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To: Kolokotronis

Yes, you are exactly right, and I have noticed that when I have been to Eastern Catholic or Orthodox liturgies, the reception standing is very reverent; some would even make a metania before approaching the Holy Mysteries, as I saw done at an Athonite style monastery here in Texas. I also think that the ritual accompanying communion in the East tends to emphasize the sacred character of the Mystery, especially the two servers holding the napkin beneath the Cup, and the more elaborate words of administration said by the priest.

For us in the West, it is the change from kneeling, associated with the traditional posture for presenting oneself to the monarch as an act of submission (and even today I think people genuflect or curtsy when meeting Queen Elizabeth, for example--I certainly genuflected when I met Pope John Paul II early this year) to standing, a posture more associated in the Western mind with meeting one's equals, is the problem. It suggests the triumph of the Revolution.

BTW, along the same lines, as mentioned in either this or another thread, dress has much the same connotation: one would dress one's best if one were to meet HM the Queen, would one not? So what does dressing in anything less than "Sunday best" mean when we go to receive Holy Communion? Who do we think we are meeting there?


22 posted on 10/13/2005 10:51:27 AM PDT by Theophane
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To: Theophane

Further on the formula of administration of Holy Communion in the Divine Liturgy, here is the version in the Ruthenian Rescension (Byzantine Catholic Church):

Priest giving Communion to each says:

PRIEST: The servant of God N . . ., partakes of the precious, most holy and most pure Body and Blood of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ for the remission of his (her) sins and for life everlasting. Amen.

It appears to be essentially the same in both Greek and Slavic usages.

Of interest, perhaps is the formula that can be used in the Roman Rite, Anglican Usage (when distributing communion by intinction): "The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ keep you unto everlasting life."


25 posted on 10/13/2005 11:11:58 AM PDT by Theophane
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To: Theophane
I also think that the ritual accompanying communion in the East tends to emphasize the sacred character of the Mystery, especially the two servers holding the napkin beneath the Cup, and the more elaborate words of administration said by the priest.

The Western equivalent is mentioned in the full article. The altar rail was covered with a white cloth, and those receiving Communion folded their hands under the cloth. Also, as is sometimes done even today, an altar boy carried a small gold plate, which was held under the chin of each communicant. I attend the Traditional Latin Mass on most Sundays, and the only time I've seen the cloth over the altar rail being used was at a private Mass held in a small chapel in Pennsylvania.

30 posted on 10/13/2005 12:14:23 PM PDT by Pyro7480 (Blessed Pius IX, pray for us!)
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