www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life The Christian East & West Hi! I'm new here....

Hello, everyone....

I feel as if I almost know you folks already....I've been reading through lots and lots of posts, and catching the flavor of the site.

I think it is great that our universal Catholic Church has so many traditions, and I want to know all about them....I'm a poor, ignorant Westerner, so fill me in.....(actually, I've done quite a bit of reading, but know that there is much, much, much I don't know)

I participated in a Maronite Eucharist once or twice when the priest was so kind as to come to a RC chapel (beautiful) Other than that, I have only read about the East...or talked with people about it....I didn't know there waas a forum like this.

Since I'm here as myself....I might as well tell you what my interest in this forum is.

1. I am intensely interested in coming to a deeper understanding of the "East and West"
( Byzantine, Roman, Maronite, whoever...) I want to hear about history, Orthodoxy, and all the whys and wherefores of UNITY which is of paramount importance....and I don't mean we all have to be alike...I love the variety of liturgies etc.)

2. I want to hear the Eastern understanding of Scripture study....what wonderful things am I about to discover?

3. I want to share with you the opinions and feelings of a Latin rite Catholic who sees the East from the outside, but hopes to be let in on more than the fringes. I don't want to argue, but I do want to "think aloud"

4. more, and more.....

5. (see 4.)

Okay, you see that I have a little humor, am a little long-winded, and am eager to hear from all of you.....

//2. I want to hear the Eastern understanding of Scripture study....what wonderful things am I about to discover?//

The best school for Scripture study is to worship with us. Sing the stichera (hymns), troparia, kontakia, etc. and you will see Scripture in color. Note that our Divine Liturgy (Mass) of St. John Chrysostom quotes the Scriptures at least 200 times � not including the readings! Take note to �read� the iconography (assuming it is �written� well) and how the Gospel of Nicodemus serves as the basis for our most popular �Resurrection� icon. Notice how the Protogospel of James shows up too with our Marian feasts. Our �Resurrection� troparia and kontakia sung on Sundays include 50% canonical and 50% non-canonical verses. The stichera and troparia at vespers and matins, if celebrated, bespeak a lot of the biblical events and persons. The Canon at Matins is a series of odes based on nine Old Testament (and New Testament) Canticles. The Psalms (we use LXX notation) find their place in our Antiphons, Prokeimena, Alleluias, Communion Hymns, etc. Come and visit with us some more and see the �home� where Scripture grew up. Leave biblical �criticism� behind because it never converted anyone. And anyway, there is always another theory or hypothesis that contradicts the previous one. The paschal mystery is still the core center of everything. It doesn't contradict, but instead, fulfills.

Joe Thur

"Take note to �read� the iconography (assuming it is �written� well) and how the Gospel of Nicodemus serves as the basis for our most popular �Resurrection� icon. "

Thank you so much for your letter, Joe Thur....it gives me a lot to chew on right away!

Please tell me more about iconography, the Gospel of Nicodemus and the Resurrection icon.....it sounds wonderful, fascinating, and I don't know where to start...thank you!

Welcome UIC,

I discovered the Eastern Church about a year ago and find it very spiritual and up lifting.

Enjoy and illuminate your mind.


james

Unity in...

As a lopsided Latin please let me welcome you

I sadly can only mamge to attend Divine Liturgy 3 or 4 times a year - but I really do appreciate it . It takes a bit of getting used to but oh - the beauty and meaning of everything there .

Take a while to get to know us - ask questions and immerse yourself in the 'Other Lung' of the Church - you won't regret it.

Anhelyna

Thanks for the welcome....I'm running in several directions at once, realizing that I know so much less than I thought...some of the most simple words and concepts are still Greek to me (pardon the pun, but it's so hard to resist!)....I think I'm going to start with the very basics, and just blunder my way through, asking questions, and hoping my extreme lack of knowledge doesn't scare anyone away...

Welcome UIC!

Don't worry, the folks here don't scare easily...

But this is also the best place to come with questions, the posters here are actually extremely tolerant and patient with me. :rolleyes:

For which I am very grateful!

