Byzantine Worship Now Available in Des Moines

August 12, 2025

An Eastern Rite Catholic Mass is now available weekly in the Des Moines area.

Father Bruce Riebe, of the St. Andrew of Crete Byzantine Catholic Outreach, celebrates the Divine Liturgy on Sundays at 11 a.m. at All Saints Church in Des Moines.

The Byzantine Catholic Church has four dioceses – called eparchies – that cover the entire United States. The Cleveland-based Eparchy of Parma, which encompasses 12 states, charged Father Riebe to come to Iowa to explore whether there is interest in establishing a Byzantine center of worship and community in the state.

Father Riebe began offering liturgies in Muscatine. He is now gauging interest in the Des Moines area.

Where does the Byzantine rite come from?

After Jesus’ death and resurrection, the apostles spread the faith. Four rites emerged at about the same time. The Latin Rite is the Western Church in proximity to the Mediterranean Sea. Three Eastern Rites serving different areas –  Constantinople (Byzantine), Antioch, and Alexandria – were also formed.

The Byzantine Rite spread to evangelize the Slavic people, said Father Riebe. When they immigrated to the United States, they settled in heavily industrialized areas like Pennsylvania and established their own worship sites.

“They wanted their own traditions, their own churches,” said Father Riebe.

Over time, people began to branch out. Father Riebe’s Eparchy wants to discern if there is a desire for a Byzantine church in each of the states covered by the Eparchy.

Currently, there are no Byzantine churches in Iowa.

How do the Byzantine & Latin rites compare?

The theological tenets of the Latin Rite and the Byzantine Rite are the same, said Father Riebe.

Distinctions center more in styles of worship.

“It’s more about the outward expression of the same faith,” he said.

For example, at a recent liturgy at All Saints Church, prayers were in English and most were sung with a cantor. More incense was used than in a traditional Latin Rite Mass.

Father Riebe welcomes anyone who by virtue of Baptism or who otherwise culturally aligns with Byzantine worship, to participate in the Divine Liturgy on Sundays at 11 a.m. at All Saints Church in Des Moines.