|
0 members (),
347
guests, and
112
robots. |
|
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Forums26
Topics35,533
Posts417,705
Members6,185
| |
Most Online4,112
Mar 25th, 2025
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 99
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 99 |
Hello,
I have been lurking here for quite a while and have been enjoying the discussions. I am currently a "Latin" Catholic, but am interested in becoming more "Eastern". For a while I considered jumping over into Eastern Orthodoxy. But for a variety of reasons I have decided against this course of action, at least for now anyway. I try not to make a habbit of closing doors. Some of my reasons are the same as what Father Kimel discussed in his Orthodoxy and Justification thread over in the East and West folder, if anyone else has read that. There are other reasons as well of course, but back to the topic. I would like some advice. There aren't really any nearby eastern churches so I was wondering if people could recommend any eastern prayer books, or books in general on eastern spirituality and practice. Thanks a bunch for any advice. And let me say that i have been to many Christian forums all over the internet and this is the best in many ways I think.
In Christ,
Matt
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 219
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 219 |
Matt,
Great to have you join us! May I ask were you born after Vatican II and are you a Roman Catholic? Sorry for the questions but I will explain in my next reply.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,461 Likes: 1
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,461 Likes: 1 |
Glory to Jesus Christ! Dear Matt, there are several good intriductory books. For an introductory book designed especially for Roman Catholics desiring to learn more about the Eastern Churches there is "The Light of the East: A guide to Eastern Catholicism for Western Catholics" by Father George Appleyard. He wrote this book specifically for people who are in RCIA or other Roman adult education programs to learn more about the Eastern churches. The three-part Light for Life adult catechism series from God With Us is a more in-depth read and you can get those from Redemptorist Book Service. Also the "Face of God" by Archbishop Joseph Raya and the "Orthodox Way" by Kallistos Ware, and "For the Life of the World" by Alexander Schmemann are great books as well. There are many others but these are a good place to start. As far as prayer books again there are many out there. Archbishop Raya's "Byzantine Daily Worship" while pricy (usually over 50-60$ now) is packed with the Hours, Divine Liturgies, propers, prayers for confession, preparation for Communion, funerals, Akathist to the Mother of God, Paraklisis, etc. Smaller, more cost-effective but good prayer books include the Jordanville and Old Believer prayerbooks which are both Orthodox and the "Byzantine Book of Prayer" put out by the Byzantine Catholic Seminary Press. You can find much of these materials at Icon and Book Service in Washington, D.C. at iconbook.org Many of the Orthodox books and prayer books can be found at St. John of Kronstadt Press, http://www.sjkp.org or Light and Life in Minneapolis at http://www.light-n-life.com/ There is a Ukrainian Catholic parish in Wilmington, St. Nicholas. Also since you are a Catholic, I would also recommend the encyclical by the Holy Father "Light of the East" to read his thoughts on the Eastern Churches.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 320
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 320 |
hello Matt, i also live in Delaware and attend saint nicholas ukrainian catholic parish in wilmington, and like yourself i am currently Latin but in transition of joining the ukrainian catholic church. and my name is Matthew as well, lol how ironic.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,904
Orthodox Catholic Toddler Member
|
|
Orthodox Catholic Toddler Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,904 |
Hello Matt, welcome to the forum.
Take Diak's advice on those books, and take your time in discerning. The eastern churches are more that just liturgy as I am certain you know.
Your story is a lot like mine, so many prayers for you on your journey.
Michael
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,696
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,696 |
Dear Matthew,
Welcome to the Forum. I am also a Latin Catholic who comes here to learn and to share. I agree that this is one of the best! It truly is a kind of cyberparish for those who come here.
Our hosts are most hospitable and are very willing to help us to learn of the East.
Again, Welcome.
Steve
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 99
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 99 |
Thank you all for the warm welcome. To answer Johan, I was born after Vatican II and am a Roman Catholic. Though I have not ever been confirmed (or chrismated if you prefer  ). That is another story. Thanks as well for the advice on the books. I think I will journey to Wilmington next week and visit that Ukrainian church. I had no idea it even existed. I will be able to take communion there, correct? That was always a hangup for me when visiting Orthodox churches. It meant I wouldn't be partaking of the Eucharist that week. In Christ, Matt
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 36
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 36 |
Matt,I would also like to welcome you.I was baptised a byzantine catholic but raised in roman catholic schools and churches my whole life(do to a disagreement between my mother and a byzantine priest!).About a year ago I embarked on my spiritual journey into the east.At certain times I've also felt like going orthodox but I believe that in being in communion with Rome I am being a part of the solution rather than going backwards in time.I surprisingly have yet to read The "Light for life" books,but have found some orthodox materials very helpful including a book entitled:"Theese Truths We Hold".This book is immensely helpful in regard to learning about the eastern traditions.It explains the physical structuring of our churches both in and out,our liturgy,our feasts,the church fathers,the clergy garments,our beliefs and many other things.The only thing I do not like about the book is some unesessary bashing of the western church.I always try to support the local economy so I found a couple of orthodox churches that have excellent book stores.I would not recomend jumping into books written by any of the church fathers such as St. Basil the great,for you may be confused.Besides physically attending different services,praying,and reading books I have learned a great amount from this forum and would like to give thanks to all who post here.
I wish you the best on youre journey.Michael U
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 341
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 341 |
Welcome Matt! I concur with Diak that the Jordanville prayerbook would be a wonderful start.
Hope you enjoy our forum!
With best wishes, and Glory to ICXC!
Stefan
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,461 Likes: 1
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,461 Likes: 1 |
Yes, for a pocket prayerbook Jordanville or Erie are very hard to beat.
|
|
|
|
|
