What to do in church? When visiting the temple of God, we must remember that we are in the presence of the Lord God, Mother of God, Angels and saints. Be careful not to offend those praying and those shrines that surround us in the temple of God with your behavior. God is pleased that “the spirit is broken,” i.e. a humble awareness of your sinfulness that will illuminate all your desires and needs brighter than any candle.

It is customary to pray in the temple. And praying means asking for forgiveness and asking at the same time. That is, imagine that when entering the temple you are entering the house of a very strong and powerful person. But don’t forget that he is wiser than you and very fair (he will definitely reward you for a good deed, and he will definitely punish you for a bad deed).

What to do in the church when entering (the temple)?
When entering the temple, you need to stop and cross yourself three times with bows and prayers: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” (Bow.) “God, cleanse me, a sinner, and have mercy on me.” (Bow.) “Lord, who created me, forgive me.” (Bow.) That is. when you come to the temple, stop at the door of the temple, cross yourself, realize where you have entered.

What's the first thing you do in church when you walk in?
...leave bulky bags and other obstructive items aside.
…once you enter the temple, if necessary, write and give notes and/or buy candles.
First of all, it is customary to venerate the “festive” icon lying on a lectern in the middle of the church (the main icon today), and then to everyone else. when approaching icons or holy relics, you must cross yourself and make two bows (to the ground or from the waist, depending on the period of the church year), and after venerating, move away, cross yourself and bow again.
…..other icons should be applied once. You can start with the words “holy “name of the Saint” and pray to God for the servant of God “name” (or “about me”)

When can it be served in the temple? When can you venerate icons in church? When can you perform in church?
.....you can venerate icons, light candles and give notes only outside of the service in the church - so as not to disturb either the priest or the people during the service. Those. if the service is not going on, then you can give notes, venerate the icons, light candles.
.....if you come to the temple during a service, you cannot buy and light candles, squeeze through the worshipers, place candles in front of icons, bother others with questions or requests to pass a candle during the service. By doing so, you interfere with the Divine Service and distract others. At the same time, you provoke those praying to condemn you. Considering that condemnation is a sin, you provoke a person to sin, and this is even worse than the sin itself.

Do you have to stand during church services? Where to stand during services in the church temple?
….. it is more correct to try to listen to the divine service while standing, since this is feasible work for everyone, contributing to spiritual improvement.
service in church is an action to praise God and his saints; this process must be treated with extreme respect, at least not being late and not leaving early. Temple (church) is the house where God is. When you enter a temple, you come to visit God.
..... behave with appropriate respect, more than if you came to the house of the most respected and authoritative person
according to ancient custom, men stand on the right side of the temple, women on the left, leaving a clear passage from the main doors to the Royal Doors.
during a service in the Orthodox Church pray standing and how can one sit in the presence of God, because in prayers we turn to the King of kings, to the Creator of the universe. Of course, it is permissible to sit if you are particularly weak and sick. However, you cannot sit with your legs crossed or your legs stretched out. Before you sit down, ask God to strengthen you physically. During the reading of the Gospel and in especially important places of the liturgy, even in weakness, try to stand up.
During each opening of the Royal Doors, you should bow to the waist.
the service must be defended from beginning to end. Most services in a church (temple) end with dismissal - this is when the priest comes out with a cross. The priest can give a sermon, and then everyone must kiss the cross and the hand (sometimes the wrist) of the priest. Sometimes after the liturgy after dismissal everyone waits for the Prayers of Thanksgiving for Holy Communion to be finished.

How can I pray during a service if I don’t know or understand the words?
If you do not understand the words of the hymn and the priest, then repeat to yourself the Jesus prayer “Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me a sinner” or “Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on us sinners” or “Lord Jesus Christ, son God, have mercy "the name of the one for whom you pray"

How to say hello if you see a friend in a temple? You should not shake hands with ... acquaintances, but greet him with a silent bow. Conversations are not permitted during the service. Do not engage in conversations, incl. discussion of news.
…..in the temple, do not be curious, do not look at those present. You should look towards the altar or at the icons and pray - which is why you actually came to the temple.

What to do in church if a child screams?
Parents, coming to church with their children, should observe their behavior and not allow them to distract the worshipers, play pranks, or laugh. You need to try to calm a crying child; if this fails, just leave the temple with the child for a while. If you are annoyed by the behavior of someone else's child, gather your strength, strengthen your prayer (including for this baby) and do not pay attention to the crying.

What to do in church when the Gospel is read?
During the Gospel, everyone must stand; you cannot talk or walk around the church. While reading the Gospel, singing the Cherubic Song and the Eucharistic Canon, one should maintain reverent silence and fully concentrate on prayer. In many churches, at such moments, parishioners simply freeze; the slightest rustle in the church can be heard.

Who goes first in church for Confession or Communion?
For confession, Communion, Anointing, kissing the Cross, etc. first come people with small children, children, then the sick, then men, then women. But, if the line is “out of order”, you shouldn’t fanatically pull anyone back and “build it up”; you can carefully remind the person in a whisper of the sequence.

Where to look while censing?
During the censing of the temple, you must move away from the wall, giving passage to the clergyman, and, turning to him, bow to the censing, but you should not gradually turn around after the clergyman and stand with your back to the altar.

What should you not do in a temple (church)?
— Walk between the pulpit (a raised platform in front of the iconostasis) and the central lectern (stand under the central icon).
- without having to turn your back to the altar.
- V Orthodox Church You are supposed to pray standing, quietly and reverently, so it is not good to outwardly show your special prayer feelings in any way: do this during the service prostrations, kneeling with your head to the floor, etc. (unless the service itself requires it, for example during the removal of the Chalice during the Liturgy). However, if the church is crowded, then it is better not to bow to the ground even at the appointed moments of the liturgy (when shouting “Holy to Holies” and when carrying out the Holy Gifts), so as not to push those around you.
— you cannot stop and teach if one of the parishioners, out of ignorance, does something wrong. If his actions interfere with common prayer, then he should be prompted with humility.
- do not judge anyone in the temple, even if the priest himself is mistaken - it is better to pray for them (Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, instruct this person, I will help him do everything right)

When can you be baptized in church, and when can you not be baptized?
During the service, when the priest blesses those present with his hand or censes those praying from the pulpit, one should bow without the sign of the cross, but when the blessing is performed with a cross or the Chalice, one should cross and bow. Before the end of the service, you should not leave the temple, unless for a really important reason.

