Byzantine Right Essay
The Byzantine rite is the liturgical rite currently used by Eastern Orthodox churches, the Greek Byzantine Catholic Church, and the Protestant Ukrainian Lutheran Church. A rite, in the Catholic Church, is a particular method or tradition of worshipping while also practicing and believing what the Catholic Church teaches. Today, the Byzantine rite is recognized by the Bishop of Rome and also know as the Constantinople rite. The Byzantine rite is derived from Antioch and not a parent-rite. A original parent-rites were the what the liturgical rites we have today were influenced by. The two original liturgies the Byzantine rite is made up of was of Alexandria and Antioch. The Byzantine rite is now made of two liturgies, St. Basil and St. John
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Specifically, the set up of the church. Specifications within the churches include the positioning of the altar. The altar is most usually placed in the middle of the sanctuary and be completely covered in cloth. The only items allowed to be on the altar are the antimension, which is cloth with a depiction of Jesus Christ on the cross. Also placed on the altar would be the Euchologion. The Euchologion is read by the bishop or priest throughout the mass. Other traditions of Byzantine rite churches involve the leader of the mass. The bishops and priests wears an epitrachil, which is the liturgical vestment worn as a symbol of priest hood. In every church behind the altar are seats for the priest and a head chair for the bishop. An older tradition of these churches would be what the people attending the mass were expected to do. These people were expected to stand throughout the entire service and the congregation had to be separated from the altar. Dividing these two is an iconostasis, or wall of icons. Not only did they stand, but the congregation was also active within the mass. People in the church bowed in response to the words of the Bishop. Throughout these masses Scripture was read in every service. Another unique quality of these churches is people would repeat psalms to one another over and over
Specifically, the set up of the church. Specifications within the churches include the positioning of the altar. The altar is most usually placed in the middle of the sanctuary and be completely covered in cloth. The only items allowed to be on the altar are the antimension, which is cloth with a depiction of Jesus Christ on the cross. Also placed on the altar would be the Euchologion. The Euchologion is read by the bishop or priest throughout the mass. Other traditions of Byzantine rite churches involve the leader of the mass. The bishops and priests wears an epitrachil, which is the liturgical vestment worn as a symbol of priest hood. In every church behind the altar are seats for the priest and a head chair for the bishop. An older tradition of these churches would be what the people attending the mass were expected to do. These people were expected to stand throughout the entire service and the congregation had to be separated from the altar. Dividing these two is an iconostasis, or wall of icons. Not only did they stand, but the congregation was also active within the mass. People in the church bowed in response to the words of the Bishop. Throughout these masses Scripture was read in every service. Another unique quality of these churches is people would repeat psalms to one another over and over