Western Rite

The Western Rite is a ministry of the Antiochian Christian Archdiocese of North America, and in full canonical communion and unity of purpose with the several Orthodox jurisdictions of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in America (SCOBA). There are about twenty Western Rite congregations around the country who worship God in the forms which speak to their hearts, rejoicing to be part of the Universal Church.

Find a Western Rite parish near you


Featured Homily: Faith and Hope

Featured Homilist Fr. Dn. Stephen HolleyFeatured Homilist Fr. Dn. Stephen HolleyBy Fr. Dn. Stephen Holley,  St. Michael Antiochian Orthodox Church, Whittier, CA

And He spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the Kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My words shall not pass away.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 

According to the Epistle [Romans 15.4-13], the theme of today’s liturgical celebration is the joining together of the Holy Scriptures and Hope. Two things that are very precious to us as we wait for Christ’s return, are both Faith and Hope. They both have their foundation in the Holy Scriptures. The believer in Christ walks by Faith and, at the same time, rests in Hope.

2012 Calendars from Lancelot Andrewes Press Now Available

2012 calendars are in both Western and Byzantine editions are now available from Lancelot Andrewes Press:

This Calendar has full color plates of English stained glass for every Month. It is full of Saints and observances of the Universal Church. It should be a most attractive aid to children, youths, and adults in learning the incredible richness of the Christian Year. It should be helpful to clergy and Church workers in planning Parish and School events in harmony with the customary observances day by day. Of course, no Calendar could perfectly bridge all of Orthodox, Catholic, and Anglican variants. However, we think the result of making a “chock full of Saints” Calendar is instructive, fun, and practical in many instances.

This “Complete Church Calendar” for 2012 conveniently includes boxes already filled to every corner with Saints’ Days and Holy Days.

The most popular book in Russia before the Communist era was “The Little Flowers” of St. Francis of Assisi. Often the suffering laity in their prayers find more spiritual resources in the company of Saints than the various official calendars would suggest.

The “Complete Church Calendar” is available with the Western Easter Date, 8 April 2012 for Catholics and Anglicans. (West2010)

We offer a similar edition with the Orthodox Paschal date, 15 April 2012 (Byz2012) All the days (Lent, Holy Week, etc.) dependent on the Easter Date are calculated accordingly.

Additionally, we offer a narrowly Orthodox Calendar (Ex2012) without most of the popular Saints and yet geared to the public worship of the Orthodox parishes. And so three Church Calenders for 2012:

Western Rite 2011 Convention Report

Download the Western Rite's Report to the General Assembly at the 2011 Archdiocese Convention in Chicago (PDF)

Virginia Magazine Features St. Patrick Orthodox Church

Recently, St. Patrick Orthodox Church was featured in the Warrenton, Virginia, Lifestyle magazine. Part of a series about local houses of worship, the colorful article presented the life of the community of St. Patrick in both text and photographs.

The author writes, "St. Patrick's Orthodox Church is strongly committed to being a vibrant witness of the Orthodox faith for their community. The congregation is made up of seniors, young singles and couples, families and many children, In Orthodoxy, the path of salvation is clear: we confess our sins regularly, we partake in our Lord's Body, we read (and sing) the Scriptures, we feed and clothe the poor, we fast, and we pray that we may be continually more filled with love for God and man."

Read the full article here.

Western Rite Vicariate Features Fr. Patrick Reardon at Convention

Fr. Patrick Henry ReardonFr. Patrick Henry ReardonDuring the upcoming Archdiocese Convention in Chicago, the Department of Western Rite (Western Rite Vicariate) will offer a special presentation for all by the V. Rev. Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon on Wednesday, July 27.

Under the theme “What Benefits Does Western Orthodoxy Offer Eastern Orthodoxy,” Father Patrick will talk about “Christ as Mediator.” Following his presentation, there will be opportunity to ask questions related to his presentation.

Father Patrick’s presentation will begin at 10:45 a.m. and conclude by 12:30 p.m.

Parish priests attending the convention, along with lay delegates and guests, are invited to attend this session.

Following Fr Patrick’s presentation, the priests serving Western Rite parishes will gather for a closed session for a discussion with the Vicar General.

May God bless you and grant you safe travels to Chicago.

By V. Rev. Edward Hughes 

Vicar General of the Western Rite