A very rare compilation of a Old Video footage of the Divine Liturgy with a Presbyteral Ordination the then Eparchy, now Metropolia, of Presov in Slovakia, under the Slovak Greek Catholic Church. His Grace Most. Rev. Jan Hirka, who have previously serve as the Apostolic Administrator due to the demise of its Bishops Blessed Peter Pavel Gojdic and Blessed Vasyl Hopko, is the one Ordaining the Deacons. The Slovak Greek Catholic is the only Sui Iuris Eastern Catholic Church to be exact that has enjoy freedom at the midst of Communist Rule in the then Czechoslovakia, after it was granted recognition and 1968 and allow to restore Communion with the Pope, though majority of their Churches remains at the hands of Czechoslovak Orthodox Church
His Grace Most. Rev. Soter Stephen Ortynsky de Labetz, O.S.B.M, is the first Hierarch of the Greek Catholics (Both the Ukrainians and the Ruthenians) in the United States, though the Apostolic Exarchate was erected in 1913. But the problem regarding his Appointment is he as a very small Episcopal Authority, so i am wondering why he was Ordained a Bishop but does not have any Capacity to act such. Here is such a Testimony of how little is his Eparchial function:
"Bishop Ortinsky was forced to obtain the approval of each local Roman Catholic bishop in whose diocese a Greek Catholic parish was located before he could exercise any authority over that particular parish. In effect, Ortinsky functioned as a vicar general for all Greek Catholics in the various Roman Catholic dioceses in America. Lacking the necessary authority, Bishop Ortinsky was unable to impose the ecclesiastical discipline over both clergy and laity needed to bring order to the contentious, but still growing, Greek Catholic community in America." (Excerpt)
Though he answers directly to the Holy See, it seems that Eparch Soter Ortynsky has no power to fulfill his Episcopal Duty, and he acts as if he is no Equal with the Latin Rite Roman Catholic Bishops until 1913 when he was granted full Ordinary Jurisdiction by the Vatican, making it independent from Local Latin Rite Ordinaries.
Many years later, in 1945, when His Holiness Pope Pius XII published his Encyclical "Orientales Omnes Ecclesias" Addressing the Byzantine Catholics on the 350th Anniversary of the Union of Brest. He state this following Excerpt from the Papal Encyclical:
"From all this it is evident that our predecessors have always shown the same fatherly love to the Ruthenians as to the Catholics of the Latin rite. They have also considered it most important to defend the rights and privileges of their hierarchy. When many Latins asserted that the Ruthenian rite was of inferior standing, and some Latin bishops even declared that the Ruthenian prelates did not enjoy full episcopal rights and functions but were subject to them, this Apostolic See rejected these unjust and fanciful opinions; on 28th September 1643 a decree was published to the following effect: "Cardinal Pamphili reported divers decrees of the special Congregation for the united Ruthenians and His Holiness approved the decree of the same special Congregation of the preceding 1st August, that the Ruthenian bishops in union were bishops, and were to be so called and regarded. He approved the decree of the same Congregation that the Ruthenian bishops should be able to erect schools in their dioceses for the instruction of their youth in letters and sciences, and that the Ruthenian ecclesiastics enjoyed the privileges fori, canonis, immunitatis, libertatis, which the priests of the Latin Church enjoy."
Now i am getting creepy on this one. If the Pope is saying about the Equal enjoyment of Eastern Rite Catholic Hierarchs and the faithful, why there is still a Misunderstanding with them and the Majority Latin Rite??? I guess i can have that answer in the near future
He is right all along. Well the Pope are Advocates of the Eastern Rite, but not the People around.
What about this Latin Rite Ordinary??? Seems familiar
At this Moment i do not want to Spoil the Fun, for i will later post a Article regarding this Ordinaries in the Latin Rite Roman Catholic Church who have caused many sufferings for the Eastern Catholics, namely of the Byzantine Rite because of it Unusual Tradition and Practice, but frankly because of what i will call Supremacy, which i will posted later on in this Blog
In the Commemoration of the Establishment of the Apostolic Exarchate for Greek Catholics in Canada and his Appointment to be the first Apostolic Exarch there. Today the Ukrainian Greek Catholic, from a humble beginning and due to Immigration of Ukrainian Greek Catholics to escape Soviet Persecution, they have consist a Hierarchy of a Metropolia and Four Eparchies under its Omophorion. He is the second Eastern Catholic to be give due honour, after Blessed Vasyl Velychkovsky, with whom both of them belongs to the Companion Martyrs headed by Blessed Nicholas Charnetsky and you can click this link about Blessed Vasyl
Prayer of the Twenty four (24) Martyr Companion headed by Blessed Nicholas Charnetsky
The universe offers the God-bearing martyrs to You, O Lord, the Creator of nature, as the first-fruits of creation.
