Welcome to our Eastern Catholicism specialty store.

We are pleased to be able to provide resources to the faithful of the Eastern Catholic churches and to others who are interested in the traditions, practices and theology of the Eastern Catholic churches.

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Although it is not commonly known in our Western world, the Catholic Church is actually a communion of Churches. According to the Constitution on the Church of the Second Vatican Council, Lumen Gentium, the Catholic Church is understood to be "a corporate body of Churches," united with the Pope of Rome, who serves as the guardian of unity (LG, no. 23). At present there are 22 Churches that comprise the Catholic Church. The new Code of Canon Law, promulgated by Pope John Paul II, uses the phrase "autonomous ritual Churches" to describe these various Churches (canon 112). Each Church has its own hierarchy, spirituality, customs, and theological perspective.

Because of the particularities of history, there is only one Western Catholic Church, while there are 21 Eastern Catholic Churches. The Western Church, known officially as the Latin Church, is the largest of the Catholic Churches - approximately 94% of Catholics belong to this ritual church. The Latin Church is immediately subject to the Roman Pontiff as Patriarch of the West. The Eastern Catholic Churches are each led by a Patriarch, Major Archbishop, or Metropolitan, who governs their Church together with a synod of bishops. Through the Sacred Congregation for the Eastern Churches, the Roman Pontiff works to assure the health and well-being of the Eastern Catholic Churches.

While this diversity within the one Catholic Church can appear confusing at first, it in no way compromises the Church's unity. In a certain sense, it is a reflection of the mystery of the Trinity. Just as God is three Persons, yet one God, so the Church is 22 Churches, yet one Church. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us:

"From the beginning, this one Church has been marked by a great diversity which comes from both the variety of God's gifts and the diversity of those who receive them... Holding a rightful place in the communion of the Church there are also particular Churches that retain their own traditions. The great richness of such diversity is not opposed to the Church's unity" (CCC no. 814).

Another way to think about the "diversity in unity" of the Catholic Church is to consider Our Lord's words "In my Father's house there are many mansions."

Although there are 22 Churches, there are only eight "Rites" that are used among them. A Rite is a "liturgical, theological, spiritual and disciplinary patrimony," (Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, canon 28). "Rite" best refers to the liturgical and disciplinary traditions used in celebrating the sacraments. Many Eastern Catholic Churches use the same Rite, although they are distinct autonomous Churches. For instance, the Ukrainian Catholic Church and the Melkite Catholic Church are distinct Churches with their own hierarchies but they both use the Byzantine Rite.

At present, our Eastern Catholicism specialty store carries products of interest primarily to Eastern Catholics of the Byzantine Rite. In the future we hope to be able to add more products of

This icon is part of a modern, vibrant series of icons produced by the Benedictine iconographers of Conception Abbey, one of the largest and oldest Benedictine foundations in the U.S. Proceeds from the sale of these icons go to support both the abbey community of monks and the formation of candidates for the priesthood who are studying at Conception Seminary College. These beautiful …

This icon is part of a modern, vibrant series of icons produced by the Benedictine iconographers of Conception Abbey, one of the largest and oldest Benedictine foundations in the U.S. Proceeds from the sale of these icons go to support both the abbey community of monks and the formation of candidates for the priesthood who are studying at Conception Seminary College. These beautiful …

The inside of this beautiful icon note card is blank, ready for your personalized message. Comes with white envelope. Proceeds from this line of icon cards goes to support the Benedictine community of Conception Abbey and the priestly formation of students at Conception Abbey College Seminary.

This white porcelain icon measures 7" wide and 9" tall.  Made in Greece.

The inside of this beautiful icon note card is blank, ready for your personalized message. Comes with white envelope. Proceeds from this line of icon cards goes to support the Benedictine community of Conception Abbey and the priestly formation of students at Conception Abbey College Seminary.

