Itäkatolisia

Itäkatolisia, also known as Eastern Catholics or Eastern Catholic Churches, are communities of faithful within the Catholic Church that follow Eastern Christian liturgical traditions, canon law, and spiritual practices while recognizing the authority of the Pope in Rome. These churches maintain their own unique liturgies, rites, and disciplines, which often differ significantly from the Roman Roman rite used by the Latin Church.

There are 23 Eastern Catholic Churches in communion with the Holy See, representing diverse rites such as Byzantine, Armenian, Maronite, Melkite, and others. They are generally organized as sui iuris (self-governing) churches, each with its own hierarchy, spiritual heritage, and customs. Despite their differences, all adhere to Catholic doctrine and are part of the universal Catholic Church.

Eastern Catholics often preserve traditions rooted in Eastern Christianity, including their liturgical languages, icons, and ecclesiastical often using Eastern rite liturgies like the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. They also observe distinct fasting practices, clergy celibacy rules, and other disciplinary customs, which may vary from those of Latin Catholics.

The existence of Eastern Catholic Churches reflects the Catholic Church’s recognition of diverse liturgical and spiritual traditions within the framework of communion with the Pope. Their history is closely tied to the historical spread of Christianity in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. Today, they serve communities across the world, maintaining their cultural and religious identities while fully integrated into the broader Catholic Church.