calendar. Since this reform took place after the 2-Melkite-Byzantine (Melkites) History of the Eastern Catholic schism of 1054, Orthodox Christians continued 3-Byzantine-Slavonic: to follow the Julian calendar. During the a. Bulgarian (Bulgarians) Church and its Rites twentieth century, however, some Orthodox b. Ukrainian (Ukrainians) Churches have begun to follow the new calendar c. Ruthenian With the emergence of the Christian Church of Gregory XIII. d. Russian old (Raskolniks) in 313 from the period of persecution, a new era e. Russian Reformed (Russians, Serbs) prevailed. In areas where Christianity flourished, Church of Constantinople f. Hungarian patterns of expressing the Christian faith Numerically, the Byzantine Rite of g. Slovaks evolved into progressively more mature and Constantinople (Byzantium) is the largest in the 4-Rumano-Byzantine: (Rumanians) complex forms. Local customs and traditions Eastern Churches. Constantinople, home of the 5-Italo-Byzantine: gave each local church a distinct form. In the Imperial Court, granted special honors to the a. Rite of Monastery at Grottaferrrate (near western part of the Empire, the Latin Rite of the Patriarch of that city. He ranked second to the Rome) Roman See prevailed. The rite of the Church of Pope of Rome, or even held at times, an b. Italo-Albanese (Italians of Greek and Constantinople prevailed in the East, though the apparent first. To this very day, the liturgical Albanian origin) rites of the Churches of Antioch and Alexandria pomp and pageantry are colorfully displayed in 6-Georgian-Byzantine (Georgians) also exerted a notable influence. Antioch has the hierarchical vestments, noted particularly at 7-Roman-Byzantine (presented in the liturgical been the centre of influence upon all pontifical celebrations. The tradition of book Euchologian, published by order of Pope Christendom. It was there that St Peter began his Byzantium is reflected in architecture, art, Benedict XIV, 1754, but never put into practice. apostolate before going to Rome. The term sacred, and theological writings. Christian was first used in Antioch (see Acts Rite of the Western Church: 11:26). Different Eastern Rites 1- Romans or Latin Alexandria, the home of monasticism, was 2- Ambrosian (centered in Milan) the glory of Egypt. At one time, the Patriarchate Alexandrian Rite: 3- Mozarabic or Spanish of Alexandria comprised 11 archbishoprics and 1- Coptic rite (indigenous Christians of Egypt) 4- Celtic and Gallican (no longer exist). more than 100 bishoprics. Patriarch Alexander 2- Ethiopian rite (Ethiopians) and his successor St. Athanasius were among the Antiochian Rite: This information is taken from the Byzantine leading Fathers of the first ecumenical council 1-East Syrian Ukrainian Rite held in Nicea 325. During the following a) Syro-Chaldean (Chaldean Catholics) Canadian Catholic Conference centuries, successive heresies destroyed this b) Syro-Malabar (Syro-Malabarese Catholics In 90 Parent Avenue ancient stronghold of the Christian faith. India) Ottawa, Ontario K1N 7B1 National Library. Ottawa, Canada. 2-West Syrian Schism a) Syro-Antiochean (Syrian Catholics) A crippling blow to the Christian Church b) Syro-Malankarese (Malankarese Catholics in The Evangelization Station was experienced in 1054. Political motivations Hudson, Florida, USA India) dominate this historical date of unanswered E-mail: [email protected] c) Syro-Maronite (Maronite Catholics in questions. At the time of Michael Caerularius, www.evangelizationstation.com Lebanon) Patriarch of Constantinople, the Church of Jesus

Christ suffered a schism (division) that has Pamphlet 660 Armenian Rite (Armenians) lasted to the present. Although the separated Eastern Churches (now called Orthodox Byzantine Rite: Churches) retain all the sacraments and doctrine 1-Greek-Byzantine (Greeks) they do not acknowledge the Pope of Rome as the infallible head of the whole Christian church must employ in the pursuit of this forth his glory to all. Today there are more than Church. mission is external form of worship for the ten million Catholics practicing their faith Today millions of Eastern Churches are celebration of the liturgy and the sacraments, according to various rites of the Eastern Church: estranged from the Roman See. Under the and for religious expression. each of these is full union with the Holy Father leadership of Pope John XXIII and Pope Paul Centuries of spiritual values are contained in Rome. VI, the Vatican council urged all to work and and expressed through a rite. From an