Is it possible to talk in the temple memo. What not to do in an Orthodox church
Our readers, for the most part, are already churched people and know what can and cannot be done in the church.
But for that part of our audience that is just embarking on the path of their acquaintance with the Church, we publish 25 tips on the basic rules of behavior in the temple. They will help you worthily pray to God, without being distracted by yourself and without distracting other believers:
1. Men must take off their hats when entering the temple.
The foundation of this tradition is found in 1st Paul's letter to the Corinthians, 11:4-5: "Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered shames his head."
2. Women, on the contrary, must enter the church in a headdress
The tradition goes back to the same message. At the same time, the rule does not concern girls and unmarried girls, because the apostle says that the handkerchief is a sign of power over the husband's wife- the head of the family. However, in modern practice, girls and girls also often wear a headscarf at the entrance to the temple, but you should not force them to do so.
3. One of the main conditions of prayer is attentiveness. Worship in the temple also needs heed, i.e. listen with concentration, participate in it with mind and heart
Accordingly, during the service, you should not walk around the church a lot, kiss (kiss) all the icons in a row, look at people, talk with someone, make noise, talk on a mobile phone, eat food or drinks you brought with you, chew gum, sort out change in pockets, etc.
4. Veneration of relics and icons
When kissing relics and icons, it is not customary to kiss faces Mother of God, saints and angels, as well as the face of a saint whose relics are open for worship (excluding the forehead - i.e. forehead).
5. Mobile at the entrance to the temple is better to turn off completely or switch to silent mode
It's better to turn it off altogether because Orthodox person there is and cannot be anything more important than communion with God, and other things can wait until the end of the service.
If it is impossible to turn off the phone (operation with a relative or other especially important reason), then you should put it into vibration mode so as not to distract others from prayer.
6. Video cameras, cameras and other technical devices
Not prohibited, but their use (especially with a flash or a flashlight) is allowed only with the blessing of the rector of the temple. because it also greatly distracts believers.
7. It is forbidden to enter the temple in a state of alcoholic or drug intoxication
Not worth it (excluding special life circumstances) to come to the temple untidy, dirty or smelly. This is the place of our fellowship with God. One must have respect for Him and for the assembled believers.
Smoking in the Church is considered a sin (as a deliberate harm to one's own body), so it is worth abstaining from it, at least in the temple or on its territory.
8. Do not enter the Altar (the space enclosed by the wall of the iconostasis) or the salt (elevation in front of the altar in the eastern part of the temple)
Only the clergy, clergy who sing in the church choir or help the priest at the altar, as well as on special occasions, with the blessing of the priest, are allowed to ascend the salt. And enter the altar only clergymen and clergy men.
9. During worship, stand facing the altar (iconostasis)
It is there that the central place of the temple is located - the Holy See, where the Eucharist is celebrated - the main Sacrament Orthodox Church in which the true Body and true Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ is given to the believer under the guise of bread and wine.
10. Do not make comments and swear
The temple is not a place for quarrels, it is a place for prayer. If someone in the temple looks inappropriate or does something that we do not like, it is better to turn our attention to prayer. As a rule, in each temple there are special people who have received the blessing of the priest to keep order there. AT last resort, you should approach and, polite and quiet, make a comment.
11. The best is worn to the temple
They go to a meeting with God, as if to a holiday, dressing in the best clothes. At the same time, they avoid "flashy" colors that irritate the eyes of others.
Women dress in the church in a feminine way: skirts to the knees or below, covered shoulders, back and chest area. Pants are undesirable, as is an abundance of cosmetics.
Men should dress like men: preferably in a classic suit or trousers and shirt. You should not come in T-shirts and shorts, as well as tracksuits.
12. You can not enter the temple with bicycles or animals
The temple is not a garage or a barn, but a sacred place. Bicycles are not allowed inside the temple. Decorative dogs, cats, rats and other animals, going to the temple, should also be left at home.
13. Buy and donate candles before or after the service
By doing so, you do not distract the worshipers. It is also better to consecrate crosses and medallions not during the service, but before or after.
14. In church notes names of orthodox christians are listed
Do not write names in a note Gentiles, unbaptized and suicides. Indicating the names of relatives, write the full name of the person given at baptism.
It is not necessary to indicate various titles before the name. The Lord himself knows who is in what position and circumstances and gives the person appropriate help.
