Some Interesting Links On The Eastern Rites

[NotreDame]

I was going through some bookmarks and came across some interesting articles on the Eastern Rite.  Given a couple of the threads from last week I thought it worthwhile to share for those who'd like to know more.

 

The first is on the Union of Brest.  I believe this is where many of the Ruthenian (Byzantine) and Ukranian rites joined back with Rome. 

 

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15130a.htm

 

After the annexation of Red Ruthenia, or the Ukraine, to Poland, in 1569, the Ruthenians, who had become politically subject to Poland, began to compare the lamentable condition of their Church with the development and vitality of Catholicism and to turn their eyes towards Rome. The Ruthenian clergy were steeped in immorality and ignorance; the bishops made no scruple of setting their flocks an evil example, living in open concubinage, and practising the most brazen simony. Russian documents of the sixteenth century bear witness to this melancholy decay of the Orthodox Church in the Polish provinces and to the impossibility of applying any remedy. Face to face with this spiritual ruin, the Catholic Church, reinvigorated by the accession of Jesuit missionaries, was showing her immense religious and moral superiority. Some loyal and honourable members of the Orthodox clergy and laity gradually became convinced that only a return to the Roman obedience could secure for their Church anything like sound conditions.

 

The second is on celibacy in the Eastern Church.  I also found it interesting.

 

http://www.firstthings.com/article/2007/01/celibacy-in-context-48

 

In the Eastern Christian tradition celibacy is associated not with the priesthood but with monasticism. Most Eastern Christians expect their parish clergy to be married family men. But while it is true that Eastern Christians generally value their married clergy, it is equally true that a majority of these believers hold monasticism in even greater esteem. Pope John Paul II emphasized this in his Apostolic Letter Orientale Lumen when he said that for the Eastern Churches monasticism is seen as the “reference point” for all Christians. Whatever their pastoral preferences, the Eastern Churches are very far from seeing marriage as theologically or spiritually preferable to celibacy.

 

 

No point here, just sharing.

[PhuturePriest]

Very interesting. I think we of the Roman rite take our Eastern brothers for granted sometimes, and never bother ourselves to learn their history and importance.

[NotreDame]

Awww, thanks FP!   I don't feel taken for granted personally, although I think the Roman rite could pick up some things from the Eastern liturgy (like how to get everyone to sing.)  The liturgy written by St John Chrysostom is 1500 years old and still in use (although they use the liturgy of St Basil during lent, I believe.)

 

But you are right that the history should be studied.  The "eastern rite" used to extend all the way south along the Mediterranean down into Africa through egypt (where St Augustine was from, right?) and down into Ethiopia.  I don't know the population, but my guess is that before Islam there were more christians celebrating under Constantinople than under Rome. 

 

I've studied the history of Constantinople a bit and it's a sad one.  Some say it was the most beautiful city the world has ever seen.  Lots of internal squabble.  Lots of tension with Rome.  Constantinople actually got sacked by crusaders from Venice during the fourth crusade.  Then the muslims...

 

I'd love to visit the city, but I don't know if I could handle seeing the Hagia Sophia after it had been turned into a mosque, but maybe.  I do want to read some more on it myself though.