Ambrosian Rite

The Ambrosian Rite is the ancient Latin liturgical tradition of the Archdiocese of Milan, named for Saint Ambrose (d. 397). It preserves distinctive chant, calendar, and ceremonies and survived the general adoption of the Roman Rite in the West.

Armenian Rite

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.

Byzantine Rite

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.

Chaldean Rite

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.

Coptic Rite

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.

Eastern Catholic Churches [Catholic-Hierarchy]

Ethiopic (Ge'ez) Rite

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.

Maronite Rite

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.

Melkite Greek Rite

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.

Mozarabic Rite

The Mozarabic (Hispano-Visigothic) Rite is the ancient Latin liturgy of the Iberian Peninsula, developed before the Muslim conquest and preserved by Christians under Moorish rule. Cardinal Cisneros revived it at Toledo around 1500.