What should you do in church before leaving?
Before leaving the temple, you need to make three bows with the sign of the cross and prayer, thanking God and asking for His blessing. When you go outside, you should turn to the temple and bow again.

What should I do when I pass in front of a temple?
Whenever you pass by a temple, you should stop and bow in its direction with the sign of the cross.

When should you cross yourself and bow in church?
...... usually those praying make the sign of the cross and bow if liturgical chants are heard, encouraging this and containing the words: “save us”, “glory to Thee, Lord”, “let us bow down”, “let us pray”, etc.
.....during the litanies, when petitions are heard, ending with the exclamation: “Lord, have mercy” or “Give, Lord,” after each of these petitions the sign of the cross and bow from the waist are traditionally performed.
.....in response to the call of the clergyman: “Bow your heads to the Lord,” you should bow your head without the sign of the cross and keep it bowed until the word “Amen” is heard, completing the exclamation.
…..when the clergyman says “Peace to all!” or another exclamation that has the character of a blessing, and overshadows the believers with a hand or candles, a bow from the waist should be made without the sign of the cross.
…..you should also only bow to the clergyman after he has pronounced the dismissal, with the exception of cases when the overshadowing of the believers with the cross follows.
……You should not be baptized on a priest who blesses you with his hand, or on a bishop who blesses you with a dikiriy or trikiriy (a candlestick with two or three candles). However, if a clergyman makes the sign of the cross, the Gospel, an icon, or the Chalice with the Holy Gifts over the people, then the believer makes the sign of the cross and makes a bow from the waist.
......the sign of the cross without bowing is performed three times during the reading of the Six Psalms (six selected psalms during the Matins service), when the reader pronounces the words “Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to Thee, God.”
…..it is also necessary to be baptized without bowing while pronouncing the words “By the Power of the Honest and Life-Giving Cross”, at the beginning of the reading of the Creed, the Apostle, and the Gospel. It is customary to make the sign of the cross without bowing also when pronouncing absolution in the words: “Christ true God our…".
…..on the days of great holidays, during the period from Light Christ's Resurrection until the day of the Holy Trinity, as well as from the Nativity of Christ until the Epiphany of the Lord, prostrations in the church are canceled.
…..When approaching icons or holy relics, you must cross yourself and make two bows (to the ground or from the waist, depending on the period of the church year), and after venerating, move away, cross yourself and bow again.

What to do in church if you meet a priest or communicate with a priest?
When meeting with a priest, one should (at the same time, the Christian puts right palm to the left crosswise) and then start the conversation. At subsequent meetings with him on this day, there is no need to take a blessing. Also, when saying goodbye to a priest after a long conversation with him or a common matter, it is customary to take a blessing (bless, father, we must go).
When contacting a priest by phone, you need to start the conversation by asking for a blessing with the words: “Father, bless” or “Father (name), bless.”

/————————————————————-
How can I make God love me?
…..If we love each other, then God abides in us, and he who does not love his brother whom he sees, how can he love God whom he does not see? That is, if you want God to love you, love life and people (don’t blame, don’t complain, and especially don’t insult), rejoice more and help.
…..God meets in the deep silence of the soul, and only in this deep silence those in the temple can become one with each other in Christ.

Questions and answers frequently asked by new Christians.

35 short frequently asked questions for new Christians about the temple, candles, notes, etc.

1. How should a person prepare to visit the temple?

You need to prepare for the morning visit as follows:
Getting out of bed, thank the Lord, who gave you the opportunity to spend the night in peace and extended your days for repentance. Wash, stand in front of the icon, light a lamp (from a candle) so that it evokes a prayerful spirit in you, put your thoughts in order, forgive everyone and only then start reading prayer rule (morning prayers from the Prayer Book). Then subtract one chapter from the Gospel, one from the Apostle and one kathisma from the Psalter, or one psalm if you are short on time. At the same time, we must remember that it is better to read one prayer with sincere contrition of heart than the whole rule with the thought of how to finish it all as quickly as possible. Beginners can use the abbreviated prayer book, gradually...

IN ancient Rus' there was a close connection and interaction between the church and home life of our ancestors. Orthodox people paid great attention not only to what they prepared for lunch, but also to how they prepared it. They did this with constant prayer, in a peaceful state of mind and with good thoughts. And they also paid special attention church calendar- looked at what day it was - fasting or fasting.

The rules were observed especially strictly in monasteries.

The ancient Russian monasteries owned vast estates and lands, had the most comfortable farms, which gave them the means to make extensive food supplies, which in turn gave them abundant means for the wide hospitality bequeathed to the inhabitants by their holy founders.

But the matter of receiving strangers in monasteries was subordinated to both the general church and private statutes of each monastery, that is, the same food was offered to the brethren, servants, wanderers and beggars on holidays and feeding days (commemoration of...

We all need love and consolation, especially when our souls are very bad. And many of us try to find consolation in God by going to church. But, unfortunately, not all of us were taught at one time how to go to church, what to do there, how to speak, what to wear, and so on. That's why we are so scared. But what to do?

Ignorance of the rules of behavior in the church should not stop those who strive for God. In order for your visit to church to be successful, you need to prepare for it by studying the rules of behavior in it. So, let's get started?

How to prepare

I hope that you know which church to go to, and if your church is Orthodox, then let’s try to figure out the rules for visiting it.

Before going to church you need to prepare and decide what to wear.

Women should attend church in modest clothing, preferably without heavy makeup. Deep neckline, open hands and knees are also not allowed. There should be a scarf on your head.

