| Come to Me All Who Labor and are Heaven Laden and I will give you rest Matthew 11:28 |
HOW OLD IS THE ORTHODOX FAITH?
If you are a Lutheran, your religion was founded by Martin Luther, an ex-monk of the Catholic Church, in the year 1517. If you belong to the Church
of England, your religion was founded by King Henry VIII in the year 1534 because the Pope would not grant him a divorce with the right to
re-marry. If you are a Presbyterian, your religion was founded by John Knox in Scotland in the year 1560. If you are a Congregationalist, your
religion was originated by Robert Brown in Holland in 1582. If you are Protestant Episcopalian, your religion was an offshoot of the Church of
England, founded by Samuel Senbury in the American colonies in the 17th century. If you are a Baptist, you owe the tenets of your religion to John
Smyth, who launched it in Amsterdam in 1606. If you are of the Dutch Reformed Church, you recognize Michelis Jones as founder because he
originated your religion in New York in 1628. If you are a Methodist, your religion was founded by John and Charles Wesley in England in 1774. If
you are a Mormon (Latter Day Saints), Joseph Smith started your religion in Palmyra, New York, in 1829. If you worship with the Salvation Army,
your sect began with William Booth in London in 1865. If you are Christian Scientist, you look to 1879 as the year in which your religion was born
and to Mary Baker Eddy as its founder.
If you belong to one of the religious organizations known as "Church of the Nazarene, Pentecostal Gospel," "Holiness Church," or "Jehovah's
Witnesses," your religion is one of the hundreds of new sects founded by men within the past hundred years.
If you are Roman Catholic, your church shared the same rich apostolic and doctrinal heritage as the Orthodox Church for the first thousand years
of its history, since during the first millennium they were one and the same Church. Lamentably, in 1054, the Pope of Rome broke away from the
other four Apostolic Patriarchates (which include Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem), by tampering with the Original Creed of the
Church, and considering himself to be infallible. Thus your church is 1,000 years old.
If you are Orthodox Christian, your religion was founded in the year 33 by Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It has not changed since that time. Our
church is now almost 2,000 years old. And it is for this reason, that Orthodoxy, the Church of the Apostles and the Fathers is considered the true
"one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church." This is the greatest legacy that we can pass on to the young people of the new millennium.
If you are a Lutheran, your religion was founded by Martin Luther, an ex-monk of the Catholic Church, in the year 1517. If you belong to the Church
of England, your religion was founded by King Henry VIII in the year 1534 because the Pope would not grant him a divorce with the right to
re-marry. If you are a Presbyterian, your religion was founded by John Knox in Scotland in the year 1560. If you are a Congregationalist, your
religion was originated by Robert Brown in Holland in 1582. If you are Protestant Episcopalian, your religion was an offshoot of the Church of
England, founded by Samuel Senbury in the American colonies in the 17th century. If you are a Baptist, you owe the tenets of your religion to John
Smyth, who launched it in Amsterdam in 1606. If you are of the Dutch Reformed Church, you recognize Michelis Jones as founder because he
originated your religion in New York in 1628. If you are a Methodist, your religion was founded by John and Charles Wesley in England in 1774. If
you are a Mormon (Latter Day Saints), Joseph Smith started your religion in Palmyra, New York, in 1829. If you worship with the Salvation Army,
your sect began with William Booth in London in 1865. If you are Christian Scientist, you look to 1879 as the year in which your religion was born
and to Mary Baker Eddy as its founder.
If you belong to one of the religious organizations known as "Church of the Nazarene, Pentecostal Gospel," "Holiness Church," or "Jehovah's
Witnesses," your religion is one of the hundreds of new sects founded by men within the past hundred years.
If you are Roman Catholic, your church shared the same rich apostolic and doctrinal heritage as the Orthodox Church for the first thousand years
of its history, since during the first millennium they were one and the same Church. Lamentably, in 1054, the Pope of Rome broke away from the
other four Apostolic Patriarchates (which include Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem), by tampering with the Original Creed of the
Church, and considering himself to be infallible. Thus your church is 1,000 years old.