By their prayers, through the Mother of God, preserve Your Church in great peace, O Most Merciful One.
We glorify you, bishops, priests, nuns and laity, and we honor your true suffering, which you endured for Christ.
Apostles, martyrs and prophets, holy, blessed and righteous, you accomplished great deeds and kept the faith.
Having the courage to pray to the savior for us, ask Him, the Gracious One, to save our souls.
Glory be to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever. Amin
It also has a Fan Page in Facebookin the Celebration of his Appointment in 1912, alongside the Centenary of the first Ecclesiastical structure of Greek Catholic in Canada, which you can click here, and you can have get more information in this Blogspot Annales Ecclesiae Ucrainae, which focuses in the History of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
O great and holy martyr, our blessed father Vasyl, you were on fire with God’s Word and have followed His Will even unto death. You have been sanctified and purified by the Cross and now you stand in God’s Presence wearing the martyr’s crown interceding on our behalf. You, who have confidence before the Lord, pray for us who come to you with love and devotion. For we come to you with all our needs knowing that the Lord hears His faithful ones.
Intercede for us before the Almighty God, that each one receives according to their needs; bring comfort to the sorrowful and hope to the lost; heal the sick; give courage to the young; bring a change of heart to all those who fall into sin; enlighten our minds with the truth of the Gospel; inspire us always to follow Christ; help us always to choose the good; give us courage in times of distress, faith in times of despair, hope in times of darkness; and strengthen our commitment to love our Lord. Grant that each one of us be saved through the grace and mercy of God, that together with you we may praise and glorify Him who is wondrous in His saints: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
O Lord, our God, You have so loved us, that You sent your Son Jesus who showed us the way of perfection through the way of the Cross. He was obedient to You, His Father, and took the form of a servant, even unto death, Therefore, You have exalted Him and given Him the name Lord. You call all to believe in You and to follow Your way. We thank You for the grace You gave to Blessed Vasyl Velychkovsky such that he was able to pay the ultimate price of faithfulness to You in giving his life. His love for You, caused him to die, so as not to betray You and Your Truth. We thank You for glorifying him in Your heavenly kingdom, that he may be for all of us a shining example of Your powerful presence in our lives. That which is impossible for us is possible through You, our Lord and Master. We pray that You give us the grace of faithfulness and generosity as we seek to respond to Your love. Through his intercession, help us always to stand firm in the Truth and be faithful to You and Your commandments.
O Holy Mother of God and our Mother of Perpetual Help, whom Blessed Martyr Vasyl loved so dearly, lead us to Your Son Jesus. Give us the courage always to follow Him in all the circumstances of our life. We place ourselves under your protection.
For all the glory and honour belongs to You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Although he is included with the Twenty four Companion Martyrs headed by Blessed Bishop Martyr Nicholas Charnetsky, Blessed Vasyl Velychkovsky can be included with Patriarch Josyf Cardinal Slipyj amongst the Last Man Standing in the GULAGS or Soviet Concentration Camp because he survived such hardships and endured those persecution, though remnants of his suffering cause his Death in 1972. He is the first Eastern Catholic whose Prayers intercede to him be posted here. He was Beatify in 2011 by Blessed Pope John Paul II in Lviv, Ukraine in a Divine Liturgy and honestly, he is one of my Favorites.
After so many Months of looking, i have now found this Beautiful Ancient Hymn being chanted by the Italo-Albanese Byzantine Catholic Monks of Santa Maria de Grottaferrata. The Chant comes from Psalm 136 of the Septuagint, the Greek Translation of the Old Testament. Here is the Lyrics, both in Greek and English
Exomologiste to Kyrio oti agathos, Alliluia,
Hoti is ton eona to eleos aftou, Alliluia!
Exomologiste to Theo ton Theon, Alliluia
Hoti is ton eona to eleos aftou, Alliluia!
Exomologiste to Kyrio ton Kyrion, Alliluia
Hoti is ton eona to eleos aftou, Alliluia!
To pisanti thamasia megala mono, Alliluia
Hoti is ton eona to eleos aftou, Alliluia!
To pisanti tus uranus en sinesi, Alliluia
Hoti is ton eona to eleos aftou, Alliluia!
To stereosanti tin gin epi ton idaton, Alliluia
Hoti is ton eona to eleos aftou, Alliluia!
To pisanti phota megala mono, Alliluia
Hoti is ton eona to eleos aftou, Alliluia!
