The Byzantine Forum
Newest Members
PoboznyNeil, Hammerz75, SSLOBOD, Jayce, Fr. Abraham
6,185 Registered Users
Who's Online Now
1 members (1 invisible), 398 guests, and 118 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Latest Photos
St. Sharbel Maronite Mission El Paso
St. Sharbel Maronite Mission El Paso
by orthodoxsinner2, September 30
Holy Saturday from Kirkland Lake
Holy Saturday from Kirkland Lake
by Veronica.H, April 24
Byzantine Catholic Outreach of Iowa
Exterior of Holy Angels Byzantine Catholic Parish
Church of St Cyril of Turau & All Patron Saints of Belarus
Forum Statistics
Forums26
Topics35,533
Posts417,702
Members6,183
Most Online4,112
Mar 25th, 2025
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#301840 10/17/08 11:03 PM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 91
J
Member
Member
J Offline
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 91
Now, I think I know the answer to my own question, since exorcism is a ceremonial blessing, and Byzantine tradition limits ceremonial blessings to priests only. But, since the question of "who can exorcise" has gone through various levels of laxity and strictness in the history of the Roman Church (with the 1983 Code of Canon Law being perhaps the strictest situation), I was wondering what the rules generally were in the Eastern Churches?
(e.g., only priest designed by the bishop, any priest, priest or deacon, etc.)

Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,398
J
Member
Member
J Offline
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,398
Do you mean only the eastern catholic churches or the orthodox churches as well. As far as I know, in the Orthodox Church, exorcism is performed by a priest according to the prescribed ritual. Usually, exorcisms only take place prior to baptisms and chrismations.

Joe

Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 91
J
Member
Member
J Offline
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 91
I guess, both, in a way, since it's a practice that has changed in its application over time.

Joined: Aug 1998
Posts: 4,337
Likes: 24
Moderator
Member
Moderator
Member
Joined: Aug 1998
Posts: 4,337
Likes: 24
The Book of Needs contains the Exorcism prayers of the Byzantine tradition. 4 by St. John Chrysostom and 4 by St. Basil the Great that would be considered traditional prayers to be read over people possessed or afflicted by demons. 5 others exist for farms and livestock afflicted by demons. There is no service, the prayers are simply read, nor is there any restirction on their use. A priest may read them over thsoe he deems necessary, alhtough before doing so I am sure most priests would want to besure the person is not physically or mentally ill.


My cromulent posts embiggen this forum.

Moderated by  Irish Melkite 

Link Copied to Clipboard
The Byzantine Forum provides message boards for discussions focusing on Eastern Christianity (though discussions of other topics are welcome). The views expressed herein are those of the participants and may or may not reflect the teachings of the Byzantine Catholic or any other Church. The Byzantine Forum and the www.byzcath.org site exist to help build up the Church but are unofficial, have no connection with any Church entity, and should not be looked to as a source for official information for any Church. All posts become property of byzcath.org. Contents copyright - 1996-2024 (Forum 1998-2024). All rights reserved.
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 8.0.0