If you are Orthodox Christian, your religion was founded in the year 33 by Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It has not changed since that time. Our
church is now almost 2,000 years old. And it is for this reason, that Orthodoxy, the Church of the Apostles and the Fathers is considered the true
"one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church." This is the greatest legacy that we can pass on to the young people of the new millennium.
Resources and Links
| Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia Western American Diocese http://www.wadiocese.com/eng/ Official Website of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad - English or Russian ROCOR |
The Orthodox Faith
Orthodox Christian Information Center
Bishop Alexanders Web Site
Monacos Net
Orthodox Central
American Orthodox Institute
Ancient Faith Radio
Questions and Answers about
Orthodoxy
Orthodox Christian Information Center
Bishop Alexanders Web Site
Monacos Net
Orthodox Central
American Orthodox Institute
Ancient Faith Radio
Questions and Answers about
Orthodoxy
Monthly Calender and Saints of the
Church
http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/calendar.asp
Church
http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/calendar.asp
| Eastern Orthodox Icons Icons |
THE ORTHODOX FAITH
Orthodoxy holds that the eternal truths of God's saving revelation in Jesus Christ are preserved in the living Tradition of the Church under the
guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Scriptures are at the heart of the Tradition and the touchstone of the faith. While the Bible is
the written testimony of God's revelation, Holy Tradition is the all-encompassing experience of the Church under the abiding guidance and
direction of the Holy Spirit. Essentially, Orthodox Christians consider that their beliefs are very similar to those of other Christian traditions, but
that the balance and integrity of the entire Apostolic faith once delivered to the Saints has been preserved inviolate.
We believe that God is One in substance and Triune in persons. We worship One God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity, neither confusing the
persons nor dividing the substance. Creation is the work in time of the Blessed Trinity. The world is not self-created, neither has it existed from
eternity, but it is the product of the wisdom, the power, and the will of the One God in Trinity. God the Father is the prime cause of creation and
God the Son and God the Holy Spirit took part in creation, God the Son perfecting creation and God the Holy Spirit vivifying creation.
We believe that Our Lord Jesus Christ is truly God. He is Jesus, that is, the Savior and Christ, the Lord's Anointed, a Son not created of another
substance, as is the case with us, but a Son begotten of the very substance of the Father before all time, and thus consubstantial with the Father.
He is also truly man, like us in every respect, except sin. The denial either of His divinity or of His humanity constitutes a denial of His incarnation
and of our salvation. The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father. The faith of the Church about the procession of the Holy Spirit was confirmed by
the Second Ecumenical Council, which added to the Creed the following clause: "And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life, who
proceedeth from the Father." The Church is the holy institution founded by our Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of men, bearing his holy
sanction and authority, and composed of men having one and the same faith, and partaking of the same sacraments. It is divided into the clergy
and laity. The clergy trace their descent by uninterrupted succession from the Apostles and through them from our Lord Jesus Christ. The
Church is ONE because our Lord Jesus Christ founded not many, but only one Church; HOLY because her aim, the sanctification and salvation
of her members through the sacraments, is holy; CATHOLIC because she is above local limitations; and APOSTOLIC because she was "built
upon the foundation of the Apostles, Jesus Christ Himself being the cornerstone (Eph. 2:20), The Head of the Church."
We recognize seven sacraments: Baptism, Chrism or Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Confession, Ordination, Marriage and Holy Unction. Baptism
is the door through which one enters into the Church. Confirmation is the completion of Baptism. In the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, with the
bread and wine, we partake of the very Body and the very Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ for remission of sins and eternal life. Both the New
Testament and Sacred Tradition bear witness to the real Presence of our Lord in the Holy Eucharist. In the sacrament of Confession Jesus
Christ, the founder of the sacrament, through the confessor, forgives the sins committed after Baptism by the person who confesses his sins
and sincerely repents of them. In the sacrament of Ordination through prayer and the laying-on of hands by a bishop, divine grace comes down
on the ordained enabling him to be a worthy minister of the Church. Apostolic succession is fundamental to the Church. Without it there can be
no continuity of the Church. In the sacrament of Marriage, divine grace sanctifies the union of husband and wife. In the sacrament of Holy Unction
the sick person is anointed with sanctified oil and divine grace heals his bodily and spiritual ills.
