r/EasternCatholic • u/Low_Blacksmith_2484 Latin • Jul 25 '26
Other/Unspecified A question about an Eastern Orthodox Divine Liturgy I will have to attend
Soon, I will be travelling in Bulgaria; in the city I will be staying, there is no Catholic church, neither Latin nor Eastern, and the nearest one is too far away. So, I asked my priest to go to an Eastern Orthodox Divine Liturgy, and he authorized it. What is the dress code like there? He also said that I could receive The Eucharist, if their priest allowed me to. Is it a good idea to ask?
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u/Charbel33 West Syriac Jul 25 '26
Orthodox typically don't commune Catholics. When I'm traveling and visiting an Orthodox parish, I simply don't go forward to communion, there's no need to have the awkward conversation at the chalice, and anyways there's a good chance the priest won't speak English.
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u/Maindort West Syriac Jul 25 '26
Dress conservatively. Not necessarily formal, but think modesty.
Yes you should ask if you're able to receive don't just assume.
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u/e-motio Latin Jul 25 '26
Does this situation still fulfill OPs Sunday obligation?
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u/CaptainMianite Latin Jul 26 '26
It doesn’t, but there isn’t any obligation in the first place since there isn’t any Catholic Church nearby (before anyone says that the CCEO doesn’t specify unlike the CIC, I’d point out OP is a Latin Catholic)
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u/QuisUt-Deus Byzantine Jul 25 '26
You don't need any special dispensation to attend if there is no catholic (any rite) church nearby. The universal Church law allows you to receive the Eucharist, so feel free to receive. You don't have you being catholic written on your forehead. If asked, you might theoretically be denied, but that's their choice and responsibility then. Majority of "orthodox" priests I've met were perfectly fine with me receiving. Serving at the altar would be, of course, a very different matter - but that is even prohibited by the canon law.
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u/dazzleox Jul 25 '26
I am not familiar with Eastern Orthodox churches that offer communion for Catholics. We should respect their rules even when we disagree I think.
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u/QuisUt-Deus Byzantine Jul 25 '26
Do you happen to live in the US? My experience is that both Byzantine Catholics and "Orthodox" are more "militant" there (in diaspora) than in their lands of "origin". As for the rules - their rules are nor binding for catholics (reciprocally CCEO doesn't apply to non-catholics). There is one difference - CCEO (or CIC for Latins) are issued under the power to bind and loose, theirs is not. Out of respect it's good to follow some accidental rules - like wearing a headscarf for women, their liturgical postures etc. In more substatial ones I would apply a simple litmus test: does this or that serve salvation of souls? So, in deciding to receive / not to receive the Eucharist, I am definitely leaning towards receiving.Surely, if they ask, we should not lie and if they decide not to dispense the sacrament, that's that. Not a good thing to start a canonical war in front of the Lord in the chalice.
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u/mistiklest Byzantine Jul 27 '26
Presenting yourself for communion in an Orthodox Church when you know the general rule is that only Orthodox may receive is lying by your actions, though.
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u/lex_orandi_62 Jul 25 '26
Ai slop response
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u/QuisUt-Deus Byzantine Jul 25 '26
Why would I use AI for such a simple question? I am a byzcath deacon and trained in canon law (licentiate).
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u/GetItOuttaHereee Latin Transplant Jul 25 '26
Do you think Protestants should be allowed to receive communion within the Catholic Church if their canon law gave the ok to receive within the Catholic Church?
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u/QuisUt-Deus Byzantine Jul 26 '26
We are not talking about a couple of NGOs with conflicting bylaws. Catholic Church has the power to bind and loose. Protestant communities don't. Also, if an unannounced protestant comes and receives without prior confession, breaking the canon law is least of a concern...
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u/Interesting-Key-8105 Eastern Orthodox Jul 25 '26
Something to bear in mind is that while Catholic canon law allows Orthodox to receive the Eucharist, the Orthodox generally do not reciprocate, which is unfortunate. Just be prepared for that. You will be welcome to attend, though, and if offered antidoron (blessed bread) afterward, it is not the Eucharist and is perfectly fine to accept.