Coptic Church & Ecumenical Movement - Saint Mina Coptic ...

THE RITES OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
The Roman Tradition
There is one main rite in this Western tradition, known as the Latin rite, and four small rites
known as the Ambrosian (Milan, Italy), Mozarabic (Toledo, Spain), Slavonic and Gallican
(Lyons, France). The Latin rite is centered on Rome and then Western Europe from whence it
spread to the Western world. The language used in the liturgy was Latin and is now the
vernacular. 98% of Roman Catholics belong to this rite.
Antiochene Tradition
There are three rites: Maronite, Syrian and Malankara. The Maronite rite honours St. Maroun
and St. Chabel in particular. Originally from Lebanon, the languages used in the liturgy are
Arabic, Aramaic and English. Their patriarch resides in Lebanon. The (West) Syrian rite gives
special honour to Saints Ephrem, Elias and Ignatius of Antioch. Aramaic and Arabic are the
languages of the liturgy. The followers of the Syrian rite live in the countries of the Middle East,
but like the others, some have immigrated to the New World. Their patriarch lives in Lebanon.
The Malankara rite in India uses Malayalam as a liturgical language.
East Syrian (Chaldean) Tradition
There are two rites: the Chaldean and the Malabar rites. The Chaldean rite is found in Iraq and
they use Aramaic in their liturgies. The saints that originally brought Christianity to them were
Saints Thomas, Addai, Agai and Mari. Their patriarch lives in Iraq. Its sister church, which is
not in communion with Rome, is the Assyrian Church of the East. Their followers have
immigrated to all parts of the world such as the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The
Malabar rite is found in India and uses Malayalam as its liturgical language.
Armenian Tradition
There is only on rite. The Armenian rite uses classical Armenian in its liturgy as well as French
and English. Originally from Armenia, they are now in the Middle East and in the USA and
Australia. St. Gregory the Illuminator and St. Vartan and martyrs are their best known saints.
Their patriarch resides in Lebanon.
Alexandrian Tradition
There are two rites: the Coptic and Ethiopic rites. The Coptic rite originated in Egypt. St. Mark
is said to be their founder but they also honour St. Anthony of Egypt. Their liturgy, celebrated in
white hood and alb, is that of St. Basil and their languages are Coptic and Arabic. Cairo is the
home of the Coptic Patriarch. Christmas is celebrated on 7 th January. The Ethiopic rite, found in
Ethiopia, uses Ge’ez (now a dead language) in its liturgies which are strongly influenced by
African music, handclapping and dancing.
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