adoseoftheosis
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I'm interested in the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18)

I'm an Orthodox Christian who has found a lovely, sparsely populated corner of the internet where Catholics and Orthodox can discuss the apostolic witness in a way befitting a Christian.

Together we'll share ideas, study a variety of things (patristics, Scripture, saints, books, etc.), and pray with/for one another.

Healing has to take place when brokenhearted, separated people spend time together.
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Live Streamed on January 26, 2023 7:45 AM ET
The Way of a Pilgrim

Da Weigh ova Pillgrum

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Forgot the scorpion vid 🦂
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Another video

From Tasbeha (midnight praises) this morning

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I can’t believe I haven’t posted from the NEC 😱

It’s been a wild ride - very busy with work! But I did get to make one of the Byzantine liturgies! Also, check out this article: https://www.ncregister.com/news/byzantine-catholics-national-eucharistic-congress

I also got to meet a few peeps: @LuisBare @BrookTrout76 (no clue if I tagged the right people 😂)

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What are you reading right now? 📚

As you know, I've been reading The Brothers Karamazov and I'm about halfway through it. I have some considerations of what I may pick up next, but I'd love to hear what you're reading right now! Lemme know 👇👇👇

October 01, 2024

If anyone is interested in Coptic Iconography, see info of an online event below!

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September 30, 2024

In "The Word Among Us" for October, there were a few little articles about St Therese of Lisieux, and this part was an echo of what @JohnMMarmora quoted last Friday, so figured I'd share.

"The fact that we can't save ourselves is something we acknowledge in words but that we find very hard to accept. We'd all like to be saved by our own efforts, to be strong and robust, to boast about our successes, to shine in other people's eyes, even on the spiritual level.

Some people want to be highly regarded because they have luxurious cars, expensive watches, designer clothes, professional prestige, and go around with beautiful people.

As good Christians, we may want to stand out for our virtues, charisms, experience, and sound judgment. Then we consider that we are on the right path.

But, in fact, we're in danger of ending up with exactly the same mindset as the worldly people described above. Very often, without realizing it, we have a worldly outlook on the spiritual life: ...

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40 Days of Seculsion
The Coptic Tradition of Training Newly Ordained Priests

In the Coptic Orthodox tradition, the 40-day period of seclusion and spiritual training that newly ordained priests undergo is a significant practice, particularly in America, where the church is growing and adapting to a new cultural landscape. The purpose of this training is deeply rooted in the monastic and spiritual heritage of the Coptic Church. Let's dive in.

Why 40 Days?

The number 40 holds a lot of spiritual meaning in Christian tradition. It appears frequently in the Bible—most notably in the 40 days Christ spent fasting in the desert, preparing for His ministry (Matthew 4:2), and the 40 days Moses spent on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments (Exodus 24:18). The idea behind the 40-day training is for the new priest to retreat from the distractions of the world and immerse himself fully in prayer, liturgy, and the monastic life. This helps him develop the spiritual discipline and maturity needed to serve his congregation.

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A Comparison of Oriental Orthodox and Roman Catholic Prayer Traditions
I asked ChatGPT to write and essay and here's what it gave me . . .

A Comparative Exploration of Prayer Practices in the Oriental Orthodox and Roman Catholic Traditions


Prayer, a foundational element in Christian life, acts as a bridge between the believer and God, guiding the faithful toward spiritual intimacy. Despite this shared purpose, different Christian traditions have developed unique ways of engaging in prayer, shaped by their historical, cultural, and theological backgrounds. In this article, we’ll explore the distinctive practices of prayer within the Oriental Orthodox and Roman Catholic traditions, comparing their theological approaches, forms of prayer, and communal versus individual emphases.

Historical Context: Diverging Paths

To understand the prayer practices in the Oriental Orthodox and Roman Catholic traditions, it’s essential to look at their historical development.

The Oriental Orthodox Churches—encompassing the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Coptic Orthodox Church, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, and others—trace their roots to the early Christian communities. These churches split from the rest of Christendom after the Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD due to theological differences, particularly concerning the nature of Christ. While not as widely discussed as the Great Schism of 1054 that divided Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism, this earlier split has resulted in distinctive spiritual practices, including prayer.

