Common Questions and Answers

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Introduction to Byzantine Catholicism

• What is a Byzantine Catholic?
• Are Byzantines, Roman Catholics of the Byzantine Rite?
• What is the difference between the Orthodox and Byzantine Catholics?
• Was there ever a time when the Byzantine Catholic Churches were not Catholic?
• I've heard the terms Melkite Byzantine, Ruthenian Byzantine, and Ukrainian Byzantine uses.  What's the difference between them?
• I've heard the term Greek Catholic.  What is that?
• Can Roman Catholics attend a Byzantine Church to fulfill their Sunday obligation?
• What are some differences between Byzantines and Roman Catholics?
• Do you celebrate Mass the way it was celebrated before Vatican II?(tridentine)
• What language is used in Byzantine Churches?
• I'd like to become a Byzantine Catholic.  How do I do it?

The Sacraments

• What are Holy Mysteries?
• I've heard something about Byzantines Priests beings married.  Is this true, and if it is, how can it be?
• Can Roman Catholics receive communion in a Byzantine Church?
• I've seen infants receive communion in a Byzantine Church.  Why is this?
• At an infants baptism do they receive more than one sacrament?
• Why is the priest allowed to confirm in the Byzantine Churches?
• Rumor has it, that in the Byzantine Churches a Confessional box is not used.  Where do people confess their sins?
• Do Byzantines use leavened bread for communion?
• During the marriage ceremony crowns are placed on the bride and grooms head.  Why is that done?
• Are there any options for a Latin rite who is considering a religious vocation to the Priesthood to investigate it in the Eastern rite? 
• The Eastern Churches use the sacrament of holy anointing a bit differently. Could you explain?
• How is communion given in a Byzantine Church?

Customs and Practices

• What is the significance of icons?
• What is the iconostasis?
• Isn't the Washing of the Feet on Holy Thursday reserved to the Bishop in the Eastern Church?
• Why are Deacons called "Father?"
• Why do Byzantine Crosses have 3 bars? 
• How come some Byzantine Crosses have a slanted lower bar, and others are straight?
• Can any of my Byzantine brethren tell me the significance of the great doors being open since Easter Sunday?
• Is there such a thing as a pew-less/chair-less Byzantine Church?
• What version of the Bible is used in the Byzantine Churches?
• What are the appropriate uses for Holy Water (in the home not liturgically in the church) and how and where should it be stored in the house?
• Why do we light candles and hanging lamps in front of Icons? Is it a form of prayer? Is there something symbolic about it? Where did this practice come from?
• What role do the Liturgical Vestments play in the Byzantine Church?
• I've noticed that Byzantines don't kneel?
• Why is everything sung in the Byzantine Churches?
• Are there any Eastern Catholic saints?
• Are there any Eastern Catholic cardinals?
• Why do Byzantine Catholics make the sign of the cross backwards?
• When was the last time that Christmas was celebrated on January 7 by the Byzantine church?

Roman Catholic and Byzantine Catholics

• Where does the Byzantine church stand on the subject of indulgences?
• In the Roman Catholic Church there is a formal program for joining the church, known as the RCIA program.  How do Byzantine Catholics handle converts? 
• Do Byzantine Catholics not distinguish between mortal and venial sins?
• Can you give a brief synopsis on the filoque clause in the creed?
• What are "Latinizations?"
• Do Eastern Catholics have the Stations of the Cross in their churches?
• Do they pray the rosary and have devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus?
• Do Eastern Catholics believe in the apparitions of Mary, like Our Lady of Fatima, of Guadalupe, etc.? 
• Do Eastern Churches have statues as well as icons in their churches?
• Do Eastern Catholics genuflect in church or do they bow?

Heritage and Ethnicity

• Why are some Byzantine Churches so ethnic?
• We attended a Byzantine Church and found the people to be cold and unfriendly.  Why is this?  Is there something wrong with us?

• The Byzantine Catholic Church is a branch of the Catholic Church.  
• The Byzantine Catholic Church is in full communion with the Pope of Rome.  
• Byzantine Catholics hold the same beliefs as Roman Catholics, but often have different emphases.
• Byzantine Catholics have different customs and traditions that date back to the early centuries of the church.
• For more detailed information go here.  

• No, Byzantines are there own separate church.  "Sui Generis" is often the term used to describe this state.  
• Basically, although the Byzantine Church falls under the authority of the Pope, it is governed by its own rules.  

• Orthodox and Byzantine Catholics are virtually identical.  The biggest difference is that Byzantine Catholics are in communion with the Pope of Rome, while Orthodox are not.  There are also some differences in belief.

• Yes.  Back in the 1500's the present day Byzantine Church was actually part of the Orthodox Church.  
• A large group of clergy and laity re-united with the Catholic Church, thus creating the Byzantine Catholic Church.  