This icon is part of a modern, vibrant series of icons produced by the Benedictine iconographers of Conception Abbey, one of the largest and oldest Benedictine foundations in the U.S. Proceeds from the sale of these icons go to support both the abbey community of monks and the formation of candidates for the priesthood who are studying at Conception Seminary College. These beautiful …

This icon is part of a modern, vibrant series of icons produced by the Benedictine iconographers of Conception Abbey, one of the largest and oldest Benedictine foundations in the U.S. Proceeds from the sale of these icons go to support both the abbey community of monks and the formation of candidates for the priesthood who are studying at Conception Seminary College. These beautiful …

This biography of the late Melkite Catholic Archbishop, Joseph M. Raya, Archbishop of Nazareth and All Galilee, is truly inspiring. Archbishop Raya was a man of profound influence on Eastern Catholicism in the U.S. and around the world. He was deeply respected by his Eastern Orthodox brethren and was at the forefront of ecumencial activities between East and West. He touched so many …

The inside of this beautiful icon note card is blank, ready for your personalized message. Comes with white envelope. Proceeds from this line of icon cards goes to support the Benedictine community of Conception Abbey and the priestly formation of students at Conception Abbey College Seminary.

This brief survey of Eastern Catholic Church History touches upon the following historical epochs: The Apostolic Period, The Ecumenical Councils, The Development of the Byzantine Tradition, Division and Reunification of the Churches, Eastern Catholics in the West and in the Modern Period. 100 Pages

The inside of this beautiful icon note card is blank, ready for your personalized message. Comes with white envelope. Proceeds from this line of icon cards goes to support the Benedictine community of Conception Abbey and the priestly formation of students at Conception Abbey College Seminary.

The inside of this beautiful icon note card is blank, ready for your personalized message. Comes with white envelope. Proceeds from this line of icon cards goes to support the Benedictine community of Conception Abbey and the priestly formation of students at Conception Abbey College Seminary.

The inside of this beautiful icon note card is blank, ready for your personalized message. Comes with white envelope. Proceeds from this line of icon cards goes to support the Benedictine community of Conception Abbey and the priestly formation of students at Conception Abbey College Seminary.

The inside of this beautiful icon note card is blank, ready for your personalized message. Comes with white envelope. Proceeds from this line of icon cards goes to support the Benedictine community of Conception Abbey and the priestly formation of students at Conception Abbey College Seminary.

The inside of this beautiful icon note card is blank, ready for your personalized message. Comes with white envelope. Proceeds from this line of icon cards goes to support the Benedictine community of Conception Abbey and the priestly formation of students at Conception Abbey College Seminary.

The inside of this beautiful icon note card is blank, ready for your personalized message. Comes with white envelope. Proceeds from this line of icon cards goes to support the Benedictine community of Conception Abbey and the priestly formation of students at Conception Abbey College Seminary.

The inside of this beautiful icon note card is blank, ready for your personalized message. Comes with white envelope. Proceeds from this line of icon cards goes to support the Benedictine community of Conception Abbey and the priestly formation of students at Conception Abbey College Seminary.

This icon is part of a modern, vibrant series of icons produced by the Benedictine iconographers of Conception Abbey, one of the largest and oldest Benedictine foundations in the U.S. Proceeds from the sale of these icons go to support both the abbey community of monks and the formation of candidates for the priesthood who are studying at Conception Seminary College. These beautiful …

The inside of this beautiful icon note card is blank, ready for your personalized message. Comes with white envelope. Proceeds from this line of icon cards goes to support the Benedictine community of Conception Abbey and the priestly formation of students at Conception Abbey College Seminary.

Pambo, Evagrius, Macarius of Egypt and Macarius of Alexandria, the four fathers presented in this volume, were well-known in Alexandria and Lower Egypt some 1600 years ago. Their lives, brought to fame by Palladius' Lausiac History, provide valuable insight into the Egyptian monastic communities of the fourth century and into the saintly tradition of the Coptic Church. This volume serves as a …

The inside of this beautiful icon note card is blank, ready for your personalized message. Comes with white envelope. Proceeds from this line of icon cards goes to support the Benedictine community of Conception Abbey and the priestly formation of students at Conception Abbey College Seminary.

