Some Catholics pray with icons and receive communion with a spoon, but why do they do this, and who are they? Well, let’s get a quick introduction to Byzantine Rite Catholics with this lesson. I’m your host, Shalone Cason, and as always, we’ll begin in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

It started in Antioch

Long ago, Jesus’s followers spread the Good News to a big city called Antioch.

“it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.” (Acts 11:26)

That’s where Christians got their name! Saint Peter and Saint Paul both lived there for a while, and the way Antioch prayed is where our story begins.

Its prayers came from Antioch

An old Catholic encyclopedia tells us where Byzantine worship comes from.

“It is derived from that of Antioch.” (Catholic Encyclopedia, “The Rite of Constantinople”)

It grew from the way Antioch prayed, then grew up in a great city called Constantinople. Its old name was Byzantium, and that’s where the word Byzantine comes from!

One faith, many ways to pray

The Catechism tells us why Catholics pray in different ways.

“Churches of the same geographical and cultural area came to celebrate the mystery of Christ through particular expressions characterized by the culture” (Catechism 1202)

Byzantine and Roman Catholics believe the same things and share the same seven sacraments. We just pray differently: Byzantine churches are full of icons, and the whole Liturgy is sung!

A big Church family

A Byzantine catechism tells us how the Catholic Church is put together.

“It is in these, and formed out of them, that the one and unique Catholic Church exists.” (Christ – Our Pascha 285)

The Catholic Church is a big family of Churches, each with its own bishops. The Latin Church is the biggest. The Ruthenian, Ukrainian and Melkite Churches are Byzantine. Together, they’re one Church!

Together with the Pope

What makes all these Churches Catholic? The same catechism tells us.

“The first among self-governing Churches is the Church of Rome, because its presider is the Pope of Rome, the successor of the apostle Peter.” (Christ – Our Pascha 291)

The Pope takes Saint Peter’s place, and all these Churches are united with him. So Byzantine and Roman Catholics can receive Communion in each other’s churches!

And that’s the Byzantine Rite in a nutshell. It’s a form of prayer started in Antioch, and it is one of the many ways that Catholics can pray while still being one church in communion with the Pope! Thanks for learning with me, and until next time, stay holy, my friend.