• In essence, there is little difference.  The main difference is their ethnicities.  These sub-branches of the Byzantine Catholic Church are known as Jurisdictions.
• Ruthenians are from the Hungarian and Slovakian regions of Eastern Europe.
• Melkites are made up of Arab ethnicities.
• Ukranians are from the Ukraine.
• In the USA, the Ruthenians' church is the largest Byzantine Jurisdiction, and has become a melting pot of different nationalities.
• In Canada, the Ukranians have a strong presence.

• Historically the Byzantine Catholic Church used to be known as the Greek Catholic Church.
• The usage of the word Byzantine became popular, because it helped remove the ethnic stigma that was associated with the term "Greek."
• In Europe, the term Greek Catholic is still the norm.

• Yes!  Any Catholic can attend any other Catholic Church to fulfill their obligation.

• The Liturgy (Mass) is almost completely chanted and is different than the Roman Mass.
• Communion is given out to standing communicants, who receive both the precious Body and Blood.  (The priest uses a gold spoon to drop the bread/wine into their mouth.)
• Icons are used instead of statues.
• Incense is used throughout the Liturgy.
• Byzantine Churches have large Icon Screens which separate the Altar area from the rest of the church.
• Byzantine priests can be married in Europe, but currently not in the U.S.A. or Canada.  (In individual cases candidates for the priesthood in the U.S.A. can petition Rome for permission to marry.) 

• No.  We use the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, which dates back to the 300's.  

• The Liturgy has also always been in the common language of the people.

• To attend a Byzantine Catholic Church on a regular basis, you don't have to do anything special if you are already a Catholic.  Simply go.
• Some people find that they are spiritually fulfilled at a Byzantine Church, and in order to bring closure to their spiritual journey, they would like to be officially recognized as a Byzantine Catholic.  This process is known as changing rites.
• Basically, the process goes like this:  After discussing this with your priest, you write a letter to your Roman Catholic Bishop and the Byzantine Catholic Bishop.  In the letter you state spiritual reasons why you want to change rites.  At that point they will begin to process the paperwork and will get back to you.
• Note that you are not converting.  You are simply changing rites.

• This is the Byzantine term for the 7 sacraments.  They are called this, because we really fully understand them.  They are a mystery to us.
• These Holy Mysteries include Baptism, Chrismation, Communion, Reconciliation, Marriage, Orders, and Anointing.

• The celibate priesthood is not a dogma of the church, but rather a mere practice that developed over the years for practical reasons.  Therefore, it is not an absolute that priests be celibate.
• In the Roman Catholic Church the rule of celibacy is generally the norm, as it has been for hundreds of years.  (There are some Anglican Clergy converts who are married priests.)
• In the Eastern Churches, married clergy has always been the norm.
• In the Eastern Churches, the individual must be married before they become a priest.  If their spouses die, they cannot remarry.  Bishops and monks are always celibate.
• In North America, there is no married priesthood.  Currently, married men must petition Rome for special permission to become a priest.  In the future, this will likely change, as the Byzantine Church tries to return to the original traditions.

• Yes, any Catholic can receive communion in any Catholic Church, whether it is Eastern or Western.

• It has been the tradition of the Byzantine Church to always give communion to infants.  The reasoning behind this is that children are innocent and therefore should be able to receive Jesus in the Eucharist.  It is a practice that goes back to the early church.

• Yes, they receive the Holy Mystery (Sacrament) of Chrismation (Confirmation) and Communion.
• Chrismation is conferred to the youth, because the Eastern Catholics emphasize the spiritual graces that an individual receives (versus the empowerment by the Holy Spirit to become Soldiers of Christ).  They do not feel there is any benefit to withholding the graces of the Holy Spirit until the child is older.
• Communion is given to the child because after Baptism they are pure and should receive Christ.

• In the early days of the church Bishops were in closer approximation with the people.  They would preside over the Liturgy and the Holy Mysteries.
• As the church grew in number and spread out over a larger area, Bishops were less numerous, and therefore gave more authority to the Priests.
• In the west, the Bishops still reserved the practice of confirming people himself.
• However, in the east, the Bishop gave his priests the authority to confirm.  The link to the Bishop remained, in that the Priests would use the Holy Chrism which had been blessed by the Bishop.

• Traditionally the Eastern Catholics confess their sins in front of the Icon of Christ on the Icon Screen (the wall separating the body of the church from the sanctuary).  The penitent kneels, while the priest stands above, covering the person with their stole.
• In the United States, you'll find different methods.  Increasingly, parishes are using the traditional way.  However, you'll still find the confessional box, or confessions off in a side room.  
• The penitent being anonymous has never been a hallmark of the Eastern Catholic way.  After all, when we stand before God's fearsome judgment seat we stand naked and alone.

