Confession, communion, confirmation in the U.S

[jordanianprincess 0]

Wow...so complicated. I'm Orthodox, we get baptized, first communion, and confimation all in the same and preferably before the age of 1. Our confessions are between God and us, you only speak to a priest if you want to.

[gwenneh 7]

Wow...so complicated. I'm Orthodox, we get baptized, first communion, and confimation all in the same and preferably before the age of 1. Our confessions are between God and us, you only speak to a priest if you want to.

There's a logic to that, but at the same time you're given sacraments you don't really understand the implications of that way. I much prefer the changes Martin Luther made, in that the sacraments (including baptism) were given to adults who understood the commitments they were making.

Ah well; both hubby and I were raised Catholic and religiously speaking are none the worse for it.

[jordanianprincess 0]

Wow...so complicated. I'm Orthodox, we get baptized, first communion, and confimation all in the same and preferably before the age of 1. Our confessions are between God and us, you only speak to a priest if you want to.

There's a logic to that, but at the same time you're given sacraments you don't really understand the implications of that way. I much prefer the changes Martin Luther made, in that the sacraments (including baptism) were given to adults who understood the commitments they were making.

Ah well; both hubby and I were raised Catholic and religiously speaking are none the worse for it.

I can agree on some points. It is better to know what you are recieving. Our communion is very different from the Catholic one. Bread is made by members of the congregation which is then blessed in the name of their family (each family a different week), the bread is cut into small pieces and mixed in a cup with red wine. Each persons gets a spoonfull with one piece of bread soaked in wine. (they don't allow the spoon to touch your mouth) You can then take as many pieces of bread after communion.

I do however prefer our way of baptisms. I have been to several Catholic baptisms and they are always done in groups. They only pour a small amount of water on the head. Orthodox baptisms are quite elaborate and include being dunked. The child comes in their regular clothes and after being dunked, blessed, and having a small piece of their hair cut, they dress in the traditional white clothes and recieve communion. Only one child is baptized in a day.

[gwenneh 7]

Wow...so complicated. I'm Orthodox, we get baptized, first communion, and confimation all in the same and preferably before the age of 1. Our confessions are between God and us, you only speak to a priest if you want to.

There's a logic to that, but at the same time you're given sacraments you don't really understand the implications of that way. I much prefer the changes Martin Luther made, in that the sacraments (including baptism) were given to adults who understood the commitments they were making.

Ah well; both hubby and I were raised Catholic and religiously speaking are none the worse for it.

I can agree on some points. It is better to know what you are recieving. Our communion is very different from the Catholic one. Bread is made by members of the congregation which is then blessed in the name of their family (each family a different week), the bread is cut into small pieces and mixed in a cup with red wine. Each persons gets a spoonfull with one piece of bread soaked in wine. (they don't allow the spoon to touch your mouth) You can then take as many pieces of bread after communion.

I do however prefer our way of baptisms. I have been to several Catholic baptisms and they are always done in groups. They only pour a small amount of water on the head. Orthodox baptisms are quite elaborate and include being dunked. The child comes in their regular clothes and after being dunked, blessed, and having a small piece of their hair cut, they dress in the traditional white clothes and recieve communion. Only one child is baptized in a day.

I've actually never been to a group baptism. I know some churches do them, but no church I've ever belonged to has done them.

Catholics have such a different view on communion as compared to other religions...

I have to admit to not knowing much about orthodox despite the family tradition on my mother's side of celebrating Russian Orthodox holidays in addition to the Catholic ones. Two Christmases is better than one!

[JenT 0]

Wow...so complicated. I'm Orthodox, we get baptized, first communion, and confimation all in the same and preferably before the age of 1. Our confessions are between God and us, you only speak to a priest if you want to.

There's a logic to that, but at the same time you're given sacraments you don't really understand the implications of that way. I much prefer the changes Martin Luther made, in that the sacraments (including baptism) were given to adults who understood the commitments they were making.

Ah well; both hubby and I were raised Catholic and religiously speaking are none the worse for it.

I can agree on some points. It is better to know what you are recieving. Our communion is very different from the Catholic one. Bread is made by members of the congregation which is then blessed in the name of their family (each family a different week), the bread is cut into small pieces and mixed in a cup with red wine. Each persons gets a spoonfull with one piece of bread soaked in wine. (they don't allow the spoon to touch your mouth) You can then take as many pieces of bread after communion.

I do however prefer our way of baptisms. I have been to several Catholic baptisms and they are always done in groups. They only pour a small amount of water on the head. Orthodox baptisms are quite elaborate and include being dunked. The child comes in their regular clothes and after being dunked, blessed, and having a small piece of their hair cut, they dress in the traditional white clothes and recieve communion. Only one child is baptized in a day.

There are some dioceses of the RC Church which are more progressive than others... and some churches within those dioceses even more so. The church we belong to performs Baptism by immersion. The Holy Eucharist is bread which is baked by liturgical volunteers. The priest sits with the congregation, not up on the altar away from and facing the community, Eucharistic ministers receive Holy Communion last, and the homily given by the priest is not from behind the pulpit, but close to the community that has gathered to celebrate. There are more differences, but the point is, churches follow the lectionary so that the readings are the same throughout the world, but the celebration of the Mass itself can be quite different among various churches.

Jen

[gwenneh 7]

There are some dioceses of the RC Church which are more progressive than others... and some churches within those dioceses even more so. The church we belong to performs Baptism by immersion. The Holy Eucharist is bread which is baked by liturgical volunteers. The priest sits with the congregation, not up on the altar away from and facing the community, Eucharistic ministers receive Holy Communion last, and the homily given by the priest is not from behind the pulpit, but close to the community that has gathered to celebrate. There are more differences, but the point is, churches follow the lectionary so that the readings are the same throughout the world, but the celebration of the Mass itself can be quite different among various churches.

Jen

Wow, that sounds quite friendly and welcoming. Very nice.