Liturgical Colours: Vestments in the East and West

Liturgical Colours When I first started attending Divine Liturgies, I really missed the green. Now don’t get me wrong – the gold is beautiful – but green is my favourite colour! Green is the colour of vestments for priests during ordinary time in the Roman Rite. In the Eastern Churches, where ordinary time is replaced …

How to Celebrate the Nativity Fast (Advent)

A Time of Preparation Surprise it is that time of year again! Last Sunday it was Christ the King for Byzantine Catholics, which reminded me that it’s time to start thinking about preparing for Christmas. Preparing to prepare… that’s how prepared we are! Advent vs Nativity Fast In the Byzantine Catholic Church the time preparing …

Why the Byzantine Life is Beautiful

Drawn to the East: Why the Byzantine Life is so Beautiful

The Byzantine Life All the cool Catholics are joining the Byzantine Rite of the Catholic Church. Well, Matt Fradd made the leap. (And my husband! Though his family is already Ukrainian and his spiritual formation was at our local Ukrainian Catholic elementary school). Anyway, at one point or another, you’ve probably heard about someone transferring …

Holy Week Traditions in the East and Western Rites of the Church

A Byzantine Holy Week: A Comparison of Catholic Traditions

The week before Easter is one of increased preparation in anticipation of Easter. For Roman Catholics, it is the final week of Lent. For Byzantine Catholics, Great Lent is over and Holy Week is its own separate fast. Either way, Holy Week holds a special place in our lives as we follow Christ’s path to …