At death man's body goes to the earth from which it was taken, and the soul, being immortal, goes to God, who gave it. The souls of men, being
conscious and exercising all their faculties immediately after death, are judged by God. This judgment following man's death we call the
Particular Judgment. The final reward of men, however, we believe will take place at the time of the General Judgment. During the time between
the Particular and the General Judgment, which is called the Intermediate State, the souls of men have foretaste of their blessing or punishment.
Further, we venerate and honor the saints and we ask their intercession with God, but we adore and worship God the Father and the Son and
the Holy Spirit. Of all saints, we honor exceedingly the Mother of our Lord because of the supreme grace and the call which she received from
God. Though she was not exempt from original sin, from which she was cleansed at the time of the Annunciation, we believe that by the grace of
God she did not commit any actual sin. We venerate the sacred icons and relics. Yet this veneration, according to the decisions and canons of
the Seventh Ecumenical Council, relates not to the sacred images as such, but to their prototypes, or to the persons whom they represent.
Orthodoxy holds that the eternal truths of God's saving revelation in Jesus Christ are preserved in the living Tradition of the Church under the
guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Scriptures are at the heart of the Tradition and the touchstone of the faith. While the Bible is
the written testimony of God's revelation, Holy Tradition is the all-encompassing experience of the Church under the abiding guidance and
direction of the Holy Spirit. Essentially, Orthodox Christians consider that their beliefs are very similar to those of other Christian traditions, but
that the balance and integrity of the entire Apostolic faith once delivered to the Saints has been preserved inviolate.
We believe that God is One in substance and Triune in persons. We worship One God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity, neither confusing the
persons nor dividing the substance. Creation is the work in time of the Blessed Trinity. The world is not self-created, neither has it existed from
eternity, but it is the product of the wisdom, the power, and the will of the One God in Trinity. God the Father is the prime cause of creation and
God the Son and God the Holy Spirit took part in creation, God the Son perfecting creation and God the Holy Spirit vivifying creation.
We believe that Our Lord Jesus Christ is truly God. He is Jesus, that is, the Savior and Christ, the Lord's Anointed, a Son not created of another
substance, as is the case with us, but a Son begotten of the very substance of the Father before all time, and thus consubstantial with the Father.
He is also truly man, like us in every respect, except sin. The denial either of His divinity or of His humanity constitutes a denial of His incarnation
and of our salvation. The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father. The faith of the Church about the procession of the Holy Spirit was confirmed by
the Second Ecumenical Council, which added to the Creed the following clause: "And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life, who
proceedeth from the Father." The Church is the holy institution founded by our Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of men, bearing his holy
sanction and authority, and composed of men having one and the same faith, and partaking of the same sacraments. It is divided into the clergy
and laity. The clergy trace their descent by uninterrupted succession from the Apostles and through them from our Lord Jesus Christ. The
Church is ONE because our Lord Jesus Christ founded not many, but only one Church; HOLY because her aim, the sanctification and salvation
of her members through the sacraments, is holy; CATHOLIC because she is above local limitations; and APOSTOLIC because she was "built
upon the foundation of the Apostles, Jesus Christ Himself being the cornerstone (Eph. 2:20), The Head of the Church."
We recognize seven sacraments: Baptism, Chrism or Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Confession, Ordination, Marriage and Holy Unction. Baptism
is the door through which one enters into the Church. Confirmation is the completion of Baptism. In the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, with the
bread and wine, we partake of the very Body and the very Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ for remission of sins and eternal life. Both the New
Testament and Sacred Tradition bear witness to the real Presence of our Lord in the Holy Eucharist. In the sacrament of Confession Jesus
Christ, the founder of the sacrament, through the confessor, forgives the sins committed after Baptism by the person who confesses his sins
and sincerely repents of them. In the sacrament of Ordination through prayer and the laying-on of hands by a bishop, divine grace comes down
on the ordained enabling him to be a worthy minister of the Church. Apostolic succession is fundamental to the Church. Without it there can be
no continuity of the Church. In the sacrament of Marriage, divine grace sanctifies the union of husband and wife. In the sacrament of Holy Unction
the sick person is anointed with sanctified oil and divine grace heals his bodily and spiritual ills.