Ton ilion is exusian tis himeras, Alliluia
Hoti is ton eona to eleos autou, Alliluia!
Tin selinin ke tus asteras is exousian tis niktos, Alliluia
Hoti is ton eona to eleos aftou, Alliluia!
To pataxanti egipton sin tis prototokis afton, Alliluia
Hoti is ton eona to eleos autou, Alliluia!
Ke exagagonti ton Israil ek mesou afton, Alliluia
Hoti is ton aiona to eleos aftu, Alliluia!
En Keiri kratea ke en brakioni ipsilo, Alliluia
Hoti is ton aiona to eleos aftu, Alliluia!
To katadielonti tin erithran thalassan tis dieresis, Alliluia
Hoti is ton eona to eleos aftu, Alliluia!
Ke diagagonti ton Israil dia mesu aftis, Alliluia
Hoti is ton eona to eleos aftu, Alliluia!
Ke ektinazanti Pharao ke tis dinamin aftu is thalassan erithran, Alliluia
Hoti is ton eona to eleos aftu, Alliluia!
To diagagonti ton laon aftu en ti erimo, Alliluia
Hoti is ton eona to eleos aftu, Alliluia!
To patazanti basilis megalus, Alliluia
Hoti is ton eona to eleos aftu, Alliluia!
Ke apoktinanti basilis krateus, Alliluia
Hoti is ton eona to eleos aftu, Alliluia!
Ton Sion basilea ton Amorreon, Alliluia
Hoti is ton eona to eleos aftu, Alliluia!
Ke ton Og basilea tis Basan, Alliluia
Hoti is ton eona to eleos aftu, Alliluia!
Ke donti tin gin afton klironomian, Alliluia
Hoti is ton eona to eleos aftu, Alliluia!
Klironomian Israiel doulo aftu, Alliluia
Hoti is ton eona to eleos aftu, Alliluia!
Hoti en ti tapinosi himon emnisthi himon ho Kyrios, Alliluia
Hoti is ton eona to eleos aftu, Alliluia!
Ke elitrosato himas ek ton ekthron himon, Alliluia
Hoti is ton eona to eleos aftu, Alliluia!
Ho Didous trophin pasi sarki, Alliluia
Hoti is ton eona to eleos aftu, Alliluia!
Oxomologisthe tou Theo tu uranu,Alliluia
Hoti is ton eona to eleos aftu, Alliluia!
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.
to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.
who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.
who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.
who made the great lights—
His love endures forever.
the sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.
the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.
to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt
His love endures forever.
and brought Israel out from among them
His love endures forever.
with a mighty hand and outstretched arm;
His love endures forever.
to him who divided the Red Sea[a] asunder
His love endures forever.
and brought Israel through the midst of it,
His love endures forever.
but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea;
His love endures forever.
to him who led his people through the wilderness;
His love endures forever.
to him who struck down great kings,
His love endures forever.
and killed mighty kings—
His love endures forever.
Sihon king of the Amorites
His love endures forever.
and Og king of Bashan—
His love endures forever.
and gave their land as an inheritance,
His love endures forever.
an inheritance to his servant Israel.
His love endures forever.
He remembered us in our low estate
His love endures forever.
and freed us from our enemies.
His love endures forever.
He gives food to every creature.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His love endures forever.
Grace shining forth from your lips like a beacon has enlightened the universe.
It has shown to the world the riches of riches poverty;
it has revealed to us the heights of humility.
Teaching us by your words, O Father John Chrysostom,
intercede before the Word, Christ our God, to save our souls!
Kontakion (Tone 6)
Having received divine grace from heaven,
with your mouth you teach all men to worship the Triune God.
All-blest and venerable John Chrysostom,
we worthily praise you, for you are our teacher, revealing things divine!
Asking for guidance from this Well Known Eastern Christian Father of Church, venerated by both Catholics and Orthodox of the Eastern Rite. Famous for the Anaphora he made, which attributed to the main core of the Divine Liturgy bearing his name. His eloquent Sermons made him to be called Chrysostom (Golden mouthed). Amongst the Three Holy Hierarch and the Cappadocian Fathers, indeed St. John Chrysostom to be a continuing Influence to us all.
For more about St. John Chrysostom, click here at his Hagiography
Rev. Fr. Hieromonk Maximos Davies explaining what are the Eastern Catholic Churches and who are this Eastern Catholics as he was interview by Madame Catherine Alexander of the Blogspot Your Word from the Wise. Here are the Questions being asked:
1. Some people say Eastern Catholics are Roman Catholics of an Eastern rite, some say they are Orthodox Christians who are currently in communion with Rome, and some say Eastern Catholics are primarily a bridge of unity between East and West. I'd like to discuss each of these three positions with you.
