Contact:

Fr. Joseph Bertha
Ph.D Candidate in Art History

St. Stephen the Protomartyr
620 Ayer Road
Williamsville, NY 14221
fathericon@yahoo.com  

Join our hosts Fr. Michael Sopoliga and Fr. Joseph Bertha, two Ruthenian priests, as they explore the Eastern churches of the Catholic Church. Through discussion, photos and chant we will better be able to follow the Holy Father in his expressed desire that the Church breathe with "two lungs."

"The light of the East has illuminated the universal Church, from the moment when a ‘rising sun’ appeared above us (Lk 1:78): Jesus Christ, our Lord, whom all Christians invoke as the Redeemer of man and the hope of the world." -Orientale Lumen

Read Pope John Paul’s Apostolic Letter: "Light of the East" Orientale Lumen in the EWTN Document Library.

EPISODE INCLUDE:

THE OTHER LUNG OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH Frs. Mike Sopoliga and Joseph Bertha begin their study of the Eastern Catholic Church with an overview of the Eastern Church or what John Paul II called “the other lung of the Catholic Church.”

THE FOUR MAJOR PATRIARCHATES
A look at the Four Major Patriarchates of the Eastern Rite.

ORIENTALE LUMEN
 The importance of the city of Constantinople in the Eastern Rite tradition.

THE CHURCH OF ALEXANDRIA
 Frs. Mike Sopoliga and Joseph Bertha continue their study of the Eastern Catholic Church with a look at The Church of Alexandria.

ARMENIAN AND BYZANTINE CHURCHES
 The liturgy and traditions of the Eastern Rite Catholic Church.

LIGHT OF THE EAST
Frs. Mike Sopoliga and Joseph Bertha continue their journey of discovery of the Eastern Catholic Churches with a look at the Byzantine Church in America.

BYZANTINE FEAST DAYS PART 1: BIRTH OF THE MOTHER OF GOD
Byzantine feast days.

BYZANTINE FEAST DAYS PART II - NATIVITY OF OUR LORD
More on  Byzantine feast days.

BYZANTINE FEAST DAYS PART III
Concluding a look at Byzantine feast days.

BYZANTINE CATHOLIC DIVINE LITURGY
Frs. Mike Sopoliga and Joseph Bertha continue their study of the Eastern Catholic Church with a look at the liturgy of the Byzantine rite.

BYZANTINE CATHOLIC VESTMENTS AND DIVINE LITURGY
The vestments and liturgy of the Byzantine rite.

BYZANTINE CATHOLIC MAJOR FEAST DAYS: Major feast days of the Byzantine rite are discussed

SACRAMENTAL LIFE, PART 1
A look at the richness of the sacramental life of the Eastern Rite churches.

SACRAMENTAL LIFE, PART II
Continuing a look at the richness of the sacramental life of the Eastern Rite churches.

LITURGICAL YEAR: THE NATIVITY
Fr. Sopoliga and Fr. Bertha talk about preparing for the Feast of the Nativity in the Byzantine Church. Fasting is of great importance, because it reminds us of the journey of our ancestors in the faith, waiting for the Messiah to come into the world. They also discuss the Byzantine Christmas traditions such as the Holy Supper and the Midnight Mass. Fr. Sopoliga sings the Christmas Tropar.
 

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