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Who is a Byzantine Catholic?
• A. A Byzantine Catholic or Greek Catholic is an Eastern
Catholic and a member of the One, Holy, Catholic, and
Apostolic Church by reason of his or her baptism, and
Christmation (Confirmation), and his or her participation in the
Holy Mysteries (sacraments) and the Divine Liturgy
(Eucharist), the central aspect of worship .
• A. Patriarchal Churches: these are Sui Juris Churches led by a high-ranking bishop known as Patriarch
(father). The Patriarch is elected by a patriarchal synod, also known as a holy synod. He has authority
over the metropolitan bishops and clergy of the patriarchal territory; this is known as supra-metropolitan
authority. The Patriarch has the power to convoke a synod, the ability to ordain bishops, and spiritual
authority over all the catholic faithful inside his territory.
• B. Major Archiepiscopal Churches: These are Sui Juris Churches led by a major Archbishop who has
the same dignity and authority as a Patriarch, except he does not enjoy the dignity of title. He is elected by
a synod of bishops, who must notify the Holy See for the confirmation of the major Archbishop. Major
Archbishops like Patriarchs enjoy supra-metropolitan authority over the clergy and the faithful in their
territories.
• C. Metropolitan Churches: These are Sui Juris Churches led by a Metropolitan Archbishop. Unlike
Patriarchs and major archbishops, who are elected by a synod, the Metropolitan is not elected by the
council of hierarchs (the equivalent of a synod of bishops, but enjoying less legislative authority). The
council of hierarchs proposes three names to the Holy Father who eventually makes the final decision in
the selection of the Metropolitan. A metropolitan does not enjoy his authority until he makes a formal
request for his palliun (a sign of authority and communion with the Pope). Unlike Patriarchs and major
Archbishops, the Metropolitan Archbishop only enjoys supra-episcopal authority over the clergy and
faithful of his territory.
• D. Other Churches: These are Churches Sui Juris that are neither Patriarchal, major archiepiscopal, or
metropolitan. These churches are usually very small in number and lack proper hierarchical structures.
These Churches are governed by an exarch (oridary bishop) who is directly dependant of the Holy See.
What are some common terms used to describe the ecclesiastical
jurisdiction of the particular Byzantine Churches?
• A. Vespers: is the solemn evening prayer of the Church which begins the liturgical day. We thank God for
the blessing of creation, especially for the gift of light both corporal and spiritual, and ask for pardon for our
sins and offenses, and protection throughout the night.
• B. Compline: is a communal prayer before bedtime also known as Apodeipnon.
• C. The Midnight Office: is a nocturnal vigil, in which we meditate upon the unexpected coming of Christ.
It is also known as the Mesonyktikon.
• D. Matins (Orthros): is the solemn morning prayer of the Church, an office of supplication, repentance
and praise.
• E. The First Hour, celebrated after Matins, is the first of the four daytime Hours; it is followed by:
The Third Hour, celebrated at mid-morning.
The Sixth Hour, celebrated at noon.
The Ninth Hour, celebrated between mid-afternoon and Vespers of the new day.
Typika: is a service of psalms and prayers appointed for the Liturgy of the day, which is held when the
Divine Liturgy is not celebrated.
• The Great Fast comes to an end on Friday of the sixth week, before Lazarus Saturday, which is the
Saturday before Palm Sunday. On Palm Sunday the Great entrance of our Lord into Jerusalem is
celebrated, this is one of the major feasts of the Byzantine liturgical year. Palm Sunday is followed by
the first three days of Holy week known in the Greek Catholic tradition as “the end”.
• These days are Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday, and Holy Wednesday, during these days the
Bridegroom services are celebrated . Holy Monday begins with the Orthros (matins) on Palm Sunday
evening (the beginning of the liturgical day) and the celebration of bride groom services. These
services portray Jesus as the bridegroom who give his life for his bride, the last bridegroom service
culminate on Holy Wednesday evening. During holy week the services are reversed, the orthros
(matins) is celebrated in the evening and Vespers are celebrated in the morning.
• Each day during Holy Week has a theme. The theme for Monday is Joseph’s virtue, and the withering
of the fig tree; Tuesday is the Ten Virgins; Wednesday is the anointing of Jesus at Bethany,
Thursday is the Mystical Supper, Great Friday is the Passion, and Holy Saturday also known as the
Great Sabbath is the burial of our Lord. On Holy Wednesday the sacrament of anointing (Holy
Unction) takes place, healing is intimately connected with repentance in Byzantine spirituality.