2. I'd like to discuss the title, "Roman Catholics of an Eastern rite." The emphasis is that they're Catholic first, and believe all things that the Roman Catholic Church believes, while living out that faith through a different liturgical and devotional framework. Will you discuss what it means to be an Eastern Catholic in light of this title?
3. Some people say that Eastern Catholics are Orthodox Christians in communion with Rome as a means of asserting the Eastern Catholic Churches' independence from Rome and their unity with Orthodoxy, especially in the areas of history, theology, and spirituality. What do you think the benefits and pitfalls are of using this title to describe the relationship Eastern Catholics have with Rome?
4. With this balance of being fully Orthodox and fully Catholic, some people believe the Eastern Catholic Churches are a bridge for unity between the Orthodox and Catholic Churches. They say unity is the main purpose of the Eastern Catholic Churches, and a failure to bring about full unity means the Eastern Catholic experiment was a failure. Would you shed some light on this position?
5. With those three things in mind, what would you say it means to be an Eastern Catholic?
Regarding this Issue that i have posted last Month of last June about my plans concerning a Divine Liturgy of the Eastern Catholic Churches under the Byzantine Rite (Either it is Romanian, Melkite or Ukrainian Catholic Church) to be celebrated here in the Philippines, under the light of the Truth i will like to Clarified and make a OFFICIAL APOLOGY on the points i have just posted in my recent article of mine here:
First of all, i did not mean to Scandalized and to put into a bad light the Philippine Orthodox Exarchate because of my Impression to them. I was reminded that besides this Filipinos and some Greeks under the Ecumenical Patriarchate, there also Serbian, Russian, Ukrainian and some Arab Orthodox who are also Attending the Divine Liturgies there. Knowing that i have made some faults regarding this Article i have write, I OFFER MY SINCERE APOLOGY, WITH A HUMBLE AND CONTRITE HEART, to the Philippine Orthodox Exarchate of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, to the Episcopal Vicar and Parish Priest, and the Faithful most of all, knowing it will have a very bad effect upon their relationship with the dominant Latin Rite Roman Catholic Population. And it is for the reason of knowing that i am starting to Observe their Divine Liturgies and Services in a regular basis, of which i will be there mingling with the People i accused here of "Very Hostile" tendencies, which i realized is truly unfounded and a false impression to them. Again i Apologies for the shortcomings and the lack of charity in my Writing.
“Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.”
- Forgiveness Sunday Vesper
PRESVJATA BOGORODICE, SPASI NAS (MOST HOLY THEOTOKOS, PROTECT US) GOSPODE ISUSE KRISTI, SINE BOZJI, POMILUJ GRJESNOGA (LORD JESUS CHRIST, SON OF GOD, HAVE MERCY ON ME A SINNER)
In falling asleep you did not forsake the world, O Theotokos.
You were translated to life, O Mother of Life,
And by your prayers, you deliver our souls from death.
Kontakion (Tone 2)
Neither the tomb, nor death could hold the Theotokos,
Who is constant in prayer and our firm hope in her intercessions.
For being the Mother of Life,
She was translated to life by the One who dwelt in her virginal womb.
Forefeast Hymns
Troparion (Tone 4)
Dance with joy, O peoples!
Clap your hands with gladness!
Gather today with fervor and jubilation;
Sing with exultation.
The Mother of God is about to rise in glory,
Ascending from earth to heaven.
We ceaselessly praise her in song as truly Theotokos.
Kontakion (Tone 4)
Today the universe dances with joy at your glorious memorial,
And cries out to you, O Mother of God:
"Rejoice, O Virgin, pride of Christians!"
Today we celebrate this Great Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos in the East, of which we Commemorate the "Falling Asleep" of the Blessed Virgin Mary Most Holy Theotokos (God Bearer). Still there are some who arguing the difference between this 2 beliefs, though it concludes that both West and East agree that the Blessed Virgin Mary is taken both Body and Soul into Heaven. Even the Papal Bull "Munificentissimus Deus" of Pope Pius XII leaves open this question surrounding this matter, both the Dormition and Assumption.
Why do i say Last on the Title itself??? He is the last who have the Title Metropolitan Archbishop, besides the Metropolitan Archbishop (Now Major Archiepiscopate) of Alba Iulia si Fagaras of the Romanian Greek Catholic Church, of Lviv prior to his Successor being named in the 1960's, His Beatitude Cardinal Josfy Slipyj (Click this Article about him on this Blogspot), the first Major Archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, and first to be named such among Eastern Catholic Hierarchs.