Traditionally, only before the name of the clergyman in the note is indicated the sacred rank: "Patr.", "Archbishop", "abbot", "priest", "deacon", "mon." etc.
15. Children in the temple must behave decently.
When going to church with children, you need to explain to them (unless, of course, they are already able to understand human speech) that you do not need to talk loudly in church, run, laugh and stomp, and also throw tantrums. If the children do not know how to behave in the temple, it is better not to take them to the service.
16. A person participates in prayer with his whole being.
Both soul and body. Therefore, in the temple it is customary for the most part to stand - it is inconvenient and naturally collects our attention, as well as to be baptized and bow. You can sit in the temple for the sick, for children, or for some brief moments of the service.
17. During the Sacrament of Confession (Repentance) confess sins
Your sins. Do not call the priest the sins committed by another person, this is a matter of his conscience. Also, do not name all the sins in a row, repentance requires awareness perfect you and desire to change. If you have not committed any sin since the last confession, you should not mention it next time.
18. Do not confuse the Sacrament of Confession with pastoral conversation
Coming to confession, it is appropriate for a person to repent of sins, and not to talk about all the accumulated troubles and problems. Usually, one priest takes confession from several dozen people. Therefore, out of love for other believers, you should not linger too much at the lectern (the stand on which the Cross and the Gospel lie).
If you need pastoral or life advice from a priest, it is better to arrange a conversation with him outside of liturgical time, and then, without hurrying anywhere and without delaying anyone, resolve all issues with him.
19. Approaching the Holy Chalice and taking Communion, you should loudly say your baptismal name
At the same time, the hands should be cross-folded on the chest (the palm of each should be on the opposite shoulder, the right over the left), and the mouth should be wide open so that the priest does not accidentally drop the shrine. Communion must be swallowed immediately, then kiss the edge of the Chalice and go to the drinking table (for everyone).
Only after you drink the holy thing, you can talk and kiss the icons (so that particles of the Body and Blood of Christ do not remain on objects and accidentally fall to the floor).
20. Communion children need to be held correctly
Child should by no means knock over the Holy Chalice or push the priest's hand away! Participle shouldn't be on the floor or on clothes! Therefore, when bringing the baby to the Cup, you need to securely hold the arms and legs of the child so that he cannot talk with them. It is better to put it on your right hand and hold the handles with it, and grab the baby’s legs with your left.
The child must be gradually accustomed to the Sacraments. If he burst into tears or was frightened, this is normal. You need to step aside for a while or go outside and calm him down.
21. Prayers after the Creed and before the end of Communion are the most important in worship
At this time, the main Sacrament is performed in the altar - bread and wine are mysteriously transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ. This is not an intermission in the theatre.
It is not necessary at this time (it is called Eucharistic prayers) to start walking around the church, talking with others, going out into the street, sitting down, buying candles, and so on.
22. In most churches, women stand on the left half of the temple, and men on the right.
This is also done in order not to distract each other from prayer.
23. When a bishop or priest blesses the worshipers, they bow their heads
A bishop or priest can incense believers, overshadow them with a cross, candles (bishop) or bless them with their hands. At these moments of worship, believers bow towards the priest.
24. Alms are usually served with food or clothing.
Often near the temple you can meet beggars who ask to help them. To help the needy is a pious duty of a Christian, but many are embarrassed, fearing that the beggars will buy alcohol with their donations or they will be taken from them by bandits.
In order not to unwittingly condemn the needy and not leave them without help, it is better to give them alms in kind - buy and donate a loaf of bread, a carton of milk, a chocolate bar, give a set of products or bring them clean clothes as a gift. If a person asks for money for a ticket and you can afford it, buy him a ticket.
If you don't have money, charity can be good word. Empathy is also very important, do not forget about it.
25. Don't be afraid to get into an awkward position
Believers do not call each other "brothers and sisters" for nothing. If you do not know how to do the right thing in this or that case, ask a priest or a more experienced Christian for advice.
Andrey Segeda
In contact with
It often happens that when we decide to go to church, we get worried, feel insecure, because we have a very vague idea of how to behave there.
learned all about the rules of conduct in Orthodox church by contacting the Department of External Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate.
It is customary for girls and women in Russia to cover their heads in church.
