How can you be Catholic? There doesn’t seem to be any similarity between your worship and the Roman Catholic one.
Be assured that we are Catholic…Eastern Catholic. Roman is not the only
type of Catholic in history; nor are Roman rituals the only type that are
followed. There are five main branches (the “pentarchy”) of the original
Church of Christianity: Jerusalem, Antioch, Rome, Constantinople and
Alexandria. As Melkites, we are descendants of the Church of Antioch “where
the followers of Jesus were first called Christians” (see Acts 25:11). Each
Church of the pentarchy developed its own historical, valid and legitimate
manner of theology and spirituality and lives it to this day. We are still one with
each other. Unity does not require uniformity.

​​I am Roman Catholic; can I receive the Eucharist (Holy Communion)
here?
Yes! We are Catholic…in communion with Rome. We invite you to come visit
St. Basil the Great and celebrate Divine Liturgy (Mass) with us.

What does “Melkite” mean?
​Why do you call yourselves “Greek Catholics”? Are you Greek?
We are not Greek in nationality but we are called Greek Catholics because we
follow and live the tradition of the Church of Constantinople. Because of
history and the influence of the Byzantine Church of Constantinople, our
liturgical rituals or expressions of worship are attuned to those rather than to
the western Roman Catholic tradition.
​
Do you have Sacraments?
Yes, we believe in the seven Holy Mysteries (our terminology for the
Sacraments) that were historically given by Christ Himself: Baptism,
Chrismation (Confirmation in the Western Church), Eucharist, Confession,
Holy Orders, Marriage and Anointing (see the Holy Scriptures). They are all
administered according to the ritual of the Byzantine tradition.
​
What are Orthros and Vespers?
Literally, the words come from Greek and mean Morning and Evening,
respectively. We now use the terms as the names of our morning prayer and
evening prayer services. The Christian East has maintained the public
celebration of the liturgical hours of prayer. In the West, these are part of what
is known as the Liturgy of the Hours and is often prayed privately by priests,
monks and nuns.

​What is The Divine Liturgy?
The Divine Liturgy is our principal liturgical service – the equivalent of the
Roman Mass. The are readings from the Old and New Testaments and the
Faithful have the opportunity to receive the Holy Eucharist – the Body and
Blood of Christ. One of the principal differences between the Divine Liturgy
and the Roman Mass is that in the Divine Liturgy everything, with the
exception of the homily, is sung or chanted a cappela.
​
I am not Catholic or Orthodox. Can I partake of Communion?
Technically, you shouldn’t approach the chalice unless you believe that It is
really the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ That you are receiving. Rather than
being symbolic, this is the faith of Catholics and Orthodox Christians regarding
Holy Communion or Eucharist.
​
Can Holy Communion be received in the hand?
We give Holy Communion using leavened bread (as opposed to hosts) Which
is consecrated into the very Body and Blood of Christ, then “intincted”, dipped
into the chalice where It absorbs some of the now-consecrated wine. Because
of this, we do not give Holy Communion in the hand. Communicants should
simply tilt their heads back a bit and open their mouths wide enough, keeping
their tongues inside the mouth so that the Eucharist does not fall off the
tongue. The priest or deacon will place the Holy Communion in your mouth.
 
Can I come up in the Communion line to receive a blessing only?
The line for Holy Communion or Eucharist, with communicants approaching
with their hands across their chests, signifying submission to the King of
kings, is precisely for that reason…to receive the Eucharist. For a blessing
only, it would be more proper for you to wait until the Liturgy is over and come
up in the line when people venerate the Cross, an Icon or a Relic. That is
where blessings are properly given in conjunction with the Liturgy. Sometimes,
young children of other traditions, who, because of age or practices, have not
received Holy Communion yet, also approach and are given a blessing only.
This is simply a matter of provisional practicality because the child comes up
with the parent. This is not the recommended or encouraged practice for
others. (see receiving a blessing).
​
In the Roman Catholic Church, non-Catholics are instructed to cross
their arms over their chest. The Roman priest knows this to be a signal that just a blessing is being requested. Is this the same in the Melkite Church?
If you approach with your arms crossed, in the Byzantine and Melkite
Churches, that is the proper and more ancient manner to receive Holy
Communion for Catholics and Orthodox. It is the personal recognition of the
Holy Species that we are receiving and we cross our arms in submission to
the King of all. (see above)
​
Are you “under the Pope”?
That term today is an archaic one, not even used by theologians. Properly
speaking, we are in communion with the Pope of Rome but, at the same time,
we also have our own Patriarch (chief Bishop and head of our Church) and
Synod of Bishops. The title of the head of the Melkite Church is “His
Beatitude, the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, of Alexandria and
Jerusalem”. Both Rome and the Melkite Catholic Church recognize each other
as valid and Apostolic Churches. (see above)
​

