The Eucharist in Orthadox Churches

[OneFaith]

Ever since I have come to the realisation that the Holy Communion we as Catholics receive contains the real presence of our Lord I have often wondered about the Eucharist in the Orthadox Churches. Does the Eucharist offered at Orthadox churches contain the presence of our Lord? Or are we meant to believe that the real presence of our Lord is only present in the Eucharist offered in the Catholic Churches? Is it alright if we receive Communion in Orthadox Churches even though we may be Catholic?

[Stephen Spiteri]

The sacraments in Orthodox (e.g. Greek, Russian, etc) churches are valid sacraments, and yes: they too believe in transubstantiation although they would not make use of that word to describe the presence of or how our Our Lord becomes present in the bread and the wine. Terms such as "transelementation" (metastoicheiosis) or "reordination" (metarrhythmisis) are more common among the Orthodox when speaking of the presence of the Lord in the Eucharist.

As far as a Catholic being able to receive Communion at an Orthodox church, it is permissable, but certain criteria have to be fulfilled as the Code of Canon Law states:


"Whenever necessity requires or a genuine spiritual advantage commends it, and provided the danger of error or indifferentism is avoided, Christ's faithful for whom it is physically or morally impossible to approach a Catholic minister, may lawfully receive the sacraments of penance, the Eucharist, and anointing of the sick from non-Catholic ministers in whose churches these sacraments are valid." - canon 844 §2

So in short: Yes, a Catholic may receive Communion at an Orthodox church where its sacraments are valid, but only out of necessity and not by preference.

[OneFaith]

OK, thanks.

[Stephen Spiteri]

No problem. :)

[DavidObeid]

Thanks Spirit Magnus.

[tony mattar]

In relation to the intial post... whenever i drive past a Catholic Church, i make the sign of the Cross, acknowledging Holy Land... but i have neevr felt comfortable making the sign of the Cross driving past an Orthodox church... am i supposed to if i continuesly makesign of the Cross outside a Catholic Church?

[Stephen Spiteri]

In relation to the intial post... whenever i drive past a Catholic Church, i make the sign of the Cross, acknowledging Holy Land... but i have neevr felt comfortable making the sign of the Cross driving past an Orthodox church... am i supposed to if i continuesly makesign of the Cross outside a Catholic Church?
Making the Sign of the Cross when passing a Catholic church is how we acknowledge the Real Presence en route, just as one does when genuflecting before entering the pew. If it is a type of church that does not believe in the Real Presence (e.g. a Baptist or Methodist church), then we are not obligated to make the Sign of the Cross nor do I think Catholics are obligated to make the Sign of the Cross even when passing an Orthodox church (even if they do believe in the Real Presence).

This practice - making the Sign of the Cross when passing a Catholic church - is a Catholic tradition as this is something that has developed with the phenomena of vehicle travel coupled with urban sprawl, and not part of Catholic canon.

[tony mattar]

ok thanks :)

[cmnunis]

The sacraments in Orthodox (e.g. Greek, Russian, etc) churches are valid sacraments, and yes: they too believe in transubstantiation although they would not make use of that word to describe the presence of or how our Our Lord becomes present in the bread and the wine. Terms such as "transelementation" (metastoicheiosis) or "reordination" (metarrhythmisis) are more common among the Orthodox when speaking of the presence of the Lord in the Eucharist.

As far as a Catholic being able to receive Communion at an Orthodox church, it is permissable, but certain criteria have to be fulfilled as the Code of Canon Law states:



So in short: Yes, a Catholic may receive Communion at an Orthodox church where its sacraments are valid, but only out of necessity and not by preference.

Stephen, you are right about that. However, from what I was told, Orthodox canon law expressly forbids non-Orthodox from receiving Holy Communion. If any Orthodox priest gives you Communion, he only does it in secret.

Tony, Orthodox churches have a valid apostolic succession recognised by the Catholic Church. That just means valid sacraments as well. For example, Orthodox priests who are received into the Catholic Church are not reordained.

You can however, receive Holy Communion without any worry at all, from any of the Catholic Eastern-Rite parishes. If I recall correctly, either the Canons or the Catechism teaches that your Sunday obligations is fulfilled if you were to attend Mass at any of these parishes.

[DavidObeid]

We don't make the Sign of the Cross because the Church is holy ground, but because Our Lord is reserved in the tabernacle. Eastern Orthodox churches don't, as a rule, reserve Our Lord in the tabernacle, and hence we don't usually Sign ourselves when we pass them.

[Stephen Spiteri]

Stephen, you are right about that. However, from what I was told, Orthodox canon law expressly forbids non-Orthodox from receiving Holy Communion. If any Orthodox priest gives you Communion, he only does it in secret.
From what I understand, a minister of Communion at an Orthodox church has an obligation to fulfil the sacramental needs of a Catholic as long as it is out of necessity (as cited earlier). The same applies in the reverse situation.

[tony mattar]

thanks David :)

[cmnunis]

From what I understand, a minister of Communion at an Orthodox church has an obligation to fulfil the sacramental needs of a Catholic as long as it is out of necessity (as cited earlier). The same applies in the reverse situation.

Yes, but it is all at the discretion of the Orthodox priest concerned. He has the authority to dispense anyone of that law. What I have mentioned is by default. However, Orthodox rely a lot on "ekonomia" so they will do what they have to do. I have communed in an Orthodox Church before and I was told by the priest (Fr. Geoff Harvey) not to tell anyone. He fears repercussions.

There are some other priests who are a little daring by the way. There is this other priest in Melbourne whose daughter in law is a Maronite. She receives communion like everyone else every Sunday. Go figure.