Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!swrinde!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!lll-winken!sun-barr!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: jhpb@garage.att.com (Joseph H Buehler) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: difference in Catholicism Message-ID: Date: 21 Apr 91 06:01:28 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories Lines: 21 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu In article francis@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu (Francis Ho) writes: what is the difference between the Greek Catholic Church and the Roman Catholic Church?? The Church called "Roman Catholic" is actually made up of a number of different "rites", of which the Roman is only one. They all have the same beliefs, and are under the jurisdiction of John Paul II. The different rites express the common set of beliefs in diverse ways, using customs that are deeply rooted in historical traditions that spring from various cultures. One of the things that is immediately noticeable is liturgical differences. Greek rites use the Greek language for their liturgy. Other examples are Old Slavonic, used by the Byzantine-Ruthenians, and Aramaic, used by the Maronites. Also, for example, in the Roman rite liturgy, kneeling and genuflection are signs of reverence, not used as much for that in the East. Another example is one I ran across in a Byzantine Ruthenian chapel. They had an icon on a table near the entrance; most people kissed it before they went to their seat. The Eastern rites also do not use statues much. They prefer icons.