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The Pope in Athens: Bewaring Greeks . . .
As the weather begins to warm with the coming of summer, it would appear that Pope John Paul II will experience "heat" of a different kind beginning with his visit to Orthodox Greece on Friday.  There have been demonstrations by Orthodox groups calling on the Pope to stay home (as well as some nasty names).>>>more 

Saints Preserve Us:
The Vatican Gives Haloes to Ukrainians
As the papal visit to Ukraine draws nearer, the Vatican has been engaged in what some say is a flurry of activity designed to promote good will and, in some cases, mend some bridges.  The Pope himself yesterday received in audience people who had taken into their homes the child-victims of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster to thank them and to let everyone know he is eager to "kiss the Ukrainian soil" in June.  But the latest act of the Vatican with respect to the Ukrainian Catholic Church is certainly noteworthy.>>>more

Western Russophiles Nervous About Papal Trip to Ukraine
There is a well-known Ukrainian saying that goes something like this:  "In our own home is our own truth."  One is reminded of this especially on those occasions when western journalists want to write about Ukrainian affairs, but consult those with a Russophile axe to grind, presumably to achieve a greater degree of "objectivity."  Really?
A recent media release by ZENIT News Agency quotes an interview with Vittorio Strada about the upcoming papal visit to Ukraine.>>>more

 Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic Churches
Question from a visitor
I also know that the Holy Father in Rome has extended an olive branch to all the Orthodox Church to unite. Do you ever forsee us as one?>>>see answer

New Papal Posturing: How Many Ukrainian Cardinals Are There?
Today's Vatican media statement has released the details of the Pope's audience with the 44 new Cardinals.  The statement referred to the creation of "two Ukrainian Cardinals, one of the Latin and another of the Eastern Rite."   Before anyone begins to clap, let's have a look at what is happening here and on the eve of a Papal visit to Ukraine.>>>more