Appearance
The main requirement for those who come to the temple is a modest and pious appearance. First of all, clothes should be clean and tidy. Women should wear a skirt or dress, with the sleeves at least to the elbow and the hem of the skirt to the knee or below. In Russia, it is customary that all girls and women cover their heads - and it does not matter, with a scarf, hat, cap or beret. It would be right to refrain from deep cuts and transparent fabrics.
The use of cosmetics is not forbidden within reasonable limits, but it is better not to paint the lips, so that when kissing the icons and the cross, they do not leave marks on them.
In principle, the same requirements are imposed on men - it is indecent to go to the temple in a T-shirt and shorts, even in very strong heat. When entering the temple, men must take off their hats.
How to behave during the service
Entering the church, you must cross yourself three times with waist bows (with three fingers and only right hand even if you are left-handed). It is necessary to be baptized by removing gloves or mittens.
During the service, you can’t talk loudly, use a mobile phone and push those praying at the icons - when the service is over, you can pray and light candles at the images, as well as submit notes about health and repose. Out of reverence, it is not customary to kiss the faces of the saints depicted on the icons.
You can't stand with your back to the altar. All women and men who have not received blessings are forbidden to enter the altar.
If you take children with you to the service, explain to them that in church you can’t run, play pranks and laugh. If the child is crying, try to calm him down so as not to disturb the common prayer, or leave the temple.
When the priest, during the reading, overshadows you with the cross, the Gospel and the image, you must bow. It is necessary to be baptized with the words “Lord, have mercy”, “In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit”, “Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” and other exclamations.
If you have any questions
If you want to ask a priest something, first turn to him with the words: “Batiushka, bless!”, And then ask a question. When accepting the blessing, fold your palms crosswise (palms up, right to left) and kiss the right, blessing you, hand of the clergyman.
Candle box (church box) - a place, usually at the entrance to the temple, where candles, icons, books, crosses and other items of external expression of faith are offered to believers. Behind the candle box, you can order masses, prayers, panikhidas, baptisms, funerals, weddings, commemorations of health and repose, and other rites.
If the priest is not in the temple at the moment when you need to talk to him, then you can clarify when the priest will be - go to the candle box and ask the question to the one who will stand behind him.
If you have a question regarding a wedding, baptism or funeral service, then you can ask about it there.
Special situations
There is such a myth that females in critical days categorically it is impossible to go to church - this is not so. On these days, you can go to church, light candles and submit notes, you can kiss icons, but it is better to refrain from participating in the sacraments (communion, baptism, wedding, etc.), however, this is not a strict rule. In the event that a piquant physiological moment wedged into your plans, just consult with the priest - it's a matter of life, there's nothing wrong with that.
You can't stand with your back to the altar in church.
You need to put candles for the repose and for health in different places: for the health of the living - in front of the icons of the saints, for the repose of the dead - on a requiem table (a square candlestick with a crucifix), which is called "eve". Notes on health and repose are given to the servants on a candle box, after which they are transferred to the priest at the altar. These commemorations do not include the names of people of other faiths, suicides and unbaptized people.
Leaving the temple, cross yourself three times, make three waist bows when leaving the temple and when leaving the church gate, turning to face the temple.
If you decide to visit the monastery, then you must remember that this is a special place where people devote their whole lives to God, therefore, when entering the gates of the monastery, you must cross yourself and bow, leaving - do the same. On the territory of the monasteries, you can talk aloud and talk on a mobile phone, but you can’t laugh out loud or use foul language so as not to break the reverent silence.
As a rule, at the entrance to the monastery there are baskets with scarves and aprons for women in case you forgot to cover your head or are wearing trousers, but want to enter the monastery. They don’t take money for this, you just return what you took back to the basket when you leave.
Text and photo: Alexandra Borisova
For a person who enters the temple for the first time, everything seems incomprehensible, mysterious - how many times do you need to cross yourself, where to put candles, how to address others? Indeed, there are special rules of conduct in the church. They should be known before entering the sacred vaults - firstly, in order to feel confident yourself, and secondly, so as not to interfere with anyone during the service.
Appearance
Many have heard that a woman should enter the church with a scarf covering her head. An entire industry has already grown on such headdresses. In fact, the rule only applies married women does not apply to girls and children. It's just that modernity has made its own adjustments to the ancient tradition. Definitely, you need to cover your head so as not to incur the wrath of the "grandmothers". It is better to sacrifice your own convenience, but not to provoke a conflict.
