Does anyone attend multiple Churches? (For Example an Orthodox Church for Saturday Vespers and a Greek Catholic Church for Sunday Divine Liturgy)

If so how do you address the tithing issue. Do you give 50% of your tithe to each Church? Or does the Parish that you attend for Divine Liturgy receive more than half of your tithe?

What is the logic behind your giving plan?

Thank You!

InCogNeat3's,

I am a student, so I am far from home. When I am at school, I attend a Melkite Church every two weeks (it is a bit of a drive). Because I was first introduced to the Melkites then, I am a full parisher at this church, registered.

I transferred from another part of the counrty and when I visit home, I got to the Melkite church in the area (much closer to me). I am not registered there. When I graduate and move back home, I will be a full member of this community.

So, for now, I tithe at the Church out near my college because I am a registered and active (as I can be) parisher there. When I am back home, I tithe to the Church out there (because I will be moving back there).

For you, I do not know. I would say probably to tithe first to your home parish, then, if you feel compelled give to the Orthodox Church.

Ultimately, it is your decsision, but I would say, make sure that the temple you celebrate and worship at on Sunday is taken care of first.

Hope this helps.

God Bless!

When you receive the sacraments, advice, fellowship, and further study, which church are you in? If you were hospitalized and needed the sacraments and prayers, which church would you call? I'd divide my money according to those answers.

I am in this situation. My BCC is 1 hour away from my house. I therefore alternate weeks going between a RCC which is a few miles from my house and my BCC which is 1 hour away. I consider my BCC as my "home" church. Therefore, I give 90% of my tithe to that Church. I give a token tithe to the RCC since I feel guilty not giving them anything.

Hope this helps!

InCogNeat3's, I don't know your situation, but isn't this confusing to your family?

I personally don't like to apply the concept of "tithing" - yes, I understand the origin, but I just don't see giving generously so much as an obligation as I do a joy. (Fortunately, in this country, it's one good whopping tax deduction, too - extra "joy" courtesy of "Caesar.") ;-)

We give the largest % of donations to our parish, in part, because it is relatively small and is in the midst of a major building project that has to be carried by a relatively small number of households. But we also give regular donations to a couple monasteries, churches we also visit in the community, our old churches "back home," and to church-run charities. My husband and I are not really that into "stuff" and there are only so many overpriced trinkets a person can want and use. It is much more satisfying to give the same money wasted on such things to a local soup kitchen and see some folks in need get three squares for it. And it is even better to find time to serve these folks in person. Christian charity means we take care of each other.

Christmas is a fine time to think about making a gift to a church, monastery, church-run charity, or similar cause. Even some of the grander churches we visit that look so beautiful need our help to help others, because that is one of the most core contributions of churches. Many churches give until they hurt. In DC, for example, the Basillica will open its cafeteria to hundreds of people on Thanksgiving. They, and others like them, cannot do these works without donations of time, talent and treasury. It takes a lot of generosity from people in the community. So if you are a pilgrim there and can afford it, consider that and drop a little in the plate or send a gift for Christmas.

I know of a monastery that was saved through the generosity of regular people. The monks were not savvy about money and really were overwhelmed by maintenance of the buildings and grounds. But people from the community and pilgrims who came to see them and pray with them were able to do a little better on that front. Now, the monastery, which almost was sold to developers, is coming back and being restored and hopefully it will continue to be a spiritual oasis for people.

Generosity begins at home - give generously as you can to your parish. But give wherever you see a need, too.

Now here's a conundrum of sorts. I live in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia, which is under the jurisdiction of the Byzantine-Ruthenian Archeparchy of Pittsburgh. I attend 2-3 times a month Epiphany of Our Lord "Mission" in Gaithersburg, Maryland (suburban D.C.), which is a mission of Epiphany of Our Lord in Annandale, Virgina, under the Eparchy of Passaic.

On the other two (Saturdays), I attend Patronage at Hagerstown (Maryland), which is "mission" of Patronage of the Mother of God in Baltimore, also under Passaic. Patronage at Hagerstown meets just twice a month; Epiphany Mission is every Sunday.

Epiphany Mission is 50 miles one way... most of which is 4-lane. Hagerstown is 27 miles away, but all two-lane. Ironically, it takes about the same amount of time (an hour one way) to go to either.

I technically belong to Epiphany "Mission" and by extension Epiphany Church-Annandale.

(Note that the reason the word mission had quotes around it at the beginning of this post is that neither Gaithersburg or Hagerstown are canonically considered missions. There is a term for them that currently escapes me... something like "Liturgy Stops." ??? FYI...The closest Orthodox churches are 25-30 miles one way and not overly welcoming I might add.)

I contribute to both "missions", but I don't have a set percentage. I guess my biggest concern is if I should die. I would want my funeral to be in by hometown in Western Pa.. But there isn't a Byzantine Church around for 40 miles or so, although there is a R.C. Church, which my maternal grandparents were members.

One interesting issue that arose when I lived in Maryland and attended Epiphany Mission is that the mission and Epiphany Church are located in separate States. Technically I could not claim any deductions for donations to the church on my Maryland State Tax. Also we could not use Annandale's tax-exempt i.d. number for any purchases we made in Maryland for the mission. In W.Va. it's a moot point as you can't deduct church donations from your State Income Tax anyway (flat tax).

Some Sundays I don't know whether I'm coming or going.

It is my opinon for what it is worth that the Church where you are a registerd parishoner should be the Church that you give your tithe at and the others should just be offerings above and beyond the tithe. I would encourage clergy to give example and let their faithful see that they too contribute to the Church.
You would be suprised what effect that will have in the weekly offering. A silent witness.
Stephanos I

Dear moncobyz,

Glory to Jesus Christ!

You need not put quotes around the word Mission. And don’t get too hung up on the canonical status of missions.

The only canonical entity is the parish church, which in your case is Epiphany of Our Lord Byzantine Catholic Church in Annandale VA. The bishop has blessed the establishment of the mission for this parish which is located in Gaithersburg MD. That allows the pastor to schedule Divine Liturgies at the mission without having to obtain specific approval for each Divine Liturgy held outside the parish church.

Patronage of the Mother of God Byzantine Catholic Church in Baltimore likewise has missions in Hagerstown and Abingdon.

Some missions are in locations where the building and land has been purchased by the parish church, with a suitable building being erected for the Divine Liturgies. Other missions are in locations that are rented. In your case, the property is owned by the Archdiocese of Washington and rent is paid for the use of the facilities. In either case, a mission is a mission. There is no further need for distinction.

You are correct that the only tax-exempt id is for the parish church.

Hope this helps,

Deacon El