www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Parish Life & Evangelization Mother of Churches in Roswell, Georgia

Orthodox services don't count for Sunday obligations for Catholics unless a Catholic Mass (of any kind) is inaccessible.

Actually, CT, if a Catholic Liturgy of any kind is not available, the answer I've always heard is that there is no obligation at that point, and that one is not required to seek out an Orthodox church (although such is praiseworthy). I've always thought that the rule was kinda silly because Liturgy is Liturgy, but it's OK, I don't mind Liturgy and Mass in the same day.

I still wish the Melkite church would expand the Orthros a little more, but the fact that there is Orthros at all before every Sunday liturgy is encouraging when compared to some dismal Eastern Catholic parishes.

I was under the impression that you've never visited an Eastern Catholic or Orthodox church. If I'm wrong, let me know, but if I'm not, how could you possibly know if a parish was dismal based solely on whether or not it has Orthros? The Antiochian church I mentioned in my post above was a church without Orthros; even though I would've preferred Orthros and Liturgy, I found the parish to be quite the opposite of dismal.

Dear ChristTeen287,

I guess I misunderstood when you wrote "The only Eastern Catholic church I can get to easily is St. John Chrysostomos (Melkite) on Ponce de Leon." Since St. Joseph's is only a few miles away I presumed you did not know of it.

In my experience both parishes are similar when it comes to ethnic orientation. There are, of course, more Lebanese at St. Joseph's, many of these, however, are American born; there are also their families and other non-Lebanese people of God who chose to worship Him in that tradition. St. John's has mosly Arab-speaking Middle Easterners, their familie, their descendants and other non-Middle Eastern people of God who chose to worship Him in that tradition.

Both use the organ at the Divine Liturgy (unless at St. John's that has stopped in the last 2 years), both have younger priests. St. John's had the same priest for many, many years now they have a new pastor. They are going through some growth and physical renovation of the building. Both are stable parishes. I don't know who/where you are getting your information from but that is my experience there. Of course, Maronite and Byzantine Divine Liturgy are very different. As for the language, you can expect some parts to be in a language other than English in both places.

There are some kind and wonderful people at St. Joseph's, they have been serving God and His people for many years, perhaps you should not write them off so quickly.

Most EC/EO/OO parishes here have some sort of ethnic ties or roots. Please do not presume that such a thing is always negative.

Tony

I always remember what my priest (a convert) says about the "Cradle" Orthodox and which applies also to those born and raised in the Eastern Catholic tradition "They show us how to be Orthodox" How true!
Don't be afraid to go to a parish which may seem too "ethnic" You will, as Tony says, find many inspiring people of God who have suffered much and persevere. Much to admire and learn from there. Truly, one of the people who first inspired me to think of become an Orthodox Christian was a dear Russian lady who had survived the Civil War in Russia and Ukraine in the 1920's. Her Orthodox Faith Shone from her in her example and deep piety.

Peace,
Brian

I know. That fits in with my statement above.

I did not mean to draw a correlation between a dismal church and not celebrating Orthros. I meant heavy latinizations in general, of which it seems the omission of Orthros is a part. Perhaps this isn't right. But I did not say that church's without Orthros were all dismal, and that church's with Orthros aren't dismal.

Sorry, misspoke!

Thank you for this information, it's very helpful. I drew my conclusions solely based on each church's website and a call to each church (at St. Joseph's a man with a heavy Lebanese accent; at St. John's a black woman).

But thanks for the information. I admire both the Byzantine and Maronite traditions.

Do you know how "faithful" (for lack of a better word) St. Joseph's is to authentic Maronite tradition? According to many, the Maronite Church has some heavy latinizations due to French Catholic influence in Lebanon in the 1700s, but that the Church is on its way to recover its traditions, at least those traditions that can be separated from the French RC ones.

I didn't mean to say it would be a negative, only that I might be missing out on some cultural stuff if I attended. Admittedly, I would feel quite awkward in a heavily ethnic parish, and that goes for Polish, Hispanic, or whathaveyou RC parishes as well. Not that I wouldn't be willing to try it sometime.

ChristTeen287

Dear ChristTeen287,

The story of the Maronites is very complex as I am sure you know. Since I don't know that much about the Maronite traditon, I am not qualified to address the issue of whether or not St. Joseph's has "authentic Maronite tradition."