Roman Catholicism, on the other hand, developed in the West, becoming the dominant expression of Christianity in Europe. The Roman Catholic Church’s structure, centered around the Pope, and its development through key historical events such as the Reformation and the Counter-Reformation, has shaped its prayer practices and theology.

Both traditions value prayer, but their respective theological emphases and historical experiences have led to notable differences in how prayer is understood and practiced.

Theology of Prayer: Mystery vs. Mediation

A significant difference between the Oriental Orthodox and Roman Catholic approaches to prayer lies in their respective theological frameworks.

Oriental Orthodox Understanding of Prayer

In the Oriental Orthodox tradition, prayer is deeply mystical and contemplative. It is seen as a journey toward union with God, with an emphasis on the unknowability and transcendence of the divine. This focus on **mysticism** shapes the nature of Oriental Orthodox prayer, where silence, awe, and contemplation are as significant as the spoken word.

The theosis, or divinization of the believer, is a central theme in Oriental Orthodox theology. Prayer is not just a means of communicating with God but of participating in the divine nature. Through prayer, the believer seeks to be transformed and united with God, emphasizing the interior life of the soul over the external aspects of prayer.

Roman Catholic Understanding of Prayer

Roman Catholicism, while also deeply contemplative, emphasizes the role of prayer as a form of mediation. The Catholic Church teaches that prayer is a way for believers to communicate with God, often through intermediaries such as saints, particularly the Virgin Mary. The Catholic view of prayer is tied to its sacramental theology, where the grace of God is mediated through the sacraments and the Church.

In Roman Catholic prayer, there is a clear distinction between petitionary prayers (asking for specific favors) and contemplative prayers. While Catholics also seek union with God, the emphasis on intercession and the role of saints provides a structured, hierarchical approach to prayer. The Catholic Church also stresses the importance of the Eucharist and other sacraments as central acts of worship and prayer, seen as the most profound encounter with the divine.

Liturgical Prayer: Structure and Symbols

Both Oriental Orthodox and Roman Catholic traditions share a strong liturgical foundation, but their approaches to formal, communal prayer differ in several key aspects.

Oriental Orthodox Liturgical Prayer

The Divine Liturgy is the central act of communal worship in the Oriental Orthodox Church. Much like Eastern Orthodoxy, the Oriental Orthodox churches emphasize the mystery and sacredness of the liturgy, with a focus on the presence of the divine in the Eucharistic celebration. Prayers during the liturgy are often chanted, and services are richly adorned with icons, incense, and intricate rituals, reinforcing the transcendent nature of God.

A key feature of Oriental Orthodox prayer life is the extensive use of fasting and prostration as acts of humility and repentance. The seasons of fasting, particularly during Lent, are accompanied by special prayers and services, designed to deepen the believer's sense of devotion and prepare them spiritually for major feasts like Easter.

Additionally, Oriental Orthodox Christians engage in frequent prayers for the intercession of saints, especially the martyrs and the Virgin Mary, asking them to intercede on behalf of the faithful.

Roman Catholic Liturgical Prayer

In the Roman Catholic tradition, the Mass is the central liturgical act, and much like the Oriental Orthodox Divine Liturgy, it is sacramental in nature, particularly focused on the Eucharist. However, the Roman Catholic Mass tends to be more structured, with defined roles for the priest, deacons, and laypeople. The Liturgy of the Word (Scripture readings, homily) and the Liturgy of the Eucharist (the consecration of bread and wine) are the two major parts of the Mass.

While Roman Catholicism also uses symbols like incense, candles, and vestments, the ritual style is typically less mystical than that of the Oriental Orthodox tradition. There is a greater emphasis on the intelligibility of the prayers and the homily (sermon), reflecting the Roman Catholic Church’s effort, particularly after the Second Vatican Council, to make worship more accessible and participatory.

Catholics also place a strong emphasis on sacramentals—prayers and objects (like rosaries, holy water, and medals) used to sanctify daily life and remind the faithful of God’s presence. The use of the rosary—a form of meditative prayer centered around the life of Christ and the intercession of the Virgin Mary—is particularly significant in Roman Catholic spirituality.