The Plight of Eastern Catholics in Russia
That Eastern Catholics living in Russia would continue to suffer repression by the government there comes as no surprise.  That the Vatican itself would join forces with Moscow in keeping them underground is . . .>>>more
Russians Unhappy about Papal Visit to Ukraine
The Vatican Communications Department never ceases to amaze.  A case in point is its press release today about the Pope's visit to Ukraine in June of this year.
It seems that the whole purpose of the trip (Operation: Moscow Placation) is about to unravel.>>>more 		The Virgin Mary in East and West
Mary, the Mother of Christ our God has been honoured for centuries.  But let us have a look at the different ways she is venerated in both East and West, particularly with respect to the famous apparitions and other devotions.>>>more
The Blessing of a Married Priesthood
Catholics may now be "carried, married and buried" in church by people other than priests.  There are even "Eucharistic Ministers" and can perform Eucharistic services that resembles the Mass, but does not have an ordained priest officiating.>>>more 		Vatican Tries Back Door Approach To Moscow
The Vatican appears very desperate to try and obtain a meeting between the Moscow Patriarch and the Pope of Rome.
But just how desperate is it?>>>more
Ukrainian Catholics Lose Leader: What Lies Ahead?
Cardinal Myroslav Ivan Lubachivsky, Ukrainian Catholic Archbishop of Lviv, died yesterday morning at the age of 86.
A scholarly, hard-working man, the Cardinal was fiercely devoted to the spiritual good of the flock entrusted to him.  He was also very loyal to Rome and never, throughout his ecclesiastical career, went out of his way to upset the often delicate relationship that has existed for years between the Vatican and the Ukrainian Catholic Church.>>>more 		St. Peter and the Petrine Ministry
When Ukrainian Archbishop Vsevolod visited Pope John Paul II as part of a delegation on behalf of the Patriarch of Constantinople last year, the Pope did something interesting.
As the Orthodox Group walked away from the ecuminically-minded meeting, the Pope turned and asked them to be reminded about the role of the Petrine Ministry in the Church. >>>more
Of Patriarchs and Patriarchates in Orthodoxy
A new Patrarch has just been elected for the Melkite Greek-Catholic Church.
Archbishop Loutfi Laham has chosen the name of "Gregory III" and becomes the leader of the one million Melkite faithful around the world. >>>more 		Is The Vatican Getting Serious About the Orthodox?
Yesterday, the Vatican announced the appointment by Pope John Paul II of an Eastern Catholic prelate as prefect of the Vatican's Congregation for the Eastern Churches.
Syrian Catholic Patriarch Ignace Moussa Daoud I of Antioch will head the Congregation.  He will be the second of only two Eastern Catholic churchmen so far to head the Vatican bureaucracy that is expressly in charge of "Eastern Church affairs." >>>more
Eastern Catholics and Orthodoxy: A Homecoming
It was in 1439 that the Roman Catholics convened one its councils in Florence.  To it were invited representatives of the Orthodox Church to discuss possible ways and means of re-establishing Church unity. >>>more 		Papal Visit to Ukraine Revisited: The Real Agenda
Vatican officials have now let it be known that the ultimate goal of the pope's visit to Ukraine in June 2001 is to use it to pave the way for a desired papal tour of Moscow.
The Moscow Patriarchate has been rather firm in the recent past about the impossibility of Pope John Paul II coming to Russia unless certain "demands" by the Russian Orthodox Church are met in advance.>>>more
The Upcoming Papal Visit to Ukraine: Quo Vadis John Paul II?
Recently, a Vatican spokesman let the "cat out of the bag" yesterday and said that Pope John Paul II will definitely visit Ukraine in June 2001.
Since the Vatican has repeatedly said that no papal visit would take place to any country without the expressed invitation of its government and with the consent of its religious leaders, does this mean that both prerequisites have been achieved to everyone's satisfaction? >>>more 		Are There more Catholic than Orthodox?
Are there more Catholic than Orthodox churches as well as people,or are they just more high profile ?>>>see answer
Differences Between Orthodox and Catholic
Can someone please tell me where I can find something to explain to me the major difference between being Catholic and being Orthodox and the history of the religions. I have been told that the Orthodox religion is actually older than the Catholic religion and that the Catholic religion is based on the Orthodox religion. Obviously, this is not something I want to bring up in a debate unless I have the facts. >>>see answer 		Orthodoxy and the Protestant Reformation
It was in the sixteenth century on an October 31 that Martin Luther first made public his "95 Theses" against the Roman Catholic church, thereby inaugurating the Protestant Reformation. >>>more
Brest'-Litovsk 1596: The "Unia" makes us strong?
There is probably no other single issue in Church history that evokes sharper reaction and comment than the history of the Union of Brest'-Litovsk.
In the years following its signing in 1596, Church leaders and others produced many apologetical and even combative religious works to either praise or attack the "Unia.">>>more 		St. Peter as the Head of the True Church
I am an Orthodox christian and have a question for you. My Catholic friends and I were discussing the issue of the Papacy. While the Orthodox church gives the Patriarch (Pope) of Rome a primacy of honour, we do not recognize the Pope as the Head of our church, the way the Catholic church does, even though our churches were the same until the great schism of 1054 declared in Constantinople. My Catholic friends indicate that proof that the successor of St. Peter be the head of the true Church is given by the very words of Jesus Christ, (though art Peter, the rock, and on this rock I shall build my Church, etc). Do you have any comments on this issue from an Orthodox viewpoint?>>>see answer
Additional Comments regarding St. Peter and the One True Church Catholics and Orthodox: Who does the West like better?
 In the aftermath of the papal visit to Greece, and by way of the controversy being generated by the upcoming visit to Ukraine, there has been a flurry of western journalistic activity in which the Orthodox Church figures prominently.  What a number of these articles show is a lack of real familiarity with Orthodox faith, history and tradition.  Why is Orthodoxy seemingly on the losing end of a Western public relations battle it did not want to enter in the first place?>>>more
Canada's first Ukrainian saint:  When loyalties collide
 Recently, a national Canadian newspaper carried a feature article about the life and times of Bishop Nikita Budka who will be beatified a martyr by the Pope during his visit to Ukraine.  As such Canadian Catholics will enroll Budka as their first Ukrainian Canadian  saint.  Bishop Budka was certainly a controversial figure who, by his actions, angered Canadian war veterans, the Manitoba and Canadian governments, members of his own flock and even the Vatican itself.  Was he really all that bad or was he a convenient scapegoat?>>>more 		Winnipeg to get two Ukrainian patron saints:  A vindication of the Pioneers
The city of Winnipeg holds a place in Ukrainian Canadian history that is analogous to that of Kyiv in Ukraine itself.  Today, it is the Church capital for both Ukrainian Catholic and Orthodox Churches. It was the scene of many events, good and bad, involving Ukrainians since their coming here in the late nineteenth century.  It comes as no surprise that the city flag of Winnipeg resembles the familiar blue and yellow Ukrainian flag, with the same explanation in terms of blue skies and yellow wheat-fields.  And now Winnipeg is about to get two Ukrainian patron saints, one Catholic and the other Orthodox.  How times have changed . . .>>>more
PAPAL VISIT TO UKRAINE: BUILDING (AND MENDING) SOME BRIDGES
 The papal visit to Ukraine has certainly put the spotlight on the country, its people and a number of church-related issues.  President Kuchma has taken the occasion to underline Ukraine's future "vocation" as an integral part of Europe.  Patriarch Filaret of Kyiv warmly welcomed the Pope and said that the occasion showed that Catholics and Orthodox may live together side by side.  The Ukrainian Catholics are beside themselves with joy.  Even Ukraine's Jewish and Muslim-Tatar communities are happy with Ukraine's Chief Rabbi being a member of the Ukrainian organizing committee for the Pope.  Only one group is unhappy - the Russians.>>>more 		The aftermath of the Pope's Ukrainian tour: Moscow's moral defeat
What became increasingly obvious toward the end of the papal visit to Ukraine was that the main issues that occupied western journalists had less to do with Catholic concerns than they did with Orthodox ones.  The Moscow Patriarch seemed to be portrayed as the "odd man out," sulking in a corner of his jurisdiction somewhere. Patriarch Alexey was not happy. The Ukrainian Orthodox Churches intelligently made public their intention to seek full communion with each other.  Patriarch Filaret made an excellent presentation of his goals of a united Ukrainian Church before the Pope and the world.  Patriarch Alexey was not happy  . . . >>>more
The Feast of the Dormition: Comparing an Assumption
Both Orthodox and Roman Catholics celebrate the mystery of Christ's taking His Mother, body and soul, into Heaven.  Yet both have quite different ways of approaching this Feast that reflects their differing perspectives on the Mother of Christ our God.  Their liturgical focus is different one from another as are the very terms by which they name this Feast.  Let's take a closer look . . .>>>more

