Often in the life of a person there is a need to visit a church. The reasons for this can be completely different: for example, you can visit a famous temple, which is a tourist attraction, attend a church on holidays such as Christmas or Easter, or maybe you have a desire to become a church member - a full member of the Orthodox Church. In any of these cases, you will have to follow a number of certain rules so as not to offend the behavior of other parishioners. Today we propose to talk about how to behave in the church, so that the need for communication with higher powers and a sincere impulse of the soul are not hard interrupted due to the lack of a scarf on the head or non-observance of church etiquette.
The device of the Orthodox church
Before we move on to the rules of conduct, we suggest that we talk about how the Orthodox Church works. It is worth noting that any temple, located even in a small village, amazes with its grandeur and beauty. Golden domes shining in the sun, bells, the clothes of the clergy and, of course, the church choir - all this inspires awe of this place.
The temple can be divided into three main parts - this is the altar, the narthex and the temple. In the vestibule there are usually shelves with religious literature, various church utensils, icons and candles that are for sale. There are also hangers for clothes of parishioners. Passing the narthex, a man enters the temple, where the worshipers stand during worship. However, the most sacred place in the church is the altar. Usually it is surrounded by an iconostasis, reaching the very ceiling. It should be said that women are not allowed to enter there, and male parishioners can enter the altar only in special cases and, of course, with the consent of the priest. A small elevated platform adjoins the church iconostasis, it is also impossible to step on it. Actually, here is the first rule that speaks of how to behave correctly in the church: parishioners can only be in the narthex and in the church.
Appearance
Believers say that the Orthodox church is a place of special presence of God's grace, which means that you should stay in this place with special reverence and love. When a person is going to visit, he tries to look with dignity, just as you should come to church. People who monitor the state of their souls note that behavior, thoughts and desires often depend on clothing. For example, strict clothes oblige to much. So what clothes to choose for visiting the temple?
Women should be in the church with their heads covered — a handkerchief, scarf, or any headdress will do. The skirt should not be above the knee, hands should be covered. Cosmetics in the temple are inappropriate, especially lipstick or lip gloss. Men cannot enter the temple in T-shirts and shorts, sportswear or work clothes. You should not go to the service unkemptly. Headgear should be removed.
However, the clergy say: if a man or woman came to the temple in defiant clothes, the woman’s head is not covered, for this reason one should not leave the temple. The fact is that the Orthodox Church is a unique place where God and man can meet, and therefore clothes cannot prevent this. But for the future it should be taken into account that in the society of people of believers it is customary to appear at services in strict, closed clothing. And, of course, a Christian should always wear a cross on himself.
How to prepare for a temple visit
Speaking about how to behave properly in the Orthodox Church, special attention should be paid to preparing for visiting this place. On the way to the temple, you need to prepare yourself for prayer. It is important to postpone all your worries for a while, to be reconciled internally with loved ones. It is recommended that the following prayer be read:
I’ll go down to your house and bow to your holy temple in your fear.
Or Jesus Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ the Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner.
Before entering the temple, it is necessary to make three bowing, certainly with a sign of the Cross. Please note that the sign of the cross and bow to the altar are required both at the entrance to the church and at the exit from it.
It’s best to come to the temple twenty minutes before the service. During this time, you will have time to submit memorial notes, purchase candles, leave a donation, and attach to the icons. How to behave in the Orthodox Church in the event that you meet your friends? Greet them with a silent bow, do not start discussing any issues, and especially do not move from place to place during the service.
We should not forget that people often come to the temple who were wounded by rudeness or cynicism, saddened or glad, who are in jubilation or in grief. Try to refrain from comments, this is only relevant if there are signs of obvious hooliganism or blasphemous behavior. A person who violates the rules can make a remark. However, it should be as delicate as possible without arrogance and irritability.
Before the service begins
How to behave in the church before the service begins? Of course, you must turn off the mobile phone. You should not put it into vibration mode - so it will only distract you. Loud conversations, vanity and quarrels are absolutely unacceptable. Believers go to the temple and remain in it in silence, with awe, attention and readiness for prayer. What else to look for when talking about how people behave in church? You should not be curious, ask parishioners about something, examine them. It is much more useful to focus on worship, to participate in general prayer.
During worship
There is an ancient tradition according to which men in the temple become on the right side, and women, respectively, on the left. Of course, during the service you should face the altar. When thinking about how to behave in a church, people often ask themselves whether it is possible to sit during a service. The clergy say: you can only sit while reading kathisma and paremias. However, an exception is made for people who have health problems and are especially tired.
Speaking about how to behave correctly in the church, order and traditions, it is worth noting that during incense you do not need to turn around after the priest, turn your back on the altar. It is recommended that you simply step aside to skip the clergyman who performs the censing. If one of the parishioners has not moved away, you should not push him away or pull him to the side, just tell me. How to behave in the church in the service? Never walk or talk! One needs to come to the Liturgy on an empty stomach, and even if they don’t take Communion on this day.
Being late to the beginning of the service is disrespect for the Sacrament. As, however, and leaving the temple before it ends. In extreme cases, you can leave, but not during the communion or while reading the Gospel.
Church attendance with children
How to behave in the church, deciding to go there with the children? First, it’s important to set a personal example of prayer and behavior. It is necessary to monitor the children, preventing them from distracting other parishioners, laughing loudly or being naughty. If the child burst into tears, you need to try to calm him down or leave the church with him.
Candles
What does a person usually do when he crosses the threshold of the church? It is safe to say that in nine cases out of ten, he comes to the candle box. It is with a small wax candle that practical Christianity begins. According to the interpreter of the Liturgy, blessed Simeon of Solunsky, wax is a symbol of repentance, faith. The priests say: formally you can’t light a candle, the heart of the person performing this action should not be cold. It is very important to put a candle with a prayer, even the simplest.
In general, there are no strict rules that speak about how to behave in the Orthodox Church with candles, how many to put them and where. People who visit the temple constantly, usually put a few candles - to the festive icon, which lies on the lectern, to the images of the Virgin or Savior - about the health of loved ones, to the Crucifix, located on a rectangular table, also called the eve - about the repose of the dead.
Church notes
How to behave in the church, if you want to submit a memorial note to the altar? There are a number of specific rules:
- It is best to write such a note in block letters, mentioning in one of no more than 10 names.
- The note should be entitled “On Health” or “On Peace”.
- All names must be written in the genitive, using the full form of the name (we recommend that you learn the church spelling of secular names).
- In the notes of children under 7 it is customary to call a baby, and from 7 to 15 - a lad or a lad.
Temple Shrine Worship
Special attention deserves the worship of the Shrines. How do they behave in the church when they are applied to the Holy Gospel, icons and relics? You should not rush and be crowded, before kissing you need to make two bows, after - one more. Kissing the faces of saints (that is, their faces) is not accepted. Applying to the icons of the saints and the Mother of God, you should kiss the pen, to the Savior's icons - the leg (or pen in the belt image).
Signs: believe or not?
Speaking about how to behave in the church, one cannot but pay attention to the signs that you can often hear about. For example, there is an opinion that a candle can only be put with the right hand, if it goes out, misfortunes await you. Someone even believes that asking someone in the temple what time it is, a person shortens his life! The ministers of the church say: all signs around the church and superstition are meaningless, you should not believe in them.