www.byzcath.org Forums Mysteries: The Life of Worship The Other Sacramental Mysteries Receiving Sacraments in a Byzantine Church After Roman Baptism

Hello, I’m looking for some guidance.
I was baptized Roman Catholic as an infant but never received any other sacraments (Confession, First Communion or Confirmation). For many years I’ve been praying and living within the Byzantine Christian tradition which has shaped my faith and spiritual life.

I now feel ready to return to the sacraments—especially Confession and the Eucharist, and eventually Confirmation—but my question is how to do this properly within an Eastern Catholic Church, given that my sacramental formation hasn’t followed the usual Roman order. I currently work with Carmelite priests and nuns who have suggested RCIA in a Roman parish, but my heart is drawn to receiving the sacraments in the East rather than confirming my faith in a Roman church.

Any guidance on how this is normally approached would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Petru, welcome to the forum.

Do you regularly attend a byzantine parish? Or have you at least attended one a few times? If yes, I'd recommend talking to your priest. If not, I'd recommend checking out a byzantine parish in-person, given that's where your heart is leading you.

Maybe someone on here more knowledgeable than me can comment on the canonical implications of being baptized Roman. However, the canonical implications are a moot point if you are not involved with a byzantine parish.

May our Lord guide you where he wills.

Christ is in our midst!!

Petru_Kuznets,

Welcome to the forum. We hope your time with us is spiritually enriching.

You are canonically a member of the Roman Church, even if you are drawn to the Eastern Catholic Church. Talk to your Carmelite priest and follow his advice. He would know best how to direct your continued faith formation.

Bob
Moderator

Hello Miloslav,

Thank you very much for your response,

I’ve attended the Divine Liturgy four time- twice at a Ukrainian Greek Catholic parish and twice at a Ruthenian parish.


At the Ukrainian parish, before I even entered the nave, I spent time in quiet prayer in the narthex, lighting a candle. In that silence I was moved to tears. During my prayer, I felt a deep sense of God’s presence and a strong awareness of prayerful communion, especially while praying for my close relatives who have passed. I also experienced a profound sense of being forgiven shown mercy just by being in that small space,, it may sound crazy but that was even before the Divine Liturgy had even begun.


The Ukrainian parish felt deeply like home to me and was very moving; however, it is nearly two hours away, which makes regular participation difficult. The Ruthenian parish, while different in expression, is closer, about forty-five minutes and it was a wonderful service and the people are very kind. They offers a Saturday evening Divine Liturgy, which would allow me to participate more faithfully and consistently in parish life.

Thank you for your response. I understand I am canonically a Latin at present. I should clarify, however, that i am not currently practicing in a Roman Catholic parish and do not have a Roman pastor guiding my formation. My work with The Carmelite Sisters and Priest is in a professional medical setting, not as a parishioner, i only asked their advice because i was comfortable speaking to them about my personal journey.

My discernment comes precisely from the fact that i never truly became rooted in the Roman parish life and was away from the church for a long timbe because i did not feel spiritually fulfilled there. in encountering Orthodoxy over 10 years ago and then it leading me to the Byzantine Catholic Church I have felt much more spiritual and called home if you will.. The tradition and theology as i understand it has brought me back to the Church. The Byzantine Church is where i believe i can genuinely live the sacramental and parish life in a stable and faithful way, rather than remain canonically affiliated in name only.

Christ is in our midst!!

Petru_Kuznets,

I get that you are not a practicing Latin Catholic. However, the law of the Catholic Church still sees you as Latin, whether you are connected or not because of your Baptism. That is your starting point. Any Catholic priest, Latin or Eastern, will tell you that. The point is to start talking to one--any one--and see where your pilgrimage takes you. A canonical transfer to an Eastern Catholic Church may be in the cards. But you need to get started.

Prayers for your discernment will go up. May your Christmas be your start.

Bob

I appreciate your insight. Have a wonderful and blessed Christmas.

Glory to Jesus Christ.

I apologize if I’m responding to your comment twice, or if this forum is backed up — I didn’t see my previous comment post.


I’ve attended the Divine Liturgy four times — twice at a Ukrainian Greek Catholic parish and twice at a Ruthenian parish.

At the Ukrainian parish, before I even entered the nave, I spent some time in quiet prayer in the narthex, lighting a candle. In that silence I was unexpectedly moved to tears. It was a deep, reflective moment for me — somber, yet comforting. I felt very full of the Holy Spirit, and a real sense of being held and comforted in prayer, especially while praying for my close relatives who have passed.

The Ukrainian parish felt deeply like home and was very moving; however, it is nearly two hours away, which makes regular participation difficult. The Ruthenian parish, while different in expression, also felt great to be in. It is much closer — about forty-five minutes — and offers a Saturday evening Divine Liturgy, which would allow me to participate more faithfully and consistently in parish life.

I’m trying to discern not only where I feel spiritually drawn, but where I can realistically live the Church’s life with stability, regularity, and responsibility

Glory to Jesus Christ! Слава Ісусу Христу!

I'm also a Latin Rite Catholic right now, also planning on a switch in rites.

I'm not particularly knowlegable in these sorts of things, so I'd probably say

#1: Maybe you can prepare for a switch in the Latin Rite, then join the Byzantine Rite, or you can just jump the gun and go directly to the Byzantine Rite by asking your eparch and current bishop via letter.

#2: Whenever I've went to Divine Liturgy, I've always been in a Ukrainian church. It from my experience has been one of the most welcoming churches I've been to. Even though they can tell I'm not Ukrainian (I'm Filipino) they're still super nice. It is up to you though, because I understand geographic difficulties. I know that there is a Ruthenian church in my area, and while I've never been there, I'm pretty sure it's also nice. So, I'd say that you should go to where you believe you belong to.

I'll keep you in my prayers.

Thank you very much Servant, Have a blessed and holy Christmas

You too.

Christ is Born!!

Petru_Kuznets,

Has no one suggested to you that you can receive the Sacraments/Mysteries in any Catholic parish of whatever tradition? But you need to approach a priest and get this question settled. I hope you get on with your relationship with Christ in the Sacraments/Mysteres in this year quickly.