Eastern Catholic ritual identity

Jarosław Moskałyk

Uniwersytet Adama Mickiewicza w Poznaniu, Wydział Teologiczny
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9193-2433

Abstract

Eastern Catholic Churches, due to their ritual diversity, make a separate contribution to the overall Christian heritage. Each Eastern rite exudes an independent and authentic collection of liturgical and cultic features typical of a particular traditional current. Having your own attributes of sacramental-ritual practice is inherent in the privilege of the particular Church and directly affects its identity. Although the external and ritual elements in the Eastern Church play an auxiliary role, they are necessary and irreplaceable. Their power of influence usually contributes to a more complete integration of the community of the faithful and its prayer union. It brings about a real fusion of these faithful around the idea of ​​one and native rite, which appears to them as a life-giving spiritual force. The article addresses important aspects of the formation of a ritual identity within the Eastern Catholic Churches. At the same time, he points to pastoral conditions, which sometimes force Eastern Catholics to adapt to the type of ritual experiment.

Keywords:

ritual, rite, Eastern liturgy, Eastern Catholic Church, Particular Churches