Personal and Communal Prayer: Individual Experience vs. Liturgical Tradition

While both traditions value communal worship, the balance between individual and communal prayer can differ significantly.

Oriental Orthodox: Communal Mysticism

In the Oriental Orthodox tradition, there is a strong emphasis on communal worship, with liturgical prayer taking precedence. The faithful are expected to participate in the Divine Liturgy regularly, and much of the spiritual life is tied to the rhythm of the Church’s liturgical calendar. Personal prayer is highly encouraged, but it often takes the form of liturgical-style prayers at home, such as reading from prayer books or using a prayer rope (similar to the Eastern Orthodox komboskini).

The mystical nature of prayer in the Oriental Orthodox tradition means that personal prayers often focus on contemplation, using methods like the Jesus Prayer (“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner”). This simple yet profound prayer is repeated continuously as a way to foster humility, mindfulness, and divine presence.

Roman Catholic: Balance of Personal and Communal Prayer

In Roman Catholicism, there is a more equal balance between personal and communal prayer. While attending Mass is a central part of Catholic life, the Church strongly encourages the development of a personal prayer life. Catholics are taught to pray at home, in various forms—whether through the recitation of traditional prayers like the Hail Mary or Our Father, or through personal, spontaneous prayer.

Many Catholics pray the rosary daily, use devotional prayer books, or practice Eucharistic adoration, a form of prayer focused on the Real Presence of Christ in the consecrated Eucharist. Unlike the more contemplative approach of Oriental Orthodox personal prayer, Roman Catholic personal prayer often involves intercessory prayers to saints, particularly the Virgin Mary, reflecting the Catholic emphasis on the communion of saints as a support for the faithful.

The Role of Icons and Statues

In both traditions, visual elements play a significant role in prayer, though their use and significance differ.

Oriental Orthodox: Icons as Windows to Heaven

Icons are central to Oriental Orthodox prayer practices. These sacred images of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the saints are considered “windows to heaven,” offering a means of experiencing the presence of the divine. Praying before icons is an essential practice in the Oriental Orthodox tradition, and icons are venerated, though not worshipped. The use of icons in prayer reflects the deep theological symbolism of the incarnate Word of God made visible through material means.

Roman Catholic: Statues and Sacramentals

In Roman Catholicism, statues of saints and religious figures play a significant role in fostering devotion. While not as central as icons in the Oriental Orthodox tradition, statues serve as visual reminders of the faith, encouraging Catholics to pray for the intercession of saints. Additionally, Catholics use sacramentals (such as crucifixes and holy water) as aids to prayer, symbolizing the power of God’s grace in daily life.

Conclusion

While both the Oriental Orthodox and Roman Catholic traditions place a profound importance on prayer, their approaches are shaped by distinct theological, historical, and cultural influences. The mystical, communal focus of the Oriental Orthodox tradition contrasts with the more structured, sacramental approach of Roman Catholicism. Despite these differences, both traditions share a common goal: to draw the believer closer to God, whether through the rich liturgical life of the Church or the intimate prayers of the individual soul.

 

 

 

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References:

1. Ware, Timothy. *The Orthodox Church*. Penguin Books, 1997.
2. John Paul II. *Catechism of the Catholic Church*. Doubleday, 1995.
3. Meyendorff, John. *Byzantine Theology: Historical Trends and Doctrinal Themes*. Fordham University Press, 1974.
4. McGrath, Alister. *Christian Theology: An Introduction*. Wiley-Blackwell, 2011.
5. Tertullian

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Should the Christian West Restore Its Original Approach to Fasting? Part 3
Why Fasting is an Essential of Mark of Christian Discipleship, the Catholic Church, & the Orthodox Faith

Kyle from Barrel Aged Faith is back again to wrap up our series on fasting! I think he's saved the best for last on this one as we look at the role fasting has played in the ongoing division between East & West, as well as the role it can play in fostering unity. 

As this is a labor of love, in response to all that this community has given me, these articles will be exclusive to supporters. Thank you for all of your support 💛

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