If a Latin Rite Catholic visits an Orthodox church, he should genuflect before the tabernacle, because it houses the true Body, Blood, Soul, Divinity, and Humanity of Our Lord, Jesus Christ - the same as in the Catholic Church. But he may not receive thereof (except in extreme circumstance).

A poster in another forum/thread made the above statement. If the statement is true, why is it so? If the sacramental bread/wine is considered to be of the same substance as that in a Roman Rite church, why the prohibition on taking part in the elements. Just curious.

Also, the Orthodox don’t allow it - and they would say our sacraments are without grace.

 

[Cristiano]

If a Latin Rite Catholic visits an Orthodox church, he should genuflect before the tabernacle, because it houses the true Body, Blood, Soul, Divinity, and Humanity of Our Lord, Jesus Christ - the same as in the Catholic Church. But he may not receive thereof (except in extreme circumstance).

A poster in another forum/thread made the above statement. If the statement is true, why is it so? If the sacramental bread/wine is considered to be of the same substance as that in a Roman Rite church, why the prohibition on taking part in the elements. Just curious.

The prohibition does not come from the Catholic Church, it comes from the Orthodox Church.

 

[Brendan]

Just to be clear, that “substance” is the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The Orthodox are in imperfect communion with us, yet they have all the valid seven sacraments, most especially Holy Orders and The Eucharist. Therefore, showing their tabernacle respect is really showing respect to Jesus, who is present in the Eucharist.

God Bless,
Pakesh

Exactly Correct.

And to the OP’s point, we do not recieve Holy Communion in Orthodox parishes because, in addition to be Christ, recieving it is a sign that we are unified in Christ. Sadly , this is not the case.

In occasions where a Catholic is in dire need of the Sacraments (such as near death, or in grave danger of sin), and no Catholic ministers are availble, one can seek the Sacraments from an Orthodox priest. But only in circumstances that are grave and dire.

We do have an agreement with the Coptic Orthodox ( a distinct Church if Egyptian Christians) that is freeer, but this is more of a courtesy to Copts living abroad who do not live near a Coptic Orthodox parish, it would be expected that a Catholic in Egypt would seek out one of the various Catholic parishes in Egypt.

 

[ConstantineTG]

If a Latin Rite Catholic visits an Orthodox church, he should genuflect before the tabernacle, because it houses the true Body, Blood, Soul, Divinity, and Humanity of Our Lord, Jesus Christ - the same as in the Catholic Church. But he may not receive thereof (except in extreme circumstance).

A poster in another forum/thread made the above statement. If the statement is true, why is it so? If the sacramental bread/wine is considered to be of the same substance as that in a Roman Rite church, why the prohibition on taking part in the elements. Just curious.

No. Even as an Eastern Catholic, you should NOT genuflect in an Orthodox or Eastern Catholic parish. Why? Its not part of the Eastern tradition. We do a profound and deep bow, in fact we bend down and put our right hand on the floor and then do a sign of the cross with the same hand after we get up. We NEVER genuflect.

 

[Catherine_k]

No. Even as an Eastern Catholic, you should NOT genuflect in an Orthodox or Eastern Catholic parish. Why? Its not part of the Eastern tradition. We do a profound and deep bow, in fact we bend down and put our right hand on the floor and then do a sign of the cross with the same hand after we get up. We NEVER genuflect.

I did NOT know that… thank you for telling me.

 

[Cristiano]

No. Even as an Eastern Catholic, you should NOT genuflect in an Orthodox or Eastern Catholic parish. Why? Its not part of the Eastern tradition. We do a profound and deep bow, in fact we bend down and put our right hand on the floor and then do a sign of the cross with the same hand after we get up. We NEVER genuflect.

You could also add that going down to prostrate yourself is part of the Eastern tradition.

 

[ConstantineTG]

You could also add that going down to prostrate yourself is part of the Eastern tradition.

Right, but I haven’t really seen anyone prostrate upon entering the parish. Prostrations are usually done during a part of a Liturgical service, such as a Presanctified Liturgy. Here’s a nice guide by St. Elias Ukrainian Catholic Church of Brampton, Ontario

saintelias.com/ca/etiquette/sign.php

 

[Cristiano]

Right, but I haven’t really seen anyone prostrate upon entering the parish. Prostrations are usually done during a part of a Liturgical service, such as a Presanctified Liturgy. Here’s a nice guide by St. Elias Ukrainian Catholic Church of Brampton, Ontario

saintelias.com/ca/etiquette/sign.php

They are having the Liturgy of the Presanctified here in Austin and the prostrations are really a fitness exercise for fat people like me.

Talking about the advantages of ritual fasting.

BTW Is it acceptable to replace the prostration with a deep bow and touching the ground with your hand?

 

[ConstantineTG]

They are having the Liturgy of the Presanctified here in Austin and the prostrations are really a fitness exercise for fat people like me.

Talking about the advantages of ritual fasting.

BTW Is it acceptable to replace the prostration with a deep bow and touching the ground with your hand?

The universal rule of the Church is to do unless you are unable. And if you are unable then the Church won’t force you to. So if you can’t do prostrations because of physical limitations, then bowing is acceptable. Or perhaps kneeling, although I don’t know why you can’t prostrate if you can go down and kneel.

I agree, the prostrations are a good workout. Good for the body, good for the soul

 

[Cristiano]

The universal rule of the Church is to do unless you are unable. And if you are unable then the Church won’t force you to. So if you can’t do prostrations because of physical limitations, then bowing is acceptable. Or perhaps kneeling, although I don’t know why you can’t prostrate if you can go down and kneel.

I agree, the prostrations are a good workout. Good for the body, good for the soul

I was trying to see what is the recommended alternative if you cannot go down on your knees to prostrate yourself. In the Latin Church is to bow if you cannot kneel.

 

[ConstantineTG]

I was trying to see what is the recommended alternative if you cannot go down on your knees to prostrate yourself. In the Latin Church is to bow if you cannot kneel.

Seeing as the next gesture of reverence is a profound bow, then that would be the next preferable gesture if one cannot prostrate.

 

[Cristiano]

Seeing as the next gesture of reverence is a profound bow, then that would be the next preferable gesture if one cannot prostrate.

Thanks for the feedback.