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Introduction to Eastern Catholicism and the Byzantine

Deacon Koscinski

Eastern Catholicism 1 In the Beginning…

• Alexander the Great (356-323 B.C) consciously sought to Hellenize the East • Greek culture spread throughout the East, but it was also changed by the contact with conquered peoples. • Later, the Roman Empire was divided into the Latin speaking West and the Greek speaking East.

Eastern Catholicism 2 The Roman Empire

• Eventually, the Roman Empire was split into a Western half and an Eastern half, each with its own Emperor. • The importance of Constantine and . • Though they considered themselves Roman, by the Eighth Century the Imperial government was conducted in Greek.

Eastern Catholicism 3 Impact on

• Four Great Centers of Christianity: – Rome, which evangelized to the West, and spoke Latin – Constantinople which evangelized to the North and spoke Greek – Alexandria which evangelized South and spoke Coptic – Antioch, which evangelized to the West

Eastern Catholicism 4 What Caused the Split?

• Some theological issues – The filioque – Papal authority • Some ego – Michael Cerularias, the – Cardinal Humboldt, the Papal Legate • The times – Greek was a lost language in the West and Latin in the East

Eastern Catholicism 5 Rites and Recensions

• Byzantine • Roman – Greek – Latin – Ruthenian – Other minor usages – Russian • Antiochian – Ukrainian – Maronites • Alexandrian – Syrian – Coptic • Armenian – Ethiopian

Eastern Catholicism 6 Who Are We?

. The Orthodox and Catholic Churches split in 1054. . Each practiced a different “rite” but were in communion. . Subsequently, groups of Orthodox left and returned to communion with Rome. . We in the Byzantine Catholic Church are such a group

Eastern Catholicism 7 Who Are We?

• The defined the Universal Church as a collection of churches in communion with the of Rome. • There are now twenty three such churches, with the Roman Catholic Church being the largest • The Pope wears two hats (or tiaras) – Head of the Universal Church – Head of the Roman Catholic Church

Eastern Catholicism 8 Who Are We?

• The Byzantine Catholic Church is the only self governing church in the United States • The Metropolia of Pittsburgh is governed by the Metropolitan of Pittsburgh and the Council of Hierarchs • Four : the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh and the of Passaic, Parma and Van Nuys.

Eastern Catholicism 9 Who Are We?

• We are fully in communion with Rome. • We commemorate our Holy Ecumenical Pontiff the Pope of Rome at every Divine . • All Roman Catholics may receive the Sacraments in our church and all Byzantine Catholics may receive the Sacraments in Roman Catholic Churches.

Eastern Catholicism 10 What Does Self Governing Mean? • There is a separate Code of Law for the Eastern Churches. • Patriarchal churches erect dioceses, elect their bishops and maintain particular laws. • Major Archepiscopal churches elect their bishops and maintain particular laws. • Metropolitan churches maintain particular laws. We are a metropolitan church

Eastern Catholicism 11 So Who is Who?

• Patriarchs rank just below cardinals, but when made cardinal are made cardinal bishops, the highest rank. • Major rank below patriarchs and are typically made cardinal . • Metropolitans of sui generis churches rank above archbishops.

Eastern Catholicism 12 Who’s on First?

• Patriarchal Churches • Major Archepiscopal – Melkite – Ukrainian – Maronite – Syro-Malabar – Coptic – Syro-Malankara – Armenian – Romanian – Chaldean • Metropolitan – Byzantine Church in America – Byzantines in Slovakia

Eastern Catholicism 13 The Mysteries or the Sacraments

• Our sacraments of initiation: – , Chrismation, and the Holy • They are administered together • The is the ordinary minister of Chrismation • do not administer sacraments in the East – The is considered integral to all sacraments, and are not given by deacons.

Eastern Catholicism 14 The Mysteries or the Sacraments

• Traditionally, Eastern priests are allowed to be married. They must be married before they are ordained. This is the case in Europe. • This has not been the tradition in the United States. • However, it is becoming more and more common in the U.S.

Eastern Catholicism 15 Byzantine Spirituality

Roman Spiriuality Byzantine Spirituality • Roman model of the • We follow the model is Last Supper of heavenly worship • More of a focus on the • Crucifixion is never Crucifixion mentioned without the Resurrection • One God to the Three • Three Persons to the One

Eastern Catholicism 16 Byzantine Theology

• God became Man so • Mary as the New Eve that Man could • Mary as the Theotokos become God. • We become sharers in • The right relationships the Divine Nature of the members of the • Kenosis Trinity • The Importance of the Nativity and the Incarnation

Eastern Catholicism 17 The Byzantine

• Three distinct types: – The Liturgy of St. Basil-done Jan 1, during Lent, and on the eves of the Nativity, Pascha, and the Theophany, and on Holy Thursday. – Liturgy of St. done the rest of the year – Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, done on Wednesdays and Fridays in Lent.

Eastern Catholicism 18 The Divine Praises

• • or – Stichera – Odes • • First, Third, Sixth, and – Great Compline versus the Ninth Hours (The Small Compline ) •

Eastern Catholicism 19 The Divine Liturgy

• St. Basil was the founder of Eastern monasticism. This is a long but beautiful service. • John Chrysostom cut this service done for the . • The Presanctified Liturgy was written by Pope Gregory the Great and is essentially your service.

Eastern Catholicism 20 The Basic Divine Liturgy

• The Great Incensing—done by the • The Litany of Peace—done by the Deacon • The Little Entrance—Priest and Deacon • The —done by the • The and Homily—done by Priest or deacon • The Litany of Suplication— Deacon

Eastern Catholicism 21 The Basic Diving Liturgy

• The Great Entrance—done by priest and deacon • Consecration—done by the Priest • Communion •

Eastern Catholicism 22