Eastern Rite churches open their doors
Local
Adelaide’s Eastern Rite churches welcomed pilgrims to their Sunday Masses from June to September as part of the Jubilee Year of Hope.
For most of the pilgrims, it was the first time they had experienced a Eucharistic celebration in the Eastern Rite.
On May 14 Pope Francis declared the Jubilee of the Eastern Churches, a time to honour the rich traditions of Eastern Rite Catholics and their integral role in the Church.
To mark this occasion locally, the Migrant Chaplain & Pastoral Workers Network developed a program of pilgrimage Masses to honour and engage with the rich liturgical and cultural heritage of Eastern Catholic communities within the Adelaide Archdiocese.
The first Eastern Rite church to open its doors to pilgrims was St Maroun’s Church, Westbourne Park, on June 15 when members of the Lebanese Maronite community celebrated with Arabic chants, rich incense and prayerful silence.
St Maroun’s Church, Westbourne Park (Lebanese Maronite)
Particularly moving was the dimming of lights during the Eucharistic celebration as the priest and cantor led the congregation in solemn prayer. The hospitality that followed including cake, drumming, and dancing was warm and joyful, offering a taste of Maronite culture and community.
Next was a Ukrainian experience at the Church of Saints Volodymyr and Olga, Woodville, on June 20. Pilgrims described the liturgy – unchanged for more than 1600 years – as powerful, contemplative and deeply moving. No instruments were used, only the human voice raised in devotion.
A highlight was the Gospel procession, during which the pilgrims gathered in a circle holding candles. After Mass, the community welcomed them with traditional Ukrainian food such as Varenyky and cake.
Two days later, it was the turn of the Melkite Community which is based at St Anthony’s Church, Edwardstown.
St Anthony’s Church, Edwardstown (Melkite)
Pilgrims were deeply moved by the richness of the liturgy, which is rooted in the ancient Aramaic tradition.
The Mass featured strong Arabic chanting, a warm conversational homily (translated to English via an app for pilgrims to understand), and a striking use of incense carried among the congregation. Once again, hospitality and fellowship followed.
The Melkite Greek Catholic Church is of the Byzantine Rite and maintains full communion with Rome.
On Sunday June 29 the Syro-Malabar parishes of St Mary’s, St Alphonsa and St Euphrasia provided a warm welcome to pilgrims.
St Mary’s Church, Port Adelaide (Syro Malankara)
The Syro-Malabar liturgy is deeply reverent, featuring Malayalam prayers, vibrant music and strong catechetical support for children and youth.
The Adelaide Syro-Malabar community is particularly active in public witness, including hosting Adelaide’s large-scale Good Friday Way of the Cross, attracting more than 1500 participants. Their cultural centre supports heritage, education and welfare initiatives.
The Eastern Rites pilgrimage concluded at the Syro-Malankara community’s St Mary’s Church at Port Adelaide on September 14.
Pilgrims were blessed to experience one of the most ancient liturgies of the Church, rooted in the earliest traditions passed down from the Apostles.
The Syro Malankara Holy Qurbana was deeply reverent, filled with incense, chant, and the full participation of the congregation through prayers and responses that carry the weight of centuries.
Prayers were offered in Syriac, a dialect of Aramaic. This is one of the unique features of the Syriac tradition, and the liturgy was beautifully woven through three languages – Malayalam, Syriac and English.
Fr Stephen Kulathumkarott flew in from India to celebrate the Eucharist, having come to Adelaide for a wedding in the community. He also spent time offering pastoral care to a grieving family who had recently lost a child.
The final Mass was also attended by members of the Preca Community Youth Group which was starting its own journey of exploring the many rites of the Church.
Tracey Tessitore from the Archdiocese’s Pastoral Services Team said the pilgrimage not only deepened our understanding of the Eastern Catholic churches but has also served as a powerful reminder that the Catholic Church is “beautifully diverse yet profoundly united”.
“We are grateful to all who participated, and we look forward to continuing this journey of communion, learning and celebration,” she said.
Pilgrim Amelia Nathan said the experience was “blessed and joyful”.
“God’s presence is in all our rites, liturgies, churches and, most importantly, people,” she said.
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