At death man's body goes to the earth from which it was taken, and the soul, being immortal, goes to God, who gave it. The souls of men, being
conscious and exercising all their faculties immediately after death, are judged by God. This judgment following man's death we call the
Particular Judgment. The final reward of men, however, we believe will take place at the time of the General Judgment. During the time between
the Particular and the General Judgment, which is called the Intermediate State, the souls of men have foretaste of their blessing or punishment.
Further, we venerate and honor the saints and we ask their intercession with God, but we adore and worship God the Father and the Son and
the Holy Spirit. Of all saints, we honor exceedingly the Mother of our Lord because of the supreme grace and the call which she received from
God. Though she was not exempt from original sin, from which she was cleansed at the time of the Annunciation, we believe that by the grace of
God she did not commit any actual sin. We venerate the sacred icons and relics. Yet this veneration, according to the decisions and canons of
the Seventh Ecumenical Council, relates not to the sacred images as such, but to their prototypes, or to the persons whom they represent.
WHEN ATTENDING AN ORTHODOX CHURCH
Standing vs. Sitting
The traditional posture for prayer and worship in the Orthodox Church has been to stand. In the Orthodox “old countries,” there are usually no
pews in the churches. Chairs or benches on the side walls are usually reserved for the elderly and infirm. In North America, we have tended to
build our churches with pews, and since we have them, we need to figure out when we may sit and when we should stand. First of all, it is fully
acceptable (even preferable) to stand for the entire service. When should you definitely stand? Always during the Gospel reading, the Little and
Great Entrances, the Anaphora, the distribution of Holy Communion, whenever the priest gives a blessing, and the Dismissal. It is never wrong
to stand in church.
Lighting Candles
Lighting candles is an important part of Orthodox worship. We light them as we pray, making an offering to accompany our prayers. Orthodox
typically light candles when coming into the church, and that is usually the best time to light them, but there are times when candles should not
be lit. It is not proper to light candles during the Epistle or Gospel readings, during the Little or Great Entrances and during the sermon
Entering the Church (Late)
The time to arrive at church is before the service starts, but for some unknown reason, it has become the custom,or rather the bad habit, for
some to come to church late. If you arrive after the Divine Liturgy begins, try to enter the church quietly . If the Epistle or Gospel is being read, or
the Little or Great Entrance is taking place, or if Father is giving the sermon, stay in the back until it is concluded. Try not to interrupt the Liturgy
with your entrance. By the way, the best way to avoid this problem is to arrive on time, then you do not have to wonder if it’s okay to come in or not.
People who come late to the Liturgy should not partake of the Eucharist!
Crossing Those Legs?
In some Orthodox cultures, crossing one’s legs is taboo and considered to be very disrespectful. In our North American culture, while there are
no real taboos concerning crossing one’s legs, we tend to cross our legs to get comfortable while sitting. Should we cross our legs in church?
No. Not because it is “wrong” to ever cross legs, but rather because it is too casual , and too relaxed, for being in church. Just think about it,
when you get settled in your favorite chair at home, you lean back, cross your legs, and then your mind can wander anywhere it wants to.
Remember that sitting in church when ill or elderly is a concession, not the normative way of prayer. You surely don’t want to get too relaxed and
let your mind wander. In fact, when you do sit in church, you should sit attentively , and not too comfortably. When sitting in church, keep those
feet on the floor, ready to stand at attention (which is what “Let us attend” means). Cross yourself with your fingers and hand, but don’t cross your
legs!
In and Out
On some Sundays, it almost seems like we have a revolving door in the back of the church, and it is used by both children and adults. Use the
restroom before coming to church. You shouldn’t need to get a drink of water during the service (especially if you are taking Communion!). Come
to pray. Taking restless little ones out is a different matter. If a child is disruptive, take him/her quickly and quietly out of church, just long enough
to settle him/her down, then return to Liturgy. Follow the rules for entering late: not during readings, sermons, or Entrances.