Quebec and Eastern Christian Spirituality: Some French Connections
The people of Quebec are heirs to a very ancient Christian spiritual tradition that is often, and wrongly, assumed to be part and parcel of an undifferentiated Roman Catholic amalgam. In fact, there is much about the religious life and the shrines of Quebec that is more directly related to the Eastern Churches than to Latin Catholicism. Given the fact that Catholicism in Canada is deeply rooted in the spiritual history and devotional life of Quebec, the connections between the Christian East and La Nouvelle France are an important subject for us to consider here . . .more
I'm confused - can you tell me what the main differences are between Ukrainian Catholic and Roman Catholic? Also, what are the main differences between Ukrainian Catholic and Ukrainian Orthodox? Are there different belief systems/customs/practices? see answer

On more than one occassion, there have been claims made by Ukrainian Greek Catholics that after 1054 there still was communion between the Kyvian Church and Rome.

This is hard for me to believe, since up until the the union of Brest in 1596, the Kyvian Church was part of Constantinople.  As such, all its bishops were either appointed by or approved by its mother church in Constantinople.  It was neither automonous or autocephalous to my knowledge.  Even if it was automonous, why would Constantinople allow it to remain in communion with Rome while she, herself, was out of communion?

Also, wouldn't  being 'in communion with' Rome also mean it recognized Romes claims of authority over the entire church and as such be in conflict with its mother long before 1596?

Can you explain the relationship between the Kyvian Church, Rome, and Constantinople from 1054 until 1596. see answer
Differences between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches written in response to an inquiry from a seventh grader. >>>>>
I am a Catholic who believes it makes no difference if someone is Catholic or Orthodox. Also, I have received Holy Eucharist in the Orthodox Church in the past and I did not get permission from the Orthodox Priest to do so. I do not see any problem with a Catholic receiving Holy Eucharist in the Orthodox Church. answer
Shroud of Turin brings Ukrainian Church leaders together: Moscow in a patriarchal pout On May 5th of this year, a copy of the Shroud of Turin was venerated in common by the leaders of the Ukrainian Catholic and Orthodox Churches in Kyiv by way of an ecumenical supplicatory service or "moleben." Prayer has never been a more thrilling experience . . . I just want to know the issues or practices that seperated western and eastern Christians during the medeival times. answer

I am looking into the Orthodox claims of Papal Doctrine. I would like to better understand the Orthodox Church view from Catholicism view.

I am a Byzantine Catholic and was chrismated last Holy Saturday. I am pretty intrested in Greek Orthodox and Ukranian Orthodoxy but i would like to understand the papal doctorines from your guy's view. Id like to know about Papal Infalibility and Romes Universal Jurisdiction.

Can you recommend any book(s) by an Orthodox Author about this topic, that is not to expensive.
I always wonder if a non-Orthodox can attend the Divine Liturgy at anytime. I am Catholic. Do I have to be baptized in the Orthodox Church to attend ?  answer I am looking into the Orthodox claims of Papal Doctrine. I would like to better understand the Orthodox Church view from Catholicism view.

I am a Byzantine Catholic and was chrismated last Holy Saturday. I am pretty intrested in Greek Orthodox and Ukranian Orthodoxy but i would like to understand the papal doctorines from your guy's view. Id like to know about Papal Infalibility and Romes Universal Jurisdiction.

Can you recommend any book(s) by an Orthodox Author about this topic, that is not to expensive. answer
The North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation just released a statement on the Filioque. How accepted might this statement be by the Orthodox community? Is it actually progress? I found the historical discussion informative. I hope it was accurate. “Orthodox in communion with Rome:” Trials and Tribulations of Eastern Catholics Eastern by ritual, Western by ecclesial jurisdiction, Eastern Catholics have historically been pulled in two directions by competing loyalties that continue to cause tension in their church identities and lives. With politics and cultural issues thrown into the mix, it is no wonder that they appear to be forever pondering what the future holds for what is a true complex of various, distinct perspectives on everything from liturgical issues to what really constitutes a “Particular Church” in union with Rome . . More
The Ukrainian Catholic Patriarchate Last week, His Beatitude Lubomyr Husar paid a visit to Pope John Paul II regarding Rome’s formal acknowledgement of a patriarchate for the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church. Almost predictably, the Ukrainian Catholic leader was put off yet again. And now the obvious question is . . . Quo Vadis?