Our Faith and Traditions

 

 

Three Bar Cross on Saint Basil's Church

What are the Eastern Catholic Churches? 

Father Philip Seeton  gives an introductory answer to this question.  For even more information, please come join us for Divine Liturgy either during the week, on the weekend or both!  We would love to see you.

 

Pascha (Easter) Traditions of the Eastern Church

Learn more about the traditions that we hold dear surround the highest of our holy days, the Feast of the Ressurection!  Click on the link above and it will lead you to more information on pysanky and traditional Easter baskets.  

 

The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts

The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is a liturgical service for the distribution of the Holy Gifts on the weekdays of the Great Fast. Because the Great Fast is a season of repentance, fasting, and intensified prayer, the Eastern Church regards more frequent reception of Holy Communion as especially desirable at this time.

 

The Sunday of Orthodoxy and Ikons

The First Sunday of the Great Fast is the Sunday of Orthodoxy. On this day we celebrate the triumph of the Church over the heresy of ikonoclasm, which was condemned at the Seventh Ecumenical Council in 787 AD. 

 

Beginning the Great Fast

On Forgiveness Sunday we celebrate Vespers, at the end of the Service we approach one another humbly asking for forgiveness. This is the best way to enter the Great Fast, with humility and mercy.

 

The Holy Supper

The Holy Supper is tradition among many of the Slavic peoples. In most places it is celebrated in the home as a family. It is a time of sharing a meal symbolic of many things that are part of the celebration of the Lord's Nativity. It is a meal that "ushers in" the Christmas celebration.

 



Originally written for the children of the parish, these e-books contain a great deal of information found nowhere else.

 

Father Philip's Vestments

 

The Prothesis:  Preparing Holy Things for Holy People

 

The Diakanon:  The Deacon's Table and Its Role in Our Liturgies

 

How to Reverence an Ikon

 

Martin Makes a Prostration