I'm new to the Forum and also new to the Byzantine Rite, which I've just started learning about via attending the Sunday liturgy at a local Byzantine Catholic church.

My web site ("Theist Gal, formerly Atheist Gal") which describes my return to the Catholic Church from a nasty bout with atheism, used to proclaim my return to the "Roman Catholic Church," but I've removed the "Roman" now, as that does not seem to be appropriate.

Or is it? I am still struggling to learn all the terminology. Some people have told me not to refer to the Divine Liturgy as "Mass", others say, "Of course it's the Mass!" So please be patient with me if I don't use the right words at first - I really want to learn!

Thanks for a really interesting site and I look forward to "meeting" y'all! :-)

Shlomo (Peace in Aramaic) Theist Gal,
Welcome The majority of the board is of the Byzantine Tradition, but we do have members of the Antiochene-Edessan Tradition (myself), Alexandrian Tradition, Armenian Tradition, as well as people like you from the Roman Tradition.

It is quite appropriate that your web site listed that you returned to the Roman Catholic Church since that is the specific Church within the Catholic Communion that you had belonged too.

As for the case of Mass. Mass is appropriate only if you are refering to the Latin Church's Divine Liturgy.

Poosh BaShlomo (Stay in Peace),
Yuhannon

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Welcome to the forum.

This is the absolute best place to learn about your faith. there are many posters here, far more knowledgeable than myself who will be glad to share their knowledge. We are all learning.

As Yuhannon has said, there are many traditional lines of Christian heritage that extend back through history to the earliest apostolic period. In a way they verify and validate each other. Nothing artificial here, you get the real thing.

As you will soon know, there are 22 particular churches in communion with each other. These are the Catholic communion. I applaud you in your decision to worship in the Byzantine tradition, this is your right and I believe that you will find it a fulfilling experience. You may also attend worship in the many other Catholic churches as well.

God Bless you on your spiritual quest!
Michael

Welcome to the Forum! I agree with Coalesco's statement - I have learned an incredible amount about the East from this forum, and the folks on it are wonderful! I love your webpage, too!

Glory be to Jesus Christ!
Glenn

Great Website!!!
Welcome,
Sam

Welcome!

Officially it is not "Mass". I think it has something to do with Einstein.

We convert Mass to Energy!

One of the finest things you can do here is go up to the parent site, www.byzcath.org , and follow the links.

John
Pilgrim and Odd Duck

Thiest Gal!!

Welcome to the Forum! Here you will find many knowledgable and friendly people from the Byzantine Catholic, Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox traditions. But I'm sure that the strongest trait among the people here are their true kindness which I hope you will find.
There are VERY few "flame" wars here as compared to other sites on the Net in my experience.
I would refer you to the pages of Saint Elias Ukrainian Catholic Church for a great introduction to the Eastern Christian Church and it's Liturgy and Spirituality. It is at www.saintelias.com

Again, Welcome!


Brian Seraphim

Welcome indeed.

And as everyone says it is a wonderful place from which to learn.

I'm glad that Brian mentioned the St Elias Site as that reminded me of something

A pre-requisite for joining us is :-

You must have at least 1 bucket of Lego and be skilled in the construction of things

St Elias and the 'Fath and Worship' forum will explain

Have fun with us all

Let the education continue [ and yes I have said that on many occasions here]


Anhelyna [ whose real name is Angela - but I have been re-named by some of the members here ]

Dear Theist Gal,

Welcome to the Forum. I can only echo the comments of the posters above.

It is truly a spirit filled place, at least it has been in my experience. As a Latin Catholic, I am a guest here. I've learned so much by being here.

At times the discussions are very energentic and very frank; but they are really productive, as the diplomats say.

Welcome again. I join the others in saying that I'm glad that you're here. Long may you stay.

Steve

And sometimes they are very silly.

Theist Gal, I want to ASSURE you that we will not hold it against you if you lack legos, or are of the Mega or Duplo Block persuasion.



Welcome!

Sharon

Dear Theist Gal,

Welcome to the forum!

The beauty of the Church of Christ is its many traditions, all of equal value and each communicating its own unique message about Christ and His Gospel.

Here we respect the myriad colourful traditions and Churches, and some of us have the motto, "Live and let dye . . ."

You need not worry about terminology, that is not the important thing - and we know what you are talking about in any event.

Your story reminds me of the former atheist, C.S. Lewis.

He used to debate Christians at Oxford regularly about the existence of God. His one point that he felt could not be disproven was that since "the world made no sense, there could be no God" the ultimate "Sense-Maker."

