Would I be committing sin if I go to Greek Orthodox instead of Roman Catholic one weekend?

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AndrewJMason

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I am in the process of converting from Protestantism(or technically, however I considered myself Atheist, but I was a member of the Baptists church) anyways… I am converting to Roman Catholicism, I turn 15 next month and I want to be sure that I am doing the right thing and that I don’t belong anywhere else. I mean, I have never experienced the Greek Orthodox church. My heritage is Greek, I think… But I want to be sure that’s not where I belong. I have full faith in the Roman Catholic church, but it’s always good to try new things…

Would it be like skipping mass if I went to a Greek Orthodox just once?
 
AndrewJMason said:
I am in the process of converting from Protestantism(or technically, however I considered myself Atheist, but I was a member of the Baptists church) anyways… I am converting to Roman Catholicism, I turn 15 next month and I want to be sure that I am doing the right thing and that I don’t belong anywhere else. I mean, I have never experienced the Greek Orthodox church. My heritage is Greek, I think… But I want to be sure that’s not where I belong. I have full faith in the Roman Catholic church, but it’s always good to try new things…

Would it be like skipping mass if I went to a Greek Orthodox just once?
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Well, technically you are not Catholic yet.

However if you were, or if you want to start living like a Catholic, you should know that attending an Orthodox church does not fulfill your Sunday obligation, so you would have to attend a mass later that Sunday or the Vigil mass on the preceding Saturday.
 
No doubt you’ll get a variety of answers on this.

The “obligation” in one of law that attaches to those who are members of the Church. Since it appears that you’ve not as yet been received into the Church, there is no “obligation” to consider.
 
The point about not having any obligations if one has not been received into the church is an interesting one.

Shouldn’t an acolyte practice the beliefs he or she is being instructed in?

That would mean if one is in the process of converting, one can attend mass every now and then, use contraception and engage in premarital sex up until the official confirmation date.

Okay, I know I’m exaggerating but for me, I could not see myself not fulfilling the Sunday obligation.
 
TrueLight said:
Well, technically you are not Catholic yet.

However if you were, or if you want to start living like a Catholic, you should know that attending an Orthodox church does not fulfill your Sunday obligation, so you would have to attend a mass later that Sunday or the Vigil mass on the preceding Saturday.
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Exception 1: If going for educational reasons to a non-catholic service with valid sacraments, Catholics in the US fulfill their sunday obligation by attending said liturgy, per the Ecumenical directory for the United States.

Exception 2: for catholics of several of the Eastern Churches in Union with Rome, the permission is given by the Synod or the individual bishop to fulfill one’s sunday obligation in an Orthodox parish. Many pastors of EC parishes will echo this. This does not apply to Romans attached to the EC churches, only to EC’s.

One should also note: Catholics of the Eastern Churches have different obligation rules - Saturday evening Vespers or sunday morning Matins fulfill the obligation as well for EC’s of many of the 22 churches in Union, and attending vespers or matins in a parish of one of those churches in union fulfills the obligation for any Catholic; for members of those churches, vespers in any catholic rite fulfills the obligation. Including, with one’s pastor’s permission, saying them at home.
 
Aramis said:
Exception 1: If going for educational reasons to a non-catholic service with valid sacraments, Catholics in the US fulfill their sunday obligation by attending said liturgy, per the Ecumenical directory for the United States.

Exception 2: for catholics of several of the Eastern Churches in Union with Rome, the permission is given by the Synod or the individual bishop to fulfill one’s sunday obligation in an Orthodox parish. Many pastors of EC parishes will echo this. This does not apply to Romans attached to the EC churches, only to EC’s.

One should also note: Catholics of the Eastern Churches have different obligation rules - Saturday evening Vespers or sunday morning Matins fulfill the obligation as well for EC’s of many of the 22 churches in Union, and attending vespers or matins in a parish of one of those churches in union fulfills the obligation for any Catholic; for members of those churches, vespers in any catholic rite fulfills the obligation. Including, with one’s pastor’s permission, saying them at home.
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Assuming that we are not speaking of the Eastern Catholics, can you tell me more about exception 1? Do you have any links I can look at?

What defines “educational reasons?”
 
Yes, my parents are strong supporters of my Roman Catholicism. I cannot yet receive since I was born and raised protestant, and I am in RCIA.

Yes, I told them i’d like to try a Greek Orthodox church. I am very mature for my age, and I try to do what’s in my best interest. I have converted my mom back from Protestantarinasm to the Roman Catholic church from which she was raised in.