artistic More expressive liturgy: The Eastern rites pray to restore full union between the separated point of view, a rite is a priceless treasure. It is a see their liturgy as a major expression and Eastern Churches and Catholic Church (Decree masterpiece of art, drama, poetry and music. It proclamation of their faith. Their church is seen on Ecumenism, no 14). contains beauty of expression in word and in as making heaven present (icons, incense). Reunion with the Roman See: There have action. The beauty of the church is reflected in Gestures are repeated frequently, and often by been many attempts at reunion with the Roman the diversity of rites, which enhance its different individuals at different moments. More See. The major ones were at the Ecumenical catholicity and universality. It is a permanent ceremonial and singing mark the Eastern Council of Lyons in 1274 and the council of roof of a living Church for all times and peoples. liturgical celebrations in contrast to the more Florence 1439. At the time, they appeared The Church is indeed universal, catholic and restrained Western liturgies. However, both East successful. Nevertheless, for various historical apostolic when it embraces with equal love and West express their faith in their worship, reasons they were doomed to failure. various peoples, cultures, civilizations and and their prayer reveals the Christian faith they Downfall of Eastern Christendom: traditions. hold so firmly. Constantinople, the final stronghold and fortress The Fathers of Vatican II were aware of this Catholic and Orthodox: The term Catholic of Eastern Christendom fell to the Turks in when they declared in the Constitution on the refers to a person or Church in union with the 1453. The pendulum of the Church now swung Liturgy (no 4, see also Decree on Eastern Holy See, Orthodox means a person or Church west to the restored imperial court of Rome. Catholic Churches no 3) holding the full Christian faith and celebrating Meanwhile Islam swept across Northern Africa, Faithfully obedient to tradition, the Council all the sacraments, but not in full union with the the Holy Land and Spain. declared that the Church considers that all pope. In the past decade, Pope Paul VI and the lawfully acknowledged rites are of equal Greek Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras have Importance of Rites authority and dignity. The Church wants to began some symbolic gestures of friendship and Briefly, a rite in the Catholic Church may be preserve these rites in the future, and desires to brotherhood as first step toward the unity desired defined as the manner of expressing the one and foster them in every way. by Christ among all his followers. Just before the same teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ the Second Vatican Council ended in 1965 Paul approved by the Apostolic See. The Importance Some differences between Eastern and VI and Patriarch Athenagoras cancelled out the of a rite stems from the fact that it is an Western Churches ancient anathemas (made at the time of the expression of individuality and identity, a Though the Eastern and Western Churches schism of 1054) as a symbolic gesture of distinguishing characteristic of a certain country believe in "One Lord, one faith, one baptism, reconciliation. or people. It is a sacred link that joins a people one God and Father of us all", the manner of with its ancestors. A rite therefore is the fruit of expressing this faith varies. Some these Calendars the spiritual endeavors of the soul of a people. It differences are: When Christianity was founded, the Roman is the product of many generations who have Unity in diversity: The Catholic faith is one, Empire was following the Julian calendar, which lived the Christian faith. Apart from such but it is expressed in varying rites. Different rites was organized by Julius Caesar. Over the seemingly secondary causes, there are much express the faith in various ways. This unity in centuries, this calendar was found to be more fundamental sources from which a rite diversity adds to the beauty of the Church, and somewhat inaccurate, so that by the sixteenth derives its sacredness and significance. The reflects the Christian faith through many more century, it was some two weeks behind. Pope purpose of the Church is to perfect and to prisms. Each culture is able to express its Gregory XIII introduced our present calendar in sanctify people. One of the means that the worship of God in a particular way, showing 1582, and this is known as the Gregorian