I attended a wedding service today at a Byzatine (Eastern) Orthodox Church today. It certainly is quite different from the Catholic Church, the way they chant when they pray, the way they make the sign of the cross. I was totally lost...yet, it has lots of similarities..

I did not, however, receive communion because I did not know if I was allowed to. They had rosary beads and candles in the church, I did see a picture of the Pope.

But, I was just so unsure as to what to do. I'm sure, without a doubt, there is someone on this board who can answer my question. As Roman Catholics, are we allowed to participate in a Byzatine Orthodox Mass?

Also, do the priests hear confessions like our priests do? I will look further into this on the Internet, but would like the input of someone from the Board. You are always so helpful.

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), April 03, 2004

Answers

Response to Byzatine Church

bump

-- (bump@bump.bump), April 03, 2004.

Response to Byzatine Church

The Orthodox churches have valid sacraments, including valid orders in their clergy and valid Holy Communion. Their priests are able to confect the Real Presence in the Blessed Sacrament.

However, as Roman Catholics, we are not supposed to take part in non- Catholic services, except, say, to observe a wedding. The Orthodox do not accept the Pope. They have, in many cases, rebuffed any talk of possible settling of old differences with Rome. They are schismatic.

If you are attracted to the Byzantine liturgy, try to find a Byzantine-rite Catholic church. They are sometimes hard to find, and there are various national rites - Hungarian, Ukrainian, and others. They accept the Pope as head of the Church, but use the Eastern/Byzantine rites for their liturgies. (the Mass is called the Divine Liturgy) Many Roman rite Catholics, fed up with the modern changes in the Mass, have become Eastern rite Catholics. This is perfectly acceptacle.

-- Christina (introibo2000@nospam.com), April 03, 2004.

Response to Byzatine Church

"I did see a picture of the Pope"

Can't say for sure, but I would suspect that if this church displayed picture of the Pope they are probably in communion with the Roman Catholic Church. If they weren't, I can't imagine why they would have the picture.

-- Jim Furst (Furst@flash.net), April 03, 2004.

Response to Byzatine Church

MaryLu,

Many Latin Rite Catholics (including myself) confuse the Byzantine Rite, which is in full communion with the Pope, with the schismatic Eastern Orthodox. I think Jim has a good point. The picture of the pope leads me to believe you attended a Byzantine Rite Catholic rather than an Eastern or Greek Orthodox Liturgy. If you were at a Byzantine-rite Catholic Church you could have partaken of Holy Communion "legitimally."

-- Andy (aszmere@earthlink.net), April 03, 2004.

Response to Byzatine Church

Thank you for all of your answers. I was confused. My husband brought home their calendar and it is a Byzantine Rite Catholic Church. I stil am a little confused about it all.

I am not looking for another church, I am quite happy with the Roman Catholic Church (despite its flaws and let's face it, our church does have its flaws),and I am talking about those who run the church...I have a problem with our hierarchy. Sorry, if that upsets you. But the RC Church is home to me and I am not leaving it for another. I love the Mass, and the Saints, and most everything about our religion.

I just didn't know if I could participate fully in the Mass.

Thank you for all of your answers. I knew I could get the right answers here.

MaryLu

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), April 03, 2004.

Greetings all,

Let me add the unique perspective of a Byzantine Catholic priest who is also a Canon Lawyer.

Let me point out canon 844.2 of the Code of Canon Law:

"Whenever necessity requires or genuine spiritual advantage suggests, and provided that the danger of error or indifferentism is avoided, it is lawful for the faithful for whom it is physically or morally impossible to approach a Catholic minister, to receive the sacraments of penance, Eucharist and anointing of the sick from non-Catholic ministers in whose churches these sacraments are valid."

Rome has ruled that the Orthodox churches and the Polish National Church have valid sacraments and Catholics would be allowed receive the sacraments from their priests under the conditions outlined above.

Hope that's helpful.

-- Fr. Mike Skrocki, JCD (cand) (abounamike@aol.com), April 05, 2004.