I expect that Fr Petras and others will be attempting to defend the reformed Liturgy in the Ruthenian Catholic Church for a very long time. Speaking for myself, I am finally at peace. I now attend an OCA Church on the old calendar. The Liturgy is beautiful and reverent. Yes, it has words such as “thee”, “thy”, “thou”, “man”, “men”, “mankind”, “fillest”, “sittest”, etc. No one is disturbed by such “archaic” traditional language. We say “oblation” instead of “anaphora”. Half of the Liturgy is chanted in Church Slavonic and the Slavonic remains in the pew books. The music is simple and beautiful. I can once again worship without knots in my stomach.

I will always pray for the Byzantine Catholic Church. It is the Church that nurtured and furthered my understanding of the Mysteries of faith. And now it is time to go deeper—in all love, charity, peace, and humility. I will dedicate special petitions in my personal prayer for those who have been wounded by the reformed Liturgy, yet remain in the Church.

I ask forgiveness from all who I may have offended on this forum over the past several months—especially Fr Petras. Although I disagree with much of what he writes, I believe that he is sincere in what he believes.

May God be merciful to mankind as we continue our theosis on the journey toward ever-lasting life. Fight the good fight. Battle against the passions. Strive for a virtuous life.

I shall now take a much needed break from the forums so that I can pray and heal and discern a possible calling toward the diaconate in the Orthodox Church (a calling I had at one time as a Ruthenian Catholic). I appreciate the wisdom, charity, and brotherly love that has been exhibited here in light of the great pain and sadness that has entered the hearts of some of my brethren.

It has been a difficult cross for me.


Peace and blessing,
Michael (aka Recluse)

I hate to say it, but it is pretty clear that the hierarchs are not going to reverse their decision to impose the new revised liturgy upon the lay faithful of the Ruthenian Church in America, which leaves the lay faithful with only a few options: (1) they will have to simply accept the new liturgy, or (2) they may join a different Eastern Catholic Church, or (3) they may convert to Eastern Orthodoxy.

Michael,

I pray that God bless you and your family,

Todd

God bless you on your journey.



If you don't mind my asking, where is the OCA Church that is on the Julian Calendar...my understanding has been that the OCA mandated their churches on the new modified calendar (Gregorian with the exception of Pascha) and my understanding is they lost a number of parishes who did not want to turn from the Julian Calendar. I didn't realize there were any OCA parishes that remained on the Old Julian Calendar.

Chris

To my great pleasure, I have found a gem! I will private mail you.

It is good to see you finally at peace but simultaneously painful to see one so devout leave Mother Church. The Orthodox church can only benefit by this un-needed Liturgy change that the Byz Caths have enacted. It is also a bridge-burner for possible communion amongst our Orthodox brethren. I feel that the Latin rite is moving in a more reverent direction while the eastern rite is becoming too 'modern'.

Recluse--I am sorry for the feelings of betrayal and doubt that you suffered.But I am happy that you have found peace. I do not know what I will do yet. Due to some health problems and bad timing, I still have not experienced the RDL, except for some recordings of the Parma broadcasts, which I have spoken about on this forum already. God grant you many years, my brother in Christ and I hope you stay on the forum, to add your voice to the many. The more opinions, the better!

Tim

Wow. Good luck, Recluse. Prayers!