Hey! So I’ve been researching the Orthodox Church for a while now and like their tradition. I known about the eastern catholic churches for a long time now, but I have a question. Can you give me (unbiased) thoughts on why Catholicism is the true form of Christianity compared to orthodoxy? I like the traditions and theology of both, but I’ve been leaning toward orthodoxy. I want to hear your side of the story.

With love, an Agnostic.

Going from the Desert Fathers who talked about it (Abba Isaac in Conferences, Evargrius, etc.) to St. Maximos the Confessor I'm looking for a sort of good compilative book that talks about pure prayer and it's theological development. What's interesting is that in the western contemplative tradition it seems to have fallen into obscurity after the Benedictine Order (who doubtlessly hold it due to Conferences being on frequent reading per their monastic rule) began to progressively diverge from Middle Eastern and Byzantine ideas.

Sort of like mmm... how there's manuals out there post 1600s that go pretty indepth about the "levels of prayer" given by St. Teresa of Avila. Something similar.

Question for all members of byzantine churches. I attend an ruthinian church and often times people will make fun of yhe UGCC. Sometimes its lighted but other times its calling them latinzers and ethno nationalists. Douse this attitude exist in other greek catholic chuches? Ie the Melkite, Romanian, or even in most ruthinian churches?

Hello, I’m Byzantine (Ruthenian). From my understanding to fulfill my obligation I must hear the readings n stuff, if I go to a low mass (TLM) if I can’t make it to Divine Liturgy, do I still fulfill my obligation. Since the priest speaks so quietly you pretty much can’t hear him.

Hey guys, I'm a latin mass goer but love Eastern Icons. I currently only have a St. Michael one in my home but would like to add more. I would love some suggestions if you guys put some of your favorite saints/icons in the comments. Thanks!

Any devout-Chaldean Whatsapp groups out there, or anyone interested in starting one? Although living in a region full of Chaldeans, it's difficult to come across devout Chaldeans whose personal virtues actually align with the Church.

Hi everyone, if you would like to join our Christian Minecraft server please feel free to follow the link to it on discord. At the moment its just a few players from our university christian union, but we're looking for more players! even if you dont wanna play, youre more than welcome to join and just chill with us https://discord.gg/55x5gMZNy

Here’s what I used to make it:
-A small bookshelf (I don’t have much extra space in my house LOL).
-Icons: The Hospitality of Abraham, Christ Pantocrator, St Augustine, Holy Family at Work, Exaltation of the Cross, Theophany and The Inexhaustible Cup.
-The crucifix is a San Damiano Cross.
-Electric candles (I was afraid a real candle would set the place on fire).
-A chotki and a Bible.
What should I add? Or change?

Admittedly, it’s somewhat bland - the thin fabric could be explained by the WYD happening in summer though, but it lacks patterns imo. Still, it’s better than nothing! Jubilee events and World Youth Day celebrations should include eastern vestments too.

Hello All,

I am a former Protestant that decided to become Catholic at the start of Lent this year, I have been going to a Latin Parish and have loved every minute of it. However, I have been doing research on the Byzantine Rite and decided that I may like the traditions better there as while researching Catholicism, I also looked into Eastern Orthodox Christianity and was more drawn to it's traditions but ultimately agreed a lot more with the Catholic Church theologically, mainly on the Pope. I recently started looking at the Byzantine Churches recently and found out that they basically follow Orthodox traditions but are in Communion with Rome so they are still Catholic. I will be visiting attending a Melkite Catholic Church for the first time not this Sunday but next due to personal reasons. I just want to know what to expect at my first ever Divine Liturgy, what is the general outline of it? How is it structured? I just want to know what to expect, I am also neither Confirmed nor Christened as I have not started OCIA yet but would like to in the Eastern Catholic Church.

Excuse me if my question is silly. God bless you all.

I was curious on the meaning of Eastern Mysticism. References to each are usually the mystery and mysticism of the east, compared to the scholasticism and philosophy of west. I’ve YouTubed and googled, but generally the differences are vague. The easiest breakdown that I can find is that the west concentrates on the mind whereas the east concentrates on the soul. So, concepts and ideas versus soul searching and emotional connection? That’s about as basic of a comparison that I’ve been able to find.

I’ve not done much reading on Eastern philosophy, but I am always looking to add more to my reading list.

I‘ve been hearing a lot about this recently and I am wondering what it is all about. I’ve only been Catholic for a year. All I know is that Pope Francis initiated it a few years back, but when looking it up it just seems ambiguous and unclear as to what it is.

