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61
Convert & Faith Issues / Re: Venerating the Holy Gospels/Prostrations
« Last post by marc hanna on November 10, 2014, 04:43:44 pm »
Sometimes people get discouraged when they see 90-year-old ladies prostrating to the ground; but remember, they've being doing this their entire lives and are used to it.

At the end of the Great Friday service, in the Coptic church we prostrate to the ground 400 times: 100 times in each direction N, E, S, and W.  My knees can't handle it, so I just keep my head bowed and cross myself each time instead.

Regarding not kneeling on Sundays, I'll pull up the cannon if I can find it.

BTW, the Oriental Orthodox cross themselves in the same manner as the Roman Catholics.  It's not wrong, just a different tradition.
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Convert & Faith Issues / Re: Venerating the Holy Gospels/Prostrations
« Last post by Handmaiden50 on November 10, 2014, 04:35:14 pm »
Quote from: marc hanna on November 10, 2014, 03:08:35 pm
On a Sunday, it is actually incorrect to kneel.  This is a common cannon of all three traditional churches, and most people do not know this.  To show reverence to an icon, it normal to bow your head, kiss the palm side of your fingers and touch the icon or kiss the icon.  This can be done with the mindful prayer asking the Saint depicted to intercede on your behalf that Christ will forgive your sins.

On other days of the week we kneel to the floor, but if you are physically incapable it is ok not to.  Bow your head or at the waste.  Many people prefer not to turn their back to the altar by walking backwards or walking up the side aisles instead of the centre aisle.

Yes I have heard (or maybe read somewhere) about not kneeling on a Sunday. Unsure as to why that is. I'm visiting a GOC and during the consecration of the Eucharist everyone gets down on their knees, bending over with their head on the floor.  I just remain seated and bend over at the waist and get as low as I can during this time.
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Prayer Forum / Re: Please pray that I have a job next week
« Last post by marc hanna on November 10, 2014, 04:28:19 pm »
Well, nothing is resolved yet.  Needless to say, it is a big controversy in which every one is trying to pass the buck.  That's the most I can say for now in the public domain.

The blame won't fall on me, but the losses will still be logged under my block of business; so we'll see what happens at the end of the quarter.
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Convert & Faith Issues / Re: Venerating the Holy Gospels/Prostrations
« Last post by Handmaiden50 on November 10, 2014, 04:25:41 pm »
Quote from: FaithfulDespiteDoubt on November 10, 2014, 09:45:21 am

Also if you have talked to the priest before and he know you are a newbie then I can't see why he should be offended by your behaviour.
To behave during the liturgy is the most difficult part of any conversion.
Also please ask your priest about this the next time you see him.
He will know the answer to this.

Thank you for your prayers. They are much appreciated! 

Father understands where I'm at . . .matter of fact, he is always telling me not to "over think" things.  So, it's all on me and my "issues" of being concerned about what others are thinking of me as a newbie (if I'm participating "correctly").

Once in a great while in liturgy (and I don't know why), I'll catch myself crossing the way we did in the Roman Catholic church when I was growing up - I'll realize my mistake, find the humor in it, and just move on!  :)
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Prayer Forum / Re: Please pray that I have a job next week
« Last post by Maria on November 10, 2014, 04:14:52 pm »
Lord have mercy. Yes, please give us updates.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
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Prayer Forum / Re: Please pray that I have a job next week
« Last post by Handmaiden50 on November 10, 2014, 04:12:43 pm »
Marc Hanna ~  How did things turn out today on the job?
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Catholic Discussions / MOVED: Tetanus Vaccine program in Kenya targets women only -- Genocide says RCC.
« Last post by FaithfulDespiteDoubt on November 10, 2014, 03:49:22 pm »
Turned into Politic Political and Social Issues Private Forum.

http://orthodoxtalk.createaforum.com/index.php?topic=126.0
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Convert & Faith Issues / Re: Venerating the Holy Gospels/Prostrations
« Last post by marc hanna on November 10, 2014, 03:08:35 pm »
On a Sunday, it is actually incorrect to kneel.  This is a common cannon of all three traditional churches, and most people do not know this.  To show reverence to an icon, it normal to bow your head, kiss the palm side of your fingers and touch the icon or kiss the icon.  This can be done with the mindful prayer asking the Saint depicted to intercede on your behalf that Christ will forgive your sins.

On other days of the week we kneel to the floor, but if you are physically incapable it is ok not to.  Bow your head or at the waste.  Many people prefer not to turn their back to the altar by walking backwards or walking up the side aisles instead of the centre aisle.
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Convert & Faith Issues / Re: Venerating the Holy Gospels/Prostrations
« Last post by Maria on November 10, 2014, 11:49:14 am »
That you are now crossing yourself and kissing the icon is awesome.

I have known some inquirers who sat in the back of the church and were afraid to approach the priest.
They feared looking like a stranger and worse,  feared making any mistakes. And yes, it was extremely awkward and painful for them and for us.

We all prayed for them, but their fear and extreme shyness made it difficult to approach them as they appeared to wall themselves off.

However, they were watching us and learning. Gradually, over several weeks, like a flower, they broke free from their protective buds, and slowly approached the priest. Having watched what the parishioners did, they imitated them perfectly, to the joy of everyone!

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Convert & Faith Issues / Re: Venerating the Holy Gospels/Prostrations
« Last post by FaithfulDespiteDoubt on November 10, 2014, 09:45:21 am »

Quote from: Handmaiden50 on November 10, 2014, 08:13:14 am
Two things:

1) At Orthros yesterday I went up with those in attendance to venerate the Holy Gospels. As a newbie, I'm still trying to understand how this is done reverently. When it came to my turn I crossed myself, kissed it and crossed myself again as I went back to my place.  However, I saw others after kissing it crossing themselves again as they were also bowing their head . . .  not turning their backs to Father, but backing away from him.  (I also saw this after they received the Eucharist - that once they received they backed away from Father, yet still facing him) Is this the proper way, as I didn't mean any disrespect?

2) When venerating icons I am only able to bow. I'm unable to get down on my knees to do a full prostration. Again, I don't mean any disrespect and I hope the Lord understands my limitations. 

Any thoughts?

I think you're ahead of me when it comes to practising the Orthodox faith to be honest.
Normally small congregations notice quite fast any new faces/ visitors and they will understand your difficulties and bear with you.

Also if you have talked to the priest before and he know you are a newbie then I can't see why he should be offended by your behaviour.
To behave during the liturgy is the most difficult part of any conversion.
Also please ask your priest about this the next time you see him.
He will know the answer to this.

I have only been to a Vesper held in Russian (didn't understand any of it) and I must have looked like a retard.
I'm so used to cross myself from left to right and so I did during my attendance there aswell automatically.
Akward was how I felt it during the Vesper.

Anyway I'm heading back this Sunday and I'm nervous about it, but ey what's the worst thing that could happen?

You are in my prayers.
-FDD


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