Veni et Vide
Come and see the treasures of the East.
An invitation to Roman Catholic priests to encounter the living beauty of Byzantine worship and Eastern Christian spirituality.
A vision for formation
The Institute's vision is to help Roman Catholic priests learn about Byzantine spirituality and the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. We offer an intended progression from introductory study to practical learning and continuing guidance with Eastern clergy and parish communities, subject to arrangements.
This formation is rooted in genuine encounter — not merely academic study, but living contact with Eastern prayer, worship, and community.
The learning pathway
Formation unfolds through three stages of deepening encounter with Eastern Christianity.
Encounter
Discover Byzantine prayer, worship, and spirituality through introductory study and guided experience.
Deepen
Continue learning with experienced Eastern clergy and parish communities, by arrangement.
Share
Bring greater understanding of Eastern Christianity into parish life and ministry.
The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
The Divine Liturgy is the heart of Byzantine worship — a living encounter with the mystery of Christ through ancient prayer, sacred chant, and the beauty of the Eastern rite. The Institute offers formation to help priests understand and appreciate this tradition.
Learning the liturgy is not merely a matter of rubrics. It is an immersion in a way of praying that has shaped Eastern Christianity for centuries.
A model of bi-ritual formation
Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen: Priest of East and West
Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen — one of the most celebrated Catholic communicators of the twentieth century — was himself a bi-ritual priest. Ordained in the Latin Rite, he was also granted faculties to celebrate the Divine Liturgy according to the Byzantine Rite, a rare and significant recognition of his deep appreciation for the Eastern Christian tradition.
A bi-ritual priest is a Catholic priest who has received the proper ecclesiastical authorization to celebrate the sacred liturgy in two distinct rites — in Archbishop Sheen's case, both the Roman Rite and the Byzantine Rite. This is not merely a ceremonial distinction; it reflects a genuine formation in the theology, spirituality, and liturgical tradition of both Churches.
Archbishop Sheen understood that the riches of the East — its icons, its chant, its mystical theology — were not foreign to Catholicism but part of its fullness. His example continues to inspire priests who seek to learn from the Eastern tradition in a spirit of unity and reverence.
Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen in Latin Rite vestments (left) and Byzantine Rite vestments (right)
Education and ecclesiastical authorization
The Institute provides education and formation. Roman Catholic priests seeking to celebrate in another rite must obtain the required permissions from the competent Catholic authorities. Completing Institute training does not itself confer faculties or authorization.
A worldwide network
Is God Calling You?
Wherever you are in the world, the Institute for Eastern Christian Studies offers a place to begin — or to continue — the conversation about your calling. Through our worldwide network of clergy, scholars, and spiritual guides, we walk with those who sense a vocation and seek a path forward in the service of Christ and His Church.
Discernment honors the shared life and family responsibilities of married men called to serve
For married men
Is the Call Still in Your Heart?
For some men, leaving seminary or priestly ministry to pursue marriage does not silence the call to serve Christ. The Institute welcomes former seminarians and men who previously served as priests to explore whether that calling remains alive in their hearts.
Through conversation, prayer, study, and careful discernment, we can help them explore possible avenues toward priestly service within our jurisdiction, where married men may be considered for ordination under its discipline. Each person's circumstances are considered individually, with respect for his marriage, family responsibilities, and previous Church commitments.
An inquiry does not restore Roman Catholic faculties or guarantee admission or ordination.
For women discerning
A Heart Called to Consecrated Life
Do you feel drawn to a life of prayer, community, and service to Christ? The Institute welcomes women discerning consecrated life to begin a conversation about their calling and explore the spiritual richness of Eastern Christianity.
Whether you are beginning your discernment or returning to a question long held in your heart, we offer a welcoming place to seek guidance and consider possible next steps. Together, we can explore opportunities for formation and connection with religious communities, according to their availability and requirements.
A welcoming place to seek guidance and explore the call to consecrated life
Reach out from anywhere
A Resource for the World
The Church is one, and her call reaches every corner of the earth. Men and women throughout the world who sense a vocation — to priesthood, to consecrated life, or to deeper service — are welcome to reach out to the Institute. We do not promise what only God can give, but we offer what we have: a worldwide network of clergy and scholars, a tradition of patient discernment, and a genuine desire to help each person find the path to which they are called.
Interested in learning more?
We welcome inquiries from Roman Catholic priests and communities interested in Eastern Christian formation.