And I was adopted, I do not know my real father. Apparently he was Greek, I don’t know. I have no ties to the Greek Orthodox church.
 
AndrewJMason said:
Yes, my parents are strong supporters of my Roman Catholicism. I cannot yet receive since I was born and raised protestant, and I am in RCIA.

Yes, I told them i’d like to try a Greek Orthodox church. I am very mature for my age, and I try to do what’s in my best interest. I have converted my mom back from Protestantarinasm to the Roman Catholic church from which she was raised in.

And I was adopted, I do not know my real father. Apparently he was Greek, I don’t know. I have no ties to the Greek Orthodox church.
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Have you tried searching for Eastern Catholic Churches in your area? This will allow you to have the beauty of the East while still being in communion with the See of Peter in the West. 👍
 
TrueLight said:
Assuming that we are not speaking of the Eastern Catholics, can you tell me more about exception 1? Do you have any links I can look at?

What defines “educational reasons?”
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Unfortunately, I’ve not found the Ecumencical Directory online; I’ve read my dad’s paper copy. It’s a publication of the USCCB, with recognitio from Rome.

The educational exception to the sunday obligation is not entirely clear as to scope in the ED. It’s rather explicit that it applies to Orthodox, Assyrian, and PNCC parishes. But it’s vague on what constitutes educational.

It’s specifically for Romans of the dioceses of the United States, tho’ it also applies to EC’s of Eparchies (EC Dioceses) in the United States, as well.

If it’s a one-off, going in order to experience the Byzantine Rite, Greek Recension, that should suffice as “for educational reasons.” If, instead, it’s simply easier to get to, that wouldn’t.
 
I have been living like a catholic for almost a year now.
I am only attending the Greek Orthodox for educational purposes.
 
If you like the Greek Orthodox Liturgy and want to be Catholic, you can consider becoming an Eastern Catholic instead of Roman Catholic. But Greek Catholics are few, you may have to find a Ruthenian, Melkite or Ukrainian parish. All who possess the Greek Catholic faith.

But if you haven’t formally been received into the Church yet, then you are not subject to the canons of the Church, therefore no Sunday Obligation.
 
See if you can find an Eastern Catholic Church in your area; some if the rites are very different from the Greek Orthodox, and some very similar. The Byzatine Divine Liturgy is wonderful…

However, which church you chose should be based not on your possible heritage, but which holds the Truth.
 
AndrewJMason said:
I am in the process of converting from Protestantism(or technically, however I considered myself Atheist, but I was a member of the Baptists church) anyways… I am converting to Roman Catholicism, I turn 15 next month and I want to be sure that I am doing the right thing and that I don’t belong anywhere else. I mean, I have never experienced the Greek Orthodox church. My heritage is Greek, I think… But I want to be sure that’s not where I belong. I have full faith in the Roman Catholic church, but it’s always good to try new things…

Would it be like skipping mass if I went to a Greek Orthodox just once?
Click to expand...
if you are not yet Catholic you have no Mass obligation in any case. You are certainly free to attend a Greek Orthodox liturgy at any time. They do not have open communion so you will not be receiving of course. Ask the priest who is preparing you for reception into the Catholic Church about which Rite you will come under. For instance, if your family is Greek Orthodox, especially your father, you would probably be received as a Greek Catholic (even if it actually takes place in a Latin Rite “Roman Catholic” parish). this is also a good time to talk to your family about your heritage which is very rich in culture and faith.

Welcome home

once you become Catholic, through confirmation and profession of faith, you will be obligated to attend Mass every Sunday and Holy Day, but you can still visit other churches in addition to that.
 
Aramis said:
Exception 1: If going for educational reasons to a non-catholic service with valid sacraments, Catholics in the US fulfill their sunday obligation by attending said liturgy, per the Ecumenical directory for the United States.

. . .