Did you Know?
• The Triodion is a three week period prior
to the beginning of Great Lent named
after the liturgical book used for this pre-
Lenten period, Great Lent and Holy
Week.
• The Sunday of the Publican and the
Pharisee is the first Sunday of this three
week period. It marks the beginning of a
time of preparation for the spiritual
journey of Lent. In the Byzantine
Tradition this period is marked by
worship, prayer, fasting, and acts of
charity. The Sundays of the Triodion are:
• In the afternoon, around three o’clock, the great Vespers are celebrated, the accounts from
the Gospels regarding the the crucifixion and death of Jesus is read, special attention is
given to role of Joseph of Arimatea in securing the body of Jesus for burial. During the
readings of the passion at the moment when Jesus body is taken from the cross, the priest
removes the icon of Jesus body (soma) from the cross, this liturgical action is called
Apokathelosis which means “taking down from the cross” and carries the icon of Jesus
body to the sanctuary wrapped in a white cloth and places it on the holy table.
• After the reading of the Passion the priest accompanied by the deacon and acolytes brings
out the epitaphios an carries it around the church and places the epitaphios in the
sepulcher (tomb) decorated with flowers also known as (the kouvouklion). The epitaphios
is an embroidered cloth with the icon of Jesus body, after being taken down from the cross,
depicting the body of Christ ready for burial.
• On Friday evening the orthros (matins) of Holy Saturday are celebrated. This service consist
of the Lamentations (hymns of praise intercalated with psalm118 used during funerals)
sung by the congregation. During this service the Epitaphios icon is carried in procession
around the church. In some parishes the entire flower-bedecked Sepulcher, symbolizing the
Tomb, is carried in the procession.
Epitrachelion
Sticharion
Epimanikia
(Cuffs)
Sticharion
Omophorion
Bishop’s Vestment
Liturgical Colors
In the Byzantine Catholic tradition the following liturgical
colors are used:
Crozier or
Miter Paterissa
Bishop’s staff
Omophorion
Bizantine Cross
Engolpion or
Panagia
Holy Theotokos
• A. In the Byzantine Catholic Tradition, the Virgin Mary has
an exalted place of honor as the Theotokos (God’s
bearer), the Mother of God. St. Theodoret an early
Christian theologian wrote that calling Mary Theotokos is
an Apostolic tradition.
• A. Altar table: It is located in the center, just behind the Holy doors or Beautiful gate. On top of the altar
is the tabernacle, the book of the Gospel and the antimension are placed. Behind the altar a
candelabra containing seven candles is found. (See graphic # 1 –next slide)
• B. Tabernacle or artophorion: is the sacred vessel used to reserve the Eucharist used to bring
communion for the sick; it is usually shaped in the form of a Church. The presence of the Christ in the
tabernacle is signaled by a vigil lamp. (See graphic # 8 –next slide)
• C. Table of Preparation or Prothesis: This table is also known as the table of oblation; it is found in the
sanctuary left to the altar. This is the table used for the service of preparing the the prosphora (bread)
and wine; this service is known as proskomedia or office of oblation. On top of the prothesis rest the
chalice (cup) the diskos (paten = round plate), the spear (liturgical knife), a liturgical spoon (for the
distribution of holy communion), the asterisk or star ( a metal stand that holds the cover for the
Eucharistic bread or prosphora). (See graphic #2- next slide)
• D. Antimension: a rectangular piece of silk or linen decorated with the image of Christ’s entombment
and the image of the four Evangelists. A small relic of a martyr is sewn into it. During the Divine Liturgy
(Eucharist), the antimension is placed on the center of the altar. The antimension serves as an altar in
case of pastoral necessity and the Eucharist cannot be celebrated without it. Only the priest, deacon or
bishop can touch the antimension when fully vested.
Inside a Byzantine Catholic Church
The Iconostasis
• A. In the Byzantine Catholic Tradition, the
Iconostasis (Greek for icon stand) or Templon,
is a screen (wall), consisting of one or more rows
of icons, separating the nave from the sanctuary.
Iconostasis or Templon
Byzantine Symbols
Byzantine Cross Icons – “Christ Pantocrator”
• http://www.slideshare.net/pcuadra/the-prayer-rope
St. Cyril and Methodius
• Saints Cyril and Methodius were Byzantine
Greek brothers born in Thessaloniki in the 9th
century, who became missionaries of Christianity
among the Slavic peoples of Great Moravia and
Pannonia.
GO WITH GOD!