At the height of the tumultuous developments taking place in Central and Eastern Europe in the ninth century, two Byzantine missionaries and brothers from Thessalonica, Sts. Cyril and Methodius, came to the fore. Their work of acculturation among the Slavs had far-reaching and lasting changes upon European life. This book looks back over the life and work of these two …

As we, Christians of the twenty first century, study the Fathers of the Church, their writings (often in an unreadable English produced by clumsy translators) appear to us as foreboding, verbose, and somewhat closed within a world where theological contemplation replaces everyday reality. The Greek Fathers in particular have this reputation among students because they wrote relatively little …

The Byzantine Saint is one of the most important contributions to the field of Byzantine hagiography in recent years. SVS Press is pleased to present the collection, based on papers presented by a preeminent group of Christian scholars at a major Byzantine studies conference at the University of Birmingham. Contributors: Henry Chadwick, Susan Ashbrook Harvey, Lennant Ryder, Robert …

None of the Fathers of the early church is better known or loved than St John Chrysostom, and none of his works is more popular than On the Priesthood. Its stylistic brilliance demonstrates the appropriateness of St John's enduring title, "the golden-mouthed." Yet the rhetorical eloquence of the work is not simply camouflage for lack of substance. As Graham Neville observes in his …

The Book of Pastoral Rule By St Gregory the Great Popular Patristics Series Introduction & translation by George E. Demacopoulos Recognized as the most thorough pastoral treatise of the patristic era, this sixth-century work by St Gregory the Great carefully details the duties and obligations of the clergy concerning the spiritual formation of their flock. "Pastoral Rule has served …

Macarius the Great (also referred to as Macarius of Egypt or Macarius the Egyptian) presided over a loosely knit scattering of ascetic monastic communities in the fourth century Egyptian desert. He enjoyed great respect during his lifetime and his fame was further spread after appearing in Palladius' Lausiac History. This volume presents three ancient texts , The Sayings of Saint Macarius, The …

The last half of the twentieth century saw the establishment of the reputation of St Maximus the Confessor as the greatest of all Byzantine theologians, with a wholeness of vision that speaks directly to many of our concerns today. Until very recently, however, little of his work has been available in English translation, save for some collections of brief reflections arranged in centuries and …

St Cyprian, third-century bishop of Carthage, developed a theory of church unity almost universally accepted up to the European Reformation: to be a member of the Body of Christ you needed to be in communion with a priest who was in communion with a bishop who in turn was in communion with all other bishops in the world. But, how could you discern who was a legitimate bishop? And, on what kind …

Our line of paperweights make a wonderful and faith-filled addition to your desktop work space! They also are a great gift idea. This 3 in. by 3 in. Carrara Marble paperweight has a pewter representation of the famous Vladimir Icon  featuring the Madonna and Child. Gift-boxed. Hand-crafted in Pennsylvania.

St Irenaeus, the most important theologian of the second century, lays the foundation for all future Christian thinkers. Here he recounts all the various deeds of God, culminating in the exaltation of His crucified Son, Jesus Christ, and the bestowal of His Holy Spirit and the gift of a new heart of flesh.

