www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Do Byzantine Catholics have pews - if so should they?

I know that the Orthodox don't have pews - but I'm wondering do the Byzantine Rite Catholics? And if so should they? After all it certainly wouldn't be traditional would it?

Catholig

Catholig:

All the Orthodox churches I've ever been in have had pews, including the Greek Orthodox Cathederal in Pittsburgh, an ACROD parish in SE PA; and a number of small Orthodox parishes in central PA.

BOB

Every Orthodox Church in my area has pews (short of one OCA and one ROCOR church).

My Byzantine-Rite Catholic parish has removable chairs rather than pews. Many people - some of whom are in positions of influence - would remove them if it weren't for the fact that it's not pastorally advisable.

In the end, it's not a big deal. And though I stand, sometimes I sure do like the option of sitting down (i.e. during the homily).

I would be careful in painting the Orthodox with such a broad brush. In North America, as Theophan stated there are quite a number of Orthodox Churches that do have pews or some other sort of fixed seating. Should this be by tradition? No! But it is a fact of life in many communities. In some cases, churches have been able to purge them, but in others if the suggestion is even mentioned, another revolution would be in the offing. Just how and why this has crept into the temples of the church I am sure is an interesting story. Reversing it will be an even more interesting task and story.

In IC XC,
Father Anthony+

In the past few decades, most Orthodox churches in Greece, even ancient monastic ones, have added as many row fixed chairs as they can. So, although they are not pews, the idea is the same...organized rows of seating for as many as the particular size of the church can accomodate.

Although the love for order which Americans abide by is still way ahead of its Greek counterparts, it has created a less chaotic, and generally more respectful and civilized atmosphere in church, whether it is going up for the antidoron, or kissing a particular icon which has been placed at the base of the altar area for veneration.

I will never forget the feeling of claustrophobia I felt when I got married in Athens. All the guests were crowded around us, as there was no raised altar area--and it was hot to boot! I visited the church this year, and there are now nice row seats with a center aisle down the middle--(not to mention-- air conditioning too! LOL!)

Alice, who knows this will disappoint many posters here

I think more words have been wasted on internet forums and more blood pressures raised over the concept of pews than any other subject, save tollhouses. The evolvingg American tradition (small t) seems to encompass the Anglo love of order, and that means pews. Those of us with a more Eastern outlook might look askance, but I don't think our Lord will hold us accountable if we reasted in a pew verses a bench along the wall. Provided, of course, proper reverence is maintained. My only concern is, how do you do a poklon with pews?????? LOL!

Alexandr

Don't let your blood pressure rise. There are no Calvinist pews in Greece, only chairs!

As you know, the Greeks only do full prostration a few times, and most of the time, a metanoia.

Anyway, chairs can be pushed out of place when necessary!

The upside to order is not getting pushed and shoved anymore while trying to praise God in the Liturgy!

Alice

P.S. This subject has been controversial in the past, and as the initial (innocent) question of our poster, Catholig, has been answered, I think that I will agree w/Alexandr here that it has been brought up too many times, and will close the thread.