Do you have to stand at an Orthodox Church?
As mentioned above, the preference is for Orthodox Christians to stand in the church for the majority of the time. However, we do sit at times, and this could depend on the traditions of your church and also depend on which country you are in. It also depends on whether or not you are actually physically able to stand.
What is special about an Orthodox Church?
Essentially the Orthodox Church shares much with the other Christian Churches in the belief that God revealed himself in Jesus Christ, and a belief in the incarnation of Christ, his crucifixion and resurrection. The Orthodox Church differs substantially in the way of life and worship.
Do Orthodox Christians kneel to pray?
Interestingly, in the Eastern Orthodox Church, bowing is common, but kneeling is not a customary prayer posture, although it is a part of ordination ceremonies. … Our prayers will rise to God, and whether or not they change God, they will surely change us.
What is the purpose of the Orthodox Church?
Faced with this situation, which has degraded the concept of the human person, the duty of the Orthodox Church today is—through its preaching, theology, worship, and pastoral activity—to assert the truth of freedom in Christ.
Why do Greek Orthodox kiss icons?
Venerating Icons
If it is an icon of a person, the goal is to kiss the hand. If the icon is painted to show a scene or event from the Bible, the individual will kiss an arbitrary location. This is called “venerating” the icon and is done to show respect. This is not to be confused as a form of worship.
How do Orthodox churches dress?
In recent years, Greek Orthodox Churches have gotten a little more casual than they used to be. The general rule is to wear clothes that are classy and not too provocative. Business casual or a suit and tie for the men are both acceptable. For women, wearing a dress or skirt that falls around the knee is preferred.
Do Orthodox priests marry?
The vast majority of Orthodox parish clergy are married men, which is one of the major differences between the Orthodox and Catholic Churches; however, they must marry before being ordained. … In general, Eastern Catholic Churches have always allowed ordination of married men as priests and deacons.
What Bible does the Orthodox Church use?
The Orthodox Study Bible uses the New King James Version of the Bible as the basis for a fresh translation of the Septuagint text. The Septuagint is the Greek version of the Bible used by Christ, the Apostles, and the early church.
What is a Metania?
Metania (метание, ‘metanie’) is also a ‘lightened’ version of a ‘earth-low bow’ that is used in Orthodox services sometimes. Zemnoy poklon (земной поклон, full earth-low bow) is a special type of bow which is especially important for Old Believers.
Do Protestants kneel in church?
In Protestant denominations, where decision-making generally is less centralized than in the Catholic Church, policies on kneeling tend to be made at the local level. … Some congregations kneel at the Communion rail yet others do not; some have kneelers in the pews and some have removed them.