Yet, one day, he thought that if the world or universe made no sense, and he was part of that universe, then HE would never KNOW that it made no sense.

In other words, his insight was that to say "the world is senseless" is to make sense of it.

He defeated his own argument - and we know the rest of the story.

I'm really not into lego, truth be told.

Do you collect religious cards?

Alex

Thanks, everybody! (Can you tell I'm trying to do my "Dr. Nick" impression? Is it working? Is it funny? If I have to ask, probably not - but not possessing any Legos I just have to do my best.

Of course, while I don't have any Legos, I do have the Logos in my heart - is that good enough?

Dear Theist Doll:

In joining this Byzantine Forum, there are 3 caveats you must heed:

(1) Refrain from calling the Ukies "Roman Catholics of the Ukrainian Rite" or anything close to it;

(2) Byzantine Cartholics are, for the moment, the Ruthenians, until such time that the other Eastern Catholics agree to from a "homogenous" Byzantine Catholic Church in North America; and

(3) Quickly you must learn to eat, better still concoct, pirogies(sp?), pysanky,(sp?), and baklava(sp?), but not necessarily in that order. (And master their respective spelling! Drat!)

Amado
(A Roman Catholic of the Latin Rite) :p

Dear Theist Gal,

You have an excellent command of Greek, for a Latin!

Welcome, once again!

Alex

Amado,
I am going to have to comment here..... :p

I think you are right on the number being 3 but I think you got them wrong.

Agreed on this one.

Wrong on this one, as there is no such thing as a "Ruthenian". That term "Ruthenian" was made up by the Vatican. So Members of the Byzantine Catholic Church, which I am , are just that, Byzantine Catholics. Just as you do not call Ukrainian Catholics members of the Roman Catholics of the Ukrainian Rite.

I find calling me Ruthenain just as offensive as Ukies find that.

I would say that number two is that you should not say that all slavics are Ukies or Russians, or any other one ethnic group.

I would disagree with this, reference the on going discussion on ethnicity within our churches. But if you do consider this important why have you left out the Melkites? They are Byzantine after all.

So then you must add stuffed grape leaves and hummus.


David

ps sometimes on this forum I get the impression that people think that Byzantine = slavic and nothing else

Dear Amado,

"Roman Catholic of the Latin Rite"

Are their any other kind, Big Guy?

(Remember what you said in point 1 )

As for your second point, you may want to help the Administrator regroup as I see he hasn't yet responded to my latest post in that regard .

But, as I know you can appreciate this, he "shall return!"

O.K., enough on that already!

Alex

Dear Amado,

You're in trouble now - you've got David on your case!

And David doesn't let go not only until you say, "Uncle" but a number of other relatives too . . .

As a veteran of the Davidic wars, and as a Christian, I sympathise with you, Amado.

But as an Eastern Catholic, I say, "Go get him, Dave!!"

Alex

Dear Theist Doll:


Now, do you SEE what I mean?

Stirring up an Eastern hornet's nest is just one of my specialties!

Amado

Dear Alex and DavidB:

My hands are already up!

But if your push comes to a shove, I will asked Steve (I'm still Inawe) to intercede in my behalf or, Memo R, my favorite Mexican toreador, would take the cudgels for me, I am sure.

Amado,
Roman Catholic of the Latin Rite, Novus Ordo latest edition.

Ah but it's fun Amado

Forgive him Theist Gal , we do get slightly nuts at time and have a TGIF day on any day of the week.

This week , so far , has been full of them.

BTW we can't keep calling you Theist Gal - so watch out !

Anhelyna

"ps sometimes on this forum I get the impression that people think that Byzantine = slavic and nothing else"

Alex, correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that Byzantine=Ukrainian and anyone else is just a wannabe copycat. Let the fireworks begin! hahahaha Don

Dear Amado,

Well, "Theist Gall" . . .

You want to get on the Byzantine "good side" do you?

Alex

Bless, Father Don!

I only use "Byzantine" to describe the very calculating and scheming Ukies I know . . .

Alex

Let's see, what did my grandpa always advise in these situations?

Oh yeah, I remember! "You can call me anything ... just don't call me late for dinner!"

I know, GROOANNN ... okay, well, how about Christine? (Though I must admit I kinda like "Theist Doll" - makes me feel like I'm in a Damon Runyon novel!)

To our Angel from Glasgow:

I know, I know!

I have been tutored well by you.


Amado

(Battle-scarred and weary in these cyclical Roman-Byzantine internecine wars!)

