Litanies

[theculturewarrior]

Hello:

I was looking on EWTN's website and it said that only certain Litanies are approved by the Holy See for public recitation. What does that mean? It said that the Litany of the Holy Name was not approved for public recitation, but I think they recited it publicly this week, if not today!

Has there been a recent change?

Also, what Litanies are important or approved in the Eastern Tradition? (I've read that Litanies came from the East, is this true?)

Thanks in advance!

TCW

[Laudate_Dominum]

I'm not an Eastern Catholic (I wish Apotheoun was around), but I have prayed some Eastern devotions and served in a couple Eastern Liturgies (which was amazing).

I don't know of any litanies that are like the common litanies in the west exactly, but a common devotion in the east since ancient times are what are called Akathist hymns.

The one I used to pray all the time (and should start doing again) was the Akathist to the Theotokos. I believe this is the most common Akathist among Eastern Catholics.

I found it online here: [url="http://www.monachos.net/other/akathist_to_theotokos.shtml"]http://www.monachos.net/other/akathist_to_theotokos.shtml[/url]

They also have the Akathist to Jesus Christ and the Akathist to the Passion. They have different translations to what I'm used to though. There are traditional tones in different Churches or traditions. I don't know how to teach the tones so I might suggest buying a CD of monks singing the Akathist or something (I've seen these), this is assuming you are that serious about it. Or you might find out if there is a group that prayer this at a local Eastern Catholic or Orthodox church.

God bless.

[Laudate_Dominum]

Sorry, I went on a tangent. While I don't know of litanies exactly the same as common litanies in the west, it makes sense that the prayer form of the litany came from the east since eastern Liturgies have litanies in them (the Litany of Supplication and all that). I imagine since litanies are a big part of the Liturgy, praying them as a private devotion must exist (maybe its wicked common). I can remember one of my old roommates praying Litanies by himself in the morning. I don't know of any particular Litanies in the East apart from those in the Divine Liturgy.

Where's Apotheoun?