• Yes, they do.

• The ceremony of the crowning is a most expressive part of the Ritual of Marriage, for here the mutual commitment of the couple is now raised to share in the life of the Holy Trinity - "crowned in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. " The crowns are the sign of God's blessing on this couple, for it is truly God Who unites the husband and wife. The three hymns (troparia) that precede the removal of the crowns reveal the call of marriage:

Crowns of royalty: in marriage, the husband and wife become king and queen of a new unit of society, a new family, a little church.

Crowns of martyrdom: the word martyr really means witness; and so man and wife should give witness of God's undying love for them as they journey through life growing and suffering, rejoicing and loving.

Crowns of the Kingdom: marriage is a living relationship, one that grows continually and only finds its fulfillment in the Kingdom of God.

Are there any options for a Latin rite person who is considering a religious vocation to the Priesthood to investigate it in the Eastern rite?

• He should first discuss this with his Spiritual Advisor.
• After that he should determine which jurisdiction he would want to join (Ruthenian, Melkite, Ukranian, etc.)
• If he is interested in the Ruthenian Byzantine Church, or he just needs more information, he should contact Saints Cyril and Methodius Byzantine Catholic Seminary in Pittsburgh, PA. 

The Eastern Churches use the sacrament of holy anointing a bit differently. Could you explain?

• Amongst most Catholics, this Holy Mystery (Sacrament) is seen as something for those who are about to die.  (It is often referred to as the Last Rites.)  
• However, the Eastern Catholic Churches approach this from a more Biblical standpoint.  It is seen as the Holy Mystery of Healing, and should be used at any time when somebody is sick, either physically or spiritually.  
• It is administered to all Eastern Catholics on three different feasts during the course of a year.

How is communion given in a Byzantine Church?

• During communion, both the Body and Blood of Christ are given to the person.
• Rather than wafers, the Byzantine Catholics use little chunks of bread cut from a loaf, which is usually baked by some of the parishioners.
• The bread is put in the chalice with the wine and is gently placed into the person's mouth with a gold spoon.

Terms

• Akathist - Devotional service consisting of a collection of hymns to glorify Our Lord, the Blessed Virgin or a saint. The word "akathist" means standing - the traditional stance of this service.

• Ambon - Raised area in front of the sanctuary from which the Gospel is read and the sermon delivered.

• Anaphora - "Prayer of Offering", Greek word meaning "I sacrifice"; central part of the Eucharist.

• Antimension - Cloth with icon of Christ's entombment and the four evangelists, with relics of martyrs sewn inside, on which are placed the chalice and diskos.

• Asterisk - Metal frame which keeps veil off Lamb and Particles on diskos.

• Bohorodicen - Hymn honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary.

• Deisis - An icon of Christ, usually enthroned, with saints and angels around Him; often seen above the Royal Doors.

• Dikerion - double-branched candlestick which represents the dual nature of Christ.

• Epimanikia - Cuffs or sleevelets.

• Hand Cross - Cross kept on the altar and used for blessing.

• Iconostas - Icon screen with icons of Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. John the Precursor, patron saints, and if it is large enough, icons of patriarchs, prophets and saints.

• IC XC NI KA - Greek letters which stand for "Jesus Christ Conquers."

• Kotakion - Form of liturgical hymn consisting of alternating troparia and verses (also called Akathist).

• Lance - Ceremonial knife to cut Lamb and Particles from Prosphora.

• Menologion - The ecclesiastical calendar.

• Mirovanije

• Moleben - Prayer service directed to one theme or a saint.

• Mytania - Bowing while making the sign of the cross when entering and leaving church or in front of icons or the Holy Table.

• Orthros - Matins; morning service consisting of psalms, hymns and prayers.

• Phelon - Outer vestment worn during liturgical services.

• Prescanctified - Previously consecrated; used in reference to the Liturgy of the Presanctified, a special liturgy of the Lenten season.

• Prosphora - Loaf of bread from which Lamb and Particles are cut.

• Prostopinije - "Plain chant", the monodic liturgical Ruthenian chant performed in unison by the cantor and worshippers.

• Prothesis - Small table or altar to the left of the altar on which the bread and wine are prepared.

• Ripidion - Liturgical fan with images of angels.

• Royal Gates or Doors - Ornate gates in the center of the icon screen on which are icons of the Annunciation and of the four Evangelists.

• Sticheron - Liturgical chant found in morning and evening services.

• Synaxis - Commemoration on the day after a feast of persons involved in the event remembered, such as honoring Joachim and Anna the day after the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

• Tetrapod - Small table in front of the ambon on which icon for the feast or season is placed.

• Trikerion - Triple-branched candlestick which represents the Trinity.

• Trisagion - Triple invocation honoring the Trinity.

• Troparion - Short verse which refers to the feast or intention of the day.