What is the Byzantine Catholic Church?

The Catholic Church is comprised of twenty-four unique and distinct Catholic Churches (meaning they have their own territories such as diocese or eparchy, and are governed by their own bishop). The Byzantine Catholic Church is one of the twenty-three Eastern Churches that are united together in communion (union) with the Bishop of Rome (Pope). When many think of the Catholic Church, most only refer or know about one of them, that being the Roman Catholic Church. However, there is so much richness, diversity, and beauty in the other Churches that comprise the Catholic Church. Each Church has their own traditions, ways of worship, hierarchy, but all are united in Jesus Christ. Not one Church is better or superior to the other, but all are equal, especially in the eyes of God. Even though we may not know about the other twenty-three Churches that make up the Catholic Church, that still does not prevent us from growing in our knowledge of God through His Holy Churches.

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Can I receive the Eucharist in the Byzantine Church?

All Catholics who are properly disposed (meaning there is no serious sin on their hearts that has not been confessed) are welcomed to approach and receive the Eucharist. We are reminded that the Eucharist also shows us that we are united universally to the Catholic Church. Any persons’ not united with the Catholic Church are not able to receive; however, that can always be rectified through your desire, decision, and commitment to come into full communion with the Catholic Church.

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Does my participation in the Divine Liturgy fulfill my Sunday Obligation?

It most certainly does fulfill your Sunday Obligation! Interestingly though, within the Byzantine Catholic Church, the concept of obligation is actually fairly new within the vocabulary of the Byzantine Church. By and large, most of us do not need a reason or rule to tell us to go to Divine Services. Rather we go because we desire to go. Remember, we are not doing God a favor by our participation in Divine Services. Instead, it is God who gives us an invitation and opportunity to worship Him at the Divine Services. It is not saying that looking at participation in the Divine Services as an obligation is necessarily wrong, but the reality is that the invitation from God to worship Him in the Divine Services can get lost within the concept of filling an obligation. We need and should see every opportunity we are given to worship God as our response to His invitation to worship Him. The understanding of participating in the Divine Services as a gift and invitation to encounter God as a community can easily get lost if we see our participation as an obligation or something we just need to do and to get it over with as another thing to check off the list of things to do.

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What is the Divine Liturgy? What do you do or experience?

The Divine Liturgy takes you and sweeps you up into the heavens. We have a unique opportunity to set aside our cares in order to rightly place them at the feet of our Lord. The Divine Liturgy is a time to surrender what is on our hearts to God, and allow Him to take care of you and those intentions. This allows us to fully enter in and participate in the Divine Liturgy. This does not mean our cares do not matter, rather we are placing them in the proper place to be purified, transformed, and cared for by our all loving God.

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Do I have to be Byzantine Catholic to join the Sarasota Byzantine Catholic Mission parish?

Not at all. In order to join, one should be baptized or planning on converting and becoming a part of the Catholic Church. Provided that is completed, then one is able to talk to the pastor for more details. Membership to join goes beyond paperwork and envelopes. You are agreeing to join a family, a spiritual family, that is united to Christ and to be a good steward of the gifts in which you have been given, namely your time, talent, and treasure to God through our parish. The pastor is the spiritual father of the parish, who guides us, provides us with the Eucharist through the Divine Liturgy, and cares for us in our joys and sorrows. Joining a parish should be a time of discernment, and asking what God wants me to do. There is no sales pitch or bonus for signing up to become a member; however, being a member is a true commitment - a commitment to yourself that you and your family matter, that your relationship with God matters, and you desire to be with and support this spiritual family, through offering your time, talents and treasure to God on your journey in this life.

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Who is your Bishop and where is he located?

We are part of the Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic Church of America, and in the Eparchy of Passaic. The Bishop of the Eparchy of Passaic is Most Reverend Kurt Burnette who resides in Woodland Park, New Jersey where the eparchial offices are located.

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What are the main differences between Byzantine and Roman Catholic?

Byzantine Catholics and Roman Catholics share the same Catholic faith, seven sacraments, and communion with the Pope. Both belong to the worldwide Catholic Church, but their traditions developed in different parts of the Christian world.  The main differences are found in how we worship, pray, celebrate the sacraments, and express our spirituality.

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Some differences you'll notice:

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• Worship: Roman Catholics celebrate the Mass, while Byzantine Catholics celebrate the Divine Liturgy, most commonly that of St. John Chrysostom. Byzantine worship is largely sung or chanted and incorporates incense, processions, and ancient prayers.

• Churches and imagery: Byzantine churches emphasize sacred icons, which are used in prayer and veneration. An iconostasis, or wall of icons, traditionally separates the sanctuary from the nave.

• Sacraments: Byzantine Catholics traditionally receive Baptism, Chrismation (Confirmation), and Holy Eucharist together, even as infants. In the Roman Catholic tradition, these sacraments are generally received at different ages.

• Holy Communion: Byzantine Catholics traditionally use leavened bread, with the consecrated Body and Blood of Christ administered together using a spoon.

• Priests: The Byzantine Catholic Church permits married men to be ordained to the priesthood, although priests cannot marry after ordination.

• Spirituality: Byzantine spirituality places particular emphasis on sacred mystery, the Resurrection, and theosis, our transformation through participation in God's divine life.

 

These are not two competing faiths. They are distinct traditions within the same Catholic Church, each preserving an ancient Christian heritage.

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The best way to appreciate the differences is to experience them!  We invite you to join us for Divine Liturgy on Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel at Incarnation Catholic Church, 2929 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota. Roman Catholics are welcome, and attending our Divine Liturgy fulfills the Sunday Mass obligation.

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When does Lent begin and do you give out ashes on Ash Wednesday?

That’s a wonderful and beautiful question that is commonly asked with regards to the beautiful gifts that other Churches provide to the faithful. In the Byzantine Catholic Church, the Great Fast or Great and Holy Lent begins on the Monday, two days before Ash Wednesday (the beginning of Lent in the Roman Catholic Church).  We do not distribute ashes as other Catholic Churches may do. Each Catholic Church has various traditions to help and guide the faithful in building up their relationship with God and each other during the Great Fast.