The Church’s Other Lung
Do Eastern Catholics follow the pope?
What is it like to visit and worship at an Eastern Catholic parish?
How can there be many different “churches” in the one Catholic Church?
What are some aspects of Eastern Catholic theology and practice that differ from the West?
The rich history and theological, liturgical, and artistic traditions of the twenty-three Eastern Catholic churches are such an indispensable part of the global Catholic communion that, along with the Latin West, these churches are said to form one of the two “lungs” by which the Church breathes and lives. Yet even though Pope St. John Paul II called on the faithful to appreciate the treasures of the Christian East, far too many Catholics remain ignorant of them. 20 Answers: Eastern Catholicism provides an invaluable primer, explaining the origins of the Eastern Catholic churches and how they fit into the one Church of Christ, their distinctive prayers and practices, and some of the common misunderstandings and controversies that even today can cause unnecessary division and confusion.
The 20 Answers series from Catholic Answers offers hard facts, compelling arguments, and clear explanations of the most important topics facing the Church and the world—all in a compact, easy-to-read package.
Think you know everything there is to know about Christmas? In Christmas: Birth of Our Lord God and Saviour, Jesus Christ and His Private Life, Archbishop Joseph Raya delves deeply into the traditions and spirituality of the Eastern Church in order to open up dimensions of this familiar Feast that even the most fervent celebrator of the Incarnation of God in Christ has probably overlooked.
Archbishop Joseph begins at the very beginning, with an in-depth look at how God reveals Himself to man, detailing three “Bibles” that disclose something of His nature and purposes — the third being Jesus Himself, become man through the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary. He explores the human face of God through iconography (particularly the icons of the Face of Christ and that of the Nativity) and the Gospel stories of Jesus’ birth; elucidates the place of Christmas in God’s plan for the redemption of the universe; celebrates God’s pre-Incarnation “alliances” with Noah, Abraham, and Moses; and briefly surveys the development of the great Feast of Christmas in the life of the Church.
That’s not all. Archbishop Joseph includes detailed explanations of the Jesus Prayer, which animates so much of Byzantine spirituality, and of the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus — the first public event in the life of Christ. Thought-provoking, exhaustively researched and imbued with a fervent love for God, Christmas is a perfect companion to your celebrations of Christ’s Incarnation.
CLEARANCE
The Mystery Celebrated looks at the liturgical tradition by which our Churches encounter the Spirit of God. When believers gather, we experience the Kingdom in our midst where God acts to make us the “community of the Holy Spirit.
CLEARANCE
Our journey through the Great Fast toward Pascha is a time of spiritual growth. This book addresses the building blocks of Eastern Christian Spirituality, entering and growth in the spiritual life, the first steps in the spiritual journey, gaining experience in the spiritual life and spiritual maturity. Don’t miss this opportunity for a spiritual experience and personal metanoia. Truly a spiritual masterpiece; a blessing.