Leaving Before Dismissal
Leaving church before the Dismissal, besides being rude, deprives us of a blessing. Worship has a beginning (“Blessed is the Kingdom…”)
and an end (“Let us depart in peace…”). To leave immediately after Communion is to treat church like a fast food restaurant where we come and
go as we please. We live in a fast-paced world where we seem to be hurrying from place to place. But in God’s presence, we need to make
every attempt to fight this pressure to move on to the next thing on the day’s agenda. We deprive ourselves of blessings by not being still and
participating in God’s holiness. Eat and run at McDonald’s, but stay in church and thank God for his precious gifts.
Lipstick
Have you ever looked at an icon in just the right light and seen the lip prints all over it? It’s disgusting, isn’t it? In fact, it’s downright gross. Lipstick
may look fine on lips, but it looks horrible on icons, crosses, the Communion spoon and the priest’s or bishop’s hand. Icons have been ruined
by lipstick; and even though the cross can usually be cleaned after everyone venerates it, it just is not considerate to others to impose your
lipstick on them. What is the answer? If you insist on wearing lipstick to church, blot your lips well before venerating an icon, taking Communion,
or kissing the cross or the priest’s or bishop’s hand. Even better, wait until after church to put it on. After all, God is not impressed with how
attractive you look externally, your makeup or clothing, but how attractive you are internally, your adornment with good works and piety.
Venerating Icons
When you enter the church, it is traditional to venerate the icons. Usually there are icons at the entrance to the church and many churches have
icon stands in the front as well. When venerating (kissing) and icon, pay attention to where you kiss. It is not proper to kiss an icon in the face.
You would not go up and kiss the Lord or His mother on the lips, would you? You would kiss their hand, and only of they invited you would you
even dare to kiss them on the cheek. Pay attention to what you are doing. When you approach and icon to venerate it, kiss the gospel, scroll, or
hand cross in the hand of the person in the icon, or kiss the hand or foot of the person depicted. As you venerate and icon, show proper respect
to the person depicted in the icon, the same respect you would show the person by venerating him or her in an appropriate place. And
remember, blot off your lipstick before kissing.
Talking During Church
Isn’t it great to come to church and see friends and family members? But wait until after service to talk to them. It just is not appropriate to greet
people and have a conversation with them during the services. Besides being disrespectful towards God, it is rude towards the other people in
the church who are trying to worship. Talk to God while in church through your prayers, hymns, and thanksgiving, and to your friends in the hall
afterwards.
Kiss (Don’t Shake) the Priest’s or Bishop’s Hand
Did you know that the proper way to greet a priest or bishop is to ask his blessing and kiss his right hand? How do you do this? Approach the
priest or bishop with your right hand over your left hand and say “Father (or “Master” in the case of the bishop), bless.” [He will make the sign of
the cross, and place his right hand over yours.] This is much more appropriate (and traditional) than shaking their hands. After all, the priest and
bishop are not just “one of the boys,” they are the ones who "bless and sanctify" you, and who offer the holy gifts on your behalf. When you kiss
their hands, you show respect for Christ, whom they represent. So next time you greet your priest or bishop, don’t shake his hand, ask for his
blessing.
Sunday Dress
Remember the time when people put on their “Sunday best” to go to church? In fact, dress clothes were often referred to as Sunday clothes. In
some parts of the country, this is not common today. In fact, all too often, dress in church has become too casual. In all areas of our lives, we
should offer Christ our best. And the same is true of our dress. We should offer Christ our “Sunday best”, not our everyday or common wear. And
we should dress modestly, not in a flashy way that would bring attention to ourselves. Our dress should always be becoming of a Christian,
especially at church. Here are some specific guidelines we use in our parishes:
Children
Again, our Sunday best.
Women
Dresses should be modest. No tank tops or dresses with only straps at the shoulders, no short skirts (mini-skirts), and no skin-tight dresses.
