www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Latin Catholic in an Orthodox Chruch

Perhaps Alice or other Orthodox brethren can answer this question.
My 17 month old daughter was baptized Greek Orthodox. Every chance I get, I bring her to Church to receive the Precious Blood. Me being a Latin Catholic I will be denied, the Sacrament.
If one is not properly disposed, Is it customary for an Orthodox Christian to approach the Holy Cup and ask for a blessing, as in the Latin Church ?
Has anyone heard of a Latin Catholic or Eastern Catholic (for that matter) receiving a blessing form an Orthodox Priest instead of receiving the Sacrament ?

Thank you,
Brad

If a person is not prepared to receive Holy Communion and yet wants a 'Eucharistic blessing'...this is actually quite normal in many Slavic Orthodox parishes. After Holy Communion has been given...the priest will turn to the people with the holy chalice covered and sing, O God save Thy people..." and then in many different Slavic Orthodox traditions (Belarusian, Ukrainian, Russian, & Serb) he will come down and place the chalice on the head of all those who approach for blessing. I do not remember ever seeing this done in the Greek tradition...but Alice would know more about that than I.

Hope that helps a little?

In Christ Jesus Our Saviour,
+Fr. Gregory

Hi Brad,

Father Gregory is correct in not remembering this being done in the Greek tradition.

We basically consider the 'antidoron' given at the end of the service by the priest as a substitute blessing for those who have not taken Holy Communion.

In Christ,
Alice

Dear Alice,

When worshiping at a Greek Orthodox Church, I, sadly, did not receive Holy Communion because of the schism with the Latin church.

I did however, receive the antidoron. Is it proper for a Latin to take the antidoron in a Greek Orthodox Church?

Praying for Christian unity,

Paul

Dear Paul,

Technically, no.

But I've been to an Antiochian Orthodox parish where I was allowed to do so, even though I'm a heretic.



Alex

Dear Paul,

I hate to contradict my friend Alex, but in the *Greek* Orthodox church, ALL are WELCOME to partake of the antidoron.

In Christ,
Alice

Alice,

The GO priest who offered the antidoron to me appeared very welcoming. I must have had my Latin face on.

Paul

Dear Alice,

Being contradicted by you is always a blessing!

And more power to the Greek Orthodox for being so open!

(I guess you don't mean the Old Calendarists . . . sorry, had to put that in . . .)

Alex

Hi Alex,

No, I definitely don't mean them!

Just us New Calendrist Greek Orthodox!

Regards,
Alice

I was able to receive the antidoron at one of Father Ephraim's monasteries where the priest was from Philotheou on Mt. Athos.

I think it's safe to say you don't have to worry about accepting the antidoron in a Greek Orthodox Church.

~cleopa :p

Hi to all!!!

When I visit the Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Mexico City, I've always received the antidoron without any problem at all, even though they know I'm not Orthodox. Also at the Antiochian Cathedral of St. George in Mexico City I have received the antidoron, besides a blessing of the Priest at Holy Communion, and this was weird because when I told him I usually attend to the Melkite Church, he told me I could receive Holy Communion without any problem, which I gladly did. Does anyone believe I did wrong by receiving Holy Communion at an Orthodox Church?

God bless

Bernardo,

I don't know the "official" stance of the Antiochian jurisdiction in Mexico but in the US (last I checked), it was opposed to communing Catholics (EC or Latin). That said, in the Northeast at least, where families are frequently divided between the Melkite and Antiochian Churches (and to a lesser extent the Syriacs) and intermarriage is a regular occurrence, it is not uncommon for Antiochian priests to commune Catholics whom they know to be of the Melkite Church.

In the old country, there is an informal pastoral agreement between the Antiochians and the Melkites relative to those places where there is only a single priest of one or the other Church available to serve the spiritual needs of the faithful.

If you were properly disposed and the priest chose to commune you, I presume he made that decision based on knowledge that he has of the situation between the two Churches. I don't see that you can or should be faulted in any way, you didn't seek to trick him as to your status, you didn;t even seek to be communed - he made the offer to do so, and it's not your responsibility to search out the policy of his Church.

Many years,

Neil, who has received antidoron in both Antiochian and Greek churches

Bernardo, I agree with Neil completely. One of the weighty responsibilities that priests have is to make such decisions...to administer the Holy Eucharist carefully and to seek to do this in conformity with the wishes of the Church and his bishop. In the end, it is the priest who must answer before the Lord for communing you...and as long as you were prepared properly, you have nothing to worry about. Be at peace and know that the reception of Holy Communion is for the forgiveness of sin and as a promise of Eternal Life in Paradise!

In His great mercy,
+Fr. Gregory

Okay now I am really confused.
The antidoron is administered at the end of the service. (Which is not consecrated)
I distinctly remember bringing my daughter up for Communion and when I left, there was a big "bowl" full of bread, in which I took a piece on my way back to my seat. I gave some to my daughter and wife and finished the rest myself.

Was I wrong in doing so ?

Brad, hoping he has not offended anyone at that Greek Orthodox parish.

Brad,

No. I have seen this manner of "distributing" Antidoron observed in some Eastern churches, both Catholic and Orthodox. As I think back, I can't relate it to specific Churches, so it may be a matter of local custom or a priest's personal preference. Hopefully, Father Gregory or one of the Deacons can shed a bit of light on the matter.

Many years,

Neil