Often in a person's life there is a need to visit a church. The reasons for this can be completely different: for example, you can visit a famous temple that is a landmark, go to 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 specific rules so as not to offend the behavior of other parishioners. Today we propose to talk about how to behave in church so that the need for communication with higher powers and the sincere impulse of the soul are not severely interrupted due to the lack of a scarf on the head or non-compliance with church etiquette.
Arrangement of an Orthodox church
Before we move on to the rules of conduct, we propose to talk about how the Orthodox Church works. It is worth noting that any temple located even in a small village is striking in its grandeur and beauty. The golden domes shining in the sun, the ringing of bells, the clothes of the clergy and, of course, the church choir - all this inspiresreverence for this place.
The temple can be divided into three main parts - this is the altar, the vestibule and the temple. In the porch there are usually shelves with religious literature, various church utensils, icons and candles that are for sale. There are also hangers for parishioners' clothes. Having passed the narthex, a person enters the temple, where worshipers stand during worship. However, the most sacred place in the church is the altar. Usually it is fenced with an iconostasis, reaching to 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, this is the first rule that tells how to behave in the church: parishioners can only be in the porch and in the temple.
Appearance
Believers say that an Orthodox church is a place of special presence of God's grace, which means that one should stay in this place with special reverence and love. When a person is going to visit, he tries to look decent, in the same way one should come to church. People who monitor the state of their soul note that behavior, thoughts and desires often depend on clothing. For example, strict clothing requires a lot. So what kind of clothes to choose for visiting the temple?
Women should be in church with their heads covered - a handkerchief, scarf or any headdress will do. The skirt is notshould be above the knee, hands should also be covered. Cosmetics in the temple is inappropriate, especially lipstick or lip gloss. Men are not allowed to enter the temple in T-shirts and shorts, sportswear or work clothes. You should not go to the service and in an untidy form. Hats 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, you should not leave the temple for this reason. The fact is that the Orthodox Church is a unique place where God and man can meet, and therefore clothing cannot prevent this. But for the future, it should be taken into account that in the society of believers it is customary to appear at services in strict closed clothes. And, of course, a Christian should always wear a pectoral cross.
How to prepare to go to the temple
Speaking about how to behave in the Orthodox Church, you should pay special attention to preparing for visiting this place. On the way to the temple, you need to prepare yourself for prayer. It is important to put aside all your worries for a while, to internally reconcile with loved ones. It is recommended to read the following prayer:
I will enter Your house, I will bow to Your holy temple in Your fear.
Or the Jesus Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ the Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner (th).
Before entering the temple, you must make three bows from the waist, without fail with the sign of the cross. Please note that the sign of the cross and bow towards the altar are obligatory both at the entrance tochurch, and when leaving it.
It is best to come to the temple twenty minutes before the start of the service. During this time, you will have time to submit memorial notes, purchase candles, leave a donation, venerate the icons. How to behave in the Orthodox Church if you meet your acquaintances? Greet them with a silent bow, do not start discussing any issues, and even more so do not move from place to place during worship.
It should not be forgotten that people often come to the temple who were wounded by rudeness or cynicism, saddened or delighted, rejoicing or in grief. Try to refrain from remarks, this is only appropriate if there are signs of obvious hooliganism or blasphemous behavior. A person who violates the rules can be reprimanded. However, it should be as delicate as possible without arrogance and irritability.
Before the service begins
How to behave in church before the service starts? Of course, you must turn off your mobile phone. You should not put it into vibrating alert mode - this way it will only distract you. Loud conversations, fuss and quarrels are absolutely unacceptable. Believers go to the temple and stay in it in silence, with reverence, attention and readiness for prayer. What else to pay attention to when talking about how people behave in church? You should not show curiosity, ask parishioners about something, look at them. Much better to focus onworship, participate in common prayer.
During worship service
There is an ancient tradition according to which men in the temple stand on the right side, and women, respectively, on the left. Of course, during worship, one should stand facing the altar. Often, in thinking about how to behave in church, people ask themselves the question - is it possible to sit during worship? The clergy say: you can sit only during the reading of kathismas and proverbs. However, an exception is made for people who have he alth problems and are especially tired.
Speaking about how to behave correctly in the church, order and traditions, it is worth noting that during censing you do not need to turn around after the priest, turn your back to the altar. It is recommended that you simply step aside to let the church minister who is burning incense pass. If one of the parishioners has not moved away, you should not push him away or pull him to the side, just prompting is enough. How to behave in a church service? In no case do not walk and do not talk! You need to come to the Liturgy on an empty stomach, even if you do not receive communion on that day.
Being late for the start of the service is disrespect for the Sacrament. As, however, and leaving the temple before its completion. As a last resort, you can leave, but not during the communion or during the reading of the Gospel.
Church with kids
How to behave in church, having decided to go there with children? First, it is important to submit a personalexample of prayer and conduct. Children should be supervised to prevent them from distracting other parishioners, laughing out loud, or being naughty. If the child bursts into tears, you need to try to calm him down or leave the church with him.
Candles
What does a person usually do as soon as they cross the threshold of a church? It's safe to say that nine times out of ten, he goes 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 Thessalonica, wax is a symbol of repentance, faith. The clergy say: it is formally impossible to light a candle, the heart of a person performing this action should not be cold. It is very important to put a candle with a prayer, even the simplest one.
In general, there are no strict rules about how to behave in the Orthodox Church with candles, how much to put them and where. People who visit the temple constantly usually put several candles - to the festive icon, which lies on the lectern, to the images of the Virgin or the Savior - about the he alth of loved ones, to the Crucifix, located on a rectangular table, also called eve - about the repose of the dead.
Church Notes
How to behave in 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 no more than 10 names in one.
- The note should be titled - “On he alth” or “Onrepose.”
- All names must be written in the genitive case, using the full form of the name (we recommend that you learn the church spelling of secular names).
- In the notes, children under 7 years old are usually called a baby, and from 7 to 15 - a boy or a girl.
Worshiping the Shrines in the temple
Worship of Shrines deserves special attention. How do they behave in church when they venerate the Holy Gospel, icons and relics? You should not rush and crowd, before kissing you need to make two bows, after - one more. Kissing the faces of the saints (that is, their faces) is not accepted. When kissing the icons of the saints and the Mother of God, you should kiss the handle, to the icons of the Savior - the leg (or the handle with a half-length image).
Signs: believe or not?
Speaking about how to behave in church, one cannot help but pay attention to the signs that you can often hear about. For example, there is an opinion that a candle can only be placed with the right hand, if it goes out, misfortune awaits you. Someone even believes that by asking someone in the temple what time it is, a person shortens his life! The ministers of the church say: all signs and superstitions around the church are meaningless, you should not believe in them.