Should I go to church...

ABOUT THE NEED TO ATTEND CHURCH

Those who rarely visit the Temple of God lose a lot. Parents who do not care about their children attending Church sin even more. Remember the words of the Savior: “Where two or three are gathered in My name, there I am in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20).
Yes, on our sinful land, the Holy Temple is the only place where we can hide from the bad weather of life, from moral filth. The temple is a semblance of heaven on earth, where the Lord of heaven and earth, our Lord Jesus Christ, dwells mysteriously and incomprehensibly; in the temple, as the chant says, “the Heavenly Powers serve invisibly.”
Our Savior said: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4) - that is, spiritual food is just as necessary for the human soul as bodily food is to maintain bodily strength. And where will a Christian hear the word of God, if not where the Lord Himself invisibly instructs those gathered in His name? Whose teaching is preached in...

Question: “Please tell me how many times a month it is recommended to visit the temple? Is it only on Saturday/Sunday?”

Archpriest Konstantin Parkhomenko answers:
- According to church canons, a person who does not take communion for three weeks is excommunicated from the Church and bears some kind of penance. We Christians, in fulfillment of the commandment: honor the Sabbath day, and for us this is Sunday - one of the days of the week, we must dedicate this day to the Lord and begin with prayer, with a visit to the temple. Every Christian should attend church once a week - this is the most ideal norm. Every Christian should come to church on Sunday, pray and unite with Christ in the sacrament of communion. This is how it was in the ancient Church. Today, many priests say that there is no need to take communion often, but for example, once a month. But this does not mean that we should come to church once a month. We still have to come to church once a week, but we can receive communion once a month - this is how the confessor will bless us. If a man…

Questions, questions, questions…..

1. How should a person who decides to go to church be dressed?
2. Is it possible to eat before visiting the temple in the morning?
3. Is it possible to enter the temple with bags?
4. How many bows should one make before entering the temple and how to behave in the temple?
5. How long do you need to be on duty?
6. Is it possible to sit at the service if you don’t have the strength to stand?
7. What is important in bowing and praying?
8. How to kiss icons correctly?
9. What does the candle placed in front of the image symbolize?
10. Does it matter what size candles you place in front of the image?
11.What do the words “amen” and “hallelujah” mean in prayers?
12.What moment is considered the end of the morning service?
13.How to order a memorial and thanksgiving prayer service?
14.How many times a year should you take communion?
15.What is unction?
16.How often should you visit the temple?
17.Why do you need a spiritual leader?
…

Orthodox Church Order church services Visiting a temple Rules of address Rules of address to clergy How to behave in the parish refectory Church requirements Sacraments and rituals

Attending church is a necessity for any Christian believer. In church, a person, even if he is not yet a believer, concentrates his attention on everything that is connected with God, that is, on spiritual things. This helps him cope with mental anxiety, fear, resentment, hatred, etc. By attending church, Christians receive consolation and mental relief, patronage, protection and help. Sick people or their relatives often come to church to pray for healing.

However, in Lately everything appears more people who consider themselves believers would like to attend church, but do not know church etiquette.

Church etiquette refers not so much to the rules as to the very behavior of a believer. This behavior is inherent in him...

Church is special Holy place. Customs of behavior in temples professing any religion went through a long process of education. Each religious direction has its own canons that should be observed while in the abode of God. Of course, there are general norms of behavior in any temple: do not drink alcohol, do not smoke, do not make noise and behave respectfully in a holy place. Other customs are very different.

People are deeply religious and know exactly how to behave when in church. But the doors of the church are open to everyone - both tourists and ordinary people who felt the need of the soul or simple curiosity to come to the temple. In order not to get into an awkward situation, not to offend the feelings of believing parishioners and not to disturb the peace in the temple, read the basic rules for visiting it.

Typically, in an Orthodox church, the main entrance is located on the west side. On the sides, there are two more entrances - northern and southern. The Bible says that heaven was in the east, in...

No. 35 (740) / September 16 ‘13

Church life

Why is a temple called a church?

– The word “Church” (translated from Greek as “assembly of the elect”) means a gathering of people as a result of a call, an invitation.

The apostles were chosen and called by Jesus Christ to unite into a congregation, that is, into the Church. Therefore, in the fullest sense, the concept of the Church of Christ means the gathering under one Head - the Lord Jesus Christ of all those who truly believe in Him in Heaven and earth, doing His will, abiding in Him, partaking of His Divine life.

The Church is a Divine-human organism, the unity of the Spirit dwelling in people trying to live according to the Gospel. Therefore, the Church is also called a community of people who believe in Christ, which has its own hierarchical and organizational structure.

A temple is also called a church because members of the Church (church community) gather in it for congregational prayer and communion with God. In this case, the word “church” is spelled with a small letter...

Today, many people who consider themselves believers misperceive not only the very meaning of the church and the true manifestation of their own faith, but also the true meaning of their life path, the implementation of which, unfortunately, does not always occur in accordance with the Law and the Will of the Lord Himself.

What is the church in essence? In the Holy Scriptures, the word “church” has a much greater meaning than the one with which a certain part of believers often and erroneously assigns it. The church is not just a specific building. According to the Bible, the meaning of the word “church” itself is fully revealed by the Greek word “ekklesia”, which means nothing more than a gathering and gathering of people called for a common purpose.

Those who read New Testament Bible, knows that Jesus Christ Himself created the church - His congregation of those who passionately believe in Him and consider Him the Savior of themselves and all things on Earth.

And so it happened - Christ established His society, and His followers to this day...

About visiting the temple

1.1. Why go to temple?

One of the purposes of man on earth is to glorify and glorify God - his Heavenly Father. This glorification is most expressed in the majestic services of the Church. In the Church, people find the fullness of mutual prayer communication and mutual prayer support. The Lord said: “If two of you agree on earth to ask for anything, then whatever they ask will be done for them by My Father in heaven, for where two or three are gathered in My name, there I am in the midst of them” (Matthew 18). :19,20). The Apostle Paul calls the Church “the Body of Christ, the fullness of Him that fills all in all” (Eph. 1:23), as well as “the house of God,” “the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15). The Church is the support for Christians, and it has the criterion for truth and is its guardian. Without the Church and participation in Church Sacraments it is impossible for a person to be saved. Anyone who does not visit the temple is actually outside the Church.

