Rites
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The Catholic Church
The liturgical traditions of the one Catholic Church — the Latin (Roman) Rite and the Eastern Catholic rites — each with its own history.
The Armenian Catholic Church preserves the distinctive liturgical tradition of Armenia, the first nation to embrace Christianity as its state religion (AD 301). The Armenian Catholics entered into full communion with Rome and are governed by their own Patriarch of Cilicia.
The Byzantine Rite took shape in Constantinople, drawing on the liturgical heritage of Antioch and the city's great churches. It is followed by the largest family of Eastern Catholic Churches, who use the Divine Liturgies of Saint John Chrysostom and Saint Basil the Great.
The Chaldean Catholic Church descends from the ancient Church of the East in Mesopotamia and entered into full communion with Rome in the sixteenth century. It follows the East Syriac liturgical tradition centered on the Holy Qurbana of the Apostles Addai and Mari.
The Coptic Catholic Church arises from the ancient Christian tradition of Egypt, attributed to the preaching of Saint Mark. It follows the Alexandrian liturgical tradition and entered into full communion with Rome in the nineteenth century.
The Ethiopic Catholic tradition arises from the ancient Christianity of Ethiopia and Eritrea and follows the Alexandrian liturgical family in the Ge'ez language. The Ethiopian and Eritrean Catholic Churches preserve this venerable heritage in communion with Rome.
The Maronite Church traces its origin to Saint Maron, a fourth-century Syrian hermit, and his disciples. Centered in Lebanon, it has remained in unbroken communion with Rome and preserves the West Syriac (Antiochene) liturgical tradition with its own distinctive usages.
The Melkite Greek Catholic Church, centered in the Middle East, follows the Byzantine liturgical tradition in Arabic and Greek. It entered into full communion with Rome in the eighteenth century and is led by the Patriarch of Antioch.
Your rite
The Roman Rite developed in the city of Rome and became the predominant liturgical tradition of the Western Church. Codified after the Council of Trent (1570) and revised after the Second Vatican Council (1969-70), it is the rite of the vast majority of Latin Catholics worldwide.
The Ruthenian (Byzantine Catholic) Church traces its communion with Rome to the Union of Uzhhorod (1646). It follows the Byzantine liturgical tradition and is established in Central Europe and the United States.
The Syro-Malabar Church of Kerala, India, traces its origins to the evangelization attributed to Saint Thomas the Apostle. It follows the East Syriac tradition and is one of the largest Eastern Catholic Churches.