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Hi Everyone-

I was visiting an Orthodox parish, and one of the locals asked me "are you Orthodox?" and, as a Latin-rite Catholic, I was a bit non-plused on how to respond. I thought about these:

"No, I am Roman Catholic" - but then, I'm accepting the proposition that I don't believe Rome is [small o] orthodox! Also I'm not big on the word "Roman Catholic" due to its English Reformation origins.

"Yes, I am a Latin-rite Catholic in communion with the symbol of orthodoxy, the Pope or Rome" but of course this is an open invitation to angry religious polemics and I won't do this in the a holy church, right under the Pantocrator icon of my Lord and God, with the priest blessing a group of travelers a few feet away!.

I know that I was being asked "do you go to an Eastern Orthodox Church" and that this is an innocent question, not a question appropriate for any level of theological dissection, not an invitation to theological argument, and is really a dumb thing to be soul-searching about. But nevertheless I still don't know how I would answer if asked again.

What do you all think I should say? in the end just about every combination of words either leaves me saying the Pope is not orthodox or in inviting a debate.

I have no problem describing myself as an Orthodox in Communion witht the Apostolic See of Rome.
Stephanos I

Hi LV,

I would not worry about the question too much - and would personally just say 'I'm a Catholic' - which would answer the obvious intent of the question. Eastern Orthodox brethren could say the same thing about our use of the word 'Catholic'. I tend not to draw hard lines in those areas unless the specific issues come up. - That's just my two cents.

God Bless.

Allen

It's not always helpful to pursue the literal meaning of technical nomenclature, especially in social situations where someone is merely looking for information, not for a lengthy discussion. But my own response to the question you were asked is to smile broadly and say "I'm a Greek-Catholic; will that do?". That usually gets me a welcoming smile and a handshake.
Incognitus

Lucky you !

If I say "Ukrainian Greek Catholic" the responses I get are something like this:

- "So, uh, is your father Ukrainian and your mother Greek, or is it the other way around ?"

- "So, uh, do you prefer souvlaki or perogies ?"

- "So, uh, uh, oh, uh ....?"

I now prefer to say: "the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Communion with Rome - a.k.a. the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church".

they more often than not respond by saying:

- "So, uh, uh, oh, uh.....?"

But at least I can say I tried

Hritzko

Generally I prefer souvlaki to pirohy, but if the pirohy are made with wild blueberries, the case is altered!
Incognitus

I might tell the truth: "No, I'm worse than that!"

Dear Two Lungs:

That could pass nicely, unless and until the "interrogator" realizes that "worse" is comparative to "bad!" :p

Then, no "savlaki" nor "pirohy" for you. Ever!

Amado

Heretic! Anathema!

Is outrage!

How could souvlaki be an outrage? Is delicious!
Incognitus

Thanks all for the responses (and sorry for the late thanks. I have not had time to post for a while).

Hanging around with Melkites for the past few weeks, I've said "we Romans" enough that I'll probably just stick with that. As several wise men said, the guy asking if I'm Orthodox (after I show some knowledge of Eastern traditions) is asking me a friendly question, not interrogating me.

And as for souvlaki vs. pirohy.... way too tough to call! (though wild blueberries could tip the scales..... ).

Still, neither is as good as the manifold varieties of pasta!