I know that trads don’t like it and find it concerning and last Sunday my priest told our Latin heavy parish that “the grass isn’t greener in our Church, our bishops are part of the synod of synodality too” implying that it is bad. So what is it all about? Is it a bad thing? How will it affect us Eastern Catholics? Or is it just some jargon that won’t really do anything in practice and is just to make it look like the Church is more “listening“ and “inclusive“.

Thank you in advance

The Orthodox Church venerates seven or eight archangels in its Liturgy, but how is this done in the Eastern Catholic Churches if the Roman Church only has Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael?

In the Latin Rite it seems very much a categorical system of minor sins and major sins (venial,mortal) and confession of venial sins is encouraged and mortal ins mandatory. There’s also other actions that wipe away venial sins such as partaking in the Eucharist. Is it much different in the East?

Hello everyone I wanted get some Eastern Catholics thoughts here. I have seen a report that the Vatican is developing proposals for the revision of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches (CCEO) in the context of the synodal journey.

Is this something that is welcomed by majority of Eastern Catholics or does it have some of you worried they might do something and try to “Latinize” some things?

Also what do you guys think of the group study 9 and the idea to implement it in the Catholic Church.

For those who left the church and came back whwt was that experience like? I often think about leaving the church because of something like hatred of God, having existential issues about reality, or just general hurt from growing up. I know i am not the onjh person to deal with this, but often I just feel so much disdain for God and the only thing I want to do is make him upset. And leaving the church would be that.

The following paragraphs are taken from a teaching by Bishop Robert Pipta of the Ruthenian Eparchy of Parma, titled Eucharistic Communion and the Parochial Community. It appears the Ruthenian bishops no longer see Vespers or Matins as sufficient to fulfill the Sunday obligation.

The letter states that this was decided by the Metropolitan Church's Council of Hierarchs. I am not aware of any official statement on this beyond this letter from Bishop Pipta. If anyone knows more, please feel free to share.

Our Metropolitan Church’s Council of Hierarchs has acknowledged how, in some Eastern Churches, the obligation is fulfilled not specifically by attendance at Divine Liturgy, but by attendance at the Divine Praises, such as Vespers and Matins.  We are of one mind, however, in seeing that the eucharistic celebration with its opportunity for holy communion on Sundays and obligatory days is what remains necessary for satisfaction of the obligation.  I and my brother bishops see the primacy of the celebration of the Eucharist and Communion in the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ as a priority for community membership.

...

It’s important for all of us to grow in our understanding of the nourishing power of all our liturgical services.  As our parishes more and more schedule their liturgical services according to full liturgical observance on Sundays and obligatory and solemn feasts, recognizing that only the Divine Liturgy fulfills an obligation should not have us discount services such as Vespers and Matins.   Age, distance, family size, and other matters may limit our ability to participate each week in all that is offered.   An attitude in each of us to grow toward more full participation, regardless of whether a service fulfills obligation or not, is a way of expressing our love for God.  In any healthy relationship, love is expressed not by minimal obligatory engagement but by a desire to do as much as we are able.

The full document:
Eucharistic Communion and the Parochial Community | A Teaching from Bishop Robert Pipta | Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Parma | Parma, OH

I converted to Catholicism about 8 years ago and started attending a Byzantine parish. However, I was chrismated in the Roman Church because my National Guard unit was getting ready to deploy and the local Franciscan ministry offered for me to just skip RCIA and have me confirmed with the adult confirmation class there. I have recently decided to start the canonical transfer process after years of trying to get my wife to agree.

Although she has had a change of heart, much thanks to the support of her family and the mercy of God, she is still not thrilled about the idea of infant communion. She was raised in the Roman Church and wants to see our kids have first communion, as she is accustomed to. For her, this is a very important cultural tradition and explaining why we give to communion to infants is not enough to help her feel different about it.

Of course, I will continue to pray about this, as I did trying to get her to come to Divine Liturgy and eventually accept formally transferring to a Byzantine Rite Church. She was vehemently against even regularly attending Divine Liturgy at first because she is very uncomfortable with things with which she is not already accustomed, so she has come a long way.

We have to have my infant son baptized in the Roman Church because we are both canonically Roman, but I also feel very strongly that my son should receive God's grace in the Eucharist as soon as possible. I am interested if anybody has had a similar experience and may proffer some insight.

Simply: my wife has agreed to formalize a transfer to the Byzantine Rite, but she is still apprehensive about infant communion.