www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Discovering Eastern Catholicism, Have Questions

I am a formerly lapsed Catholic (raised in the Latin Rite) who returned to spiritual life largely due to spiritual insights, practices and writings from the Eastern (Catholic and Orthodox) tradition. This Great Lent I am seeking to deepen my spiritual practice and my understanding of Eastern - specifically Byzantine - Catholicism (which is still sorely lacking, unfortunately) by undertaking the strict fast, attending liturgy regularly (I have until recently been attending Latin Rite churches), saying the Jesus Prayer and praying the liturgy of the hours in the Byzantine tradition at home.

Because no one I know belongs to the Eastern Rite I am having some difficulty, and was hoping to get answers to a few questions, such as?

-What is the main/best prayer book for daily practice?
-Where can I find a Byzantine Catholic 2017 calendar that indicates required liturgical attendance, fasts etc? So far I've only been able to find Orthodox ones online.
-In the NY area, what are the main Byzantine congregations, missions or prayer groups? I know of St. Mary's, St. George's, Church of the Virgin Mary and St. Michael's.
-Are Great Lent fasting guidelines in Byzantine Catholic Churches substantially different from one another and/or from Eastern Orthodox Churches or are they essentially the same?
-Any recommendations on introductory books, websites or blogs?

Thanks ahead of time.

The best prayer book you can buy would be the Byzantine Daily Worship by Archbishop Raya or the Divine Office book published by the Stamford Eparchy. For the calendar try emailing Byzantine Seminary Press in Pittsburgh or contacting a local church since they normally make their own. However, the Orthodox calendars would have the same fasting guidelines and holy days in their calendars. One book you can read would be Light of The East by Monsignor George Appelyard.
God bless you in your efforts

Welcome, Eugene!

Q: What is the main/best prayer book for daily practice?

A: The prayer books mentioned are useful. However, I would start first with the daily praying of the Psalter. There is a traditional schedule [bombaxo.com], but I would recommend praying Psalm 50 (51) in the morning an Psalm 140 (141) in the evening to start for the first year. If that is not possible for you, pray the Jesus Prayer ("Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner") 50 times, 3 times a day (after the Lord's Prayer). The first rule of a prayer life is the "Kiss Rule" ("Keep it simple, silly").


Q: Where can I find a Byzantine Catholic 2017 calendar that indicates required liturgical attendance, fasts etc? So far I've only been able to find Orthodox ones online.

A: Your local parish should have one. Or contact the Byzantine Seminary Press in Pittsburgh or the Melkite Diocese in Newton, MA. Online you can follow the Byzantine Liturgical Calendar or any of the Orthodox ones.


Q: In the NY area, what are the main Byzantine congregations, missions or prayer groups? I know of St. Mary's, St. George's, Church of the Virgin Mary and St. Michael's.

A: I would start by visiting the ones closest to you. The further away you are from a parish the less likely you are to attend. You can find a list at Parish Directory, though it may not yet be complete.


Q: Are Great Lent fasting guidelines in Byzantine Catholic Churches substantially different from one another and/or from Eastern Orthodox Churches or are they essentially the same?

A: Traditionally they are the same, with slight differences between Greeks and Slavs. People are encouraged to follow the full fast from meat, dairy, wine and oil from the start of the Fast on Forgiveness Sunday until Pascha (Resurrection Day). Most people do not keep the fullness of the strict fast. The official fasting regulations in most Byzantine Catholic Churches (for example) are set at a minimum, wherein adults are expected to abstain from dairy products on the first Monday of the Fast and on Good Friday, and from meat on the first Monday of the Fast, all Wednesdays and Fridays of the Fast, Good Friday, and on Holy Saturday. Generally those who are new to fasting are forbidden to keep the full fast the first year and are to ease into it over several years. One pastor I know recommends to those who have not kept the full fast before to keep it on weekdays only and to eat normally on weekends. To attempt too much too quickly sets one up for failure.


Q: Any recommendations on introductory books, websites or blogs?

A: The very best thing you can do to learn about the Christian East is to attend a parish regularly. While books, websites and blogs are all very useful they cannot match experiencing liturgical prayer in person. Keep in mind that the primary form of catechesis for Christians is liturgical worship and prayer.

Others will add their thoughts.

John

Thank you, Ast and John!! This advice is very helpful.

I am currently observing the strict fast (only two uncooked meals for Clean Week, one this evening and one Friday). While it is my first time I have some experience in monastic contexts so it's not a total shock to the system. So far all the guidelines I've seen are essentially the same, but I'll keep in mind what your pastor friend suggests if I start to have problems.

Thank you for your advice on prayer and keeping it simple! Will follow your advice. I currently have "Prayer book of the early Christians" by Paraclete Press, "Byzantine Catholic Prayer for the Home" and "Eastern Prayer Book" by Theophilus Floyd. I've been trying to develop a daily practice, praying morning and evening (aiming for twice a day) and the Jesus Prayer 15 minutes a day. Is it normal to either do the Jesus Prayer or the full Liturgy of the Hours, but not both? I heard Bishop Kallistos Ware say something that seemed to imply that in a talk.

This is the Morning Rule of Prayer I used during the Great Fast.

For those of us who do not have the Eastern style prayer ropes but have five decade rosaries instead, you can use the Hail Mary beads to keep track of the Jesus Prayer ("Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner"). Just remember you got to go around the rosary three times for a total of 150 times, if you follow the above rule of prayer.