The last time I was there that church looked physically very Latin.

Tony

Dear ChristTeen287,

St. John's has a priest who speaks native-level American English. St. Joseph's has a Lebanese born priest who does have an "accent." Although I am not sure how you or I can distinguish that accent from, let's say Jordanian!

As for the ethnic/racial make-up of the parish, again, I would say they are basically the same. Don't let websites or one telephone call overly influence you.

Tony

Dear ChristTeen
It's okay you took over my thread. I am happy to see everyone trying to help you find a good "home".

A couple of years ago there was an article in the newspaper about the Ukrainian Byzantine Church in Conyers. Someone has almost completely covered the walls with icons, so it might be worthwhile for you to visit is at least once. It would be a straight shot for you all the way across I-20 through town.

At Epiphany in Roswell we have the iconostasis, but we don't have icons all over the place. You can view our "temple" by logging onto:
www.byzantines.net/epiphany [byzantines.net]
then click on "temple" to see our iconostasis.

Have you visited the Greek Orthodox Cathedral? We went one year during their Greek Festival in the Fall. Beautiful mosaic icons covered the walls. In the domed ceiling is the largest mosaic bust of Christ in the world (if I recall
correctly). It is made up of thousands and thousands of pieces of mosaic. A parishioner was giving a tour of the Cathedral and explaining everything.

God Bless
denise

Puh-lease, you'r speaking to the linguistic expert here!

Just kidding. I supposed he was Lebanese since that's the home of the Maronite Church, and it was definitely a Middle Eastern accent.

Well that's very nice of you. I just don't want it to cover over the news of your wonderful church, which I greatly admire. I've visisted y'all's website many times; it's great!

Definitely. I had a bit of a brain freeze earlier. Conyers isn't 2 hours away, I must have been thinking of Commerce or something north of Alpharetta.

I'd love to visit the GO Cathedral as well. Not enough Sundays!

Peace in Christ,
ChristTeen287

ChristTeen
So you've been to my church's web site! Great!
Somewhere in there is a picture from the St Nicholas dinner about 8 years ago and my kids, and maybe myself, are in it! It's sort of weird to see yourself, unexpectedly, on the web.

(the Ukrainian church in Conyers, not sure if I was clear, the icons are large and written right on the wall, not numerous framed ones all over the walls)

While you're in Conyers you could also visit the monastery. If I am no mistaken, it is the same monks (can't remember the group) as Thomas Merton. Pretty sure they came from the same monastery in Kentucky as Merton's.
denise

Denise, (I feel I should call you "Mrs. Something")

I looked for the picture you mention but can't find it. Oh well!

Isn't the monastery in Conyers Latin rite? I'm trying to remember what it's called- - -I believe it may be something like Monastery of the Assumption, but maybe I'm way off.

ChristTeen287

It is the Cistercian (Trappist) Abbey of the Holy Spirit in Conyers. A Foundation of the famous Gethsemane Abbey in Kentucky.

Thanks, Brian. I thought they were Trappists.

ChristTeen287

Brian,
thank you for knowing who these monks are.

ChristTeen,
PLEASE do not call me Mrs. "something" or anything, I am trying to ignore the silver hair as it is!!!

Yes, I knew these monks are Latin, but I figured if you were in the area of Conyers it would be interesting for you to visit there. They have very nice grounds. They have a gift shop where they hopefully still sell bread they bake and jelly, etc. and still sell plants from their green houses. Maybe you could entice your parents to drive you there with the idea of purchasing some of their bread and jelly!
denise

Well I just feel so weird calling someone in a generation above me by their first name. That goes for everybody on this Forum!

Hmmm, we'll see...but it's probably a fat chance. (I really had to work for that pun)

ChristTeen287

Dear Denise,

Ok, "Mrs. Something" it IS NOT!

And we'll ignore the hair as well.

But in order to successfully ignore the hair, it will have to be covered.

So we'll call you "Babushka". :p :p :p

Seriously now, I read somewhere that the Mother of God allegedly appeared in Conyers, Georgia some years ago. What did the Church conclude about these appearances? Is this monastery a shrine to mark the site?

Have a Blessed Day!!!

John
Pilgrim and Odd Duck