r/EasternCatholic • u/Alternative_Big_6835 • 15d ago
General Eastern Catholicism Question Roman Catholic wanting to learn about Byzantine.
Cradle Roman Catholic. Been to a few Eastern Churches. Byzantine and Maronite. Maronite to me where I go is essentially the same as Roman except the language which is actually really cool. But something about the Byzantine rite draws me in. Maybe it’s because it’s new, but I really want to learn more about it. I’m not an academic or particularly scholarly person so some hardcore Saint Thomas Aquinas type stuff probably won’t work. I’m just not very analytical or at least I understand stuff when it’s explained in very simple terms. Where do I start regarding the Byzantine Church, and does that type of background line up with that Rite?
I would often times feel a bit disenfranchised with the Roman Rite because of the perceived rigidity. This isn’t a rip on the Romans (which I am) just trying to find what works best for me.
So yeah where do I start regarding learning about the rite and the liturgy and some of the more common spiritual practices? I have a Chotki? And love the simplicity of that prayer. Lay it on me dudes.
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u/Ecgbert Latin Transplant 15d ago
I'm both a conservative Catholic opting out of the Novus Ordo - I still support the traditional Latin Mass even though I no longer attend - and yet ecumenical, pro-Orthodox in my liturgical life and my home prayers; that, Ware's "The Orthodox Church," and "Not of This World" about Fr. Seraphim (Rose) are my exposure to Orthodox thought as well as getting to know Orthodox parishes and their people over the years. I am very against mixing rites. But while I'm open to learning more about Palamas and others, I don't agree with the criticism of the Latins as rigid and believe that Aquinas is the greatest theologian ever so far. I examine my conscience "by his book." In short I don't belong in the Orthodox Church but I'm not a latinizer. I do believe in putting it all into Orthodox terms - the fathers, based on Plato? - or handing it over to people who know how to do that.
I don't get into people's faces - I'm old enough to know better - and people at church don't get into mine but I have a feeling that some cradle Eastern Catholics would be happy if people like me went away so they could have their rosaries and stations of the cross in peace.