For women in the church, there are other rules of conduct.
- It is not customary to wear trousers. If you come along, just put a candle on, the main thing is to put on a handkerchief. Only models of trousers with a low waist can cause complaints, when a bare navel sticks out. In this form, they may even be asked to leave. However, if you are consciously going to the service, get a long dress or skirt, preferably “on the floor”. The temple is not a place to demonstrate the dignity of the figure or fashion trends.
- You should also avoid blouses with bare shoulders, necklines. It is not good to seduce with your appearance. By the way, if you call yourself a Christian, it’s a sin to dress in this way in everyday life, then upload photos in a semi-nude form in in social networks. This is a manifestation of pride, and such behavior provokes other people to sinful thoughts.
- You should not paint too thickly eyebrows, eyelashes, especially lips, because believers are applied to icons, the cross. Someone then has to erase the lipstick prints from the shrine after you, is that nice?
- It is also undesirable to perfume yourself abundantly - perhaps not everyone will like to inhale the aroma of your perfume for a long time. In addition, people with poor health often go to church, children - some of them may be allergic to smells.
To behave in church correctly, you need to think - why are you going there? Looking for a groom, showing off your beauty or praying? Then many questions will disappear by themselves.
Men must take off their hats when entering the church. Appearance should be neat and decent - many come to work in the best suit. Sweatpants, T-shirts, especially transparent ones, are out of place. You should shave, you should not smoke before entering the temple. You can't go to church drunk. The clergy and other people present should be treated with respect, if this is not the case, then it is probably not worth going in.
How to behave in the service
The service at first seems very confusing and long. To understand it, you can read special literature, attend catechism courses at the temple. The rules of conduct are quite simple.
The main thing is to avoid talking, not to move from place to place. It is impossible to be late, during the service it is not customary to put candles and approach the images. Notes are submitted in advance. Where to stand - does not play a special role. Previously, men and women stood separately during the service, now there is no such rule. If you came for the first time - go to where the other men are. Over time, you will begin to navigate better.
- Churches usually do not have changing rooms. If there is, leave outerwear there, just take out valuables, money and keys from your pockets - thieves also enter the church, for some people there is nothing sacred. Very expensive fur coats should not be left unattended - stand in it, or take a bag where the clothes fit, put it next to you.
During censing, it is customary to part to make room for the priest. Several times during the service, he goes around the whole temple with a censer, and fumigates the parishioners. Usually the churchwomen help to clear the passage - women who keep order during the service. So if you are asked to leave, do so. No one will bother you in vain. In general, be prepared to receive a remark - after all, for beginners in the church, everything is new. Over time, the rules of behavior will become clear and natural.
During the Liturgy, it is customary to sing the Symbol of Faith and the Our Father in chorus; one must learn the texts of these prayers by heart. Sitting in church is not accepted. However, if you are tired or feel bad, then you can go out, take a breath of fresh air, stretch your legs, then slowly return. If you are sick, take medicine with you - there are no doctors on duty in churches. Those who cannot stand for a long time may well sit and listen to the service.
Morning and evening service
Communion is celebrated at the Liturgy, it is held in the morning. If they sang prayers in chorus, it means that it will begin soon, it's time to prepare the children. Parents with babies approach the Chalice first. Then the older kids, then everyone else. If they let you through, go through, you don’t have to organize competitions “who is kinder”. Bow silently and pass. By the way, in the Orthodox Church it is customary to greet acquaintances in this way. Conversations and a stormy exchange of news should be postponed until later.
At the evening service before the holidays, there is often a litiya - a special rite of vespers, during which everyone is consecrated with special oil. Before that, you need to venerate the icon, then go to the priest, he will anoint his forehead. Then bow slightly, kiss the hand (usually they give a cross on the handrails), step back, take the consecrated bread. You can eat it in the temple or take it with you.
If the service is on the eve of communion, confession usually takes place in the evening, this is done on a first-come, first-served basis. Before approaching the priest, it is customary to bow to other parishioners with the words: "Forgive me." People will bow back. The rules of conduct in the church, although they do not exclude ordinary politeness, still differ from the generally accepted ones. Saying goodbye to a person, for example, it is customary to say not “goodbye”, but to wish the “Guardian Angel” so that the person gets home safely.
