This is the situation here in Albany NY. Both the Syriac Orthodox and Maronite Catholic Churches have members whose relatives were baptized into the other's church. It is common practice in the Middle East for a married couple to practice the faith of the husband. We have several Maronite Catholic families from Lebanon where brothers and sisters inter married Syriac Orthodox christians. Hence, the Orthodox wives of the Maronites attend services in the Maronite Church and the sisters, who married Syriac Orthodox christians, attend services at that church. Because of the differences in the liturgical calendars, It is not uncommon to see the orthodox families at our services on Hosanna (Palm) Sunday and vice versa. When the 2 year old child of a blended family died recently, services were held at both churches. Ironically, the Syriac Orthodox priest does not speak Arabic, even though he has a large Arabic speaking congregation. For the baby's funeral, our Maronite Catholic pastor did the Arabic readings at the Syriac Orthodox church. This same priest has also been granted Latin Rite faculties by the RC bishop so he can say mass during the week at priestless parishes and consecrate enough hosts for their weekend services.
Fr. Georges, at times, is like a whirling dervish, helping and assisting where needed. During the week, after praying the Maronite Diivine Liturgy at our church, he also says the NO mass at a local catholic hospital, where he chants the words of consecration in Aramaic, as he does in the Maronite Church. The hospital nuns love it! Surrounded by aging, white haired RC priests, Fr. Georges stands out with his youthful face (only 34) and dark hair. Perhaps this is how Christ envisioned His church :-)
Wow