How should Eastern Rite Orthodox faithful relate to Western Rite Orthodox faithful, and vice versa? In terms of faith, doctrine, and theology, all Orthodox are (or at least ought to be) the same. But in the outward expressions of that faith–in prayers and postures and pictures–how uniform should we expect to be? And if we allow for legitimate differences of practice within the Church, how should those of one tradition communicate with, commune with, and otherwise relate to those of a different tradition?
If one’s concept of Orthodoxy is formed and informed by one’s own community’s lived tradition (as it primarily ought to be), it may not be natural to look at a very different looking tradition and think: “Orthodox.” I won’t give a full apologia for the legitimacy, grace, and orthodoxy of Western Rite traditions, liturgics, and devotions here. Instead I’ll just assume we’re all on the same page that both Eastern and Western Rites within the Church are (officially) true expressions of Orthodoxy. But for many of us, that knowledge doesn’t change the fact that the other tradition can be weird. So how do we fruitfully mix and mingle among our fellow Orthodox of different Rites, especially here in the U.S.? And for the record, I believe it’s our duty and responsibility to connect with fellow Orthodox in this country—and not stay insulated and isolated within our own parish, jurisdiction, or Rite—for the sake of fostering unity.
The first step would be to increase our familiarity with the other Rite: reading the texts of its liturgies, finding examples of its music online, and especially visiting its parishes to experience it first hand. This advice may seem a bit lopsided since it’s vastly more likely that an Eastern Rite Christian would not have experienced the Western Rite than the other way around, but even Western Rite congregants need to regularly remind themselves of how the majority of their own Communion worships. With increased familiarity and knowledge, we will feel less like strangers in the presence of the other tradition, less likely to pre-judge or disengage. We’ll most likely find ourselves growing in appreciation of—even liking!—the other Rite.
Making and having several friends who attend a parish of the different Rite is also important. From them we can learn what it’s like to worship in that Rite as a “regular.” From them hopefully we will learn that their experiences of prayer and worship and struggle, borne from their tradition, match our own experiences. We’ll be encouraged and reassured the more we discover how similarly formed we are spiritually. And we’ll be challenged to truly discern whether any differences we discover in our spiritualities are essential or only accidental, substantial or merely aesthetic.
Most importantly, cultivating the virtues of charity and humility is the best way to fruitfully relate to Orthodox Christians of a different Rite. Merely having a disposition of charity and humility will do three things: 1) help us to sympathize with and better understand our fellow Orthodox Christians; 2) help us to recognize and appreciate the merits of their Rite; 3) and make us more accessible, approachable, and helpful to our brothers and sisters of the other Rite who are seeking to better understand us and our Rite.
Gaining familiarity, friendships, and the virtues of charity and humility will be the path to better relations and interactions between Orthodox Christians of the Eastern and Western Rites. Fraternal affection and appreciation among all the Orthodox, especially in the U.S., is vital to our own health and to our witness to the world, now and in the years to come. May God help us with this.