When entering a
Byzantine chapel, a visitor will immediately notice the fragrance
of incense. Incense is used in censing icons and is a reminder of
the fragrance of heaven. The first thing a visitor should know is that the Byzantine Catholic Church is part of the Catholic Church and in full communion with our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II. Our priest, Fr. Gary Sherman, is an ordained Roman Catholic priest and he is the pastor of St. Catherine Catholic Church as well as being pastor of our Byzantine Catholic Mission.Roman Catholics can meet their Sunday obligation by atteding one of our liturgies.
When entering a
Byzantine chapel, a visitor will immediately notice the fragrance
of incense. Incense is used in censing icons and is a reminder of
the fragrance of heaven.
Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel's hand. (Rev 8:3,4)
Another unique feature of Byzantine chapels are the icons of Jesus, Mary, the angels, and of the saints. The icons remind us of the Incarnation of Christ, the life of Christ, and important events in salvation history. They also recall to us the heroic deeds of our saviour and of his saints. We remember those who have gone before us and aspire to live as they did.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb 12:1,2)
Near the front of the chapel is a tetrapod which contains an icon for the feast being celebrated. When entering a chapel, Byzantine Catholics typically make the sign of the cross in front of the icon, kiss the icon, bow before the icon, and make another sign of the cross. We do this in honor of the one depicted in the icon.
Byzantine
Catholics make the sign of the cross differently than our Roman
counterparts. We make the sign of the cross by holding together
our thumb and first two fingers together signifying the Holy
Trinity, and with the last two fingers pushed into our palm
signifying the two natures of Christ (deity and humanity). When
making the sign of the cross, we move our hands from forehead to
chest to right shoulder to left shoulder. The movement from right
shoulder to left shoulder is in the opposite direction of how
Roman Catholics make the sign of the cross.
Byzantine Catholics typically do not kneel during the liturgy but stand in remembrance of the Resurrection. During the consecratory prayers for the Eucharist, Byzantines bow their heads to show their honor. If you are wondering what to do, just follow those around you.
The entire liturgy is sung or chanted. The priest chants the prayers and the people respond with song. Even the epistle readings and gospel readings are chanted. Only two portions of the liturgy are spoken: the sermon and the prayer immediately before receiving communion.
All Catholics are
invited to receive communion. The Byzantine tradition is to use
leavened bread instead of unleavened bread. When going forward to
receive, Byzantines cross their arms across their chest. The
priest pronounces a blessing over each communicant, and then
drops a spoonful of the most precious Body and most precious
Blood of Christ into the communicant's mouth. Before receiving
you should have confessed all grave sins in the sacrament of
Reconciliation. When receiving, tilt your head back but do not
close your mouth on the spoon.
Because the Eucharist is a sacrament of unity, we regret that non-Catholics may not receive Communion. However, non-Catholics may participate in all other aspects of the liturgy.
After the final blessing and amen, people are invited to venerate the cross by kissing it. Some unconsecrated bread (antidoron) is then passed out which all (Catholics and non-Catholics) may partake of.
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