Before leaving the temple, it is customary to approach the images, to make bows at the festive icon. Bows can be waist (most often), or earthly - during Great Lent. When in doubt, see how others come out and do the same.
Interaction with the clergy
The church has a special relationship with priests. It is customary for them to take blessings. Before leaving, they also come under the blessing. It is not necessary to approach each priest if there are many of them. It is enough to fold your hands on your chest, bow with the words: “Bless, honest fathers.” If there is a bishop in the temple, then they are blessed only by him, the rest are only bowed.
Usually, all the clergy leave before the meeting of the bishop, and in this case it is not customary to violate the decorum in the temple, choose another time to talk with your confessor. A personal blessing is taken from the bishop after the service, when he leaves the altar. Everyone does it differently, if you have not been noticed, you should not be offended - the grace of God will not pass you by.
- In the diocesan administration, you can make an appointment if there is a specific case. The rules of conduct in the church allow the appeal to the Bishops - "Vladyka".
- Instead of the usual greeting, you should say: “Bless”, put your palms on top of each other, the right one should be on top. Then it is customary to kiss the hand as a sign of respect not to the personality of the clergyman, but to God, from whom he received the holy order.
- Some priests themselves do not allow their hands to be kissed, laying them on the heads of their spiritual children. And in this case, the blessing is considered received.
While in church, you can talk with the priest about parish affairs. If the matter is serious, you may be invited to the office. Spiritual issues are usually discussed at confession. Orthodox priests in the eyes it is customary to call "father", they themselves should call themselves "priest", "archpriest".
- The rules of conduct strictly forbid coquetry with clerics. For this, the priest himself can be punished, up to the eruption from the dignity. It is not customary to be interested in the details of a priest's personal life - who is his wife, how many children they have, where they live, what salary they receive, etc. This is not appropriate. Everything you need to know, the priest will tell you.
Usually, church attendants monitor how the rules of conduct are observed. No need to be offended if a churchwoman comes up and asks for something. In the Orthodox Church, it is not customary to disturb anyone in vain. Over time, you yourself will understand how to behave in the church. Until that time, patience and attention should be shown. God bless you!
Rules of conduct in the church
Rules of piety- certain rules of conduct corresponding to those adopted in the Church.
Archimandrite Platon (Igumnov): Piety is, as it were, a vertical, directed from earth to heaven (man-God), church etiquette is a horizontal (man-man). At the same time, one cannot ascend to heaven without loving a person, and one cannot love a person without loving God: If we love each other, then God abides in us (), and whoever does not love his brother, whom he sees, how can he love God, Whom he does not sees? (). Thus, all the rules of church etiquette are determined by spiritual foundations, which should regulate relations between believers who aspire to God.
1.Temple rules.
Enter the holy temple with spiritual joy. When you enter the temple and see the holy icons, think about the fact that Himself and everyone are looking at you; be especially reverent at this time.
The holiness of the temple requires a particularly reverent attitude. You should come to the temple in decent, clean clothes, not in sports or defiantly bright. Women are supposed to wear a scarf or headdress on their heads. Keeping Christian modesty, one's own and one's neighbors, one should not come to the temple in immodest clothes or trousers. If possible, you should come to the temple without bags and packages.
Always come to the temple in advance in order to have time to put candles before the start of the service, order a commemoration, and venerate.
Before entering the temple, one should make a bow with a prayer and the sign of the cross. Entering the temple, one must also make three bows towards the altar with the prayer of the publican.
It is necessary to put candles, apply to icons and shrines before the start, and during the service one should not violate the common prayer by walking around the temple and passing candles.
You can not kiss the shrines of the temple and participate in the Sacrament of the Saint with painted lips.
Passing in front of the Royal Doors, it is supposed to cross and bow to the side. It is impossible to pass between and the central one, when the clergy are praying in front of it in the middle of the temple. In the temple it is not supposed to talk, let alone laugh and joke. It is customary to greet each other with a bow.
In an Orthodox church, it is customary to stand during worship. Sit down and rest is allowed in cases of ill health. However, the bodily saint said well about the infirmity of the body: “It is better to sit and think about God than standing - about the legs.” In case of bodily weakness, you can sit on a chair or bench.