1.1. Why go to church (temple)? One of the purposes of man on earth is to glorify and glorify God - his Heavenly Father. This glorification is most expressed in the majestic services of the Church. In the Church, people find the fullness of mutual prayer communication and mutual prayer support. The Lord said: “If two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven, for where two or three are gathered in My name, there I am in the midst of them” (Matthew 18). :19,20). The Apostle Paul calls the Church “the Body of Christ, the fullness of Him filling all in all” (Eph. 1:23), as well as “the house of God,” “the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15). The Church is the support for Christians, and it has the criterion for truth and is its guardian. Without the Church and participation in the Church Sacraments, it is impossible for a person to be saved. Anyone who does not visit the temple is actually outside the Church.

1.2. What should you do before entering the temple?

– Before entering the temple you need to...

FAQ

These are questions encountered in the practice of parish counseling, asked by people who rarely come to church or who are just beginning church life, and answers that are understandable to a person with little church life.

To answer some questions, quotes from Holy Scripture, to show those who advise them a guideline for their answers, and those who go to church - the main source of doctrinal knowledge. Counselors are not encouraged to answer questions with memorized quotes, but if necessary, based on the situation, they can support the answer with the authority of Holy Scripture.

It should also be remembered that some questions do not have clear answers. Based on the spiritual state of the questioner and the established tradition at the parish, different answers can be given to the same question.

In church knowledge we must distinguish:

dogmas - truths Christian teaching, truths of faith, deviation from...

INSTRUCTION

About visiting the temple. Part 1

1. Why go to temple?

One of the purposes of man on earth is to glorify and glorify God - his Heavenly Father. This glorification is most expressed in the majestic services of the Church. In the Church, people find the fullness of mutual prayer communication and mutual prayer support. The Lord said: “If two of you agree on earth to ask for anything, then whatever they ask will be done for them by My Father in heaven, for where two or three are gathered in My name, there I am in the midst of them” (Matthew 18). :19,20). The Apostle Paul calls the Church “the Body of Christ, the fullness of Him filling all in all” (Eph. 1:23), as well as “the house of God,” “the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15). The Church is the support for Christians, and it has the criterion for truth and is its guardian. Without the Church and participation in the Church Sacraments, it is impossible for a person to be saved. Anyone who does not visit the temple is actually outside the Church.

2. What to do before...

During the Renaissance Orthodox traditions a wide range of people show a desire to attend church. Parishioners have established habits of behavior that should not interfere in a holy place. A beginner should familiarize himself with simple tips about how to go to church correctly. These traditions have been observed since ancient times. We need to respect this place. The soul should be bright and joyful, ready for prayer.

The Orthodox tradition has long created simple rules, explaining how to go to church. When visiting a temple, a beginner needs to be aware of the presence of God and angels in this sacred place. Parishioners go to church with faith in their hearts and prayer on their lips. It is not difficult to attend church correctly; it is better to go with other people and observe them.

The first rule: do not offend the priests and laity present by your inappropriate behavior. Inside the temple there are often shrines whose value can be measured over centuries. Even if a lay person does not recognize the holiness of the icon or relics, their value should not be publicly questioned. If parishioners bow next to a valuable icon, then it will not be difficult to bow following the example of others.

Few people think about what precedes a visit to the temple. This also has great importance. During your morning visit, it is better to refrain from eating. According to the religious canon, it is better to come to church hungry. A hearty breakfast is only allowed to sick parishioners.

Before God, one must maintain a meek spirit, fully understand one's sinfulness, and show respect to those saints who have decided to cleanse themselves of sin in their worldly lives.

The temple allows you to create a connection between the sinful earth and clear skies, when a person comes with faith in a powerful patron and intercessor. The church is created as a house of prayer, where they come to ask for the most secret things.

Rules for women

Requirements for women refer only to details appearance and the place where one should stand during the Divine Service. Someone from the older generation in the family knows how to properly go to church as a woman. You can find out about this from your grandmother or mother. The main requirement of appearance is emphasized modesty. beauty female body is a symbol of temptation, and therefore a woman should not wear clothes that expose any part of the body. Can't be worn short skirt, neckline and even a dress that exposes the shoulders.

Before visiting, it is advisable for a girl to wash off her makeup and cover her head with a scarf. In a holy place, every parishioner should think about the eternal. Concern for the salvation of your soul, pray. On the good path he should not be distracted by beauty and lust. Therefore, bright outfits are considered inappropriate. Church is not a place to attract attention.

During the service, women must stand left side. During communion, women stand at the back of the line.

Where to start

As soon as the church appears in sight, you need to bow to it and make the sign of the cross, even if you do not plan to go inside.

When approaching the door, you need to stop, think about your goal, and cross yourself again. When visiting a temple, you need to imagine that from the space of earthly sin you are entering a small and clean house God's.

There is a simple ritual common to all parishioners on how to properly enter the church. You should start with a bow as a symbol of humility of your pride. Next you need to cross yourself and read the lines, addressing the face of Christ the Savior in the following order:

• Before the first bow it is said: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”
• The second bow is accompanied by the words: “God, cleanse my sins and have mercy on me.”
• The words “I have sinned without number, Lord, forgive me” complete the ritual.

It is advisable to remember this sequence and repeat it during exit.

When visiting, it is advisable not to take large bags, and if you have one, you should leave it at the entrance. During the communion ritual, both hands must be free.

You can indicate your secret goal in a note to the priest. Usually a request is sent to pray for yourself or for your neighbor.

