www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Husband wants to convert

I don't know if this is the right place to post this or not.

I haven't posted in a very long time, so just to recap you all on my situation...

I live in SC, where the closest Byzantine parish is about 3.5 hours away in Atlanta, Ga. My husband (who was baptized in the Lutheran church, but never attended) is wanting to convert to the Byzantine faith. I spoke to our priest in Atlanta, who said my husband would have to attend RCIA classes at our local RC church, then go to Atlanta for a few more lessons regarding the Byzantine faith, and then our priest in Atlanta would handle the conversion.

My question is... where can I find some books/literature on the Byzantine faith to help my husband? I honestly don't know enough to help him with the differences between RC and BC, other than the real obvious stuff. I'm thinking he'll encounter some differences during the RCIA classes, and I'd like to help him prepare. It would also be a good lesson for me too (and so I can help our children when they are old enough to learn).

Thanks for all of your help!
Beth

you might want to read up on Orthodoxy as a foundation.There is an Orthodox monastery in Resaca, Georgia with an excellent bookstore where I have purchased a number of texts, and there is an Eastern Christian Supply in California (find it through Yahoo) with the same. build on that foundation, as you know Eastern Catholics and Orthodox share a common theological and liturgical heritage. you might also approach the Metropolia in Pittsburgh for specific texts relating to Eastern Catholics.I believe the seminary has a bookstore, and you may find a link for the seminary through the Metropolia. hope that helps.
Much Love,
Jonn

forgot to mention:
www.Monasteryproducts.com [monasteryproducts.com]
for the Orthodox monastery bookstore in Resaca

Book: Light for Life

Commissioned by the Eastern Catholic Bishops in the United States, Light for Life presents an overview of the faith for Byzantine Catholics.

Some chapters available online:
http://www.byzantines.net/books/index.htm

Also, they have other BC books online, too!

Woody

May I ask a seemingly stupid question ?

Why has Sahm's husband been told to take RCIA classes in the local RC Parish ?

From what I have heard not all RC parishes can give a 'good' RCIA Course.

Would some of our Clergy care to offer advice here ?

Anhelyna

Anhelyna,
I was told by our priest in Atlanta that due to the distance issues involved, my husband should take the RCIA classes for 1 year at our local RC church. Then make arrangements for us to come to Atlanta for some final lessons regarding the Byzantine faith.

Same thing happened when we got married. We had to take our pre-marital classes at a local RC church.

Am I wrong to assume that this is a regular occurance between RC and BC churches?

Beth

Beth

I can't comment here - I'm in a different country and ECs are in short supply here

That's why I asked for our Forum Clergy to comment .

Anhelyna

Byzantine Catholics are still rather disorganized when it comes to providing education to those seeking to join the Church. A referral to a RC RCIA program can be useful, especially in a mission parish that does not yet have an active educational program for adults. Such referrals are not common, but neither are they unknown. I remember hearing at least one story where the RC RCIA class used the available Byzantine videos as a springboard for discussion, and that both the Byzantine Catholic and Roman Catholic participants benefited.

Our Liturgy is a narrative of salvation history. The texts of the Divine Liturgy are very much a compilation of Scripture quotes. A study of the Liturgy and the texts for the liturgical year provides a solid foundation for any Byzantine RCIA. I would recommend that any Byzantine RCIA program start there. Call Fr. Phil Scott in Atlanta and ask him for supplemental reading. He himself is a convert and will understand the situation. I�m sure he will be eager to help.

Angela,

given what SAHM has posted, it was the Byzantine priest who decided that the RCIA at the local Roman parish was the best way for SAHM's husband to begin instruction in the Faith. Given the distances involved, SAHM's husband would be hard pressed to undertake weekly instruction in Atlanta. Under the circumstances, I would not second guess the Byzantine pastor. He no doubt made a prudent pastoral decision.

Hope this makes sense.

If I recall it right, Diak observed awhile back that materials on the Eastern Catholic Churches were supposed to be supplied (by the USCCB or by the Eparchies?) to all Latin RCIA programs throughout the country.

It would not be amiss for Fr. Phil Scott in Atlanta to send those instruction materials to Beth's local RC parish priest, with some note that her husband will eventually be accepted into the Byzantine Catholic Church.

Amado

Sahm,

What a fun spiritual journey this should be for both of y'all! Which Byzantine church in Atlanta are you speaking about? I've only attended the Melkite one (went there last Sunday, actually), but never Epiphany (Byzantine-Ruthenian). Do you enjoy that parish, if this is the one you're talking about?

You do know that there's a Melkite church in Augusta as well as one or two in South Carolina, right?

Logos Teen

Logos Teen,
Yes, Epiphany is the church my family & I have attended. I do love it there, and only wish we were closer to it.

We live in the Upstate of SC, so Augusta and Atlanta are about the same distance, as is the Melkite parish in Charleston. My in-laws have recently moved to the upstate and if we stay the nite at their place, it cuts about 45 minutes off our nearly 3.5 hour trip to Atlanta (and every minute counts when you're traveling with 2 small kids).

Thanks to everyone for the links and suggestions you provided. I've contacted Fr. Scott and we're going from there.

Believe it or not, last night I actually found my old catechism book from second grade when I made my First Holy Communion (back before they allowed infants to receive again). I gave it to my husband last night figuring it was as good a place as any to start! It pays to be a packrat!

Thanks again everyone!
Beth

Iknow of several Orthodox who are in Communion with Rome who drive that far for the Divine Liturgy every single week. Why not that far for instruction.
Stephanos I

Beth up-state South Carolina?

Most of my family is in Rock Hill and Lancaster. I went to high school in Great Falls.

Pani Rose