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Glite Dictionary
Eastern Catholicism

Eastern Catholicism

6.7
Churches that follow Eastern Christian worship while being part of the Roman Catholic Church
  • noun
  • /ˈiːstərn ˌkæθəˈkɒlɪzəm/
translation icon : catolicismo oriental
  • Unlike in Western Catholicism, icons play a central role in the worship of Eastern Catholicism.

Examples

  • His family has practiced Eastern Catholicism for generations, following the Byzantine rite.

  • Many believers appreciate the rich liturgical traditions of Eastern Catholicism.

  • Many people are drawn to Eastern Catholicism for its rich traditions.

  • Did you know that Eastern Catholicism includes various rites?

  • The community center will host a meeting to discuss the principles of Eastern Catholicism and its role in the local culture.

  • Many families in the region practice Eastern Catholicism and celebrate its unique traditions and rituals.

  • She learned about Eastern Catholicism during her studies of different Christian denominations in university.

Surface Forms

Eastern Catholicism singular
Eastern Catholicisms plural

Morphology

eastern + Catholicism

The sense ‘the form of Catholicism associated with the east or Eastern rites’ is directly compositional from 'eastern' (relating to the east) + 'Catholicism' (the Catholic faith), so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer the basic meaning. Only finer canonical details (e.g. communion with Rome vs. Orthodox distinctions) require specialized knowledge, but the general referent is transparently derivable from the constituents.

Etymology

Eastern Catholicism comes from Christians in eastern lands who kept their old Eastern rites, like icons and long church services, but chose to stay united with the Pope in Rome. So, Eastern Catholicism means the faith and worship of those eastern churches that are 'in communion' with the Roman Catholic Church today.