www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Deaf Orthodox

For those who may not be aware, the Russian Orthodox Church is certainly not the first to offer the Divine Liturgy and other services using "sign" for those with hearing challenges. Our church (the Ruthenian Metropolia) has long been providing this service for its faithful, particularly at major events such as Otpust (the Uniontown Pilgrimage), solemn pontifical liturgies at our cathedral and other churches and similar occasions.

Fr. Michael Hayduk, presently rector of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Parma, OH is a pioneer in this venue. He has being involved in this ministry for over 20 years, at least. Fr. Hayduk regularly offers his time and talent in translating the liturgies into "sign" including not only the text of the services themselves, but also the homilies, announcements and other parts of the liturgies. He is very visible in Uniontown, standing to the side of the "pontifical altar" while performing his functions in this capacity. Sometimes, he is assisted by friends who also are fluent in "sign" but most often, he performs this function by himself.

So, while it is a wonderful thing that such translations are now being offered for those with hearing challenges among the Orthodox in Russia, it is important to remind others that they are surely not alone in this expansion of ministry. I don't know for sure, if we were the first Byzantine usage church to offer liturgies in "sign" or not, but to the best of my knowledge, we, through the dedication of Fr. Hayduk were on the forefront of this important ministry. Once again, despite current challenges in other areas of church life, the Ruthenian jurisdiction has much to be proud of over the course of its rich history in the United States and has been the source of many "firsts" over the past century, including an English translation that well expresses the current use of the language, without resorting to archaic forms no longer used by anyone who speaks the language, but mistakenly thought by some to reflect a more "religious" use of linguistic expression.

Even though this is a side note, it is important to remind ourselves yet again, with due respect to those who may prefer it, that the older form of English (with "thees" "thous" and the like), was the familiar, not the polite form then in use (which many languages other than English still maintain). Speaking to God was an intimate endeavor and the older form did not have the concept now used in its defense, that we should address the Lord in a more polite or respectful manner and/or that we must use language otherwise not commonly spoken "in this world" when we offer our prayers to God. The opposite is true according to Christian "received" tradition. As Jesus, using personal, familiar language, called his Father, "Abba" and taught us to do the same, and as confirmed in other parts of Scripture as well, we too are to offer our prayers in such a way that denotes a comfortable and personal relationship between the Creator and the created. This applies to both formal, liturgical prayer and private, informal and spontaneous conversations with the Lord.

Also, I hope that I have been sensitive in my use of terminology regarding this subject. I understand the need to employ terms that best express the feelings and experiences of those we are speaking about. While reasons have been given as to why certain terms might offend some, I have not noticed the mention of what is the preferred terminology one should use, so in this instance, I have chosen the phrase, those with, "hearing challenges" (not "challenged") with the hopes that it will sufficiently express the issues we are discussing.

Above all, I am proud that our church has long been involved in offering our liturgies, including the changeable and non-liturgical aspects of them, to those who otherwise could not fully appreciate them. May God reward Fr. Hayduk and those who work with him for their dedication to this important effort at the inclusion of everyone, into the whole of the Christian community gathered for worship.

God bless you all,

Fr. Joe

Just to add to what Fr. Joe has said... At the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress in 1987 the Ruthenian Church served a Divine Liturgy for the attendees. This Liturgy was interpreted by three sign language interpreters which inspired the local church to seek ways to meet the needs of the Deaf in the area.

Edward, deacon, sinner and founding member of the Southern California Registry of Interpreters, Orange (SCRIDO)

Full marks to the Ruthenians for beginning and continuing the work of making the Church's worship accessible to the deaf. Negative marks to Father Joe for managing to twist the topic into a polemic about English translations! Several ripostes occur to me, but I shall restrain myself (an unusual event, so mark your calendars).
Incognitus

Hello,

First off, I wasn't offended by the term "hearing impaired", I was just simply trying to educate the folks about the term's effect on perception problem.

