The Byzantine Forum
Newest Members
biblicalhope, Ishmael, bluecollardpink, EastCatholic, Rafael.V
6,159 Registered Users
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 1,849 guests, and 99 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
Topics35,508
Posts417,509
Members6,159
Most Online3,380
Dec 29th, 2019
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 2 of 2 1 2
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,685
Likes: 8
Member
Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,685
Likes: 8
Connie,

Near you there is also priest who may be able to help you in your journey. Fr. Chrysostom Frank has a dual Latin and Russian Catholic parish, of which he is the dual Ritual priest. He is also PhD Professor of Ecclesiastical History at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary, and has a Russian Orthodox background.

See St. Elizabeth of Hungary and SS. Cyril and Methodius Russian Byzantine Catholic Church in Denver:
http://stelizabethdenver.org/

Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 844
Member
Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 844
Heh. Interesting. I hear that there's a Russian Orthodox priest in our area that came to the BCC, too. Can't remember his name, but he says the Great Vespers over at St. Mary Magdalene BCC in Fairview Park, since Fr. Dennis, with his new rank, he's always back and forth between there and the Cathedral, so that's where the Russian priest comes into play.

Last edited by 8IronBob; 11/16/12 05:25 PM.
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 571
Member
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 571
Slava Isusu Christu!

The essential problem for some is that Byzantine Catholicism doesn't offer the clarity of position that Latin Catholicism or the Eastern Orthodox Churches do on specific doctrines and ecclesial identity. The reality is each Christian views his or her faith through a specific lense of experience, knowledge, and context.

The Byzantine Catholic Church, although called by canon law, Vatican II, and Rome to return to Eastern Orthodox traditions, law and praxis, has the vocation of bringing about Church unity and this means that it is a bridge Church--which may live into a certain ambiguity of positions. As explained before some Byzantine Catholics express more adherance to Latin theology and customs to the extreme of following the totality of Eastern Orthodox faith and praxis--which means rejecting many Latin doctrines and theological reflections not to mention forms of prayer and culture.

Diversity of thought and praxis is not unusual in Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant Churches and again expresses the reality that individuals process their faith tradition through their own filter of experience. In other words, there is no cookie cutter Christian in actuality for all seem to view their Church a little differently then others. Christianity is not akin to a fast food franchise where all parishes and people think and act in the same manner.

Diversity is good for Christianity and likewise healthy for the Catholic and Orthodox Churches--a diversity rooted in right faith and morals. But, again if a person was looking for absolute uniformity where the faithful are alike in all things--this is an impossibility. I have come to the conclusion that the notion of a Christian tradition which does not evolve and progress through history and indeed change is naive at best. So to answer your original question is impossible for each Byzantine Catholic is an individual Christian who approaches his or her faith taking or leaving Eastern or Latin practices and notions at will.

There are so many nuances in which Byzantine Catholics may take their expression of faith that it is almost impossible to produce a catechism, a liturgical translation, or any restoration which will please all the people--in fact Byzantine Catholics may seem like a confused lot on identity and praxis, but we have our common faith with Latins, Orthodox, and Protestants in the Nicene Creed and a desire for Church unity. It's not a perfect situation, but what Church really has it down like Walmart, unless one is talking about the Mormons or the JW's. wink

Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,309
Likes: 3
S
Member
Member
S Offline
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,309
Likes: 3
If you have to ask, you're not Nas'.

Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,533
Likes: 1
Member
Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,533
Likes: 1
Welcome Connie,

Sorry I missed this post a month ago!


Page 2 of 2 1 2

Moderated by  theophan 

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