Do you have Bishops?
We have a Patriarch (Chief Bishop/Hierarch), residing in the Middle East and
also, Archbishops or Bishops in many countries around the world. In the U.S.,
we presently have a Bishop who is the Eparch (the religious ordinary) of our
Church. His jurisdiction is all of America as our Eparchy (Diocese) of Newton
covers the entire country.
​
What is a Patriarch?
Originally, it was one of the Holy Apostles who founded a community of
believers. He was the one who preached and ministered to that community.
The term is made up of two roots: father and leader. In the course of time, the
title was attached to that person and was recognized as the founder of that
particular community: James of Jerusalem, Peter, first of Antioch and later of
Rome, Andrew of Constantinople and Mark of Alexandria. Therefore, in the
early Church, these were the five original Patriarchs, one for each of the
Churches that were part of the pentarchy. Their successors to this day are
those who are the legitimate elected spiritual fathers and leaders of the five
original Churches along with others who preached and founded other
communities.
​
Do you worship Mary and saints?
No, we do not worship them but rather venerate or give high devotion and
special respect to them. Traditionally and theologically, worship is reserved
only for God. There is only one God. At the same time, right from the recorded
and oral tradition of the early Christian Community, special devotions
developed for the Holy Virgin because she was the Mother of God and for the
ones who bonded themselves so close to Christ that their lives reflected a
holiness. Further, sometimes, miracles were attributed to the those who lived
holy lives.
​
What is the “Theotokos”?
This term is made up of two Greek words (Theos =God and tokos = bearer).
The term was given by the early Fathers of the Christian Church of the East to
Mary, who was chosen by God to bear His Son.
​
What is an “icon”?
In Greek, the word “eikon” means image or reflection. Hence, in church
usage, it applies to being an image, reflection or representation of someone. It
is called “theology in color” because, in artistic form, it reveals a deeper belief
associated with the person or event portrayed. Therefore, in proper
terminology, an icon is written not painted. It is the iconographer’s gift of the
Christian Church’s faith to a reality held. Before any attempt to develop an
icon, the person ought to fast and pray. It is not his/her personal work but that
of the Holy Spirit. He/she will be guided by the Holy Spirit. It will be eventually
blessed with the holy oils to set it apart from any other art form. One will see
icons throughout any Eastern church. In the future, the icon can and will be
venerated (not worshipped!) in a church, chapel, home or office. This is a valid
and traditional practice as has been declared by the Council of the Seventh
Ecumenical Council.
​
What is the “Iconostasis”?
This is the screen of icons that joins the Holy Place to the rest of the church. It
holds the icons of Christ, His Holy Mother and the Saints. It does not separate
but rather offers a gateway to the heavenly dwelling place of the Holy One.
This is the area behind the Iconostasis. It is also called the “sanctuary”. It is
where the Altar is positioned and where the liturgical services take place. It
represents heaven, the dwelling place of God and source of blessings and the
goal of all Christians. Ideally, if one has no function in the service, he should
not enter the Holy Place.
​
What language do you use in church?
It depends on the local community and how it is comprised. At St. Basil the
Great, the majority of the services are in English. However, depending on our
schedule of Liturgies, some are also celebrated in Arabic and Greek. Anyone
can follow the ritual from the Service Books available in our church. Some of
our books using Arabic or Greek are written in transliterated phonetics for all
to easily follow along and join in with the chanting of responses.
​
Why does the celebrant have his back to the people when you have a
service? Shouldn’t he be facing them?
This depends on one’s perspective. The most ancient rubric for the priest is to
face the East, where light comes from. In other words, we priests face God,
who is Light. We are praying to Him, not to the people. We priests are
supposed to be leading the people in prayer, praise, glory, thanksgiving to
Him. This is why the Priest and Deacon in the Eastern Churches face the
Altar, the throne of God. The Melkite & other Byzantine Churches were under
no obligation to follow the changes made by the Roman Church after Vatican
II to turn around and face the people during the service. The Eastern
Churches have their own legitimate and equal traditions.

