The bringing together of the Christians of East and West is one of the most urgent tasks of the Church today, but unity can only follow mutual understanding. This book contributes to that aim by explaining to the different rites and customs of the Eastern Churches and the many millions of Eastern Rite Catholics. Beginning with an outline of the historical origins of the Eastern Churchs, it goes on to discuss the characteristics of their rites-including Byzantine, Syrian, Armenian, Coptic, Maronite and Ethiopian, and the languages they are celebrated in. Following chapters describe and analyse the eucharistic liturgies and the rites of baptism, confirmation, sickness and death, penitence, ordination, marriage and the dedication of churches, together with the structure of the divine office. The continuing emphasis by recent Popes on the importance of these rites within the Catholic Church is also discussed together with its significance in relation to the Church's growth in newly independent countries in Asia and Africa.