Assistance Needed...

Somewhere in those dark recesses of my memory I remember running across a prayer service/instructions (for lack of a better term) published by one of the EO Churches that was designed for families on travel to use on Sunday when there were no churches around to attend Divine Liturgy. I think I saw this on a website, but I can't re-find it.

I thought at that time, what a great idea for families to come together as a domestic church, instead of blowing off Sunday entirely 'cause we're on vacation. It's also a great idea for those of us who travel for our jobs. Although I try to locate a BC church when traveling, they ain't all that easy to come by. Although EO parishes are more plentiful througout the country, there are still areas where none exist or aren't nearby. Plus, one unfortunately doesn't always get that "welcome" feeling from some of the more ethnic parishes. I know most BC folks end up going to an RC Mass when they are out of town because "it counts." But I'd rather stay rooted in Byzantine spirituality and prayer.

I guess this topic also ties in somewhat to recent discussions about non-Communion liturgies on Sundays due to lack of priests. Coming from a BC mission that is always trying to find a priest for Sunday Divine Liturgy, I'd rather have the appropriate/approved prayer services on Sunday lead by a deacon or another person officially designated than cancel entirely because there is no priest.

Is there something wrong when clergy encourages us to "go RC" when there is no priest instead of implementing options that keep us spiritually Byzantine?

A question I pose to many Byzantines is if you left this area and moved to an area where there were only a RC church and an EO church, where would you go on Sunday? I know my answer, and so does my priest.

A question I pose to many Byzantines is if you left this area and moved to an area where there were only a RC church and an EO church, where would you go on Sunday? I know my answer, and so does my priest.

I would go to the RC Church because I can receive Holy Communion there.

Anthony,

what about your children?

I would do one of two things:

1) I would go to the EO parish weekly and go maybe once a month to an additional RC mass for communion.

2) I would come into full communion with the Orthodox Church.

anastasios

One should do what is pastorally best.

If one finds a patrimony one is unfamiliar with inaccessable, God certainly understands whatever compromises to Catholic principles one makes. Certainly, American Catholics overseas have with their bishop's approval attended anglophone Methodist churches when no anglophone Catholic church was available.

K.

[ 12-07-2001: Message edited by: Kurt ]

<Anthony,

what about your children>

Roman Catholic,

My children would have a better chance being allowed to receive Holy Communion at an RC parish than an EO parish, so I would stick with the RC parish and do the Byzantine prayers at home.

If an Orthodox parish allowed my family to commune, then I would attend, but I never heard of this being done. Formally entering the Orthodox Church wouldn't be an option for me personally. If my children wished to when they are older, that would be their choice of course. I will just have to wait until the schism is over. :-)

In Christ,
Anthony

Develop your spirituality in your own parish. If your'e away from "our" parish, then go to liturgy at an Eastern Church. Why? Because it's a pattern of ongoing spirituality. While the Roman brothers have legitimate sacraments, their spiritualiy is quite different from ours. It's great, but it doesn't fit our pattern.

If one is interested only in legitimacy (sacramental), the go with the Roman community. If one is Really following the Byzantine spirituality, then go with our Constantinopolitan brethren in the Orthodox Church. (And, I'll say, that our Orthodox brethren will be kinda impressed that we visiting Byzantine Catholics are both knowledgeable and practicing of the old tradition thereby giving the lie to the belief that we are just Roman Catholics with a sub-rosa purpose.)


So: PRAY the way that we do.

Blessings!

My practice on vacation has been varied. It would all depend on circumstances. I have visited Orthodox parishes and Coptic Orthodox parishes. I've also had some great memories from some Roman parishes while on vacation.

I would disagree with those who would infer that one really isn't practicing Byzantine spirituality if one darkens the door of a Roman parish on occasion. I think one should be open to various situations and needs and not make hard and fast rules.

I remember once visiting an Antiochian Orthodox mission parish in Flagstaff, Arizona. Actually it was a Saturday but I had to check out the parish facilities. There happened to be a layman there and we got into a friendly discussion. I explained I was Eastern Catholic. The fellow I was talking to was from Romania and was very familiar with the Eastern Catholic/Orthodox differences. He understood my desire to make contact with their parish while visiting. He shared with me that when he goes to a city where there are no Orthodox on vacation he visits the local Roman parish. He stated he didn't agree with the Catholic Church on many subjects but that he felt he should worship in the closest thing to Orthodoxy if an Orthodox parish was not available.

I remember reading a Question and Answer by Fr Peter Stravinskas in _The Catholic Answer_ magazine. Someone from Alaska wrote in and mentioned that some Sundays in their isolated location their Roman parish only had a Communion Service (with no priest) but there was an Orthodox parish in that area celebrating the Divine Liturgy. They asked if it would be wrong to attend the Orthodox service that day. Fr Stravinskas' answer: It would be better to attend the Orthodox Divine Liturgy than a Catholic Communion Service.

While on vacation do something different. Visit an Orthodox parish for Liturgy. Or if you're in an area that has a Coptic or Armenian or Assyrian parish (usually a larger city) then take the opportunity to get to know these Eastern Christians. If it's a long vacation don't go too long without the Mysteries, however. You might find that one of your best experiences for Confession is at some tiny Catholic parish on a Saturday afternoon where you stayed for Mass afterwards.

Dave Ignatius DTBrown@aol.com

[ 12-08-2001: Message edited by: DTBrown ]

I agree completely, David. I still maintain that the best thing is to keep to the pattern of one's own spirituality -- feasts, fasts, liturgical styles, etc. But going "Roman" now and again is a potentially good thing.

And you are absolutely correct about going Coptic, Assyrian, Armenian, etc. Experiencing the parochial life of our Eastern brethren is a most wonderful experience spiritually. But, as an added benefit, one LEARNS. And, as a educator, that is a most wonderful gift one can give one's self.

Blessings!