According to tradition, men are supposed to stand on right side temple, and women on the left.
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
I want to say a few words to those of you who have recently arrived in our parish and who often leave without hearing a sermon.
Our Parish was dear to people because it was possible to pray in deep silence, surrounded by the silence of all those present and the immobility of other worshipers.
Per recent times this situation has sadly changed. Those who come to church, who are not accustomed to strict, harmonious Orthodox piety, often talk among themselves, often walk around the church, forgetting what is happening in it now. This is a completely unacceptable thing. You must understand that when you come to the temple, you become face to face with Christ and with God, that, standing before Him, you must be filled not only with internal, but also with external pious silence, and that yours is not only a privilege, but yours. duty is to make it possible that the prayer of other people should not be interrupted by anything.
Therefore, I appeal to all of you not only with a request, not only with an exhortation, but with a decisive appeal: when you come to the temple, stop at the door of the temple, cross yourself, realize where you have entered.
Remember the publican who did not dare to enter the temple of God because he felt too sinful to enter the realm where the Lord Himself reigns.
The Savior told us that where two or three gather in His name, there He will be present. And so, when you enter the temple, know, know for sure, by faith and conviction, even if this has not reached your experience and heart, know that you are in the presence of Christ Himself, crucified for your own salvation and risen for so that you may enter into eternal life triumphant and rejoicing.
The temple is not a place to meet friends and not a place where you have the right to look around to see what icons are on the walls.
This is the place where you must tremblingly, with deep spiritual horror, stand before the Living God. And if you cannot pray all the time, which many are not able to do, then you should at least stand in deep silence of the soul and lips and not interfere with anyone else to pray.
And I am turning to you with a request, with exhortation, from the bottom of my heart: enter the temple reverently, choose a place where you will stand and do not leave it anywhere, except to, at the beginning, when you enter, put a candle, and if you will take communion in order to approach the Holy Mysteries. Otherwise, stay in silence, because God meets in the deep silence of the soul, and only in this deep silence those in the temple can become one with each other in Christ. This is not a question of church discipline, it is a question of your personal salvation, that you have met God - or that you have passed Him by and despised His presence.
Take, therefore, my words into account, be attentive to what I have said, and I will ask all those who have some kind of deep, honest church consciousness to help others in this regard. Amen.
In one of the liturgies, he went out to preach and said:
« A woman with a child came to the service last night. She was wearing trousers and no headscarf. One of you remarked to her. She left. I don’t know who reprimanded her, but I order this person to pray for her and this child until the end of his days, so that the Lord saves them. Because because of you, she may never come to the temple again.". Turned around and left. It was the whole sermon.
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Help the Temple
How to behave at the liturgy
The liturgy is not an ordinary divine service, but a sacrament, that is, such a sacred action in which the faithful are given the grace of the Holy Spirit that sanctifies them.
At this special divine service, prayers and hymns are offered to God, and the mysterious Bloodless Sacrifice is offered for the salvation of people. Under the guise of bread and wine, the Orthodox are taught the true Body and true Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is why the liturgy takes precedence over other services.
At the Divine Liturgy, or Eucharist, all earthly life Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Conventionally, the liturgy is divided into three parts: the proskomedia, the liturgy of the catechumens and the liturgy of the faithful.
Proskomedia
Proskomidia is usually performed during or before the reading of the 3rd and 6th hours.
The living and deceased members of the Church are commemorated at the proskomedia. People who order proskomedia pass to the altar notes with names and prosphora purchased in a church shop. The priest pulls out particles from the prosphora and commemorates the health or repose of those served. Only the names of baptized people who take communion can be submitted for proskomidia.
Great joy comes to the souls of the departed from their commemoration at the proskomedia.
At the end of the proskomedia, the priest censes the entire temple. At this time, the reader finishes reading the clock. The liturgy of the catechumens begins.
Liturgy of the catechumens
Catechumens are people who have not received the sacrament of baptism, that is, not baptized or who are under a priestly ban, penance.
1. The Liturgy of the catechumens begins with the words: "Blessed is the Kingdom, always, now and ever, and forever and ever." The choir sings: "Amen". We overshadow ourselves with the sign of the cross.
2. The great litany begins. Litany- these are special petitions uttered by the clergyman, to which the choir responds with singing: "Lord have mercy" . It is necessary to be baptized at each pronounced petition of the litany.