Unfortunately, I’ve not found the Ecumencical Directory online; I’ve read my dad’s paper copy. It’s a publication of the USCCB, with recognitio from Rome.
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I think you are thinking of the 1967 Directory Ad Totam Ecclesiam, which stated in relevant part:
47. A Catholic who occasionally, for reasons set out below [FN: Cf. n.50.], attends the holy liturgy (Mass) on a Sunday or holiday of obligation in an Orthodox Church is not then bound to assist at Mass in a Catholic Church. It is likewise a good thing if on such days Catholics, who for just reasons cannot go to Mass in their own Church, attend the Holy Liturgy of their separated Oriental brethren, if this is possible.
  1. Catholics may be allowed to attend Orthodox liturgical services if they have reasonable grounds, e.g. arising out of a public office or function, blood relationships, friendships, desire to be better informed, etc. In such cases there is nothing against their taking part in the common responses, hymns, and actions of the Church in which they are guests. Receiving Holy Communion, however, will be governed by what is laid down above, nn. 42 and 44 [requiring permission after mutual consultation between ecclesial authorities, or special circumstances]. . . . .
    This was superseded by the 1983 Code of Canon Law, which requires attending Mass in a Catholic rite on every day of obligation. The present requirement is therefore reflected in no. 115 the 1993 Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms on Ecumenism:
    Catholics—but those of Eastern Churches according to their own Law—are obliged to attend Mass on that day * and on days of precept. . . . [A]nd it must be remembered that even when Catholics participate in ecumenical services or in services of other Churches and ecclesial Communities, the obligation of participating at Mass on these days remains.*
 
puzzleannie said:
if you are not yet Catholic you have no Mass obligation in any case. You are certainly free to attend a Greek Orthodox liturgy at any time. They do not have open communion so you will not be receiving of course. Ask the priest who is preparing you for reception into the Catholic Church about which Rite you will come under. For instance, if your family is Greek Orthodox, especially your father, you would probably be received as a Greek Catholic (even if it actually takes place in a Latin Rite “Roman Catholic” parish). this is also a good time to talk to your family about your heritage which is very rich in culture and faith.

Welcome home

once you become Catholic, through confirmation and profession of faith, you will be obligated to attend Mass every Sunday and Holy Day, but you can still visit other churches in addition to that.
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PuzzleAnnie,

What is your opinion of this:
Exception 1: If going for educational reasons to a non-catholic service with valid sacraments, Catholics in the US fulfill their sunday obligation by attending said liturgy, per the Ecumenical directory for the United States.
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I’m a bit confused.
 
I’m a very active member of my parish, but we have enough services so I could go to one and still attend a Greek Orthodox Divine Liturgy on Sunday (assuming I wasn’t scheduled to read that Sunday).

There’s no sin in attending a Greek Orthodox Church, which I’m planning to do in the weeks ahead. My grandfather was Greek, and I want to understand and see how he worshiped. I’ll tell my priest what I intend to do (he and the Greek Orthodox priest know each other well), just so he could provide me an introduction–but I don’t feel an obligation to mention it and certainly don’t feel any sin attached.

The more we understand all religions, the more we are able to view all people as our brothers and sisters. There are many paths to God, and I trust God to help each soul find a path that works for them.
 
LaRue said:
I’m a very active member of my parish, but we have enough services so I could go to one and still attend a Greek Orthodox Divine Liturgy on Sunday (assuming I wasn’t scheduled to read that Sunday).

There’s no sin in attending a Greek Orthodox Church, which I’m planning to do in the weeks ahead. My grandfather was Greek, and I want to understand and see how he worshiped. I’ll tell my priest what I intend to do (he and the Greek Orthodox priest know each other well), just so he could provide me an introduction–but I don’t feel an obligation to mention it and certainly don’t feel any sin attached.

The more we understand all religions, the more we are able to view all people as our brothers and sisters. There are many paths to God, and I trust God to help each soul find a path that works for them.
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But you’re saying you would still attend a mass as well right?
 
Actually, depends on the church. The Greek Orthodox churches here all have either pews or chairs and several have organs as well:D
 
LaRue said:
The more we understand all religions, the more we are able to view all people as our brothers and sisters. There are many paths to God, and I trust God to help each soul find a path that works for them.
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👍👍👍👍

Blessed Pope John Paul II highly encouraged Roman Catholics to familiarize themselves with the traditions of the Eastern Churches in his Apostolic Letter, Orientale Lumen. I think every Roman Catholic should attend a few Eastern Catholic or Orthodox Liturgies well enough to familiarize themselves. It can only add to our own understanding and help facilitate the process for reconciliation.
 
I would suggest that you attend a week day service instead of missing mass on Sunday morning. Most Orthodox parishes offer at least Vespers on Saturday night, if not a Divine Liturgy for a feast day during the week, so one should be easy to find. This way you can see eastern worship without missing the eucharist, which is absolutely critical to your spiritual life. Your Orthodox brother in Christ,

Don
 
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