In 1596, a small part of the Orthodox Church in what is Ukraine today joined with the Roman Catholic Church. This resulted in the establishment of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, one of the family of Eastern Catholic Churches. As part of their agreement with Rome, Ukrainians were assured that they would be able to maintain Eastern Rite or Orthodox practises ~ such as the particular way people make the sign of the Orthodox cross; married clergy; the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Chrismation and Holy Communion) being administered at the same time; and Eastern Rite Liturgies.
