Institute for Eastern Christian Studies
Uniting East and West
The Institute for Eastern Christian Studies is dedicated to the scholarly study of Eastern Christianity and how it applies to unifying with the West. We offer professional consultations, conduct research, educate students, provide information to the public through conferences and public lectures, and offer printed & digital publications.
The Sacred Mysteries
In the Eastern Rite, Holy Communion is administered with a golden spoon — the consecrated Body and Blood of Christ together in the chalice. This ancient practice, unchanged for centuries, is one of the many sacred treasures of the East that the West is only beginning to rediscover.
The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, celebrated in Byzantine churches around the world, is a living encounter with the fullness of the Catholic faith — East and West breathing together as one Body of Christ.
"One of the main educational opportunities is teaching Roman Catholic priests about the Divine Liturgy."
We have found, over the years, that most western Catholics know very little about the Eastern Rites. By teaching priests about the Divine Liturgy they then will be able to teach their congregations about the East. The more the Roman Catholic priest knows about the East and shares it with his congregation, the more easily it will be for East and West to unite.
St. Peter and St. Andrew were brothers, fishermen from Galilee, and among the first apostles called by Jesus. Peter became the leader of the Apostles and Bishop of Rome, while Andrew (the "First-Called") is recognized as the founder of the Church of Constantinople, symbolizing a deep bond between Catholic and Orthodox traditions.
"Let us embrace one another and call each other Brother!"
Rise up all of you in defense of the rights of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, but also defend the rights of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church... for they are all deprived of the basic freedom of conscience and religion, and they all suffer for their belief in One God!
The Institute for Eastern Christian Studies is an "island" where we are the united Orthodox Catholic Church both East and West after Cardinal Slipyj established us. We are Catholic and Orthodox and living in union with both. We are sui juris and autocephalous specifically to not take the sides of the split Catholic Church or Orthodox Churches but in full communion with each other.
The Divine Liturgy is celebrated in the exact same way whether you are Roman Catholic or Greek Orthodox. This is where we are offering much study and deep investigations on how the Church is already united in the Divine Liturgy. We, in our jurisdiction, have united through the efforts of Josyf Cardinal Slipyj when he established us. We are an example on how the Church is United as both East and West.
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