Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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EASTERN CHURCHES

Christian churches whose members follow the Eastern rites as a body. Historically they were the Patriarchates of Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem before the schism in the thirteenth century. They follow the ceremonies originally used by the Patriarch of Constantinople. The groups not in communion with Rome are called the separated Eastern Churches; the others are Catholic Churches of their respective Eastern rites.