www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology psssst

ann, the watering down of our devotions and replacing some of them with R.C. devotions such as the Rosary. did not happen overnight therefore,we should realize that it will not be accepted overnight by all the faithfull.as we insert them in our devotions. it is important that we implement our Molebems Akathist Matins/Orthos Vespers etc. His Holyness John Paul 11 is encouraging in requiring that we adhere to our eastern traditions. so ann. we must support and encourage our religous in their efforts. Sincerely yours in Christ. bob

[This message has been edited by bob leggo (edited 03-04-2000).]

Dear Bob Leggo:

I am starting to find that out! I was floored this past Sunday, Forgiveness Sunday, when a fellow parish member stated that one way the church could grow is if Father would have the Rosary prayed! I could not believe that I was hearing this! I mean, I was in shock! Then I found out that she was a RC in a Byzantine parish. Why do they come? With all the RC parishes out there surely one could satisfy them! I am not feeling very happy right now. I am...sad.

Ann

Dear Ann,

Don't be sad! This could be an opportunity to teach this woman all about the legitimacy of the Eastern Tradition. Like many RCs who start attending Byzantine parishes, she probably thinks of the Byzantine Church as Roman Catholics with a more traditional Mass. It is our duty to welcome people like this, and explain to them that we have our own RICH and AUTHENTICALLY Patristic spiritual heritage. We are more than just a "different Mass," we are a living witness to the traditions of the Eastern Christians. We ARE the New Testament Church!

It's missionary time for you, Anne! Make an appointment to meet with this nice lady, and show her some documents from the Pope asking us to return to our heritage. Explain to her about the Akathist, and how maybe Father should consider implementing it to make the Church grow (if he hasn't already). Tell her that the Akathist is held in equal esteem to the Rosary, and even give her a printed copy of it. This can be a really cool opportunity. And who knows, maybe she will fall in love and become Byzantine like we did.

Show her the liturgical directives given to us by the Vatican. They clearly tell us to RETURN TO OUR EASTERN TRADITION. By doing so, we are being faithful to the Holy Father.

Here is the URL for it: https://www.byzcath.org/faith/documents/instruction.htm

The Akathist to Our Lady can be found at: http://www.byzantines.net/liturgy/akathist.htm

Good luck! It's an important ministry to witness to our Eastern heritage, and I commend you in your efforts.

Your friend,
Anthony

while it is important to remind our latin brethren who attend our churches that the church IS eastern, byzantine, we should not forget that borrowing, both ways, has always been the way. extremists want to totally ape our orthodox brothers. this would ignore our heritage over the past centuries. we are NOT orthodox; we ARE catholic. praying the rosary is not a sin. come on, in your eagerness to be truly byzantine, you are losing your perspective. maintain our uniqueness, but don't drown in it.

Wasyl:

Glory to Jesus Christ!

No, you are right, praying the Rosary is not a sin... but it is not part of our Eastern tradition, and never has been.

Mutual borrowing -- whether it be in liturgics or theology -- is a very questionable practice. We are all Christians, but we "do" or live our faith in different, though not mutually exclusive ways. The importation or preservation of Roman Catholic devotions/theology/doctrines in the Byzantine Church is like trying to push a square peg through an open circle.

We Byzantines have circular pegs (the Jesus Prayer, the Akathist) which of course fit just fine -- why ignore them? Is the Rosary better? Is it more valid?

By the way, we ARE Orthodox Christians, just as much as we are Catholics. The Rosary is part of the Roman RITE which is a Western expression of Christianity, and fits within Roman theology and dogma... it does not fit within Byzantine-Orthodox theology.

Yours in Christ,
Theophilos

brother theophilos, this reminds me of the "indianists" who insist that the only "real" indian is pre-contact. that the culture which evolved has created "fake" indians, or contaminated ones. but all cultures influence other cultures. i agree on the uniqueness of each church sui generis, but the insistence on erasing all hints of the west is both impossible and anti-Christian, i think. there is only one church, albeit with many houses. we preserve the best but we are not afraid of, and recognize, the fact of change. change comes form the culture surrounding us, and from the other churches of Christ. so, yes, indeed, restore where it makes sense, where the value is clear; but dont become a fanatic and see the west as the enemy encroaching upon us. the days when the latin church was imperial and forced changes seems to be over. so, let us celebrate as brothers and sisters, serving Our Lord Jesus Christ.