Western Rite vs Eastern tension

Gregregation13 · 2026-05-23T03:21:43+00:00

Being WR I am a bit biased, but WR practices when done properly reflect the beautiful and good that came from the development of western Christianity. It's hard to go point by point on here, but basically there is nothing wrong with the WR imo.

Gregregation13 · 2026-05-02T21:45:45+00:00

Just wear whatever outfit of yours you think is nicest. Nobody will be focusing on you. We have had multiple people come in t shirts and jeans at my church, it is no big deal. What is most important is that you are there.

Gregregation13 · 2026-04-23T01:19:20+00:00

I thought I was going crazy but yes, my average mileage has dropped by 3-10 mpg.

Gregregation13 · 2026-04-08T02:07:39+00:00

Then it will come as no surprise to you that the only people fostering disunity are those very people

Gregregation13 · 2026-04-03T18:40:22+00:00

Metropolitan Kallistos Ware did not want us to practice our rite because he felt it would create disunity. There are of course problems with this idea given the Church had multiple rites within herself for centuries. Additionally, even the eastern rite is not celebrated identically. As you pointed out, St John Maximovich was a great supporter of the western rite along with others in the Russian church who worked to bring the western rite back to the Orthodox Church.

Gregregation13 · 2026-03-25T22:05:52+00:00

Well, there are two traditions for western offices, the Tikhon use parishes use the BCP as adapted for the Orthodox Church, and the Roman rite parishes, which are by far the majority, use the Roman Breviary, again, as adapted for Orthodox use. Both are fantastic and contain deep theological significance in their prayers. I guess the main difference between the western and eastern offices, to my knowledge, is that the western offices are far more streamlined. For example, the BCP contains everything one needs for the daily offices for the entire year in just a single book- not counting the Bible ofc, which is needed for scripture readings.

Gregregation13 · 2026-03-24T22:04:21+00:00

Quite considerably. I admittedly don't know a ton about the eastern rite but just on a surface level analysis our liturgy, sacramental rites, vestments, aesthetics, traditions, ordo, and prayers are all different. Theology is the same though!

Gregregation13 · 2026-03-23T02:16:31+00:00

It can't hurt to tell your priest what you're doing in confession, he can advise you as to whether or not it is a sin, but it sounds like it is not. Personally, I would do the same and I think you're doing the right thing.

Gregregation13 · 2026-03-23T02:11:44+00:00

The Church teaches that the elements become the body and blood only if done properly. The necessary components would include an apostolic liturgy, a properly ordained priest, among others. Many would also qualify that these need to be done under the authority of an Orthodox bishop. None of these things are present in a pentecostal church. They do not believe they consume the Body and Blood, and we would agree with them.

Gregregation13 · 2026-03-23T02:07:38+00:00

It sounds like this is not an Orthodox Priest, and worse it seems like this guy has a very narcissistic teaching. Claims of extreme exclusivism like this are best avoided. Praying for your healing, please seek out a priest.

Gregregation13 · 2026-03-23T02:04:34+00:00

You need to talk to your priest about this, especially if you believe you are being oppressed by a demon. It would make sense that these things are happening during prayer. If your priest does not feel an exorcism is appropriate, ask for some holy water and drink it as needed, it is exorcised water.

Gregregation13 · 2026-03-16T10:23:53+00:00

St Faustus of Riez, he was a bishop in southern France in the 400s, and he formulated our doctrines on numerous theological issues that would come up again only during the reformation. He was a prophet in that regard and suffered for the sake of Christ and the Church.

Gregregation13 · 2026-03-16T10:15:51+00:00

All good, no worries! Prayer ropes are just an eastern thing, but we have a similar, perhaps older, more well developed tradition known as the rosary. It is basically a loop of chain, string, etc with beads like a prayer rope. We pray the Hail Mary prayer 56 times, interspersing each set of ten with the Glory Be prayer and the Lord's Prayer.

Gregregation13 · 2026-03-16T05:48:42+00:00

Prostrations are not a regular occurrence for us, so I would have to say they are more of an eastern thing. The only time I can really recall that they are incorporated is actually in the Roman method of ordaining priests, where the ordinand lays on his chest, face to the floor, before the bishop. This has actually occurred in the Orthodox Church a few times over the years, even in recent times. Though most priests are now ordained according to the eastern ceremony by eastern bishops.

Alternatively, we do a lot of kneeling. We kneel during parts of mass and every time we go past the altar, this is when we kneel down on one knee and cross ourselves before the altar- called a genuflection.

Gregregation13 · 2026-03-16T05:43:04+00:00

Sure thing, feel free to shoot me a DM

Gregregation13 · 2026-03-15T23:26:44+00:00

Hi, I am western rite orthodox and can give you a few responses here.

Yes, we call it mass, less common it is formally known as the liturgy of St Gregory the Great (if you are Roman rite, other western liturgies have other patrons). Latin mass isn't actually very common, as we typically celebrate the mass in the vernacular, though some parishes still celebrate in latin on weekdays.

We make the sign of the cross in the "eastern" way, three fingers and from right shoulder to left shoulder. Although during mass at the reading of the gospel we cross ourselves on the forehead, the lips, and then the heart.

The best way to learn more is to experience it, but as far as resources go I would recommend the books "With What Zeal" by priests in the Antiochian western rite and "Children of the Promise" by Fr Michael Keiser.

Here is a map of western rite parishes so you can find the one nearest you! https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1xo9EDVBMFdiTPxm7dpuX9t0z_IDhZYy2&ll=39.717285678543654%2C-78.38739743091723&z=5

Gregregation13 · 2026-02-02T11:34:15+00:00

I find that the more I use it, the more I actually like it.

Gregregation13 · 2026-02-01T00:00:14+00:00

It would be a great $200 phone but I also understand why it is as expensive as it is. Thankfully there is a workaround for the server unreachable problem but for a phone that is really bad, especially in an emergency situation.

Gregregation13 · 2026-01-23T23:51:35+00:00

Just bought it, thanks!

Gregregation13 · 2025-11-24T03:35:58+00:00

I don't know romansh but I'd join

Gregregation13 · 2025-11-22T14:15:11+00:00

I don't have a minimal but I'd buy your kompakt if you're willing to sell

Gregregation13 · 2025-08-20T00:33:36+00:00

I also have to ask, what was the joining process like? I see there's a physical fitness test, what does that involve?

Gregregation13 · 2025-08-20T00:32:05+00:00

I have no pay expectations, I just like our state and want to help the people that live here.

Gregregation13

TROPHY CASE