St Gregory is one of the most open and self-revealing of the Fathers of the Church, and his poetry is remarkable for its personal character. In these poems, he speaks of the joys and frustrations of his own life; he reveals his inner questioning about the purpose and values of life in the face of sin and mortality, and his ultimate faith in Christ as redeeming and reconciling all things. St …

Two monastic elders — the "Great Old Man" Barsanuphius, and the "Other Old Man" John — flourished in the southern region around Gaza in the early part of the sixth century. Maintaining strict seclusion within their cells, they spoke to others only through letters by way of Abba Seridos, the abbot of the monastic community in Gaza, where these two holy men lived …

St Ephrem the Syrian's cycle of 15 Hymns on Paradise offers a fine example of Christian poetry, in which the author weaves a profound theological synthesis around a particular Biblical narrative. Centered on Genesis 2 and 3, he expresses his awareness of the sacramental character of the created world, and of the potential of everything in the created world to act as a witness and pointer to …

Christian tradition often seems to give only grudging approval to the married life, particularly its sexual aspect. In these sermons of St John Chrysostom we find an important corrective to this view. Although himself a monk, Chrysostom had a profound understanding of the needs of his congregation. Inspired by the epistles to the Corinthians and Ephesians, he discusses their reasons God …

These six Lectures on the Christian Sacraments were delivered in Jerusalem in the middle of the fourth century. They belong to a period of rapid transition for the Church. Less than forty years before, Christianity had been an illegal religion, the object of intense persecution. Now it was the favored religion of the state. Potential converts thronged the shining new basilicas, built through …

St Cyprian, third-century bishop of Carthage, developed a theory of church unity almost universally accepted up to the Protestant Revolution: to be a member of the Body of Christ you needed to be in communion with a priest who was in communion with a bishop who in turn was in communion with all other bishops in the world. But, how could you discern who was a legitimate bishop? And, on what …

Gregory of Nazianzus, "The Theologian," was recognized among the Cappadocian Fathers as a peculiarly vivid and quotable exponent of the doctrine of God in Trinity. A brilliant orator and accomplished poet, he placed before the Church his interpretation of the sublime mystery of the God revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These five sermons, probably delivered as a series at the …

Isaac of Nineveh was a native of Bet Qatraye near present-day Bahrain on the Persian Gulf. A teacher and monk, he was consecrated bishop (ca. 660-680), but preferred to live out his live as an anchorite. A Scriptural scholar, he studies Scripture so much that he became blind and had to dictate his writings. He died at an advance age and was buried in Rabban Shabur, where he spent most of his …

Apostolic Tradition , as this text is best known, was identified in the early years of the twentieth century as the work of Hippolytus, a Christian leader from third-century Rome. The text provides liturgical information of great antiquity, and as such has been massively influential on liturgical study and reform, especially in western churches. Nonetheless, there have been a number of …

Is all Christian art fundamentally blasphemous? That was the question posed aggressively by the Christian iconoclasts of the eighth century in a bitter controversy. The resounding answer, "No" from John of Damascus helped to secure the future of art in the service of Christ. Without his brilliant defense, both profound and at times earthly, we might well have had no icons, murals, …

The Quartodecimans were early Christians who maintained the tradition derived from Judaism, and observed Pascha on the same occasion that the Jews observed Passover. In this work, Alistair Stewart-Sykes, the leading authority on Melito and the Quartodecimans, presents a unique collection of material in a format ideal for classroom use as well as for the general reader. At the head of this …

St Symeon the New Theologian was abbot of the monastery of St Mamas in Constantinople at the turn of the eleventh century. He was also perhaps the most remarkable and certainly the most forceful advocate of the mystical experience of God in the history of the Byzantine Church. Though they were on occasion suppressed by ecclesiastical authorities wary of his fierce enthusiasm, as well as his …

The sermons of St John Chrysostom are noted as classical commentaries on the Christian life. Knowing well the realities of life in the world, the temptation of rich and poor alike, this great orator — "the golden-mouthed" — addresses the questions of wealth and poverty in the lives of people of his day. And yet, as the modern reader is confronted with his words, it …

St Basil the Great wrote his treatise On the Holy Spirit during the closing phase of the Trinitarian controversies of the fourth century. The Arians had previously denied the full divinity of the Son and the debate then turned to the Holy Spirit. In this work, without explicitly calling the Spirit "God," St Basil demonstrates that He, like the Son, is of one and the same nature with …

