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Glory to Jesus Christ!

I'm relatively new to the forum; however, I have been enjoying reading all of your various posts and so I felt it was appropriate for me to finally involve myself in this lovely online nook. My name is Brian; I am an undergraduate student at Christendom College in Front Royal, VA hoping to double major in theology and philosophy. I was raised in a nominally Baptist household, but by God's superabundant grace He led me out of the darkness of error into His wonderful and illuminating Light. Two and a half years ago I was received into the Latin Church at their Easter Vigil celebration, and now, also due to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, I find myself looking to the East. While at the moment I am still discerning whether to transfer to the Melkite Church or the Ruthenian Church, I do feel that I am called to worship and serve Almighty God in the venerable and ancient Byzantine traditions.

I find the Byzantine Liturgy to more fully express the reality of man's ascension into eternal glory through a well-grounded and authentic understanding of the nature of liturgical participation. Also, as compared to Latin scholasticism, I find Eastern theology to be far more positive in its approach to the Divine Mysteries while remaining firmly grounded in the tradition of our holy and venerable Fathers. Not to generalize too much, but the East's emphasis on man's theosis and personal sanctification as opposed to the West's emphasis on sin and legalistic demands constitutes the most basic reasons for my coming to this conclusion. Also, I tend to find the Latin Liturgy to be almost Spartan in compared to its Eastern counterparts. Even so, I am not opposed to Latin thinking or its approach; however, I do not believe that I can best enter into Eternal Life in such constructs.

While the overwhelming majority of students and faculty at Christendom are of the Roman rite, there are a fair number of Eastern Christians. Among the student body there are several Latin Catholics with a love for the Melkite Liturgy, at least one Maronite Catholic, and one Ruthenian. One of our classics professors is Ruthenian and the gem of our theology department is himself a Melkite.

I'd like to ask you for your assistance in several matters. First, can you recommend any Eastern devotions that I might incorporate into my prayer life? Second, what, if any, texts can you recommend on the life, theology, and liturgy of Byzantine Christianity? Third, how would you recommend that I go about deciding between the Melkite and Ruthenian traditions? May our Loving and Gracious Lord Jesus Christ bless you always as I remain the

Servant of the Theotokos,

Brian

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Dear Brian,

God bless you during this period of discernment. It's usually a time of great blessings (as well as innumerable challenges <G>), so enjoy it and use its time wisely.

More than any other "devotion," the practice of the Jesus Prayer is a blessing to many Easterners, both Catholic and Orthodox. In searching, you might want to read "The Power of the Name," by Bp. Kallistos (Ware). It would likely be of much assistance to you.

In terms of choosing a ritual church, you might seriously try getting some cds of the Divine Praises from both traditions (Melkite and Rusyn) and seeing what resonates in your heart and mind. It's at least one way. <G>

You have my prayers, brother, as you walk this path that the Holy Spirit has guided you to.

In Christ,
(Prof.) J. Michael Thompson
Byzantine Catholic Seminary
Pittsburgh, PA

Welcome....

Well my husband is Deacon Stan with the Ruthenian Chruch, but we are in a Melkite Church. So we have never lost our love for the Ruthenian Church, but the Melkite is beautiful also.

However, this is posted in the Byzanteens, you might want to check with Fr. Jack and drive up to Pittsburgh with some of your friends, the seminary is just awesome, you are propably about 5 hours away...

WHAT�S YOUR IDEA OF SPRING BREAK
Sandy beaches? We have the Mon, the Ohio and the Allegheny.
Exotic cuisine? We�ll be featuring the traditional Lenten diet of the Byzantine Church.
Celebrations? We�ll be gathering for Vespers, Matins, Compline and Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts.
New Experiences? You�re welcome to sit in on our theology classes, have some quiet time for prayer and meditation in our chapel.
Cool People? Meet the men who will be your priests someday.

