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Jack, indeed your contributions are extraordinary! That you have accomplished all of this without the grand level of publicity afforded some other laity in their ministries speaks not only to the relative lack of awareness of Eastern Christian tradition, which you continue to battle in your ministry, but most especially to the evident love of your Church that continues to inspire your many labors.

Thanks for reminding us all that noted lay ministry doesn't necessarily mean you have to write a book and be on the talk show circuit!

May God bless you and continue to inspire you in your abundantly fruitful ministry!

Stuart, I fear you may be right, and in that regard have come closest to addressing the central question in volodymyr's OP thus far. While our circumstances may be particularly unique, I do believe that "cradle Christians" of all types learn to accept authority within their churches to a large degree, and thus may be reluctant to express their views in very public ways (i.e. through published works).

It has also occurred to me that we do not have many opportunities for lay theologians within our church infrastructure. There are other Christian denominations which have scholastic programs and institutions that crank out laity with advanced degrees in theology regularly, and one would think that these individuals would make a living via continuation of that scholarship, through teaching and writing. I struggle to see how Eastern Catholics in the US would be or would have been at all incentivized to follow this type of career path. Indeed, when people ask where they can read more about Eastern Catholicism, more often than not they are directed toward a work from an Orthodox author.

Joe,

Until Sts Cyril and Methodius Seminary received its certification several years ago there was no Byzantine Catholic educational institution where they could receive government loans and grants. Seminarians' tuitions were subsidized by the eparchies; non-seminarians would naturally be at the bottom of the priority list. I don't know if the Ukrainians and Melkites have encouraged laity advanced education in the USA.

Also remember that our Mother Church in Europe was severely persecuted and without God's mercy would not exist today. So there were no laypersons who could have come forth during this sad period.

I would expect in the future generations that you will be seeing more publications and valuable contributions come forth. As they said in the Republican presidential debate, your comparing apples and oranges.

Another factor is the economic demand for such publications....you certainly won't sell many books to Greek Catholics compared to Eastern Orthodox demand.

Have a blessed Nativity
Christ is amongst us!

Does this mean just the BCC and in particular regarding scholarly-type works, a career in theology, liturgy etc.? I'm thinking of (the forum's) Adam DeVille [easternchristianbooks.blogspot.com] (presently "subdeacon of the Ukrainian Greco-Catholic Church")?

Being a Cantor is an almost essential ministry in the BCC with its charism of congregational singing: a vital ministry of the laity.

It should also be allowed that advancing to the clerical state is a lay ministry of sorts. Revitalizing and re-establishing the minor orders as a stable ministry seems an obvious and time honored way for the development of some lay involvement. In fact:
Not to diminish lay contributions but since 2001 Jack, tonsured and ordained reader, has also been just such a one who, having started his ministries as a layman, made the traditional progression to the clerical ranks ( link; see Canon 327). For that matter, how about deacons, presbyters and bishops in the BCC (let alone laity) and the OP about no offerings in the library. I know Fathers Petras and Custer have had in print monographs and scholarly journal articles. But I wonder how many libraries have, for instance, Fr. Custer's The Old Testament: A Byzantine Perspective or his other books that would match or even exceed the publishing standards of St. Vlad's. How many Byzantine Catholics are even aware of such works? Does the BCC even care to advance such research, publishing and involvement?

There is a reason why Jack is, for all intents and purposes, the only "permanent" Reader in the Ruthenian Church.

Whatever the reason, my point is that it is a proper course or end for those laity who are called. (And I know of three, maybe four others who are tonsured readers in the BCC.)

All moving on to bigger things, or quite happy to stay readers forever?

Ordination is not an entitlement. That can mean disappointments for a variety of reasons and circumstances, but ultimately one's purpose is to serve the church not the self. This can mean deciding not to petition the bishop for further ordination.

Whatever. One of the big problems of the Ruthenian Church is its chronic unwillingness to speak honestly of its past, or to air its dirty linen in public. It will be the end of it, some day. De mortuis nil nisi bonum, and all that, but recent obituaries of Bishop Andrew seriously made me want to gag. This kind of makes me want to gag, too.

That could be taken as rather dismissive.

What is the antecedent of your demonstrative "This"?

The "Ordination is not an entitlement" bit.

So what are you saying?...that it IS? Ordination IS an entitlement?

Those who know the story know the story. And that's the end of the story.

Let's not have this thread devolve please, gentlemen. Those who serve, in whatever capacity they or their hierarchs determine, are important to their parish, their jurisdiction, their Church, and their Faith. Let's avoid anything that denigrates that value and their willingness to do what they do and do it well.

As regards any discussion regarding the controversial aspects of Bishop Andrew's tenure, John and I have discussed the matter and are in agreement that such is inappropriate during the 40 days following his repose. De mortuis nil nisi bonum dicendum est.

Many years,

Neil

Deacon Tony,

I think the OP's point focused on the laity because he chose to make a distinction - one expects clergy contributions in terms of written works, etc, and no one disputes that there are many such. He made the apparently valid observation that lay contributions are more difficult to find, if they exist, and that should continue to be the focus of this thread.

Many years,

Neil