Armenian Catholics

[Vico]

Originally Posted by John of Patmos

What does the Catholic Church say on this, since it is a rather broad confession?

First, a Catholic would not confess in a non-Catholic Apostolic Church unless the circumstances made it morally impossible (and could avoid indifferentism) or life threatening. Then it is necessary to intend to confess individually in addition, for an eastern Catholic, and to confess individually in addition for a Latin Catholic.

CCEO Can. 721
§1 For a member of the Christian faithful to enjoy the sacramental absolution given to many at the same time, it is required not only that the person be properly disposed, but also at the same time intend in due time to confess individually the grave sins which at the present time cannot be confessed.
§2 As much as can be done, the Christian faithful are to be instructed concerning these requirements; an exhortation that each person take care to make an act of contrition is to precede general absolution, even in danger of death if time is available.

CIC Can. 960
Individual and integral confession and absolution constitute the sole ordinary means by which a member of the faithful who is conscious of grave sin is reconciled with God and with the Church. Physical or moral impossibility alone excuses from such confession, in which case reconciliation may be attained by other means also.

CIC Can. 962
§1 For a member of Christ's faithful to benefit validly from a sacramental absolution given to a number of people simultaneously, it is required not only that he or she be properly disposed, but be also at the same time personally resolved to confess in due time each of the grave sins which cannot for the moment be thus confessed.
§2 Christ's faithful are to be instructed about the requirements set out in §1, as far as possible even on the occasion of general absolution being received. An exhortation that each person should make an act of contrition is to precede a general absolution, even in the case of danger of death if there is time.

CIC Can. 963
Without prejudice to the obligation mentioned in can. 989, a person whose grave sins are forgiven by a general absolution, is as soon as possible, when the opportunity occurs, to make an individual confession before receiving another general absolution, unless a just reason intervenes.

[Alexander Roman]

As an aside, I once visited an Armenian Orthodox Church and noticed that every single car in the parking lot had an RC rosary on the rear-view mirror (I walked up and down to check every single car).

You wouldn't find that in many EO and EC church parking lots!

Also, the Armenian Catholic Order of Mekhitarists enjoy a tremendous esteem and respect among Armenians in general for their encyclopedic work to research and promote all aspects of Armenian national culture. This is probably a "one and only" in the history of the Eastern Churches.

Alex

[ag_vn]

Originally Posted by Godric2

In what way do Armenian Catholics differ from the Armenian Church.

Armenian Catholics celebrate Christmas on December 25, unlike the Armenian Orthodox who celebrate it on January 6 as a unified feast with Theophany.

[followingtheway]

Originally Posted by Vico

I spoke with an Armenian Orthodox priest about confession. He said they do not do personal private confession as in the Catholic Church. Members recieve absolution as a group.

My gosh, that must be embarrassing! I mean not absolution part, the saying your sins in front of other people part!

[Vico]

Originally Posted by followingtheway

My gosh, that must be embarrassing! I mean not absolution part, the saying your sins in front of other people part!

Post #4 shows the words used.

[followingtheway]

Originally Posted by Vico

Post #4 shows the words used.

Oh. I'm really sorry. I guess I skimmed over that part

[Godric2]

What about the saints of the Armenian Church ...

Is it possible to see somewhere their Calendar of Saints, please.

Godric

Communicating St Francis de Sales!

[Anastasia13]

I've been to an Armenian Orthodox renting a church, an Armenian Orthodox at their church, and an Armenian Catholic at their church.

The Armenian Catholic had larger pictures of Mary/Saints/Icon type pictures*. This is similar to the look of a Byzantine Catholic church I once visited.
The Armenian Orthodox had smaller pictures and less areas of solid coloring that caught my attention.

The AC had a little open room on the side before entering the sanctuary where the candles were.
The AO had little areas inside the sanctuary near the doors and behind the pews on both sides where the candle areas are.

The AC had a service not more than 2 hours with less of the "..." "Lord have mercy (Der Voghormia)s".
The AO has a service of often 3 hours.

I do not know if the AC uses spoons during communion/Eucharist.
The AO does not use spoons but the priest feeds the host directly to the receiver.

The architecture is very Armenian in both from what I have seen.
The music is similar.
The AC language seemed to be ancient Armenian as well. This is what the AO uses in liturgy.
Both serve good food afterwards.

*Please forgive any error in my terminology here. I am a convert.

[Vico]

The Armenian Catholics don't use a spoon for communion.

The use of the spoon is investigated in:

Byzantine Communion Spoons: A Review of the Evidence, Robert F. Taft, Dumbarton Oaks Papers Vol. 50, (1996), pp. 209-238.

[Anastasia13]

Originally Posted by Vico

The Armenian Catholics don't use a spoon for communion.

The use of the spoon is investigated in:

Byzantine Communion Spoons: A Review of the Evidence, Robert F. Taft, Dumbarton Oaks Papers Vol. 50, (1996), pp. 209-238.

Thank you.