Huh - why do I always get the blame for everything round here ?

Alex does it - and denies it
Now you - hmm maybe it's time I signed off.

Anhelyna

Dear Anhelyna,

Don't you dare sign off!

Who do you think you are - me?

You are the Lovely Lourdes Lady!

Alex

Dear our Angel of Glasgow:


My sincerest apologies if somehow I pinched a delicate nerve!

And don't you dare do a "Romanesque" on us!

You are an inspiration to many of us.

Amado
Repentant RC, Latin style

Dear Amado,

You mean, hairshirt and whip et al?

Yes, Angela doesn't like being pinched.

I know . . .

Alex

Dear Alex:

Not exactly! (My apologies to Hertz!)

More like moving on your bended knees, Rosary in hand, from the Church entrance towards the distant altar.

Or, retracing the Stations of the Cross, with your own self-fashioned heavy, wooden Cross, WITHOUT the actual nailing, please. That hurts!

Amado
Finally unburdened

Oh you wicked pair

What would I do without my fun here - and my friends who are such wonderful support when I need you all.

Let the education continue [ actually the TV programmes are over for tonight ]

Anhelyna - the RC wannabe Ukie

Dear Angel from Glasgow:

This is what I envy you, Scots, for: your irrepressible and inimitable sense of humor, highlands style!

Ukie wannabe? That's icing on the cake!


Amado
Member, Ukie Silent Brigade

Dear Anhelyna:

I did forget!

Congratulations on your 1000th!

A milestone, I must say!


Amado

Oh my ... what corner of Purgatory have I stumbled into??? (hee hee!)

You wanna see my whip ?

It's about 6 feet long - the handle that is -and the thong is a bit shorter and I'm not at all bad with it [ when I have to use it that is ]

hehe

well..... since we don't believe in purgatory...........

Ah Amado - after that handsome apology , well what can I say ?

There is only one possible response - taa ever so

Anhelyna - the wannabe

OK Brian - now tell her about the Toll Houses .

The poor thing will really be wondering if she is wise mixing with us folk

Anhelyna

Toll Houses - you mean you serve cookies here too? Neato!

Not exactly! You have to pay tolls!

Although I understand that the site places cookies in your browser.

It's about 6 feet long - the handle that is -and the thong is a bit shorter and I'm not at all bad with it [ when I have to use it that is ] [Big Grin] Dear Anhelyna,

If that is too hard to handle I have one about 3 feet long I'll send you. Oh my, hope the tele-transporter is fixed.


Welcome Theist Gal,

Hope you find a good home here 'in' cyber forum. Occassionally questions do get answered serously.

Two Lungs

Maybe the chips will melt out while they are passing them out at the Toll House. If they do, does that mean we get to advance?

Rose

Oh my - wonderful 'pictures' there Rose.

Believe it or not - when I have to use my long whip - it is certainly used to good effect

And with that puzzle I'll leave you all wondering

Anhelyna - the mad Latin with Eastward leanings

Dear Anhelyna,

You have a whip AND a thong . . .?

Alex

Dear Theist Doll,

It's a good thing you came back to the Church!

As you can see here, the men are thrilled with women in religious head coverings, and I think there really is something to the click-click of those rosary beads women constant have in their hands . . .

Your social life will be picking up, if it hasn't already!!

Alex

Ooooooooh Alex,

What can I say - I think there has been a case of deliberate misunderstanding there !

OK - we won''t go into it any further

Anhelyna

I'm sure it'll pick right back down again when they find out that I (a) have a cat and (b) love the Three Stooges!

Hello, again, Dolly:

About those "Three Stooges," were you referring to me, Alex, and Fr. Don of Kansas?

(Never mind the cat, for the moment!)

Amado
(Could be Moe)

Hello Dolly!

I love the Three Stooges too and cats, although I have a dog (very cat-like though).

Atheists tend to be quite humourless. As you are so obviously full of life and joy, here is where you belong!

Bye Dolly!

Alex

Dear Anhelyna,

Just made that comment in case you thought I was stringing you along here . . .

Alex

You know what? Seriously -- that is one of the main reasons I could not remain an Atheist!

When you don't believe in God, and believe that death is the end of everything, life is pretty joyless. Every new day brings you just that much closer to total oblivion. Which makes it kind of hard to laugh!

Dear Dolly,

Exactly!

So, really, is your social life on the upswing or what?

Alex

Aaaaaaargh

Just how do you cope with a guy like that ?

Anyone got any ideas ?

