www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Difference between the Ukranian and Ruthenian Churches

Is there any significant differences in beliefs, liturgical practices of the Ukranian and Ruthenian Catholic Churches? Has either retained more latizations or ethnicity than the other?

Latinizations vary from parish to parish. It would depend on the priest and bishop how much "deLatinization" has taken place in a parish. For example, our parish does more Eastern traditions than our other parishes in our area (Festal Vespers with Litya, Presanctified Liturgy twice a week during Lent, fewer people who kneel, etc.).

The music and tones of chants are different between Ruthenians and Ukrainians. Other than that, I don't really have much experience in a Ruthenian parish.

Here in the USA the differences are due to local custom and there are no substantial differences IMHO.

In Europe the logistical differences are huge. Until the 19th century the Ruthenian Greek Catholics had only one eparchy, Mukachevo, and was a local church which had little presence in the cities; its people were village people in the mountains. Its very existence has been challenged for six centuries. It's extremely remarkable that it continues to this day and is a testament to the faith of its people and clergy.

The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church is a large, multi-eparchial church which is the dominant faith (in the western part) with large parishes in the cities, as well as in the villages. The pre-Soviet infrastructure was more similar to the RC Church, with hospitals and schools.