​
Does one have to be Middle Eastern to belong to the Parish or even
attend the worship services?
Not at all! In fact, some of our parishes are unique in our Eparchy (diocese)
for having been founded entirely by converts to Catholicism. The entire
Melkite Church worldwide historically began in the Near East but has always
tended to be inclusive rather than exclusive. All are warmly welcome to come
and see and perhaps become part of our community.
​
How can I learn more about the Melkite Church?
There are several ways: the internet, several pamphlets are available in the
narthex (front entrance), upon request, attending the liturgical services of the
parish, speaking with the Priest of the community, etc. The pamphlets may
also be found online at https://melkite.org/leaflet-masters
​
Do Melkites have rules and regulations that they need to obey?
As any valid and apostolic Christian body of worshippers, our traditions have
been historically developed and practiced. We do not view rules and
regulations as obligations of law (“we have to do them”) but rather obligations
of love (“we ought and want to do them”).
​
Do Melkites fast or abstain from eating before receiving Holy
Communion?
Ideally, we are supposed to. The traditional fasting period is from midnight on
Saturday until the reception of the Eucharist. Water is always permitted. If
physically & medically able, all should make the effort to ideally practice and
maintain this as their respect for the receiving of the Body and Blood of Christ.

​
What is a “spiritual father”?
This term applies to several positions: 1) a man, who is the ordained and
appointed spiritual leader of a local Christian community, 2) a man who is an
ordained priest, a properly trained deacon or professed monk of the Church,
3) a deeply religious and trained layperson…all who have been “recognized”
to offer sound spiritual guidance, advice & direction to those who come to
them. All Christians ideally should have their own personal spiritual father to
assist them in life’s journey on the way to the Kingdom. The relationship
between a spiritual father and his spiritual children is one of importance,
closeness, privacy and confidentiality. The calling of one a “one’s father or
one’s children” alludes to this close and sacred relationship. Note: there has
been and is the reality also of trained “spiritual mothers”, who offer the same
type of Christian wisdom to others.
​
Can a Melkite Priest be married?
Yes, married men may choose to be both married and apply to study for the
Diaconate or Priesthood in the Melkite Church. After ordination, marriage is
not allowed.
​
Do you have Stations of the Cross?
In a proper Byzantine or Melkite church, this is not a historical tradition of
ours. Icons are the more accepted form of religious art in our churches.
​
Do you pray the rosary?
The Eastern Churches do not have the rosary as an original aspect of their
spirituality. As with other Western practices, it came into several Eastern
Churches or Eastern Christian habits by way of Western missionaries and/or
mingling with other Christians. A similar custom, more proper to our tradition,
is the “prayer rope”, called in Greek: komboskini; in Arabic: masbaha; in Slavic:
chotki. It is comprised of several cloth or other material beads on which the
“Jesus Prayer” (“Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner”) is
said and repeated. Usually, this is done in front of an icon of Christ but can
also be recited anywhere. This began as a monastic practice but quickly
spread for laypeople to use. The ideal is that the prayer becomes so ingrained
in us that we continue to pray it “unconsciously” throughout the day. These are
available on sites online.
​
What does “apostolic” mean?
It means that we can trace ourselves in a historic and recorded line of
succession back to the Holy Apostles.
 
What is an “Eparch”?
This is the terminology used for the head or chief Bishop of a Diocese.
 
What is an “Archimandrite”?
This is a title of recognition and honor given to a celibate Priest by the
Patriarch or Eparch. Originally, it was given to the head (hegumen/abbot) of a
monastery as he was the leader of the monks and the people around the
monastery. It can be given for several reasons deemed by the Church
authorities. At his elevation to this rank, he is given the headdress consisting
of an Eastern clerical hat with a monastic veil. He also is given the right to
wear a pectoral cross.

What is a “Deacon”?
This is the first recognized rank of Holy Orders in the Christian Church from
the records of Scripture. Originally, men chosen by the Apostles to assist with
the poor, the widows and the needy. If attached to a parish, he does this with
permission and following guidelines of his priest. The modern function is that
of assisting the Bishop or Priest at liturgical functions. He also may be given a
special responsibility in the Eparchy or local church such as religious
education, care of the needy, recording and accounting, etc.