Dresses should have backs and not be cut low in the front. According to St. Paul (I Corinthians 11) women are to cover their heads.
Men
Men should also dress modestly. While coat and tie are not mandatory, shirts should have collars and be buttoned; two or three buttons undone
is
inappropriate. Slacks should be cleaned and pressed. Jeans (of any color) are usually too casual for church, especially ones with patches or
holes.
Again, shorts are not appropriate church wear. If you’re going somewhere after church where you need to dress casually, bring a change of
clothing
with you and change after service. Remember, use your best judgment and good taste when dressing for church. After all, you don’t go to be
seen by
everyone else, you go to meet and worship God.
To Cross or Not To Cross
Anyone who has looked around on a Sunday morning will notice that different people cross themselves at different times (and sometimes in
different ways). To a certain extent, when to cross oneself is according to personal piety and not an issue of dogma. But there are times when it
is specifically proper to cross yourself, and times when you should not. Here is a brief list of when to cross and when not to cross:
Cross
When you hear one of the variations of the phrase, “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit”; at the beginning and end of the liturgical service or your private
prayers; entering or exiting the church, or when passing in front of the Holy Altar; before venerating in icon, the cross, or Gospel book.
Not to Cross
At the chalice before or after taking Communion (you might hit the chalice with your hand); when the priest or bishop blesses saying, “Peace be
to
all," bow slightly and receive the blessing; when receiving a blessing from a bishop or a priest (kissing the right hand of the bishop or priest is
appropriate, but not making the sign of the cross).
Handling the Holy Bread
After taking Holy Communion and at the end of the liturgy, it is traditional to eat a piece of holy bread or antidoron, the bread that was left over
after Holy Communion was prepared. While antidoron is not Holy Communion, it is blessed bread and as such, should be eaten carefully so
that crumbs don’t fall all over the place. After taking Communion or kissing the cross at the end of the Divine Liturgy, take one piece of antidoron
(you don’t need four or five pieces) and when you return to your seat or get to a place where you can stop for a moment, eat the bread trying not to
drop crumbs. If you want to give a piece to someone else, go ahead and take an extra piece, don’t break yours in half (it produces too many
crumbs). And monitor your children as they take the antidoron and teach them to eat it respectfully.
A Final Thought
North American society in the late 20th century is rather casual in its approach to life. Don’t allow this prevailing attitude to enter into your
Orthodox Christian piety. There are surely a lot of other areas that could be covered here. Much of church etiquette is based on common sense
and showing respect for God and others. Always remember that you are in church to worship God, the Holy Trinity. The priest says, “With the fear
of God and faith and love, draw near.” Let this be the way you approach all of worship. If you do, you will probably have good church etiquette.
AMEN.
Standing vs. Sitting
The traditional posture for prayer and worship in the Orthodox Church has been to stand. In the Orthodox “old countries,” there are usually no
pews in the churches. Chairs or benches on the side walls are usually reserved for the elderly and infirm. In North America, we have tended to
build our churches with pews, and since we have them, we need to figure out when we may sit and when we should stand. First of all, it is fully
acceptable (even preferable) to stand for the entire service. When should you definitely stand? Always during the Gospel reading, the Little and
Great Entrances, the Anaphora, the distribution of Holy Communion, whenever the priest gives a blessing, and the Dismissal. It is never wrong
to stand in church.
Lighting Candles
Lighting candles is an important part of Orthodox worship. We light them as we pray, making an offering to accompany our prayers. Orthodox
typically light candles when coming into the church, and that is usually the best time to light them, but there are times when candles should not
be lit. It is not proper to light candles during the Epistle or Gospel readings, during the Little or Great Entrances and during the sermon
Entering the Church (Late)
The time to arrive at church is before the service starts, but for some unknown reason, it has become the custom,or rather the bad habit, for
some to come to church late. If you arrive after the Divine Liturgy begins, try to enter the church quietly . If the Epistle or Gospel is being read, or
the Little or Great Entrance is taking place, or if Father is giving the sermon, stay in the back until it is concluded. Try not to interrupt the Liturgy
with your entrance. By the way, the best way to avoid this problem is to arrive on time, then you do not have to wonder if it’s okay to come in or not.