Byzantine Catholic men in college are warmly invited to consider spending a little unstructured time at the Seminary over spring break. Participate in as little or as much of our life as you wish, chill out, explore Pittsburgh, explore your own faith, talk to some interesting people who are committed to that faith. There is no charge, there will be no hype, no sales pitch and no attitude.

For more information, contact Fr. Jack Custer at Jackcus@aol.com or 412-321-8383.

I don't think they realize you are new to the forum.

Dear Brian,
Welcome. Make yourself at home. Would you care for some tea?...Hmmm...What about a beer than?
Lauro

Dear Lauro,

I, too, am kinda new to the forum! Now, about that beer offer, my friend...



a pilgrim

Dear Brian,
Glory to Jesus Christ!

I am glad to hear of your interest in Eastern spirituality.

The classics professor you mentioned is a member of our Ruthenian parish, about an hour away from you. Perhaps you could coordinate with him a visit with us. I would be happy to meet with you and discuss your interest in further detai.

I will keep you in my prayers,

Deacon El

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Dear Brian,

I am a relative newcomer to Eastern Christianity myself, being somewhat young and having practiced consistently about a year. I am also going to begin the process of discerning a monastic vocation next month at Holy Resurrection Monastery at Newberry Springs (Ruthenian). Anyone serious about considering the Eastern Church should try to go to a monastery on pilgrimage and immerse oneself in the liturgy and ascesis. However, "jumping ship" to another ritual church should not be a step one takes lightly, in my opinion, since the Catholic Church is the Catholic Church in all its parts. Recensions and other ritual and cultural differences are not too important; in the end, it is all one liturgy.

What is very important that you should do is visit Orthodox Churches. Unfortunately, many Eastern Catholic parishes do not have too rich of a liturgical schedule, and exposure to the Orthodox Church will remind you that we, as Eastern (especially Byzantine) Catholics are "children of divorced parents" (Rome and Constantinople), and one cannot see oneself as one being child more of one than the other. Orthodoxy (and I would say, Byzantine Christianity) is not just another "rite", but a different state of ecclesial being (though compatible with the West, in our humble opinion). For more information on this point of view, one can read Yannaras (The Freedom of Morality) and Zizoulas (Being as Communion), both available from St. Vladimir's Seminary Press.
As for prayer life and other ascesis, remember that they have only one purpose: the cure of the soul to cure our sinful passions so that we can become truly a person like God is a Person (someone who loves freely). Prayer should be simple, like one's breath, and the Jesus Prayer is the perfect and most excellent prayer in this regard.
And as for the differences between East and West, in reality, in many places, they are not so different as they seem. Although emphasis in the two lines of thought are sometimes radically different, in many ways they converge at many times in history. (St. John of the Cross and theosis, Benedictine monasticism, the mystery of the ancient Latin liturgy). So beware of Orthodox jurisdictions that try to make the West look like a heretical cesspool. In reality, they are not of one mind with historical Orthodoxy.
Best wishes on your exploration of the Christian East. May God be with you in your journey.

Sincerely,
Arturo

Welcome, Brian.

Melkite vs. Ruthenian? Hmmm...from the opinion of a (soon-to-be) Latin Catholic, I'd submit that the individual parish in which you are involved is of equal or greater importance than your actual Church sui iuris. In what parish do you feel most at home, most connected to God, most connected to the other parishioners? I think that, although choosing a Church sui iuris is quite important, these factors are of inestimable value.

As you may know, I like the "legality" of the Latin Church; and I wouldn't exactly call a Pontifical High Mass "Spartan."

It's clear the Holy Ghost is leading you in your turn toward Eastern Catholicism. May He continue to bless you abundantly.

In Christ,
Logos Teen (Garrett)

Dear Arturo,
By the way, St. John of the Cross was unhappy when the Carmelites change their rite from Jerusalem to Roman. In the writings of John of the CRoss that I've read, he has beautifully explained the East's concept of theosis in the Western perspective.

Elexeie, TOCarm.

Dear Brian,
Health in the Lord and blessings of the Holy Spirit!