At the entrance, you can go to the minister to buy candles, while at the same time donating to the needs of the temple in a symbolic form. A burning candle is an important symbol in Christianity. A small light of God's spark burns in every eternal soul, so the candle is lit:

• Wishing health to your neighbors.
• For the difficulties in life that we managed to overcome. In this case, the candle is lit with gratitude to your Saint for the trials and help sent.
• The day before key event in life. Before an important decision, turning to God, angels and saints for support and admonition.
• For the peace of those who have already passed on to eternal life.

To remember the dead, every church has a special memorial table. On the eve you can put bread, red wine and cookies.

In every temple, the central place is occupied by a “festive” icon. The first thing a visitor does is touch it. This icon can be different for each day. The priest, according to the calendar known to him, selects a “festive” icon, placing it in the center, on the lectern.

When approaching the holiday icon, you need to sign yourself with the sign of the cross and make a bow to the ground and from the waist. When the parishioners move away from the icon, they need to bow to it a third time.

In addition to the holiday icon, a particularly valuable, ancient icon is displayed in the temple. As a rule, there are several wonderful icons that travel from one temple to another. The arrival of a particularly revered icon is announced in advance.

When they approach the icon of a revered saint, their intercessor, they pronounce his name and ask: “pray to God for the servant of God,” saying the name of the relative for whose recovery they came to ask.

The main godly feature of behavior will be humility. There is no need to look around as if on an excursion. It is important to always remember the main purpose of your coming to the temple.

When a well-known friend appears in church, it is not customary inside the church to shake hands. Friends bow as a greeting. It is important to remain silent and allocate another time for friendly conversation.

Particular attention should be paid to the behavior of children. The child may want to have fun. It is necessary to explain to him in advance the importance of the temple as a special place of communication with God. The child should be taught to behave as modestly and quietly as possible.

Special time of worship

After the start of the service, it is advisable not to disturb people and the priest himself, and therefore all prayers, placing candles and passing notes should be completed before the start of the church service.

Do not bother other people with your questions. The words of the priest should be listened to in silence and concentration, since at this moment the Word of God is transmitted.

Demonstration of uncivil behavior in the temple will result in big troubles, than in ordinary life. If parishioners look at a person with condemnation, he provokes them to sin.

When those around you begin to bow and cross yourself, you need to join them, performing the ritual together with everyone.

For those who would like to sit down during the service, it is worth remembering that Divine service is an act of spiritual labor and is therefore performed while standing. Standing for a long time strengthens a person’s spirit, and everyone can check themselves: if it’s hard to stand, there’s a reason for it. Those who are full of faith do not notice difficulties. It is difficult for one who cannot be filled with reverence. Attention to the words of the priest leads each listener to his moment of spiritual enlightenment and self-improvement. For the sake of these good goals, you need to forget about minor inconveniences.

A candle is held in hands only during a funeral service or in special cases. On a normal day, a candle is placed in a candlestick. You need to make sure that the wax does not drip onto the person in front.

Since a layman comes to visit God, it is advisable not to leave before the service ends. For the same reason, you cannot be late for it. The period of worship is a personal sacrifice that we offer to God. Devoting one's time to spirituality is a must for every believer. Leaving the service is permitted only for a very good reason. If a mother cannot calm her child down, she is advised to leave the church for a while and return when the child calms down.

Only those in whose body there is illness and whose need for relief is undeniable are allowed to sit.

During the liturgy and reading the Gospel, you need to ask God to enlighten you to understand all the Truths. When the priest opens the Royal Doors, it is customary to bow. If words are heard in an unknown language and you cannot pronounce them, then you can replace these words with a well-known prayer.

When the Priest finishes his sermon, he comes out to the people with a cross in his hands. Parishioners traditionally kiss his hand and cross. During the procession there is a traditional order:

• Parents with small children should arrive first.
• Minor children come second.
• Then it’s the men’s turn.
• Women complete the procession.

The priest has his own prayer prepared for each group. If someone breaks the line, they will tell him where to stand correctly.

Which day to choose

For Orthodox Christian It is godly to visit the temple once a week. Regular attendance is required so that a layman can rest his soul from the sinful world, get out of the everyday bustle and turn to eternal questions.

The priest expects parishioners on Saturday and Sunday, as well as during church holidays. The exact day can be found from Orthodox calendar. If the need arises to pray, you can go to church any day you wish.

Small churches may not work on weekdays due to a shortage of priests. Monday is considered a time of rest after two consecutive days of worship. On Monday, the church devotes prayers to angels, so it does not welcome the popular superstition about the severity of this day. Small name days are celebrated on Monday because guardian angels are venerated on this day.

What you want to know

There is an altar worker inside the church who can tell you how to properly enter the church and what not to do. Cell phones You don’t have to turn it off, but be sure to switch it to “silent” mode. You cannot answer the phone during the service, as this is not the time for talking.

In the evening after the service, you can purchase candles again for your home. Even if you don’t have enough money, you can ask for a candle for free. It is not accepted in a Christian environment to refuse people in need.

If someone is sick at home, the candle lit in the temple is taken home and placed in the room where the sick person is lying. You can light a candle for an unbaptized person, but you cannot ask for a note or order a prayer. It is not customary to ask for suicide.

At the end of the service, you can return to individual prayer or ask the priest for a conversation, if there is a good reason for this. At this time, it is possible to order a prayer for another person who is sick, but cannot attend Church on his own.

Thus, A Christian believer should attend church at least once a week, observing simple rituals and rules of behavior in the temple. Regularly turning to eternal questions, to God, a person becomes purer and wiser. The holiness of the temple is determined not only by the age-old religion, but also miraculous icons saints to whom you can turn. Listening to the words of the priest during worship is useful for every person for the salvation of his eternal soul.

Why do you need to go to church? Why attend church meetings?

QUESTION FROM JULIA
Today there are many people who consider themselves believers, but do not belong to any Christian church... And if they do belong, they only visit it occasionally. How does one evaluate such life position Bible?

The question is interesting and important. Let's start by understanding what the church is and who established it?