People who come late to the Liturgy should not partake of the Eucharist!
Crossing Those Legs?
In some Orthodox cultures, crossing one’s legs is taboo and considered to be very disrespectful. In our North American culture, while there are
no real taboos concerning crossing one’s legs, we tend to cross our legs to get comfortable while sitting. Should we cross our legs in church?
No. Not because it is “wrong” to ever cross legs, but rather because it is too casual , and too relaxed, for being in church. Just think about it,
when you get settled in your favorite chair at home, you lean back, cross your legs, and then your mind can wander anywhere it wants to.
Remember that sitting in church when ill or elderly is a concession, not the normative way of prayer. You surely don’t want to get too relaxed and
let your mind wander. In fact, when you do sit in church, you should sit attentively , and not too comfortably. When sitting in church, keep those
feet on the floor, ready to stand at attention (which is what “Let us attend” means). Cross yourself with your fingers and hand, but don’t cross your
legs!
In and Out
On some Sundays, it almost seems like we have a revolving door in the back of the church, and it is used by both children and adults. Use the
restroom before coming to church. You shouldn’t need to get a drink of water during the service (especially if you are taking Communion!). Come
to pray. Taking restless little ones out is a different matter. If a child is disruptive, take him/her quickly and quietly out of church, just long enough
to settle him/her down, then return to Liturgy. Follow the rules for entering late: not during readings, sermons, or Entrances.
Leaving Before Dismissal
Leaving church before the Dismissal, besides being rude, deprives us of a blessing. Worship has a beginning (“Blessed is the Kingdom…”)
and an end (“Let us depart in peace…”). To leave immediately after Communion is to treat church like a fast food restaurant where we come and
go as we please. We live in a fast-paced world where we seem to be hurrying from place to place. But in God’s presence, we need to make
every attempt to fight this pressure to move on to the next thing on the day’s agenda. We deprive ourselves of blessings by not being still and
participating in God’s holiness. Eat and run at McDonald’s, but stay in church and thank God for his precious gifts.
Lipstick
Have you ever looked at an icon in just the right light and seen the lip prints all over it? It’s disgusting, isn’t it? In fact, it’s downright gross. Lipstick
may look fine on lips, but it looks horrible on icons, crosses, the Communion spoon and the priest’s or bishop’s hand. Icons have been ruined
by lipstick; and even though the cross can usually be cleaned after everyone venerates it, it just is not considerate to others to impose your
lipstick on them. What is the answer? If you insist on wearing lipstick to church, blot your lips well before venerating an icon, taking Communion,
or kissing the cross or the priest’s or bishop’s hand. Even better, wait until after church to put it on. After all, God is not impressed with how
attractive you look externally, your makeup or clothing, but how attractive you are internally, your adornment with good works and piety.
Venerating Icons
When you enter the church, it is traditional to venerate the icons. Usually there are icons at the entrance to the church and many churches have
icon stands in the front as well. When venerating (kissing) and icon, pay attention to where you kiss. It is not proper to kiss an icon in the face.
You would not go up and kiss the Lord or His mother on the lips, would you? You would kiss their hand, and only of they invited you would you
even dare to kiss them on the cheek. Pay attention to what you are doing. When you approach and icon to venerate it, kiss the gospel, scroll, or
hand cross in the hand of the person in the icon, or kiss the hand or foot of the person depicted. As you venerate and icon, show proper respect
to the person depicted in the icon, the same respect you would show the person by venerating him or her in an appropriate place. And
remember, blot off your lipstick before kissing.
Talking During Church
Isn’t it great to come to church and see friends and family members? But wait until after service to talk to them. It just is not appropriate to greet
people and have a conversation with them during the services. Besides being disrespectful towards God, it is rude towards the other people in
the church who are trying to worship. Talk to God while in church through your prayers, hymns, and thanksgiving, and to your friends in the hall
afterwards.
