Byzantine Catholicism-                                  

Jesus Christ founded His Church through His Apostles.  By the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Apostles established the Church throughout the ancient world.  In all, there are 23, rites (or traditions) in communion with the One, Holy, Catholic Church.  Through the centuries, the two, largest have preserved the traditions of the two, capitals of the then-known, civilized world; the Latin Rite following the traditions of the Church of Rome, and the Byzantine Rite following the distinct traditions of the Churches centered in Greece, Russia, Carpathian Rus', the Ukraine, the Balkans, and the Middle East.  Not to be confused with Protestant Christians or the Orthodoxy, the Byzantine Catholic Church is in communion with our Holy Father, John Paul II, Pope of Rome.

"We knew not whether we were in heaven or on earth... and we are at a loss to describe it. We only know that God dwells there among men, and their service is fairer than the ceremonies of other nations."

In the year 987, envoys sent by pagan Prince Valdimir of Russia to search for the "true religion" related their impressions of Constantinople's awesome Byzantine Cathedral, the Hagfia Sophia (Holy Wisdom).  Within a year, on the strength of their testimony, the people of Kievan Rus' were all baptized into Christ by Byzantine missionaries.  Today as in Prince Vladimir's time, the Byzantine Catholic Church, fully aware that man is a union of soul and body, continues to use all the beauty of creation to move her faithful children to prayer with icons, singing, the sweet aroma of incense and the majestic Liturgies of Saint John Chrysostom and Saint Basil the Great.  There are many similarities in the traditions of all the Rites of the Holy Catholic Church, come experience the differences!

Byzantine Catholicism has spread rather quickly in Virginia as an alternative for those desiring a more traditional Catholic worship service. From a small beginning with monthly Liturgies at Fort Monroe in the mid 1980's, to two, beautiful Churches located first in Williamsburg and most recently in Virginia Beach, the Byzantine tradition is alive and well in Tidewater, Virginia! Our Lady of Perpetual Help Byzantine Catholic is part of the Metropolitan Diocese of Passaic, New Jersey, under the Spiritual care of Most Rev. Andrew Pataki, J.C.L., D.D.

To learn more about the Eparchy of Passaic Click Here

 

         

Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Virginia Beach, VA

 

The most striking feature for a newcomer to the Byzantine Catholic Church is the Eastern-style, onion dome and the "three bar cross" that decorate the exterior of the building. Inside, the walls of the Church are covered with otherworldly icons (pictures) depicting the spiritual beauty of the Kingdom of Heaven. Icons, like statues in the Latin Rite, are venerated, but not worshipped by Byzantine Catholics. The Divine Liturgy (Mass) is sung in the language of the people (English in the United States), and has remained virtually unchanged for nearly 1000 years! The Priest and the people pray together towards the East, and the Latin Rite tradition of kneeling is not used as the people stand aright and in awe of the Almighty. Communion is received under both species of the precious Body and Blood of Our Lord God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and is dispensed by the priest into the mouth of the communicant with a golden spoon.

To learn more about the Byzantine Catholic Church in America Click Here

 

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