by Brent Kostyniuk
Some years ago there was a popular film titled My Big Fat Greek Wedding. It followed the daughter of a Greek immigrant family in her romance with a very non-ethnic boyfriend. Eventually, romance led to marriage. However, before that could take place, the boyfriend had to be baptized. The girl’s father proudly told the boyfriend, “It is your lucky day to be baptized into the Greek Orthodox Church.”
Similarly, it might be said that many of us are fortunate to have been baptized into the Ukrainian Catholic Church. For most, the decision to be baptized was taken for us shortly after we were born. For some, the decision was made in adulthood. That fact does not change the effects of our membership. A credit card once used the slogan, “Membership has rewards.” For us, membership has the ultimate reward of eternal happiness.
Yet, membership also brings responsibilities. As a pre-baptism counsellor, I meet with parents to help them understand their life-long responsibilities towards their child. It begins with a simple question. “Why do you want to have your child receive the mystery of baptism?” Often, the answer is straightforward. “We want our child to become part of God’s family and to be brought up in the Ukrainian Catholic Church. We want our child to keep that tradition alive.” With an answer like that, the parents are obviously aware of their duties.
Counselling must include an explanation of all three Sacraments of Initiation. In the Byzantine tradition, of which we are a part, a new member of the Church receives all three Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Chrismation, and Holy Eucharist at the same time. The new Christian becomes a full member of the Church. Some parents, however, are reluctant for their infant to receive Holy Eucharist. There are a variety of reasons for this reluctance. Most often it is because they themselves have not experienced this. Indeed, it is a practice which had fallen into disuse for much of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada. However, it is now being revived, combined with the custom of first Solemn Holy Eucharist when the child is about seven.
In the movie Fiddler on the Roof, the village milkman, Tevye, lives his life according to the dictates of “tradition.” Generally, he does not know the reason for his actions, only that they are necessary. The same may apply to us. It is important to follow the traditions of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, but even more important to understand them. This is particularly the case with revived traditions which are unfamiliar to us.
Returning to baptism preparation, we need to understand why all three Sacraments of Initiation are conferred together. It is a three-fold process of becoming complete members of the Church. Baptism, of course, marks us as Christians. Chrismation is next. Canon 692 states, “It is necessary that those who are baptized be chrismated with holy myron, that by a seal they be signed with the gift of the Holy Spirit and be made more proper witnesses and co-builders in the Kingdom of Christ.” Orthodox theologian Bishop Kallistos Ware explains it this way, “Through Chrismation every member of the Church becomes a prophet, and receives a share in the royal priesthood of Christ; all Christians alike, because they are chrismated, are called to act as conscious witnesses to the Truth. ‘You have an anointing (chrisma) from the Holy One, and know all things’ (1 John 2:20).”
The third element, Holy Eucharist, provides us with spiritual nourishment. That nourishment is vital to us regardless of age or intellect. As with all seven Mysteries, God’s grace is given generously, yet in ways beyond our ability to understand either the method or the effects, it will have on us. John of Damascus explains it this way. “If you inquire how this happens, it is enough for you to learn that it is through the Holy Spirit … we know nothing more than this, that the word of God is true, active, and omnipotent, but in its manner of operation unsearchable.” Just as no parent would deny a child the food he or she needs for physical development, the Eastern Christian believes there is no reason to deny the food needed for spiritual development.
When we understand something, we are more likely to accept it. So it is with all the traditions of our Church. We need to understand them in order to accept them, and, hopefully, grow to love them. In learning about these traditions, we become more able to pass them on to our children and others around us; Ukrainian Catholic or not. St. John Paul II stated that not only should Eastern Catholics hold on to their traditions, but they should also make every effort to recover those which had been lost.
Looking around, there is a multitude of traditions which set Ukrainian Catholics apart. Why are there icons in our churches and not statues? Why do we sing the Divine Liturgy and not have pianos or organs? (Here’s a hint…it’s not because the parish couldn’t afford to purchase one.) Why do we receive Holy Eucharist under the form of bread and wine together? Why do we cross ourselves with three fingers held together starting on the right shoulder first? Why do some crosses on old churches and in old cemeteries have crescent moons at the bottom?
Knowing, understanding, and holding dear. As members of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, these are things we need to do to keep our religious heritage alive and healthy. In doing so, we will be helping the universal Catholic Church breathe through both lungs.