Anhelyna

Dear Angel from Glasgow:

This could be IT but it's a grave sin to fashion a prayer rope, or a thong, into a noose!

Amado

Dear Amado,

You can do it with a thong all right.

I've seen it done that way in some movies . . .

Or so those who saw them tell me . . .

Alex

Help someone - what day is it ?

According to this thread it's Friday

According to my Computer it's Thursday

Have we got a New Calendar ?

Anhelyna

Well ... not really. Although there is this really cute guy at Church that I've been trying to discreetly flirt with, over the coffee & donuts. Unfortunately, my flirting skills need work, since I seem to be missing him and hitting the elderly gentleman seated beside him.

Your computer may be going Orthodox Old Calendar on you.

The thread times are EST (Eastern Standard Time, US) so depending on what time zone on the planet and the particular time of day you are online that situation can occur. Happens all the time with international business transactions. Kinda makes for confusion at times. :rolleyes:

Steve

Eeeek!

Uh, I mean, hi, Steve!!

(Y'all should know I am attending Steve's church - and having coffee & doughnuts with him - so I guess I'd better watch what I write here in the future, huh?? hee hee!)

Oh Boy !

I can see we are going to have some fun here.

I don't know the rest of us feel after this little admission from the Doll but I think we are going to have to be careful what we say - we could end up being the subject of some interesting conversations at the Post Liturgy chat sessions.

Anhelyna

Hmm, this must be one of those "Toll Houses" they warned me about in another thread!

Or ... perhaps a Troll House!

No, you have it all wrong. Toll Houses are where you sit around eating cookies with the angels and telling funny stories. Don

Gee, it sounds a lot like what I do at work, except for the "angels" part!

Eventually, you will have the angels in your midst after you are considered enlightened enough like Fr. Don in Kansas and earn admittance to the 2nd Floor of the "Toll House."

So, refrain from saying ". . .Eeeeek" every time you see Steve P. in Church: he might be holding the candle "necessary" to enlighten your way up!

Amado

Oh, I didn't say "eeek" because I didn't want to see him! Just that I didn't want him to wonder who I was flirting with! ;-)

Dear Theist Doll:

The required candle might, therefore, be unnecessary in this instance. . .

"Flirting" can generate enough sparks to light your way up!

Amado

Well, if that were true, I'd have been "up there" loonnnngggg before this!

Climbing up to the 2nd Floor of the "Toll House" is not as arduous as it seems to be!

But I plead ignorance as to how enlightened one must be to reach that desired 7th heaven?!

Amado

ENLIGHTENED?

I would suppose if you have enough candles burning you can see the way clearly to the 7th floor.

I suspect that after all this, Steve P is going to give me a reallllll funny look next time he sees me!!

I suspect you will both spot each other and giggle madly

And that should set the tongues wagging -- hehehe

Nothing like a bit of gossip to put a sparkle into life

Anhelyna

I do notice that he has been discreetly absenting himself from this whole discussion! Not that I blame him, nyuk nyuk!

Theist Gal,

Actually I just logged on after another long day at work and was surprised to see my name come up in conversations that weren't on defending cantors or debating "new" music! Tho' I can tiptoe out of the discussion if t'would be better.

Happily surprised,

Steve P.

Hi Steve!

Just doing my job -- sowing seeds of mystery and illusion wherever I go! (hee hee)

See you in a couple of weeks, and say hi to your mom! :-)

Dear Steve,

Yes, do say hi to your mom from all of us!

Alex

Dear Theist Doll,

When you said you came back to the Church from being an atheist, did you have to go through some sort of process or just confession or is this any of my business to begin with?

Just wondering . . .

Alex

I just went to confession, to a priest I knew & trusted.

And don't worry, if it isn't your business, I'll tell you! But since I've gone to all the trouble of setting up a web site proclaiming my return to the Faith, it would seem a reasonable question. ;-)

Dear Theist Doll,

Is there a picture of you on that site?

You know, seeing is believing . . .

Alex

Dear Amado,

How are you doing these days, Big Guy?

Alex

No, but there's one in my profile right here on this site! (I also have another web site & "secret identity" - will reveal it when I return from my vacation (starting tomorrow), or you can try and find it yourself, nyuk nyuk!)

Dear Theist Doll,

I love those glasses!!!

Have a great day!

Your believing servant,

Alex

OOOOOOh - big mistake there Theist Gal

You have just issued a challenge to Alex -- watch out

Shouldn't be that hard to find - the answer is right in the photo (sort of!). ;-)

I'm back now - did anyone figure out my Secret Identity?