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Information and Theology

The Catholic Church holds in high esteem the institutions, liturgical rites, ecclesiastical traditions and the established standards of the Christian life of the Eastern Churches, for in them, distinguished as they are for their venerable antiquity, there remains conspicuous the tradition that has been handed down from the Apostles through the Fathers and that forms part of the divinely revealed and undivided heritage of the universal Church. (Orientalium Ecclesiarum, Decree on the Easten Churches, Vat.II)

Between these (Eastern and Western Catholic Churches) there exists an admirable bond of union, such that the variety within the Church in no way harms its unity; rather it manifests it, for it is the mind of the Catholic Church that each individual Church or Rite should retain its traditions whole and entire and likewise that it should adapt its way of life to the different needs of time and place. (Ibid.)

These individual Churches, whether of the East or the West, although they differ somewhat among themselves in rite (to use the current phrase), that is, in liturgy, ecclesiastical discipline, and spiritual heritage, are, nevertheless....of equal dignity, so that none of them is superior to the others as regards rite and they enjoy the same rights and are under the same obligations, also in respect of preaching the Gospel to the whole world (cf. Mark 16, 15) ... (Ibid.)

Eastern Churches in communion with the Apostolic See of Rome have a special duty of promoting the unity of all Christians, especially Eastern Christians...by prayer in the first place, and by the example of their lives, by religious fidelity to the ancient Eastern traditions, by a greater knowledge of each other, by collaboration and a brotherly regard for objects and feelings. (Ibid.)

Means should be taken therefore in every part of the world for the protection and advancement of all the individual Churches... (Ibid.)

In every effort of liturgical renewal, therefore, the practice of the Orthodox brethren should be taken into account, knowing it, respecting it and distancing from it as little as possible so as not to increase the existing separation, but rather intensifying efforts in view of eventual adaptations, maturing and working together. Thus will be manifested the unity that already subsists in daily receiving the same spiritual nourishment from practicing the same common heritage.[26] (Vatican: Congregation for the Eastern Churches: Instructions for the Liturigical Implementation of the Canon Law of the Eastern Churches, III)

Through Worship & Beauty, is found the True God (the Story of the Conversion of Rus')

Volodymyr, Prince of Rus', sent out emissaries to find true religion. They went east and west, north and south and found no glory, ....until they arrived in Constantinople.
They returned to Kiev and reported to the Prince what happened there in the great Cathedral of Holy Wisdom.

"They took us where they worshipped their God, and we did not know whether we were in heaven or upon earth, for there is not upon earth such sight or beauty.

This much we do know, that there, God lives among men, and we can never forget that beauty..."

"Love one another with fraternal charity, anticipating one another with honor".
(Rom.12,10. {as quoted in Or.Eccl. 30.3})

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