3. At the end of the litany, the choir begins to sing the so-called pictorial antiphons. There are only three of them, in honor of the Holy Trinity. They are sung in succession and are divided among themselves by small litanies.
4. After the second figurative antiphon, the choir sings a song to the Lord Jesus Christ: "Only Begotten Son..." , in which we hear about the incarnation of God into man in order to deliver people from sin.
5. Small litany - we are baptized at every petition.
6. And the third antiphon is sung, which begins with the words of the thief crucified with the Lord on the cross: “In Your Kingdom, remember us, Lord…” . You need to listen carefully to this song. It contains deep meaning. After all, we remember that Jesus Christ said to this thief: “Truly I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise” . The third antiphon is some commandments, obeying which a person will come to the Kingdom of Heaven.
7. During the singing of the third antiphon, a small entrance is made. The clergy leave the altar carrying a candle, a censer and the Gospel. This action symbolizes the procession of the Lord with a host of angels.
8. After entering, troparia and kontakia are sung, which reflect the sacred events of the holiday. We are baptized at every song.
At this time, the priest in secret prayer asks the Heavenly Father to accept the Trisagion and forgive our sins, voluntary and involuntary.
10. Next comes the reading of the Apostle. This is a book that contains the acts and messages of the holy apostles to various peoples. During the reading of the Apostle, the deacon censes, his censing should be answered with a bow of the head.
11. After reading the Apostle, the choir sings "Alleluia" thrice. We are baptized three times with bows.
12. The priest proclaims: “Wisdom, forgive me, let us hear the holy Gospel. Peace to all" - you need to bow your head accepting the blessing.
13. While reading the Gospel, as if listening to the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, one should stand with bowed head.
14. After reading the Gospel, the litany follows: “Pray for the catechumens of the Lord… Vernia, for the catechumens let us pray, that the Lord have mercy on them… He will pronounce them with the word of truth… He will reveal the Gospel of truth to them…” - as we see, petitions are connected with catechumens, people who are not yet in the bosom of the church, that is, not baptized, or who are under a ban, penance.
15. At the second litany, the priest proclaims: “Elitsy, Announcements, come out, Announcements come out, but no one from the catechumens of the figurines, packs and packs, let us pray to the Lord in peace” . From these words it is clear that the catechumens must leave the church before the end of the liturgy. This is explained by the fact that a person who is unrepentant of sins or who does not belong to the faithful of the church (baptized) cannot be present at the Eucharist. The Eucharist is the greatest sacrament of the Church, when wine and bread are transformed into the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. In the Sacrament of Communion, all faithful children are united with Christ.
Liturgy of the Faithful
Let us examine how to behave at the liturgy of the faithful.
Faithful Christians constitute the Church of Christ and only they can serve the priest in the sacrament of the Eucharist.
1. At the end of the litanies, the Cherubic Hymn is sung.
If you translate it from Church Slavonic into Russian, it means the following: “We, mysteriously depicting the cherubim and singing the thrice-holy song to the Trinity, which gives life, will now leave the care of everything worldly, so that we can glorify the King of all, Whom they invisibly wear and glorify angelic forces» .
This prayer reminds us how the angelic forces in heaven serve at the throne of God and is based on the visions of the prophets Isaiah, Ezekiel.
Drawing a conclusion on the above, how to behave on the Cherubic Hymn? The answer is simple! The way they would behave if they were before the Throne of God.
2. The Great Entrance is when the clergy leave the altar carrying the Chalice of wine and paten (special liturgical utensils) with the Lamb. They stand on the pulpit and commemorate the Patriarch, the diocesan bishop, all the benefactors who come to the church and pray, all Orthodox Christians. This is done in order to show that the Holy Gifts will be offered as a Sacrifice to God for the salvation of all those who are commemorated.
The Great Entrance symbolizes the procession of the Lord Jesus Christ to free suffering for the salvation of the world.
4. The deacon proclaims: “Doors, doors, let us pay attention to wisdom” . The words “Doors, doors” in ancient times referred to gatekeepers, so that they would not let catechumens or pagans into the temple during the celebration of the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. Words: With wisdom, let us listen (we will listen) call the attention of believers to the saving teaching of the Orthodox Church, set forth in the Creed.