Kiss (Don’t Shake) the Priest’s or Bishop’s Hand
Did you know that the proper way to greet a priest or bishop is to ask his blessing and kiss his right hand? How do you do this? Approach the
priest or bishop with your right hand over your left hand and say “Father (or “Master” in the case of the bishop), bless.” [He will make the sign of
the cross, and place his right hand over yours.] This is much more appropriate (and traditional) than shaking their hands. After all, the priest and
bishop are not just “one of the boys,” they are the ones who "bless and sanctify" you, and who offer the holy gifts on your behalf. When you kiss
their hands, you show respect for Christ, whom they represent. So next time you greet your priest or bishop, don’t shake his hand, ask for his
blessing.
Sunday Dress
Remember the time when people put on their “Sunday best” to go to church? In fact, dress clothes were often referred to as Sunday clothes. In
some parts of the country, this is not common today. In fact, all too often, dress in church has become too casual. In all areas of our lives, we
should offer Christ our best. And the same is true of our dress. We should offer Christ our “Sunday best”, not our everyday or common wear. And
we should dress modestly, not in a flashy way that would bring attention to ourselves. Our dress should always be becoming of a Christian,
especially at church. Here are some specific guidelines we use in our parishes:
Children
Again, our Sunday best.
Women
Dresses should be modest. No tank tops or dresses with only straps at the shoulders, no short skirts (mini-skirts), and no skin-tight dresses.
Dresses should have backs and not be cut low in the front. According to St. Paul (I Corinthians 11) women are to cover their heads.
Men
Men should also dress modestly. While coat and tie are not mandatory, shirts should have collars and be buttoned; two or three buttons undone
is
inappropriate. Slacks should be cleaned and pressed. Jeans (of any color) are usually too casual for church, especially ones with patches or
holes.
Again, shorts are not appropriate church wear. If you’re going somewhere after church where you need to dress casually, bring a change of
clothing
with you and change after service. Remember, use your best judgment and good taste when dressing for church. After all, you don’t go to be
seen by
everyone else, you go to meet and worship God.
To Cross or Not To Cross
Anyone who has looked around on a Sunday morning will notice that different people cross themselves at different times (and sometimes in
different ways). To a certain extent, when to cross oneself is according to personal piety and not an issue of dogma. But there are times when it
is specifically proper to cross yourself, and times when you should not. Here is a brief list of when to cross and when not to cross:
Cross
When you hear one of the variations of the phrase, “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit”; at the beginning and end of the liturgical service or your private
prayers; entering or exiting the church, or when passing in front of the Holy Altar; before venerating in icon, the cross, or Gospel book.
Not to Cross
At the chalice before or after taking Communion (you might hit the chalice with your hand); when the priest or bishop blesses saying, “Peace be
to
all," bow slightly and receive the blessing; when receiving a blessing from a bishop or a priest (kissing the right hand of the bishop or priest is
appropriate, but not making the sign of the cross).
Handling the Holy Bread
After taking Holy Communion and at the end of the liturgy, it is traditional to eat a piece of holy bread or antidoron, the bread that was left over
after Holy Communion was prepared. While antidoron is not Holy Communion, it is blessed bread and as such, should be eaten carefully so
that crumbs don’t fall all over the place. After taking Communion or kissing the cross at the end of the Divine Liturgy, take one piece of antidoron
(you don’t need four or five pieces) and when you return to your seat or get to a place where you can stop for a moment, eat the bread trying not to
drop crumbs. If you want to give a piece to someone else, go ahead and take an extra piece, don’t break yours in half (it produces too many
crumbs). And monitor your children as they take the antidoron and teach them to eat it respectfully.
A Final Thought
North American society in the late 20th century is rather casual in its approach to life. Don’t allow this prevailing attitude to enter into your
Orthodox Christian piety. There are surely a lot of other areas that could be covered here. Much of church etiquette is based on common sense
and showing respect for God and others. Always remember that you are in church to worship God, the Holy Trinity. The priest says, “With the fear
of God and faith and love, draw near.” Let this be the way you approach all of worship. If you do, you will probably have good church etiquette.
AMEN.
|
|
| Rogue River, Oregon |
| Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
