I'm a Roman Catholic who has been a youth minister for the last 4 years. I had considered entering the Ruthenian rite in Orlando but because I worked in a Roman parish I stayed in the Latin Church. I've moved now and I was wondering two things, is their a Byzantine Parish in central South Carolina?? I've read the Light of Life series and love Eastern spirituality, so if anyone has any ideas let me know,

hmmm... it should be alright once you start attending a parish i suppose. Just attend one first. Leave all technicalities aside first.

Well where can i see if ones in south carolina.

Slava Isusu Christu! Chris, I too was a youth minister in a Latin Parish and at the same time started becoming more involved in my Ruthenian Parish. I was a member before I started as a youth minister, but during my time, my appreciation of the Byzantine Rite grew exponentially. I'm happy to see that you decided not to stay away. From what I can see South Carolina doesn't have any Byzantine Rite Churches. Sorry.

Hi Chris,
I couldn't find any Byzantine Catholic parishes in South Carolina. However, there are several OCA parishes there. Perhaps you could attend Mass on Saturday evening and Divine Liturgy at an OCA parish on Sunday morning ?
God Bless You!

OCA parishes in South Carolina

There is a Melkite Church in Charleston http://www.scmelkites.net/

If you're interested in another Eastern Church, the Maronite have a mission in Greenville http://www.saintrafka.net/

My suggestion would be to contact the Chancery of the Local Latin Diocese and ask them to help you find a Byzantine Church.

Unfortunately, that's not likely to be a particularly successful venture.

As to SC, other than the Melkite Community in Charleston and Saint Rafka's Maronite Mission in Greenville, there are no Eastern or Oriental Catholic parishes. If either of those is near you, I'm certain that Abouna Titus or Abouna Bartholomew would welcome you.

Many years,

Neil

I have actually had great success with using the Chancery from several Latin Dioceses in finding Eastern Churches. They have proved extremely helpful and most have actually had these parishes listed on their website and within their Diocesan Directory.

Sounds like your Latin diocese is like mine... it lists the Eastern parishes here as well... Interesting ay?

When I called the Archdiocese of Galveston - Houston a few months back:

Me: "Cardinal DiNardo mentioned a Melkite chapel in a recent speech. Where is that located?"

Chancery secretary: "What's a Melkite?"

Isn't a Melkite a sort of Catholic Molokan? Their center is at Melk Abbey in Austria.

Fr. Serge

Priceless!

Have to say - I am not surprised

Surprisingly, the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston maintains these ethnic offices dedicated to the pastoral needs of:

(1) African-Americans;
(2) Chinese;
(3) Filipinos;
(4) Hispanics;
(5) Indians;
(6) Koreans;
(7) Nigerians;
(8) Polish; and
(9) Vietnamese.

Perhaps, there is not yet a visible presence of Arabic-Americans in the Archdiocese to necessitate the institution of a dedicated pastoral ministry.

By the way, the 17 dead and 38 survivors (all Vietnamese Catholics) in the bus crash reported in this forum a few days ago all belong to 5 different parishes of the Archdiocese.

Amado

Amado,

I would not expect the Archdiocese to have a dedicated pastoral ministry for Arab-Americans, that's why the Melkites, Maronites, and Syriacs have Eparchies of our own. Since there are relatively few Arab-Americans of the Latin Rite, it would be as much a stretch as for the Archdiocese to have a pastoral ministry for Carpatho-Rusyns, Ukrainians, etc. I would, however, expect them to have a list available of the EC/OC parishes situated w/in the geographic bounds of the Archdiocese.

Many years,

Neil