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Welcome to the Digital Sacristy!
The Home Liturgy Hub of the United Roman-Ruthenian Church
The Domestic Church: A Living Altar in Every Home
From the earliest centuries,
Christians prayed not only in great basilicas, but also in the quiet of
their homes. The family table became an altar; the hearth became a
sanctuary. Fathers and mothers blessed their children; small
communities prayed together, keeping alive the faith of the Apostles.
Today, when priests are few and chapels far apart, the United Roman-Ruthenian Church
continues this ancient practice by providing a complete Home Liturgy —
a way for every family, every faithful soul, to sanctify daily life
through the rhythms of the Church. ( Read more about the Church's history here.)
This is not a replacement for the priesthood, nor a substitute for the
sacraments, but a participation in the lay ministry of the baptized,
carrying the light of Christ into the domestic church — your home.
  
The Home Liturgy Book
A full, beautifully illustrated guide with step-by-step rubrics, diagrams, and prayers for daily use. This includes interactive diagrams and instructions for arranging a simple home altar in the Orthodox and Catholic tradition, as well as guidance on traditional lay vesture for use in the liturgy of the home — dignified, modest, and symbolic. Available on Amazon here.
See more content from the book below.
The Liturgical Calendar
The annual East West Liturgical Calendar is carefully arranged for each day of the calendar year and made available on Amazon.
The general Church calendar is available here.
Why This Matters
In an age of uncertainty, when ideology and noise crowd out silence, the home altar restores balance. It is a place where:
- Children see faith lived, not only spoken.
- Families unite in prayer at dawn and dusk.
- Individuals can sanctify solitude and find strength.
- The Church is not something “out there” but present in your very home.
- Saint John Chrysostom spoke of the home as a little church.
Begin Today
Acquire the Home Liturgy Book
and set up your domestic altar. Whether you are alone in a small
apartment or in a house filled with family, you can join the rhythm of
the Apostolic Church, praying with the same words and gestures that
have sanctified centuries.
The altar of the Church and the altar of the home are not separate. They are one.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Home Liturgy
Is this replacing the priest or the parish?
No. The sacraments are always the ministry of the bishop and the
priest. The home liturgy is not a substitute, but a participation in
the ancient practice of the “domestic church.” It strengthens faith
between visits to a parish or chaplaincy, and prepares the faithful to
receive the sacraments with greater reverence when possible.
Can I really do this on my own?
Yes. The Home Liturgy is designed for individual prayer as well as for
families or small groups. It is based on the Divine Liturgy, but is
arranged to be appropriate for the laity. It does not include anything
reserved for priests only. And, it is accessible and dignified, with
clear instructions. If you live alone, you can still sanctify your home
with prayer, just as the desert fathers prayed in solitude.
What if I don’t have icons or vestments?
Start simply. Even a cross, a candle, and a tablecloth can form the
foundation of a home altar. Icons and vesture may be added over time,
as you are able. The important thing is the prayer of the heart, not
the size of the collection.
Is this recognized by the Church?
Yes. The United Roman-Ruthenian Church provides this liturgy,
doctrinaly and canonically appropriate for use by the laity, precisely
so the faithful can live their faith fully, even when distance or
circumstances make parish life difficult. It is a continuation of the
Church’s unbroken tradition of lay prayer and home worship.
What if my family is not familiar with these traditions?
That is the beauty of the Home Liturgy: it can teach as it sanctifies.
Children learn by seeing and hearing. Friends and family, even if new
to the Apostolic tradition, are often moved by the beauty and reverence
of a home altar.
Why not just pray in my own way?
Private prayer is always good, but the Home Liturgy connects your
prayer to the living rhythm of the Apostolic Church. You are not just
one person praying alone — you are joining the voice of centuries,
across the world, in continuity with the saints.
What if I make a mistake?
God is not measuring your every gesture. What matters is reverence,
intention, and effort. The rubrics help preserve tradition, but prayer
is not invalidated by human imperfection. Begin with humility, and
Christ Himself will complete what we cannot.
SAMPLE PAGES OF THE HOME LITURGY BOOK
 
 
 
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