Michael, that sinner

Welcome UIC,

Its good that many more Western Christians, Catholic most especialy, discovering the beauty of the Eastern Christian Traditions.

I came into contact with these wonderful tradition about three years now even though the country that i'm living is 80% Roman Catholic. move forward for Christian unity... thats what we are all called for.

Slava Na Viki!
eumir bautista

Dear Friends,

Actually, Anhelyna here is so far advanced in all things Eastern that she is now keeping me on my toes . . .

I've fallen behind by comparison to her, sad to say . . .

Alex

Oh me oh my

Don't listen to a word he has said !

He certainly has not lost his sense of fun .

The little I now know could be fitted onto a pinhead - and still leave room for more

Anhelyna - who is hungry

Sounds great Anhelyna and Alex...while you are deferring to each other's knowledge, I know that you both know a ton about Eastern Catholicism....

Here are a few questions for both of you.... they are on the simplistic side, but Kindergarten is where I am...or Preschool!

Which translation of the Bible do most of the Byzantine Catholics use...and in what language?

Where do I get a copy of the most common liturgical texts? I mean the official, approved editions...

You know how in the West we have "Imprimaturs"...
Does the East have the same, or equivalent...

Which Saints are the best loved in the East...and do the Eastern Churches pay much attention to favorite Western saints...(for example: St. Therese)

I pray the Liturgy of the Hours (Morning, Evening Prayer, etc..) What is the Eastern counterpart to the Latin 4-volume edition? (Okay, Maybe that question isn't quite as basic..)

If there are too many questions...please answer at least one...

Thanks....
UIC

Which translation of the Bible do most of the Byzantine Catholics use...and in what language?

In the USA, we use the New American Bible. The Gospel book also contains glosses that bring the NAB text in line with the Textus Receptus.

"Where do I get a copy of the most common liturgical texts? I mean the official, approved editions..."

Good question. The only actual officially approved texts are in Church Slavonic, published in Rome throughout the 40s and 50s. In 1965, an English translation was made of the Divine Liturgy, under the auspices of the Bishops of the Byz. Cath. Church. Official books are for use by the clergy, and can be obtained from the Byzantine Seminary Press. Pewbooks and translations of other services are the works of individuals or religious groups.


I pray the Liturgy of the Hours (Morning, Evening Prayer, etc..) What is the Eastern counterpart to the Latin 4-volume edition?

The counterpart is a monastery. The Byzantine office is very complex, being composed of many overlapping cycles. There are quite a few books needed for even a partial celebration.

In Christ,
Adam

Dear Unity In Christ,

Welcome aboard!

Caution: You will soon be breathing with two lungs, East and West (Pope John Paul II).

You are with a good bunch of people.

God bless you,

Paul

Unity in Christ,

Welcome to the ByzCath board! It's definitely a family environment here. Some siblings are closer than others; we complain, we compare, we snitch, we yell...but we also share, rejoice, discuss, and joke with each other. I think the sense of fraternal love generally overrides all of the negatives.

Logos Teen

Dear UIC,
Glory to Jesus Christ!

It is good to hear of your questions. I would agree with all those who replied that you should immerse yourself into the local parish, its liturgical celebrations, and whatever communal/social/service events are announced. That way, over a period of time, you will more fully realize the expression of faith from an Eastern perspective, the highest form of which is the Divine Liturgy.

You also asked about the Liturgy of the Hours. The response from Adam regarding the complexity is technically correct. However, when someone asks me for a guideline on prayer, I believe there are initial steps which can be taken immediately. When asking about prayer, there is always something that can be done now.

There is a general version of Vespers available at http://www.byzantines.net/liturgy/vespers.htm. It has all the basic elements of daily Vespers in a format relatively easy for a beginner. The more complex elements for particular feasts and liturgical seasons are not included. However, I would recommend this as a starting point, especially for private use. Then, if your parish celebrates Vespers on Saturday evenings, you can be more prepared to fully participate.

Other topics on this site also give much depth of information. I would also suggest you check out the comments on the Divine Liturgy at http://www.byzantines.net/liturgy/comments%20on%20the%20Divine%20liturgy.htm.
Welcome to the Forum and good luck in your process of discovery.

Deacon El