Since the time of the early Church, Christians have honored Mary, the Mother of God, with special solemnity on August 15. From the sixth century on, that celebration has been explicitly associated with her death, as the culmination of a human life uniquely "full of grace," uniquely involved in the Mystery of our salvation and transformation in Christ. This volume brings together the …

St Symeon the New Theologian was abbot of the monastery of St Mamas in Constantinople at the turn of the eleventh century. He was also perhaps the most remarkable and certainly the most forceful advocate of the mystical experience of God in the history of the Byzantine Church. Though they were on occasion suppressed by ecclesiastical authorities wary of his fierce enthusiasm, as well as his …

In the early fifth century the Christian world was racked by one of the fiercest theological disputes it had known since the Arian crisis of the previous century. The center of debate turned on the nature of the personhood of Christ, and how divine and human characteristics could combine in Jesus without rendering his subjectivity hopelessly divided, or without reducing his authentic humanness …

Three volume set of the Ethical Discourses of St Symeon the New Theologian. St Symeon was abbot of the monastery of St Mamas in Constantinople at the turn of the eleventh century. He was also perhaps the most remarkable and certainly the most forceful advocate of the mystical experience of God in the history of the Byzantine Church. This set includes: Volume I — The Church and the Last …

The Menaion contains the Propers for the Great Feasts and Saints of the month for Vespers and Orthros (Matins and Lauds combined). The Menaion is published in twelve volumes, one volume for each month. The editions are spiral-bound—designed to lay flat for easy use on cantor’s stands. These editions are newly revised and expanded. The Menaion series are spiral bound with …

The resurrection of the body, perhaps more than any other Christian doctrine, requires us to face the implications of faith for our personal lives and for our understanding of the world. This issue faced St Paul in his dealing with the early church and also troubles St Gregory of Nyssa in the fourth century AD . St Gregory, educated in the prevailing Greek philosophical system, yearned to …

St Symeon the New Theologian was abbot of the monastery of St Mamas in Constantinople at the turn of the eleventh century. He was also perhaps the most remarkable and certainly the most forceful advocate of the mystical experience of God in the history of the Byzantine Church. Though they were on occasion suppressed by ecclesiastical authorities wary of his fierce enthusiasm, as well as his …

This informative and enjoyable little book serves as a valuable introduction to major themes in Greek Patristic anthropology-the image of God in the human being, the Fall of humanity, and the cause of evil-and brings together the main writings of St Basil the Great, fourth-century archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, on these subjects. St Basil deftly addresses the questions posed by the …

St Athanasius stood contra mundum for the Trinitarian doctrine 'whole and undefiled,' when it looked as if all the civilized world was slipping back from Christianity into the religion of Arius, into one of those 'sensible' synthetic religions which are so strongly recommended today and which then, as now, included among their devotees many highly cultivated clergymen. The glory of St …

The cult of the saints is a phenomenon that expanded rapidly in the fourth century, and John Chrysostom’s homilies are important witnesses to its growth. Until now, the majority of John’s homilies on the saints and martyrs have been ignored. However, in this volume,Wendy Mayer investigates the liturgical, topographical, and pastoral aspects that marked the martyr cult at Antioch …

The Menaion contains the Propers for the Great Feasts and Saints of the month for Vespers and Orthros (Matins and Lauds combined). The Menaion is published in twelve volumes, one volume for each month. The editions are spiral-bound—designed to lay flat for easy use on cantor’s stands. These editions are newly revised and expanded. The Menaion series are spiral bound with …

Jacob of Serug was born at Curtem on the Euphrates, ca. 451. Very little is known of his life. He probably studies at the school of Edessa. He became a monk and priest. Early in life he began writing and is thought to have composed more than 700 homilies. Jacob, "flute of the Holy spirit and harp of the faithful church," has a great love of the Mother of God. In this volume, four …