SaintElias.com -> Church Etiquette

Coming into Church

What do I do?

First time in our Church?

A little nervous about what to do?

No. 1, Don't worry!

No. 2, Feel at home. This is God's house and therefore we are all at home.

And, if you want to do what the rest of us do, here are a few helpful hints.

Making a Reverence (or 3)

When we enter the Temple proper (i.e. after having passed through the Vestibule), we make a "Reverence" - the Sign of the cross & a bow (or a "Prostration" during the Great Fast).

People often make 3 Reverences.

Follow this link for further information on how to make a "Reverence" or the "Sign of the Cross".

Also when we exit, we make a Reverence (or 3).

Lighting Candles

Before entering the Temple proper, it is the custom of Byzantine Churches to make an Offering of Light. When we come into Church, we venerate icons, and at the same time, we light the candle and place them on the Candle stands.

For your convenience, a candle box is provided in the Vestibule (on the left hand side in our parish). A minimum donation is requested to reimburse the Church to cover the cost of the candle. We use only pure beeswax candle as per the Canons and because they give a pure, clear, and steady light.

You are the light of the world... No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp stand where it shines for everyone... In the same way, your light must shine...so that seeing your good works, they may give praise to your Father in heaven." (Matt 5:14-16)

Lighting Candles are an eloquent symbol of both Christ, our light; and that we are in the Christ (both those who are glorified Saints depicted in Icons and those called to be saints who come to Church, and despite our sins and by God's grace alone, form the Body of Christ).

Jesus said: "I am the Light of the world. Anyone who follows me will not be walking in the dark; he will have the light of life." (John 8:12)

ps: it also helps to light the Church, as we do not use electric lights - a Candle lit Service with icons, incense, byzantine chant... You won't believe the effect this creates! You must come and see for yourself!

Venerate Icons

Icons are "Windows to the Divine". Therefore we stand before them and pray to God (or join with the Saint (or vice versa) in praying to God), while making Reverences and kissing the Icon.

The etiquette of Venerating Icons is:

1. make 2 Reverences;

2. kiss the Icon;

3. make a final Reverence.

People will 1st venerate the principal icon, placed on a stand in the Bema (the centre of the Sanctuary), then venerate the icons on the Icon Stands at the front of the Sanctuary

- starting from the ones at the right side and finishing at the ones on the left.

After that, it is customary to make a bow to the right (south or men's) side and to the left (north or women's side).

When we venerate Icons, we are not adoring the human Saints or Angels. Neither are we worshipping the wood and paint with which Icons are made.

We worship God alone.

However we may venerate Angels and Saints, recognizing the Spirit of God and the Grace of God acting in and through them. We honour them for their loving response to God's love in their lives. And by that honouring and recognition, we dedicate ourselves to God, just as they do.

The question of the correct form of worshipping God was dealt with particularly in the 7th Ecumenical Council, where the use of Icons was authorized and blessed. God not only prescribed the images of the Cherubim to be place on the Ark of the Covenant, but St. Paul wrote of the Christ in Col. 1:15: "He is the image ("icon") of the invisible God".

The Biblical Injunction against using and worshipping "Graven Images" is scrupulously observed. In Byzantine Churches, it is strictly forbidden to use status. Icons themselves are created according to clear rules and traditions which distinguish them from mere pictorial art.

E.g. icons are intentionally 2 dimensional, abstract in style, the figures, buildings, and landscapes etc. are quite stylized.

Often reverse perspective is used. Icons are not intended to portray what things "looked like" so much as the Spiritual Reality and Beauty of the person or event.

Standing to Pray

It is the custom in our Churches that we Stand in Worship during the Divine Services.

Indeed kneeling is forbidden on Sundays and every day from Pascha (Easter) to Pentecost - because kneeling would be inconsistent with our celebration of the Resurrection.

Cf. Canon 20 of the Ecumenical Council of Nicea and Canon 90 (Quinisext A.D. 692)

However, if you are tired, aged, or infirm, benches are provided. Please do not feel self-conscious, we will certainly understand if you are unable to stand throughout the entire Service, esp. if you are new or a visitor.

It is also the custom in our Church that women stand on the north (or left) side of the Sanctuary and men on the south.

It is an ancient custom. And really has a terrific effect when the Church sings hymns in 2 choirs (female voices and male voices, respectively)!

Again, if you would feel more comfortable standing with your spouse or friend etc. there is no problem - especially if you are new or a visitor.

Sitting:

- Sitting is proper during Bible Readings (except for the Gospel, when we stand), the chanting of the Psalms, and the Sermons.

Kneeling and Prostrations:

- Kneeling and Prostrations are proper during non-festive Weekdays, especially during the Penitential seasons, e.g.: the Great Fast, Philip's Fast, the Apostles' Fast, etc.

To Line-Up or Not?

Three times during Divine Liturgy, you may notice people lining up to do something.

1. Veneration of the Gospel.

(At the "Little Entrance", the clergy process out from the Altar and the Deacon stands at the Bema hold the Gospel book for veneration).

- All are welcome.

Generally, in our parish, children come up to do this (+ accompanying adults), but you are welcome.

2. Holy Communion.

- You are Very welcome - provided that you are "in Communion" with our Church, have fasted from the previous night, and are a practising your Faith.

- Cf. Guidelines for Reception of Holy Communion.

- Holy Communion is distributed from the Holy Cup with a Liturgical Spoon directly into your mouth (just watch how others do it).

- just, get in line, and:

- venerate the icon in the Bema,

- make a Reverence,

- cross you arms in front (right hand on left shoulder, left hand on right shoulder)

- tell the priest your Christian name

- stand straight (don't lean forward), open your mouth wide, tip back your head

- please do Not stick out your tongue, keep it well back inside your mouth

After partaking of Holy Communion:

- step back and make a Reverence

- go to the small table and take some wine and bread (the Zapivka) - an ablution.

3. Antidoron.

- At the end of Divine Liturgy - big Line Up! We line up to venerate the Cross (make Reverence, kiss Cross in priest's hand, kiss priest's hand {as an expression of our response to God's grace and love}) and receive a piece of Blessed Bread ("Antidoron").

- All are Very Welcome!

- (The priest will usually say: "Christ is in our midst." The Response is: "He is and will be." {in Ukrainian: "Khrystos po sered nac." Rx: " Yest y boo-de"})

- Please come up and share bread with us and say hello to the priest.

4. During Vespers or Matins

It will be to Venerate the Gospel or a Festal Icon, to receive a Festal Anointing (Myrovannya), and to receive a blessing.

- All are Very Welcome!

- The anointing is done by means of small Liturgical brush, with which the priest will anoint your forehead with special blessed oil.

- just get in line, venerate the Gospel and/or Icon, go to the Priest & receive the blessing, and afterwards, kiss the Priest's hand (as an expression of our response to God's grace and love).

"Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me your statutes!"

Ukrainian version
Українська версія

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Fr. Roman Galadza
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