In the Bible, the word Church does not mean a building, as some believers believe today. In the Bible the word church is represented Greek word ecclesia. It means a national gathering, gathering, meeting of summoned, invited people. In other words, these are people who general population stood out and united for some common goal. The concept of church is close in meaning to the Jewish concept of synagogue. In Hebrew, synagogue means a place of meeting. And church in Greek, in which the New Testament was written, means a gathering of people. That is, the meaning is close. It is worth noting that the ancient translation Old Testament The Hebrew to Greek Bible, called the Septuagint, also uses the word church - eklessia. The church in the Bible in the Septuagint translation is the congregation of the Israelites - the people of God.

The New Testament of the Bible clearly states that Jesus established His church - that is, His congregation, a society of people who, having believed in Him as the Son of God - Lord and Savior, would leave the world and other religions and enter His congregation. Jesus stated:

“I will build MY Church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.”(Matt. 16:18)

And so it happened - Jesus created His society, congregation. The followers of Jesus, who at first numbered only a few dozen people, created a church - a congregation of believers in Jesus Christ. Neither Satan nor those in power could destroy the Christian Church. Now Christianity is the largest religion in the world.

Why do you think Jesus started the church? He didn’t have to do this - let all those who believe in Him live separately without uniting in any societies or organizations. But no, Jesus Christ created the church and said that the gates of hell will not prevail against it. That is, Satan will not destroy His church no matter how hard he tries. Of course, Jesus did not create the church by accident, but for a very important purpose. And this purpose was well explained by His apostles.

The Apostle Paul compared the church to a body, where Jesus is the head, and all Christians are members of the body, where everyone plays their role for the full functioning of the body - the organism.

“God arranged the members, each in [the composition of] the body, as He pleased... so that there would be no division in the body, but all the members would equally care for each other. … And you are the body of Christ, and individually members” (1 Cor. 12:18-27)

Paul explained that just like the human body, every member of Christ's body, that is, Christ Church, has its own goals and objectives. And even the most insignificant people, like the unseemly members of the body, play an important and necessary role in the life of the body.

Therefore, a reasonable question arises: if Jesus Himself established the church, then why today do people who believe in Christ - Christians - often not go to church?

There are many reasons for this. And this question is very broad. Previously, before the advent of Darwin's theory, when the world was religious, believers could not imagine life without going to church. Society even condemned those who did not go to church. Now, when the world is dominated by a materialistic atheistic idea of ​​the creation of the world, that is, Darwinian thinking, visiting church has become purely voluntary. Now only ardent believers and those who really want to receive something from God go to church.

The rest of the believers do not go to church at all. And the reasons are different. Someone is disappointed because he sees something he doesn't like in the church nearby. And he is afraid to go to other churches, since in our society today there is a widespread stereotype that there are many sects around. People are afraid to look for another church. There are actually dangerous sects, but they are few. And the rest of the churches are not sects - they are basically global Christian churches with tens of millions of members. Today it is not difficult to read on the Internet about such common Christian churches like Adventist Christians, Baptists, Pentecostals, Lutherans, Methodists, etc. These Christian churches are found in almost all countries and in almost every locality a world where Christianity is not prohibited... And of course these are real churches, and they have nothing in common with sects. You can read more about this in the material specifically dedicated to

There is no need to be afraid to look for another church, but rather to seek the truth. The Apostle Paul teaches on the pages of the Bible:

“Test everything, hold on to the good”(1 Thess. 5:21).

There are also people who don’t even try to go to church. But they say that they believe in God... There are many such people today. And probably even the majority. Going or not going to church is often an external reflection inner world man and his spiritual aspirations. Many people think. I believe in God and that's enough. God is in my soul. They came up with a god that suits them, that suits them. Which corresponds to their concept of justice. As the song from the movie “Sandpit Generals” says, “You always pray to your gods, and your gods forgive you everything.”

The god they invented forgives them everything. Of course it's convenient.

And vice versa, it is uncomfortable when they show you that you are wrong, that this is not right, that you need to live differently. These believers understand that they have some obligations waiting for them in the church, so they don’t even try to go to church. After all, if a person comes to any church, they are faced with certain rules. Mostly in Christian churches, such as ours, these rules are based on the teachings of the Bible. And in some Christian churches other rules are added to them.

Naturally, people often do not want to change their lives. And even if they don’t really like it, it’s still familiar to them. Therefore, it is more comfortable for them to live in harmony with the god they have invented. I hope you understand that just because a person has hidden himself from not knowing God’s standards of morality and the rules of life set forth in the Bible, this does not mean that they will disappear. An illustration with an ostrich fits here. When he sees danger, he buries his head in the sand. But even though the ostrich now does not see the danger, this does not make the danger itself disappear.

So the true God has not changed, because someone imagines Him differently. And God’s criteria of morality and rules of life in relation to man have not changed either, even if a person turns a blind eye to them. God, according to the Bible, is always the same, and His moral law has not changed, and His will in relation to man is also the same.

There are also people who went to church but stopped attending for some reason. This is often related to what we talked about earlier. A man began to study the Bible and saw that in his church they acted, as it seemed to him, differently from what was written in the Holy Scriptures. Then someone completely stops going to church, and someone looks for another church.

There are also cases when a person stops going to church because he is offended by the minister or by brothers and sisters in the community.

It is not right. It is necessary to separate the church and God. Yes, God established the church, but then people go their own way. That's why we see many churches. We are all sinful people... Therefore, both church members and their ministers make mistakes. God gave freedom to people, we see this right away in Eden. God did not want us to be slaves or robots... But just because someone in the church does not behave the way we want, this does not mean that we should stop going to church. After all, we go to church, not for people, not for show, but to GROW in God.

This is how we come to important issue. Why go to church?

