Byzantine Catholicism

[URA]

Hello, all! I considered putting this in "Denomination Specific Theology", but I would like to be open to non-Christian input as well. Since I'm not trying to make any particular point, just sharing something I like, this seemed like the proper location for this thread.

I went to a Byzantine church for the first time this morning. It was amazing! Even the above picture doesn't do it justice, to truly be immersed from all sides by this beautiful building. Some may be particularly interested by the labels on the images; though hard to tell in the picture, each scene has words that tell what's going on. For example, the hospitality of Abraham is depicted in the central arc, with Genesis 18 telling where the scene can be found in Scripture. Various other Bible scenes grace the walls, and several saints are depicted, such as the 12 Apostles, partly obscured in the picture by the middle chandelier.

This is a great video from the church's website, featuring the priest I saw today. He really explains Byzantine Catholicism in down-to-Earth terms (an odd phrase, considering the extra-worldly function of religion!).

And while I don't intend for this to be part of a debate in any way, some people may be curious about why Catholic churches are so ornate, so this article explains it well. It's written from a Protestant/Catholic standpoint, but even so, discussing the matter in light of those who disagree can bring forth a more thorough response, even if the differences between Catholicism & Protestantism don't mean much to you.

The Beautiful Church: Why Must Catholic Churches Be So Ornate?

 

[Pavel Mosko]

nd while I don't intend for this to be part of a debate in any way, some people may be curious about why Catholic churches are so ornate, so this article explains it well. It's written from a Protestant/Catholic standpoint, but even so, discussing the matter in light of those who disagree can bring forth a more thorough response, even if the differences between Catholicism & Protestantism don't mean much to you.

The Beautiful Church: Why Must Catholic Churches Be So Ornate?

The easy button for all that stuff.

LiturgicaMusic.com


Especially from this section onward.

LiturgicaMusic.com

 

[Lost4words]

Superb video.

Many thanks for sharing. Very much enjoyed it.

 

[Basil the Great]

Stunning sanctuary here. Byzantine Catholicism is an interesting creature, sort of a mix between Eastern Orthodoxy and the Roman Catholic Church, though the EO would strongly disagree with such a description it would seem. It is my understanding that they use the EO version of the Nicene Creed and liturgy like the EO and they also prefer the Jesus Prayer, like the Orthodox. However, they are loyal to the Pope and thus apparently must accept the Purgatory doctrine. I am curious to know if they use St. Basil's Third Kneeling Prayer at Pentecost, which asks for relief for those in Hades/Hell, as such would seem to go against Catholic teaching or at the very least runs counter to Roman Catholic practice.

 

[URA]

Stunning sanctuary here. Byzantine Catholicism is an interesting creature, sort of a mix between Eastern Orthodoxy and the Roman Catholic Church, though the EO would strongly disagree with such a description it would seem. It is my understanding that they use the EO version of the Nicene Creed and liturgy like the EO and they also prefer the Jesus Prayer, like the Orthodox. However, they are loyal to the Pope and thus apparently must accept the Purgatory doctrine. I am curious to know if they use St. Basil's Third Kneeling Prayer at Pentecost, which asks for relief for those in Hades/Hell, as such would seem to go against Catholic teaching or at the very least runs counter to Roman Catholic practice.

Stunning just describes the picture; imagine actually walking into the building! It's in the Chicago suburbs, if that helps you at all. Just walking in the doors, I already smelled the incense, and walking into the sanctuary was breathtaking. Even though I had seen pictures of this church before, being surrounded on all sides by such beauty, and instantly being immersed in so many stories from Scripture & from saints through the ages...there was no doubt that God was real & that He was here.

Having only been to a Byzantine church once, and never to an EO, I don't feel qualified to answer some of your ponderings. However, it is interesting that they pray for the Pope of Rome in their liturgy even more than the Roman Rite does; referring to him as "Pope of Rome" is another historical twist, because "Pope" used to be referred to the bishop of Alexandria, Antioch, and all the largest areas of the Church. I'm not sure when the term started being used exclusively for the Bishop of Rome, but little details like this add another element to the words in the Byzantine liturgy.

 

[Tigger45]

Interesting. I’ve visited our local Eastern Orthodox parishes many times but never an Eastern Catholic parish. Although I’ve visited our local Maronite parish several times.

Anyway, is that table out front a pulpit or an altar? Do they consecrate the bread and wine behind the iconostasis?

 

[URA]

Interesting. I’ve visited our local Eastern Orthodox parishes many times but never an Eastern Catholic parish. Although I’ve visited our local Maronite parish several times.

Anyway, is that table out front a pulpit or an altar? Do they consecrate the bread and wine behind the iconostasis?

Hey, Tigger! First of all, I love your profile picture; it always makes me smile!

I'm pretty sure the table was a pulpit; I know the tabernacle was behind the iconostasis*. There were a few people in front of me today, so it was a little hard to see what was going on, but I know they had the doors of the iconostasis open, showing the tabernacle, and that's where the priests did a lot of the Eucharistic prayers.

*I must admit, I had to look up that word!

 

[Tigger45]

I did notice they have pews which is great IMO. Our local Maronite and Greek Orthodox parishes have pews but the Antiochian parish doesn’t and with their long services it really hurts my back and feet.

 

[URA]

I did notice they have pews which is great IMO. Our local Maronite and Greek Orthodox parishes have pews but the Antiochian parish doesn’t and with their long services it really hurts my back and feet.

So do you just like trying various forms of Christianity?

 

[Tigger45]

So do you just like trying various forms of Christianity?

Yes. I believe His church is catholic (universal) depending on how orthodox it is. I prefer churches that are 1st sacramental and 2nd liturgical because they are both biblical and historical practices of the apostolic church.

 

[URA]

Yes. I believe His church is catholic (universal) depending on how orthodox it is. I prefer churches that are 1st sacramental and 2nd liturgical because they are both biblical and historical practices of the apostolic church.

Fair enough. I think there's a lot to be learned by going to different searches. When I first went to college, I was surrounded by churches of various Christian denominations. More out of curiosity than anything else, I would go to Catholic Mass on Saturday night, and hit up one of the other churches on Sunday.