www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Much needed basic information, PLEASE!

My Brethren in Christ,
I was raised in the Roman rite my whole childhood.During my adolescence I completely removed God from my life and lost all interest in anything good.In coming back to the church,(after going on a very destructive path for years), I found out that I was baptised Byzantine.I attended the eastern liturgy for the first time(knowingly), and was captivated and fell in love.
I extremely enjoy our way of worship and what I have learned so far.But,I am very confused on alot of issues.The Priests in the area have been helpful for the most part,but I am still in the dark.I was given pamphlets on eastern Christians which were very helpful.I've sought information on the internet also.
I tried reading St.Basil and it is SO confusing.Can someone please recomend to me something like a Eastern Christianity for Dummies book? I don't understand or even know the Eastern calendar year.I don't even know what a vesper is(although I attended a couple I think).I own and cherish some Icons which I purchased at various places,but that is about the extent of my knowledge.
It does seem to me that the churches here do have alot of western influence.I strongly desire to be raised all over again as an "eastern" Christian.I am not trying to downgrade the western church,I just want to learn the purest form of eastern style without being so confused.
I am like a baby that needs to be taught,please respond with patience and understanding.
Michael

P.S.- I really enjoy this site,you guys are very commendable,especially in this day and age.

Michael,

I don't know of any sort of "Eastern Catholicism for Dummies" book. However, I submit that books don't always do what they are supposed to do. If you want to get a feel for the spirituality of the East try Archbishop Joseph Raya's The Face of God. For the liturgical year a good book is The Year of Grace of the Lord by "A Monk of the Eastern Church."

Vespers are evening prayer. Matins and Lauds are usually combined to form Orthros which is morning prayer. Byzantine Rite Catholics (which includes the Russian, Ukranian, Ruthenian and Melkite Churches in the United States) use the Divine Liturgies of St. John Chrysostom and St. Basil. During Great Lent you will also find the Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified.

Your best bet, however, is simply to immerse yourself in the life of the Church. This way you will come to grasp the praxis of the Church which you can then supplement with education.

Edward, deacon and sinner

Second the motion for "The Face of God."


I'd also highly recommend Schmemann's "Liturgy and Life." There's a chapter in it that gives a lovely explanation of what's going on during the major points of the Divine Liturgy that I sure wish I'd had 18 or 19 years ago!

Best,

Sharon

Michael,

First, I would recommend our liturgical life as the Primary School for theological information. It teaches us to know God rather than merely knowing about God.

Second, there is a series of three booklets that introduces the faith to Byzantine Catholics called "Light for Life." The three volumes are (I am quoting the back covers):

* * * * * * *

Part One, THE MYSTERY BELIEVED, sketches this mystery of the God who loves us and reveals Himself to us. We are called to make our own the Church's understanding of what God has shown us of Himself and what He has done to unite ourselves with Him.

Part Two, THE MYSTERY CELEBRATED, looks at the liturgical tradition by which our Churches encounter the Spirit of God. When believers gather, we experience the Kingdom in our midst where God acts to make us the "community of the Holy Spirit."

Part Three, THE MYSTERY LIVED, attempts to show that the world is not outside our realm as Christians. Rather our mission is to the whole world, to call it to be transformed by Christ, as all of life is now meant to be through the power of the Holy Spirit.

* * * * * * *

This series was commissioned by the Eastern Catholic Bishops in the United States. I highly recommend it.

Third, I also recommend a spiritual director. In your return home there will be a lot of questions. Take your time and be patient to let the Holy Spirit work.

Fourth, remember that God is our focus. There is no greater objective in life than to be a partaker of the divine nature.

Enjoy the journey!

Joe

Christ is Risen!

Dear Michael, the Light for Life books Cantor Joe recommends are the "standard" adult catechetical books for Eastern Catholics. These are an excellent place to start. And you can't go wrong with Archbishop Raya, either.

I might recommend even before you dig into these three to read Father George Appleyard's book "Light of the East: A Guide to Eastern Catholocism for Western Catholics" which was intended as a simple primer for catechists in various Latin RCIA programs.

It is $7.95 (paper), ISBN 0-923635-02-1 and available at the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership's WWW site: http://www.nccl.org/resources2.html.

As far as Father Alexander Schmemann goes, I strongly recommend starting out with his collection "For the Life of the World" which he even before his death recommended as the starting point in reading his works. This has the ISBN: 0913836087 and is available from various sources including St. Vladimir's Seminary Press. After Schmemann you might want to consider the "Orthodox Way" by Bishop Kallistos Ware.

Subdeacon Randolph, archsinner

Michael,

Welcome back home As has been said - live and learn through the Liturgy (and other services of the Divine Office [vespers, etc.]) Luckily, since you're in Cleveland, you're spoilt for choice when it come to parishes! <he wrote enviously>

Andrij

Go Tribe!

I like "The Orthodox Church" by Timothy Ware (as he was then [now Bishop Kallistos of Diokleia]).

It gives great background and theology and even though it is not "in-Communion-with-Rome" it's still the best source of theology, history, spirituality I have come across.

Of course for your purposes, it will need to be supplemented by something like "We are all Schismatiques" by Melkite Archbishop Elias Zoghby of Baalbek.

Christ is Risen.

Herb

WOW,
Thank you everyone for the welcoming.I am so glad that I got that many responses so quick.Yes there are many parishes around NE Ohio.I am kind of a tourist right now,going to the different parishes.

There still is a low attendance in the Byzantine parishes I visit though,especially with young people.I am going to look into getting the books you guys reccomended,thanks so much.
Glory to Jesus Christ.

Michael