Introduction to Eastern Catholicism and the Byzantine Catholic Church Deacon Mark 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 Constantinople. • Though they considered themselves Roman, by the Eighth Century the Imperial government was conducted in Greek. Eastern Catholicism 3 Impact on Christianity • 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 Patriarch – 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 Second Vatican Council defined the Universal Church as a collection of churches in communion with the Pope 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 Dioceses: the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh and the Eparchies 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 Liturgy. • 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 Canon 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 Archbishops rank below patriarchs and are typically made cardinal priests. • 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: – Baptism, Chrismation, and the Holy Eucharist • They are administered together • The priest is the ordinary minister of Chrismation • Deacons do not administer sacraments in the East – The Blessing 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 Mass 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 Divine Liturgy • 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. John Chrysostom done the rest of the year – Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, done on Wednesdays and Fridays in Lent. Eastern Catholicism 18 The Divine Praises • Vespers • Matins or Orthros – Stichera – Odes • Compline • First, Third, Sixth, and – Great Compline versus the Ninth Hours (The Small Compline Little Hours) • Nocturns 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 laity. • The Presanctified Liturgy was written by Pope Gregory the Great and is essentially your Good Friday service. Eastern Catholicism 20 The Basic Divine Liturgy • The Great Incensing—done by the Deacon • The Litany of Peace—done by the Deacon • The Little Entrance—Priest and Deacon • The Epistle—done by the Reader • The Gospel 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 • Dismissal Eastern Catholicism 22.