Western Rite

[Protoevangel]

Are there ant Western Rite Orthodox here?

I have found a Western Rite Orthodox mission that isn't too far away. I personally am beginning to fall in love with the Byzantine Liturgy, but I am thinking it might be easier for my wife and kids to come along, if the Liturgy is at least somewhat familiar to them.

I understand there is some concern and criticism of the Western Rite. I am open to any commentary and discussion. If anyone wants to be critical however, please site references that support your criticism.

 

[rusmeister]

Not knowing what "western rite" is, I'll remain silent.

 

[repentant]

Probably Byzantine Catholic I'm assuming?

And no, this is not Orthodox.

But if you like the Liturgy you are speaking of, then go to an Eastern Orthodox Church, it's much better

 

[Michael G]

Probably Byzantine Catholic I'm assuming?

And no, this is not Orthodox.

But if you like the Liturgy you are speaking of, then go to an Eastern Orthodox Church, it's much better

There are Western Rite Orthodox who are under the Antiochian Archdiocese. The Western Rite was created by Patriarch Tikhon in the 1920's in response to converts wanting a western rite of Orthodoxy. Western Rite Orthodox are but a tiny percent of Eastern Orthodox. Their liturgy is similar to the High Anglican liturgy or the old Tridentine Mass. I have issues with Western Rite Orthodoxy, but mostly based on my own experience of converting to Orthodoxy.

 

[rusmeister]

Sounds like making worship into what I want it to be.

 

[latinorthodox]

is western rite orthodoxy similar or the same with greek-catholicism(orthodox church united with Rome)?

 

[Michael G]

Sounds like making worship into what I want it to be.

I am not going to question the motives of St. Tikhon in creating the service books for the Western Rite. I am not in favor of the Western Rite, but at the same time prior to the schism the West was part of the Church. The Orthodox Church does see the Tridentine Mass as being a legitimate Orthodox liturgy, being it dates from very early part of the last millenium.

is western rite orthodoxy similar or the same with greek-catholicism(orthodox church united with Rome)?

No, it is in no way similar to the Greek Catholics. The Greek Catholic churches have their history because of prostelytizing of the Jesuit order in slavic lands during the 16th century. The Unions of Brest and Uzhorod which are the basis for the slavic Byzantine churches are not looked favorably upon by the Orthodox Church as there was a degree of dishonesty involved in those unions. The Western Rite of Orthodoxy was created by St. Tikhon to help those who want to come to Orthodoxy but are not comfortable with Eastern worship. There is a major difference in the two groups.

 

[Protoevangel]

Sorry everyone, with as much schism and heresy as there is out there, I probably should have been more specific.

Michael was right, the Western Rite Orthodoc Church I am talking about is under ministry of the Antiochian Orthodox Church. There are also Western Rite congregations under the jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate, the Romanian Patriarchate, and ROCOR.

The Western Rite is in full canonical communion with the East; people of both Rites may worship together, the clergy are interchangeable, they share the same hierarchy and the spiritual unity of the faith. The Liturgy is a form of the Liturgy that the West used pre-schism. In France , all native French Orthodox Christians use the Western Liturgies.

 

[Matrona]

Sorry everyone, with as much schism and heresy as there is out there, I probably should have been more specific.

Western Rite is absolutely fine. They are Orthodox who maintain Orthodox beliefs and unity with the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church while using a liturgical form that speaks to their hearts. Just make sure they're not under one of those wackjob episcopi vagantes.

 

[kamikat]

While I haven't been to a WR liturgy, there is one near me and several people from my parish have been to it. They all say it's lovely and the priest is wonderful. I think the biggest problem is that because it's so rare to find them, people fall in love with the Eastern DL before attending a Western liturgy and therefore it doesn't measure up. From what I've heard, most of the members of the local WR church started out on their journey to Orthodoxy in the WR and stayed there. People who start their journey in an ER church tend to stay there. If you want to try it out for your family's sake, do it sooner, rather than later. The more you fall in love with the DL, the less likely you are to end up in a Western church and if your wife is happy in the Western Rite, it might cause friction.
kamikat

 

[The Virginian]

There is at this time, a discussion thread on the Western Rite in Orthodoxy, going on at www. Monachos,net.

 

[The Virginian]

Sorry if you tried to go to the site I mentioned above but gave a comma instead of a period. It is www.Monachos.net

 

[RobNJ]

The section on the Western Rite, under the Antiochian Church can be found here:
http://www.antiochian.org/western-rite

 

[Protoevangel]

Just make sure they're not under one of those wackjob episcopi vagantes.

Kinda like this?
http://www.orgsites.com/pa/lutheranorthodox/

.

No, the Mission I found is listed on http://www.westernorthodox.com/

 

[Melethiel]

Does the Western Rite use a pipe organ?

 

[Petronius]

is western rite orthodoxy similar or the same with greek-catholicism(orthodox church united with Rome)?

For latinorthodox:

Western Rite Orthodox are the opposite of Greek-Catholic.
Greek-Ctaholics are Orthodox rite who recognize tghe Pope so are in communion with catholics. Western Rite Orthodox are catholics who recognize Orthodoxy, so they are in communion with Orthodox.

 

[ByzantineDixie]

Kinda like this?
http://www.orgsites.com/pa/lutheranorthodox/

Ah yes...the Most Rev. Nancy, the Rt Rev. Heidi, the Rev. Dr. Christine. It all looks so serious until one reads the names of the clergy....

I, too, think my husband would be more prone to embrace Orthodoxy through Western Rite although I myself have grown to love the Eastern Liturgy. Nonetheless...if we had a WR parish near us...I'd give up my preference to have the rest of my family in an Orthodox church with me.

Speaking of family...a little progress to that end. Both our boys still live with us. The oldest returned from college, the youngest to will start college locally. We have limited rules in our home for these young men but one house rule is on Sunday morning we all go to Church. The oldest has attended several times with me but has expressed a preference for the Lutheran church. Our youngest has been coming with me for quite some time and isn't interested in going back to the Lutheran church so much. Today we had a teaching liturgy with a luncheon after. I told both boys they did not have to go to church since Dad had to be the elder for early service at the Lutheran church and since it would be a long morning plus a luncheon at the Greek church...they generally don't like potluck things. However, both boys came with me. The liturgy was 2 hours. The luncheon another 1.5 hours...and no complaints. Really...the more one attends Orthodox worship the more those 4 bare walls and the lone empty cross at the Lutheran church look mighty sterile--like something is missing!

 

[ByzantineDixie]

Does the Western Rite use a pipe organ?

Yes ma'am. See this link...second column first page.

 

[Oblio]

Could someone enumerate what things are strange or foreign in the Byzantine Rite that are mitigated in the Western ? IOW, what is done in the WR that makes a Westerner feel more at home ? Other than organs for keyboard pounders

 

[Melethiel]

the more those 4 bare walls and the lone empty cross at the Lutheran church look mighty sterile

Four bare walls and a lone empty cross? Yes, that would be rather depressing...

Other than organs for keyboard pounders

Wouldn't that be reason enough?