www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Ethnicity and Byzantine Catholics

Perhaps those who don't care to use the expression "our people" could substitute "them ones".

Incognitus

Dear John Patrick Poland I loved the following:

"Patrick Poland was fleeing the British Army in 1856, hopped on a boat leaving Belfast harbor, and settled in Eastern Kansas where he helped found the town of Paola, Kansas. I have quite a few ancestors in County Down, which is just east of Belfast in Occupied Ireland."

I found the 'Occupied Ireland' part humorous, but then again I live here, not there. Don't leave and please keep posting. Stories about one's ancestries intrigue me...actually all stories intrigue me.

Zenovia

Well said. There is nothing wrong with strong opinions being expressed. It is *how* those strong opinions are expressed that matters. And *this* forum is one of the *best* places I have found online for genuine discussion because people are respectful despite their disagreements. I have been on other forums where a mood of vitriolic hate seems to be the norm. Here, there is Christian charity. Oh, it's not always p[erfect -- and I am one of the first who has erred. But, by and large, people are truly charitable here. So, please feel wlecome to stay.

-- John

There was an interesting topic to this thread before things got sidetracked. The topic was "Ethnicity and Byzantine Catholics." I think it is worth exploring a bit.

From what I can tell, the BCC seems like the OCA, and the Melkites seem like the Antiochians, in that they are composed of many different ethnicities and not just their original ethnicity. In the U.S., these Churches (BCC, OCA, Melkites, Antiochians) are perhaps the most ethnicly diverse of the Eastern Churches. Other Eastern Churches, in contrast, seem to be more composed of and oriented toward their original ethnicity. Do these observations seem correct with what others have noticed?

And, is there any Eastern Church (Catholic or Orthodox) in the U.S. / Europe / Australia that is becoming *inter-racial* in composition? So far, from my admittedly limited experience, it seems that most people who attend Eastern Christian churches are white. I would love to be proven wrong in this. In other words, I would love to see people of many races attending Eastern churches.

Comments?

-- John

There were a few black men attending the Ruthenian mission that was held at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis at 6:30 on Saturday nights. The mission was moved to the Blessed John XXIII center. John Patrick Poland could tell us if they are still attending. I haven't been to the Ruthenian Liturgy since it moved.

The Ukrainian Liturgy, by the way, still is frequented by ethnic Ukrainians and a few of their children. Mostly older people who must have immigrated during the Cold War attend the times I've been there.

Here in Australia other Australians have discovered the various Eastern and Oriental Churches. The Russian Orthodox were a mixed race group from the begining. The ROCOR had people who met others who ahd also fled from Russia to China. Mum being Georgian and Dad Polish or Mum Russian and Dad Korean is an example. It was interesting that the Russians who came out via Europe after WWII were also mixed Ossetian/ Russian and Russian Italians (yes) from Ukraine.
In the UGCC church I attend in Perth, Western Australia there are Vietnamese, Scots, Austrian, Polish, Anglo Aussies, most are married to a Ukranian. The Uks were very self centred and really did push the ethnic barrow for years. That seems to have gone and they seem more interested in anyone still breathing who comes through the door more than once. Meetings are happening in English to include non Ukrainian speakers in discussions. Sermons are in both languages. Not so long ago that some would complain that the priest used English, people are used to the priest makign usre that everyone knows whats going on. The Uks have realised that many of their younger people dont speak Ukrainian very well and they were missing them out in things by doing everything in Ukrainian.
Even the Copts have picked up some others. I bleeive there is an Anglo Australian Coptic monk living as hermit above the monastery of St Anthony in Egypt.

ICXC
NIKA

I can tell you in some parishes the attitude almost has to be "invite people or perish" and I've seen parishes that are most likely going to be on the critically endangered species list. Some do not want new people and it is sad because they effectively lock the door on a great treasure, Christianity, and Christ told us His message was for all. His message just wasn't for the Ukrainians, Coptics, Greeks, or Serbians that built a certain parish.
hehe, Parish or Perish.. that is the question.

Dear Friends,

Oh all right - I admit it.

I'm now pushing for an "English only" Divine Liturgy in our parish.

It had to be done and someone had to get the ball rolling.

Just please don't let too many people know, all right?

But, doggone it, if I get into serious trouble with the bishop, I'm going to say it is all because of the influence of the Administrator and his Anglicizing cohorts.

Alex

After hearing Old Rite services in English at Erie, etc. I became a "believer" too, brat' Olexandr...

Spasi Khristos! (some things we won't translate )
FDD

Wow ! Pavel, it sounds like the Church in Perth is vital, healthy and growing ! God be praised !

-- John

Dear Father DIAKon,

Yes, indeed!

By the way, any word from your Old Rite contact on the "Bogarodychnaya Lestovka" - another term that sounds better untranslated?

Not that I'm anxious, mind you . . . no, not me, that's not in my character . . .

Alex

Father DIAKon and Dr. Alex,

Does brat' mean the same thing to you as it does to my kids?

Dr. Eric,

Only if it refers to your kid "brother" !

Ungcsertezs

I guess then my girls can call my son brat' then.

Actually he would be Big Brat' Dominic!!!

I'm actually laughing right now!!! I can see his scrunched up little face and hear him saying "I'm not a brat!"