5. The choir sings the Creed. At the beginning of the Creed, the sign of the cross should be made.
The Creed was compiled by the will of the Holy Spirit by the Holy Fathers 1 and 2 Ecumenical Councils. It is an invariable guide for all Orthodox Christians in their spiritual life.
Symbol of faith- this is summary our faith.
"I believe" is allowed to sing along with the choir.
6. The deacon or priest proclaims: "Let's become good, let's stand with fear, let's pay attention, bring holy exaltation in the world" . With these words, believers are called to gather their spirit and mind before the upcoming sacred service.
The Eucharistic Canon begins. The choir sings a song "The Grace of the World..." .
3. Why is it necessary to behave in this chant? 'Cause when you sing the words “We sing to you, we bless you, we thank you…” the greatest mystery is being performed - the priest asks God to send the Holy Spirit on those who pray and on the Gifts. The descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Gifts transforms Them into the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. During the Holy Eucharist, one should pray with special attention. The importance of this moment is so great that not a single minute of our life can compare with it. This sacred moment contains all our salvation and God's love for the human race, for God has appeared in the flesh.
4. While singing Worthy to Eat (or another sacred song in honor of the Theotokos - worthy), the priest prays for the living and the dead, commemorating them by name, especially those for whom the Divine Liturgy is served. And those present in the temple should at this time remember by name their loved ones, the living and the dead.
5. After it is worthy to eat or a worthy person replacing it - bow to the ground. At the words: And everyone, and everything - a bow is made from the waist.
6. At the beginning of the public singing of the Lord's Prayer - Our Father - you should depict the sign of the cross on yourself and bow to the ground.
7. At the exclamation of the priest: "Holy - holy" the earthly bow is due for the sake of the offering of the Holy Lamb before His fragmentation. At this time, one should remember the Last Supper and the last conversation of the Lord Jesus Christ with the disciples, His suffering on the Cross, death and burial.
8. After the opening of the royal doors and the bringing out of the Holy Gifts, which means the appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ after the Resurrection, at the exclamation: "Come with the fear of God and faith!" - bow to the ground.
9. When starting to receive the Holy Mysteries of the Body and Blood of Christ, after the priest reads the prayers before communion, one should bow to the ground, fold his arms crosswise on his chest (in no case should you be baptized, so as not to accidentally push and spill the Holy Chalice, - cross-folded hands replace the sign of the cross at this time) and slowly, reverently, with the fear of God, approach the Holy Chalice, naming your name, and after receiving the Holy Mysteries, kiss the lower part of the Chalice, like the most pure rib of Christ itself, and then step aside calmly , without making the sign of the cross and bows until the acceptance of warmth. We should especially thank the Lord for His great mercy, for the grace-filled gift of Holy Communion: Glory to Thee, God! Glory to Thee, God! Glory to Thee, God! Earthly prostrations on this day are not performed by communicants until the evening. Those who do not partake of the Divine Liturgy, during the holy moments of communion, should stand in the church with reverent prayer, not thinking about earthly things, not leaving the church at that time, so as not to offend the Holy Things of the Lord and not violate the deanery of the church.
10. At the words of the priest: "Always, now and ever and forever and ever" , at the last appearance of the Holy Gifts, depicting the Ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ to Heaven, an earthly bow with the sign of the cross is required for those who have not been honored with the Holy Mysteries, and for those who participate - a bow with the sign of the cross. Whoever has not yet had time to receive warmth by this time should turn his face to the Holy Chalice, thereby expressing reverence for the great Shrine.
11. The holy antidoron (from Greek - instead of a gift) is distributed to those present after the Divine Liturgy for the blessing and sanctification of the soul and body, so that those who did not partake of the Holy Mysteries would taste the consecrated bread. The Church Charter indicates that antidoron can only be taken on an empty stomach - nothing to eat or drink.
Antidor should receive it reverently, folding his palms crosswise, right to left, and kissing the priest's hand that gives this gift.
12. At the end of the liturgy, the priest commemorates the names of the saints whose memory is celebrated on that day and the creator of the liturgy (for example, John Chrysostom, who wrote the liturgy called the liturgy of John Chrysostom).
The choir sings for many years, where the patriarch, the diocesan bishop, parishioners of the temple and all Orthodox Christians are commemorated.
13. All those praying approach the Cross, which the priest gives to kiss.