Welcome to the Forum and I'm happy that you have found your way back to the Church. However, I would like to caution you since you are relatively a new convert to Catholicism. Conversion is a life long process and it just doesn't end in entering a particular church. It goes beyond that. Judging from what you wrote, you becoming attached from something that we shouldn't be. Try to learn more of the Latin Church before you shift to the East. I have been studying Eastern Christianity for two years and because of it I have appreciated the perspective of the Latin Church. It has enriched my Roman background. Study first Latin Christianity then shift to the East.

In another post, I wrote this (from St. Therese of Lisieux):
"My God, how varied are the ways by which Thou dost lead souls. In reading the Lives of the Saints we find a great number of whom nothing has remained to us after their death: not a smallest souvenir, not a written line. Others there are, on the contrary, like our Holy Mother Saint Teresa, who have enriched the Church with their sublime doctrine, not fearing to reveal the secrets of the King (Tobias 12), in the hope that souls might know Him better and love Him more. Which of these two ways pleases Our Lord best? It seems to me that they are equally pleasing to Him.

All the well-beloved by God have followed the inspiration of the Holy Spirit by whom the Prophet wrote: 'Say to the just that all is well.' (Isaias 3:10). **Yes, all is well when we seek only the Divine Will.**"

As Teresa of Avila puts it: "Seek the God of consolations and not the consolations of God". Always remember this: "In the evening of this life we will all be measured by Love."

In Christ,
Elexeie
unworthy Carmelite tertiary

Christ is Baptized for our salvation! In the Jordan!

Dear Brian, welcome to the Forum. As several have mentioned above, the change of church sui iuris should not be taken lightly. You need to pray, read, pray and pray when considering something of this magnitude.

As far as devotions, you can always start with the prayer of the Church. The Divine Praises (Office) are a wonderful introduction to the prayer of the Church. One of the Little Hours (1st, 3rd, 6th, and 9th, roughly corresponding to Prime, Terce, Sext, and None in the Roman Office), Small Compline, or the Midnight Office (don't worry, you can say this one when first arising in the morning) are all easy to follow and great introductions into Byzantine prayer.

You can find these online at Fr. John Whiteford's site http://www.saintjonah.org/services/ along with The Akathist Hymn, Canons, and many other gems.

The Akathist to the Mother of God is also a wonderful prayer as well as a great expression of the poetic genius of the Byzantine liturgical approach. The Holy Father himself has publically celebrated the Akathist to the Mother of God. I have used it publically at pro-life events with the Romans and it is always loved.

In the Christian East there is a wonderful tradition of the spiritual father, the starets or geronta. This is so much more than just a "spiritual director" as the term in the West is used. If you have read "The Way of the Pilgrim" or the "Brothers Karamazov" you will see what this relationship is like. If you are serious about this discernment find one because a journey is so much more pleasant and safe with an experienced guide.

As for reading, "The Face of God" by Melkite Archbishop Joseph Raya is a great introduction as is "Eastern Christianity: The Byzantine Tradition" by Fr. Lawrence Cross of the Russian Catholic Church. God With Us publications also has a three-part adult catechesis series called "Light for Life" which you may want to check out. When you are ready for a more advanced read, Bishop Kallistos Ware's "The Orthodox Way" is a top notch all-around theological introduction.

Don't limit yourself on selection of churches sui iuris. Look at all of them, Ruthenian, Ukrainian, Melkite, Russian, etc. before deciding. All have their own unique identity. You shouldn't feel compelled to join a church sui iuris because it is the closest parish. May the Holy Spirit guide your discernment.

Thank you all for your warm hospitality; forgive me for not replying more quickly; however, such is the busy life of the undergraduate. I will most certainly take all of your suggestions to heart, although I do find myself being drawn more closely to Byzantine spirituality and Liturgy as celebrated within the context of the Melkite tradition. Please pray for me that I may grow closer to Our Lord and to the Most Glorious Ever-Virgin Mary, the Theotokos as I remain

Yours in Christ,
Brian