So I had to point out that I wasn't impaired in anyway other than just a simple profound hearing loss.

Also, I have to point out that it's not just a hearing loss thing that Deafies have, but they have a CULTURE and a language, a REAL language...American Sign Language. With it's own grammar structure and syntax.

In fact, ASL interpreters have to go through more rigid and intensive studies and testing before they are allowed to interpret based on each state guidelines of qualifications and laws.

The foreign interpreters (Spanish, etc.) don't go through so much as the ASL interpreters do.

I know Fr. Hayduk, he's such a wonderful priest, dedicating himself for those who cannot hear. May G-d bless him for that. I have not met him yet, but have correspond him through emails for couple years now. Folks, pray for him, so he will always receive abundance of graces and blessings from G-d.

Fr. Deacon Ed, I didn't know that there was something offered for the Byzantine Ruthenian Deaf Catholics in your area? I thought your ministry is primarily Roman Catholic?

Email me in private if you wish.

Again, thanks folks, for your support. So many many years have gone by where the Deaf don't get the same treatment and access to the Catholic Churches (as well as Orthodox). Sadly enough, many Deafies turn to mainline Protestant Churches (mostly Southern Baptists who are extremely good to the Deaf).

I was always a victim of attacks by other Deaf people because I am a Catholic. They would say "Baptist Church have EVERYTHING for the Deaf, signed services (by Deaf pastors), Bible studies in ASL, etc. etc. etc."

So it was difficult knowing that my Deaf friends get enough spiritual nourishment that other Deaf Catholics may not.

BY the grace of G-d, I am able to speak and read lips to where I get more than plenty out of the Liturgy and the Church. I have the Eucharist and the Protestants do not, so that's what's holding me here and I wanted to share that with everyone, unfortunately, not everyone accepts that belief.

The Catholic Church didn't allow Deaf men to become priests until 1978 when one Deaf man was ordained a priest. The FIRST Deaf priest in 1978!!! Fr. Thomas Coughlin. I've met him few times now. Brilliant man.

Other denominations have ordained ministers back in 1700s 1800s..who knows.

It's still difficult to this day for the Catholic Church to open the doors to Deafies. Some bishops take longer than others to allow interpreters in the Church, or even have a Deaf ministry in their Diocese, have a priest who can sign the Mass. So much ignorance still lingers on. That's why I may appear to be an "activist".

But, it's better now than before, but still long way to go. Especially in the Eastern Churches. It's especially difficult for the Deafies in other countries where they're not treated well. Like they couldn't drive, go to school, can't get married, etc. etc. Calling them Deaf and Dumb (not out of mean spite, but just out of ignorance). I am just truly thankful to be an American!

Anyway, thanks for lending me your ears (for those who can't hear, thanks for lending me your eyes).

SPDundas
Deaf Byzantine

Dear SPDundas,

God bless you, and thank you for your informative post.

With love in Christ,
Alice

Although my own hearing is fine, I do have some experience with loss of hearing. My father had a serious hearing loss, and I think he suffered job discrimination until hearing aid technology progressed in the 1960s. I have a cousin who hears poorly to the point that his speech is affected. Another cousin is totally deaf. So hearing losses do run in my father's family. My organ professor - I was his last student, and no he didn't quit because of me - had to retire because of increasing deafness. For a musician, hearing loss is an impairment since it destroys your career. It may be possible to function in other fields with hearing loss, but in music it is nearly impossible. Like you, I have wondered why the Catholic Church does not reach out to deaf people. The large Methodist and Baptist churches in my area have full-time ministers for the deaf. Percentage wise, there have to be deaf Catholics, too. This sounds like something that should come up at the national level at the Bishop's Conference. There is no reason Catholic churces could not minister to the deaf. They spend money on everything else, so why not on this?

Excuse me? Are posters now being graded on their opinions?

Translations and usage can affect sign language too.

Steve, a cantor who is deaf in one ear and sings just fine, thank you.