Visiting church is necessary first of all for the person himself. Therefore, I would like to immediately note that there is no point in formally going to church. If you come to church and just stand or sit there, without listening to anything, without delving into the teachings of the Bible, into the law of God, then this is a formal faith. Then, whether you go to church or not, there won’t be much difference. Such a formal belief is close to superstition. Like, I go to church, because they say it helps, maybe it will help me too, or just in case... In this case, the person does not want to change, realize his sinfulness and repent of the bad deeds he has done... With a formal approach, the person’s soul is actually does not connect. He wants to receive a reward for simply performing some actions - rituals. So I came to your church - God grant me a reward! But God needs our heart, not formal attendance at worship services. The psalmist David says from the pages of the Bible:

“A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit; You will not despise a broken and humble heart (you will not leave it unnoticed), O God” (Ps. 50:19)

Therefore, speaking about visiting church, you need to immediately understand that we're talking about about full participation in the meeting. Let us remember what a church is – a meeting of believers. The Bible lists what was done in the first Christian meetings, that is, in Christian churches in apostolic times:

1. This is the study of the Word of God - the Holy Scriptures. The Apostle Paul wrote:

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.”(2 Tim. 3:16)

This Bible study can be in the form of Bible lessons or in the form of a sermon.

2. Glorifying God by singing psalms, hymns, reciting poems...

“Let us therefore...offer to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that glorify His name.”(Heb. 13:15)

3. Communication with brothers and sisters, as well as helping them if necessary. You also receive moral and even material help from brothers and sisters in the church.

“Do not forget also to do good and be sociable, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”(Heb. 13:16)

4. And the fourth is the communion of the symbols of the flesh and blood of Jesus Christ who died for us.

“(Jesus) took the bread and, having given thanks, broke it and gave it to them, saying: This is My body, which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me. Likewise the cup after supper, saying, “This cup [is] the New Testament in My blood, which is shed for you.”(Luke 22:19,20)

The Lord wanted believers to REMEMBER the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for us. And therefore, sipping a grape drink - a symbol of the blood of Jesus, we seem to come into contact with this sacrifice, mentally transported to the time when the Savior suffered for us on the cross. And by breaking and eating bread, we seem to commune with the body of Jesus, experiencing how His body suffered when the guards mocked Him all day long - so that Jesus Himself could no longer go to execution, but all the time fell under the burden of the cross. How Christ hung for 6 hours nailed to the cross!

By remembering Jesus' suffering for us, we better understand the love of God. And these rituals help us not to forget this love. It is no secret that our life, which is filled with various worldly experiences related to family, work, study, housing, etc., takes over our entire mind and we sometimes forget God. The way He loves us, cares for us. And confirmation of this is the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. The celestial being - the Son of God - descended from heaven to earth, became a mortal man in order to accept martyrdom for our sins... This is regularly reminded in the church.

5. And fifth is group prayer. Jesus said directly that group prayer has special power.

“Truly I also tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven, for where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I in the midst of them.”(Matt. 18:19,20)

Of course, this does not mean that prayer alone with God is not necessary. Jesus taught that you need to close yourself in a room alone with God to pray. But God also showed the value of the congregation—that is, the value of the church. If people gather and ask for something common, something important for everyone, then such a common prayer of the meeting will have a special blessing.

It was not for nothing that I noted that only in the church together can we effectively bring the Gospel to the world, although some believers claim that they do not know how to speak beautifully, and accordingly, they believe that they can help the church in little way.

This is fundamentally wrong! Every person can serve God. And a true believer should have such a desire. Look how the psalmist wrote:

“What shall I render to the Lord for all His good deeds to me?”(Ps. 115:3)

Every Christian can participate in the overall main mission of the church. What is the main mission of Christians? Talk about Christ, bring people to God, thereby saving other people. Each person has a role to play in this ministry. Let us remember that the church is the body of Christ. Each member of the body has its own tasks and functions. Some may not know how to speak beautifully, but they know how to cook well and can serve in a church canteen or in a missionary kitchen, telling people through their work how good the Lord is. And if he doesn’t seem to know how to do anything, then he can serve by helping to tidy up the church, so that people see cleanliness and tidiness in the house of worship, understanding that God is a God of order and He has the same children. Agree, there would be fewer parishioners if there was a pile of garbage on the church grounds or there was an unwashed, dirty floor in the building. Non-believers who came to such a church for the first time would think: what kind of God is this, that He has such sloppy followers... And they would not come to the church again. As you can see, any service is important in the activities of the church. Each member of the body of Christ is important in its place. And everyone can find this place where they will benefit Christ and His church.

In addition, it is not necessary to speak beautifully. Sometimes in church we hear what miracles God has done in the lives of believers. And in our lives, God also works miracles and we share them in church. And then we can tell our non-believing relatives or friends about our miracle or about a miracle we heard in church. And this will be a story about the love of God. Some of the non-believers or weak believers may become interested and also begin to seek the Lord. So, being able to speak beautiful sermons is not necessary to bring the message about our loving God.

So, going to church is really important both for the person himself and for other people, and of course, you need to attend services regularly.

Valery Tatarkin

Many may be concerned about the question “How to start going to church?” A man wanted to come there, but it was somehow awkward. Everything is new, nothing is clear, it’s scary to do something wrong. Therefore, this article was written to answer this question. I do not have the blessing to teach people the correct understanding of church life, but I can simply tell you from my own experience what problems arose during my first visits to the temple and what questions tormented my soul. Maybe this will help someone.

So, I wanted to visit the church. Where to go? If you have the Internet, it is better to look on the map where the nearest Orthodox churches. It doesn’t make much difference where exactly to go, to a cathedral or a simple church. It is better that it be close to home, since driving across the entire city will be long and inconvenient. Therefore, we boldly choose a temple, find the road and stomp there.

You can come at almost any time, but it is better before 19:00-20:00, since at this time services in churches usually end. You can dress however you like, but without thematic inclinations ala a metalhead, a washed-up punk, a club girl on stilts, or a guy “just from the beach.” You can wear regular pants or jeans, a T-shirt or shirt, a jacket, a blazer, etc. In short, as normal people walking along ordinary normal streets. If someone wants, they can dress in a suit. In principle, people sometimes come to emphasize their respect for the Church and God; there is nothing unusual in this. Women need to put something on their heads. A scarf is better, but if you don’t have one, then you can use a hat or even a hood if everything is really bad. You don't have to wear skirts; you can wear trousers and jeans. It is better to wear jeans that are not too tight, so as not to distract men from prayer. In this regard, it is better for women to dress more modestly; they need to have respect for God and others.

