www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Why do you attend a BC parish?

Dear Brian,

May I ask what jurisdiction your church was? I could certainly make a positive affirmation of Orthodoxy.

God bless,

Karen

Brian I have been present at the reception of at least a dozen catechumens into the OCA DoW. All would be considered "economical" at a variety of levels, but in every case there was a specific renuciation of one's former affiliations, and all erroneous ideas (not enumerated) associated with it. On the other hand, I have not seen a reception of a former BC into the OCA DoW. Is that handled differently?

I guess that for Catholics of the western kind, it's good to attend these parishes because they offer reverent worship with an ancient rite which is not avaible at their own parishes, and services in English.

For the Orthodox who attend them, they're probably attracted because the BC, being Catholics, are not as close-minded as the Orthodox and there's a welcoming environment. Those parishes that are not Latinzed have all what the Orthodox have plus another attraction: there's the Pope, which is "what is missing" in the average Orthodox parish.

Mexican,

Perhaps I am misunderstanding you, but your post sounds like you're calling the Orthordox closed-minded. That is a slight and likely personal affront to the Orthodox members of this community.

As for the Pope being an "added attracting" and being "what is missing" from Orthodoxy ... I'm betting that the vast majority of the Orthodox do not agree that the Pope is either "what is missing" or an "added attraction".

Carole

I think I mostly agree with you. I love the traditional stance of the Orthodox but some Orthodox can be rather difficult. I do believe that relationship to the Pope, as is relationship with all the Patriarchs, is important. I long for the day that this happens.

CDL

Though I think, CDL, that you would agree that it can be said that some Catholics can be rather difficult. And some Byzantine Catholics can be rather difficult.

With face of red, I must agree. Unbeliebably, some people even think that of me, though they are certainly misinformed. :p

CDL

They must the the same woefully misinformed people who think of me as being difficult! Surely they cannot be right!

Ditto for me. I was not asked to recite any renunciations, and I was not required to be Chrismated. This is not at all what I expected when I decided to become Orthodox, I had already wrestled with all of that (I anguished over a year unable to move one way or another) and would not have converted if I was not able to take the tonic full strength.

In any case, I asked to be Chrismated with the other Catechumens, it meant even more to me since it wasn't demanded of me. And yes, if I had been asked to recite the renunciations I would have done so readily, that was the only real reason to convert, as far as I was concerned.

I too pray for reunion constantly, and I dearly cherish my association with the Byzantine Ruthenian Metropolia (and my old parish). I never stopped identifying with the church even to this day.

+T+
Michael

Yep, I don't know where they get that, you teddy bear you! [Linked Image]

Michael,

It was great seeing you the other day. I was fighting a cold and my wife wanted to hurry off so I missed greeting you.

This Saturday is our Patristics and Cigar club meeting. Have you ever attended?

CDL

Add single malt or a nice cognac, perhaps; file under evangelization ideas.

Excellent idea.

Hi Carson! I missed speaking with you too! I hope you are doing better now, I understand about the cold, I have been fighting one these last few days, it made me really tired and feverish. I blamed it on the fast and treated myself to a fattening meal

I had not attended the St Maximos Cigar Club before but the men were kind enough to invite me I will study the next book they choose and participate at the next following meeting (this is Holy Saturday on my calendar, and I will be doing the Vigil if I am well enough). I was very happy to be so honored with an invitation! You guys are great.

All the best to you brother in Christ!
+T+
Michael

Dear Carole:

I never refered to the whole Orthodox communion and people as close-minded. Some posters also shared with us their experiences that are quite good a possitive (they didn't experience anything like that) but it's true that there are some close-minded elements inside our Churches or who do not have any sympathy for causes like Church unity, Ecumenism (true Ecumenism) and much less a possitive view of Catholicism in general.

Leaving the doctrinal issues aside (I do hope one day the Papacy will return to the full Orthodox faith), I do not regard the Papacy as divisive but as something that links you to other Christians like Copts and Armenians and Africans and Germans, etc. who are in communion with him. The Papacy has been a strong unifying element in Catholicism. In spite of the exagerated ambitions that the Papacy has shown in the past, it's always wanted to keep Christians united.