Even non-believers know that the church is a place where certain norms of behavior are observed. How to behave in church? There are many rules, but there are also general principles that will help you understand an unfamiliar situation: do not disturb other parishioners, do not attract attention, listen carefully to the reader and the choir during chants. What are the rules of conduct in the Orthodox Church?
Color of the holiday
A believing woman needs to dress as closed as possible, that is, the skirt (not trousers) should be long, sleeves are also desirable to the wrists. Of course, you need a scarf. Permanent parishioners wear headscarves of a certain color: green for the Trinity, blue for the Mother of God holidays, black for Great Lent. The same black ones are replaced by red ones at Easter night. You should come to church in beautiful clothes, this is a holiday, and not a "fair of humility", mostly ostentatious. How to behave in church to the stronger sex? Men should also dress modestlyHats must be removed before entering. The cross is obligatory, without it one cannot participate in the ceremonies.
On the way
On the way to the temple, it is good to read to yourself the penitential psalm of David (50th) and the Jesus Prayer. There is also a special prayer of a person who is heading to church. But this is not for beginner parishioners, so limit yourself to a psalm and a prayer of Jesus Christ. Both of these texts can be found in any prayer book, in particular, among the morning prayers. At the entrance to the church, it is customary to cross yourself three times with a waist bow.
Do it all
You need to come to the temple 15 minutes before the start of the service. You will calmly submit notes for proskomedia or order mass, pray before the faces of the saints. Which icon to approach in the church? There are no special rules here. It is advisable to bypass everything hanging available. First, you cross yourself twice with a bow from the waist, then make a sign a third time, kiss the icon and bow a third time. How to behave in the church if you have already received the Body and Blood? Those who have received Communion are not allowed to bow down, but before the Liturgy, they can.
Special Time
There are times when parishioners are required to pray especially attentively (they say in the church - “extraordinary”). This concerns the time of reading the Gospel, the Six Psalms, the so-called Cherubic Hymn and the Eucharistic Canon. How to behave in church correctly? At these moments, you can not move, you need to be silent and listen. If you are late, do not enter the temple from the porch at the time of reading such prayers. Wait until theyrun out. Traditionally, unbaptized people cannot be at the “liturgy of the faithful”, therefore, after the priest’s phrase “Announcements, come out!” they must leave the temple, the service is over for them.
Difficulties of rituals
Signs of the Cross and prostrations during the liturgy is a complex issue. There are rules for every prayer read. If you are inexperienced, just do everything as others do. It is not customary in church to kneel when you feel like it. But if everyone is on their knees, then you can join. At this moment, the Orthodox bow their heads.
When the service is over, the priest gives a cross for kissing, come, overshadow yourself with a sign and touch the shrine with your lips. Usually the priest's hand is kissed afterwards. At the exit from the temple, you should cross yourself three times, each time bowing from the waist.