If you entered the church and there are no singing there and everything is quite quiet, then the service is not going on now. Then you can stand quietly, talk with God, and ease your soul. If you want to light a candle for your family or friends, we are looking for a saleswoman. Usually candles are sold at the entrance to the temple. “Where to put candles for health, and where for repose?” - an eternal question. I think this was my first question asked to a living person inside the temple. You can light a candle for the living anywhere and in front of any icon. No special rituals are needed. Pray quietly, ask for the person and light a candle. For repose, candles are usually placed on special tables on which a crucifix is ​​installed.

Here is a photograph of the table on which candles are placed for repose.

Candle stand for health in the photo below.

Therefore it is difficult to confuse.

What should you do if you walk in and there’s a service in full swing? Well, for starters, don't run away. It’s better to take a more modest place and repeat after everyone. It is customary for women to stand on the left side of the temple, and men on the right. But if you didn’t manage to get where you were supposed to, you shouldn’t think about it at all. Just stand calmly and pray about your own. I doubt that the first time you attend a service, you will understand any of what is being sung. For example, for the first 2-3 months I understood practically nothing, I just stood silently and repeated after everyone when they were baptized (usually this is done when the words “Father, Son and Holy Spirit” are heard at a service). Therefore, at first it is better to just try to get used to it. Join the general flow, so to speak.

And you need to understand something right away. If you come to the temple, at first there may be a lot of unfounded fears and a feeling that you are not at ease. It's OK. You are taking the path of a warrior, this is your first battle. Get ready to go all the way.

Standing at the service, it may seem endless. I remember at first I generally thought that they were going on in the temple around the clock, and there was no end to them. It is difficult for an unprepared person to stand for 2-3 hours (this is how long a service lasts on average). But I assure you, someday the end will come and the singing will subside, and it will not be one in the morning, but about seven o’clock in the evening. So if you don’t urgently need to run somewhere, wait until the end.

You can often see people coming up and kissing the icons. Feel free to do this. Once upon a time I was very shy to come up and kiss an icon. But now it has become so familiar that I kiss everything. So we boldly cross ourselves and kiss the icon, there is nothing to be afraid of. Often there are handkerchiefs near the icons so that you can wipe the glass of the frame after yourself.

If suddenly during the service everyone began to kneel, it’s okay if you are shy and didn’t do it. But it would be even better to do it together with everyone. Although in practice it is usually those who kneel in certain moments there are fewer services than those who remain standing.

Don't be afraid to ask people about the time of services. If, for example, you want to go specifically to the beginning of an evening or morning service, then under no circumstances should you be afraid to ask about its start time. You can ask the candle saleswoman at the entrance to the temple. Don't worry about causing her trouble with your question. They are being pulled, be healthy, you are not the first and you are not the last. And in general, organizational questions like “where is what” and “when and how” always need to be asked. This is more than normal.

I want to make a small digression and say a few words about internal state a person who suddenly found himself in a temple after a long (sometimes life-long) period of unbelief. It is likely that you will have a lot of seemingly natural fears and logical reasons to leave the temple and not go there again. Don't be fooled by them. Perhaps blasphemous thoughts will enter your head, even insulting saints and God. Don't worry about such thoughts, just try to switch your attention. Sometimes even going to temple can seem like a stupid idea. You shouldn't pay attention to this either. The main thing is to follow a pre-planned good goal and everything will be as it should.

For those who suddenly wanted to confess, we can say this. You can confess to a priest in any church. Confession is free, you don’t need to sign up for it in advance, and no one charges money for it. As a rule, it takes place during the evening service or at the Liturgy in the morning. Usually there is a table on which there is a cross and a Gospel and at which there is a priest. Where exactly it will be located and when confession will take place, you can ask the candle seller or the parishioners. If a lot of people visit the temple, you can most likely determine where confession is taking place by taking turns to the priest standing to the side. The man approaches, the priest listens to him, covers his head with an epitrachelium (part of the vestment looks like a towel) and absolves his sins.

Approach the priest, place two fingers on the Gospel and name what you repent of, indicate the sins about which your soul hurts. Behind standing people You will most likely not be heard for everything. At least, there was never a time when I could figure out what the person in front of me was repenting about. This also happens because confession often takes place during the service and singing from the choir drowns out the voices, unless, of course, the penitent screams at the top of his lungs. If this is your first time at confession, be sure to say so and ask “what to do next?” Father will tell you what steps to take at first. When you have repented, you kiss the cross, the Gospel, and go on to finish the service. That's all. One more thing. There is no need to be afraid to confess some sins, because it is supposedly shameful. This is stupid and deadly. It’s stupid because priests have heard enough of this throughout their lives that you won’t tell them anything new. And if you say it, it will take an honorable place in the list of that “new and incredibly shameful” thing that the priest has already heard many times and that he has probably already learned to perceive adequately. And it is dangerous because “there is no worse sin than unrepentant sin.”

So, I hope this article has made it a little clearer on how to start going to church. And today it turns out that everyone seems to know everything about the Church, but how it gets to the point, nothing is clear. So, if you want to visit the temple, you should do it as soon as possible.

In Ukraine we also have “ hidden threat“It is a mistake to enter churches that are under the auspices of the non-existent Kyiv Patriarchate. Although there are not so many of them, it is still advisable, of course, to pay attention to the announcements in front of the temple, or look on the Internet for lists of churches that are under the patronage of the Kyiv Metropolis of the Moscow Patriarchate. You need to walk in them. Precisely MOSCOW, and there is nothing anti-national here. It just so happened that Filaret was excommunicated from the Church.

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