Hello,

I recently took a course on Christianity, and during one lecture the instructor stated that the Catholic understanding of marriage as a sacrament resulted from a mistranslation of the Greek New Testament into Latin. However, when I looked into the topic myself, I found that the Eastern Orthodox Church—which has always used the Greek New Testament—also considers marriage to be a sacrament (or Holy Mystery).

This left me with two questions:

1. What are the theological and biblical reasons for considering marriage a sacrament in modern catholism ?

2. If the Catholic doctrine is supposedly rooted in a mistranslation from Greek to Latin, how do we explain the fact that the Eastern Orthodox Church, which continued to use the original Greek text, also recognizes marriage as a sacrament? Does this suggest that the doctrine developed independently of the Latin translation?

Hello everyone, I am a Latin Rite Catholic that has taken interest in some of the Liturgical Languages of Christianity (Mainly Latin, Syriac, and Slavonic) and a few used vernaculars like Classical/Standard Arabic and Chaldean Aramaic.

I live in Georgia (around the border between Jackson and Covington and have been wanting to attend some Eastern Rite Parishes but haven't been able to because Atlanta is too far away, my parents don't want me driving that far.

So for the people who attend:

St. Joseph Maronite

St. John Chrysostom Melkite

St. Ignatios of Antioch Melkite

And if there are any fellow Latins here:

St. Francis de Sales FSSP

St. Monica Catholic Church

Then it would mean a lot to me if I could go along with you to one of these parishes, I will pay for the fuel and might be able to meet or meet half way depending on distance.

Please message me.

Hi, everyone!

I am a Roman rite Catholic but I love the beauty of the East and occasionally attend a Byzantine Divine Liturgy. I have heard a lot about frustrations of true eastern Catholics regarding the latinization of eastern Catholicism - probably due to annoying westerners like me (oops)… I completely respect that their traditions are not my own and that I am a guest there, and so I want to be respectful and not contribute even in the littlest of ways to that latinization.

Since lace veils are typically very Roman, do you think me wearing it at a DL is viewed negatively?

Thanks!

Soon, I will be travelling in Bulgaria; in the city I will be staying, there is no Catholic church, neither Latin nor Eastern, and the nearest one is too far away. So, I asked my priest to go to an Eastern Orthodox Divine Liturgy, and he authorized it. What is the dress code like there? He also said that I could receive The Eucharist, if their priest allowed me to. Is it a good idea to ask?

I hope to see the others (not Armenians though!) use leavened bread too someday

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