Indeed, Metropolitan Andrey show us the very example of "Golden Mean" rule amongst Greek Catholic. He embrace Byzantine Tradition and uphold the Catholic faith. He becomes the Symbol of Reconciliation between Poles and Ukrainians. His Leadership is a example of Holiness and Perseverance on those Troubled Times
Prayer for the Beatification and Canonization of Metropolitan Roman Aleksander Maria (Andrey) Sheptytsky
Our Lord Jesus Christ – You always reward Your faithful servants, not only with special gifts of Your love, but also with the eternal reward of the saints in heaven, and in many cases You grant them the recognition of sanctity by Your Church here on earth.
We humbly pray: grant that Your faithful servant Metropolitan Andrey be numbered among the saints. Throughout his just life, “full of suffering and trials,” he was a good shepherd for his flock and a great labourer for Christian unity. And through his beatification and intercession, grant our entire people the great gift of unity and love. Amen.
Celebration of the Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion in the Holy Ressurection Monastery, a Monastic Community of the Romanian Greek Catholic Eparchy of St. George in Canton, Ohio. This Community are for the revival of Byzantine Traditions within the Catholic Church, specially the Liturgical Tradition and Popular Piety shared by Eastern catholic Churches under the Byzantine Rite.
Just as this Picture states, it is a fact that we can engaged in "Ecumenism" with our Orthodox, both Eastern, Oriental and the Assyrian, without making any jeopardy with the teachings of the Holy Mother Church (On this part, i am just tackling Catholic-Orthodox Ecumenical relationship).
But deep within this Dialogue we have on this Orthodox brethren of ours, there are instances that we are engaging in such talks in the risk of compromising our Eastern Catholic in return. Do not get me wrong,and don't ever dare me to say that i am citing Division here cause Hypocrisy is always the nature of this so called "Ecumenical" Tacticts. specially on those Orthodox who like to me dialogues at the expense of harassing and intimidating our Eastern Catholic brethrens. Yes we are for Christian unity, but if this is the same kind of justification that will hurt Eastern Catholics because of what they have done for the sake of Reunificating with the Catholic Church, i must say that your quest for that Union is a "Impossible" Dream for this Orthodox!!!!!
Let us not forget the Eastern Catholic Saints and Blesseds, even Venerables and Servants of God, who have die because of Ecumenical tactics of these Eastern Christian counterparts, of which the Catholic Church is now engaging into Talks regarding Christian Unity.. Again i clarify that i am not inciting anything here or i am against Ecumenism itself. Truth truly is painful, and Ecumenism itself with this Eastern Orthodox have a "side" effect and do have a "Jeopardizing" effect on Eastern Catholics
You want to forget those Persecution, Harrassment and Intimidation, then let this remind you
Most of these people are Victims of Ecumenical tactics!!! They have been harassed, intimidated and even at the point of Murder just to renounce the Union with the Holy Mother Church. Some of them even bribed to be Hierarchs of Orthodox Church being used by the Communist Atheist beast, but of course all of them remained Faithful to the Union. Let us not forget them as we engage in Ecumenism because we have just maligned their Memories if we forget that they also die for the sake of a Christian Catholic Union +
Rt. Rev. Archimandrite Nicholas Zachariadis, Abbot of the Romanian Greek Catholic Monastery of Holy Resurrection in California giving a some point of views regarding Eastern Catholic Theology. Here are the excerpt of question which was asked to him by.
1. The Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches say in Canon 28 that "a rite encompasses the liturgical, theological, spiritual, and disciplinary patrimony, culture, and circumstances of history of a distinct people by which its own manner of living the faith is manifested in each Church sui iuris." What does each rite having a different theological patrimony mean in this context?
2. Is there a multiplicity of theologies then accepted among the different Catholic Churches?
3. How can two churches in communion with each other have different theologies?
4. Do Eastern and Oriental Catholics have to affirm dogmas proclaimed by Rome?
5. Do Eastern and Oriental Catholics have to accept all Roman Catholic teachings and theology?
6. May Eastern and Oriental Catholics reject dogmas proclaimed by Rome as being outside their theological patrimony?
7. May they reject doctrine and dogmas proclaimed by Rome as incorrect or heretical, like papal supremacy?
8. What about doctrines or dogmas proclaimed after the treaties of union, like the immaculate conception?
9. May Roman Catholics reject Eastern or Oriental Catholic theology as outside their theological patrimony, incorrect or heretical?
10. What is the bottom line on what it means to the everyday Catholic that each of the rites includes its own theological patrimony?
You can follow also Madame Catherine Alexander, a close friend of mine, on her Blogspot Your word from the Wise, a blog also dedicated on Eastern Catholicism
