This week has something of an international flavor in terms of saints’ days. On Tuesday, the Irish will choke down corned beef and cabbage (and a lot of other beverages) in honor of St. Patrick and Thursday is the Solemnity of St. Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. St. Joseph is venerated as San Giuseppe in Sicily and Italy, and here in the US, it’s something of a Italian heritage day.
At our parish, a St. Joseph altar was set up in the parish hall and a full spread of Italian food especially desserts) were made available.
I mention it because First Things recently featured an article about the challenges and limits inherent in the Eastern Orthodox churches and the social calendar this week provides an interesting contrast.
As the author points out, the Orthodox churches are mostly drawn on clear, ethno-national lines. This can lead to problems when two Orthodox nations go to war, as is currently happening between Russia and Ukraine. The author (who has a Greek Orthodox mother and Catholic father) notes that combination of faith and ethnicity can create strong social bonds, but as ethnic identity fades, faith also falters.
Catholic parishes in the US had similar characteristics, but the universal nature of the Church allowed a lot more flexibility. To be sure, the last few decades have seen many “cultural Catholics” fall away for the same reason as Orthodox numbers are falling, but the path to revival is a lot easier since it’s possible to broaden the faith’s appeal by drawing upon multiple cultural practices.
This makes Catholicism much more approachable for people like me, who lack a strong singular ethnic identity. I’ve got a Welsh surname, but my family inherited nothing of Welsh culture, instead drawing upon German-Irish heritage. I’m made up of other nationalities, but like Wales, they are mere genealogical curiosities.
I know a few Yiddish words and phrases, but those were acquired on the streets of New York City by my grandparents who were born and raised there. My Jewish ancestor who converted to Christianity dropped Judaism and Jewish customs like a hot rock.
That flexibility and openness certainly give Catholicism and edge over the Orthodox communion, which is perhaps why some of its clergy openly hate the Catholic Church.
As I’ve said before, to a certain type of Protestant, Orthodoxy has a lot going for it. You gain access to the sacraments, the apostolic succession, the works of the Church Fathers and you don’t have to give up hating Catholics.
And as I’ve also said, it’s sad because it’s unnecessary. I’ve got nothing against the Orthodox in terms of theology or practices. When I do offer criticism, it is a fraternal correction. I’d love to see the Great Schism ended and I think that the Orthodox would benefit far more than Rome because a way would be open for the various patriarchies to put aside national differences and focus on evangelization.
That is also an issue, because the fact of the matter is that state churches don’t really develop much skill in the practice. In Greece, Romania or Russia, you go to Mass because it’s simply expected. While that was also a feature of formerly Catholic nations in Europe, it was leavened by the constant missionary work that has defined the Church since its foundation. For various historical reasons, that practice vanished from much of the Orthodox Church and I think reunion with the Catholic Church would both help them get it back, and removed the counterproductive competition some of its adherents pursue.
Chateau Lloyd 
Leave a comment