Bowing to the earth how to do it right in Orthodoxy? When to make prostrations at the Liturgy? When is it forbidden to make prostrations? Is it possible to make prostrations after communion? Prayer with an earthly bow

Bow- a symbolic action, bowing of the head and body, expressing humility and before.

There are bows great also called earthly, - when the worshiper kneels and touches the head of the earth, and small, or waist, - waist worship of the head and body.

Small bows are performed at all temple and home prayers. On, when the priest's hand, a small bow is made without the sign of the cross.

Kneeling is not provided for either during the Liturgy or during the All-Night Vigil. It is necessary to distinguish between bows and the generally non-Orthodox custom of kneeling. Kneeling in prostration, we express humility and reverence for the Creator of the universe, immediately rising we confess that the Lord has already done ours (gave us everything we need for salvation).

Saint Philaret, Metropolitan of Moscow:
“If, standing in church, you bow when the church charter orders it, try to restrain yourself from bowing when it is not required by the charter, so as not to attract the attention of the worshipers, or hold back sighs that are ready to burst from the heart, or tears ready to spill out of your eyes - in such an arrangement, and among a large assembly, you secretly stand before your Heavenly Father, even in secret, fulfilling the commandment of the Savior ().

priest Andrey Lobashinsky:
“It seems to me that the difference, the peculiarity of Orthodox Christianity is precisely the fact that it does not put people on their knees, but on the contrary, raises them from their knees. It is in rebellion from the knees that the essence of Christianity consists. When we kneel, we testify that we are falling, that we are sinners. Sin brings us to our knees. But when we rise from our knees, we say that the Lord forgives us and makes us His beloved children, beloved sons and friends.
In the Gospel, Christ tells the disciples: "And you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." These words are confirmed by all spiritual experience. Orthodox Church. Of course, first of all, here we have in mind spiritual freedom, inner liberation. But also in external manifestations- and Christianity constantly emphasizes the connection between the internal and external - the same thing is observed. If we look carefully at all church statutes, church regulations, we will see that kneeling is, in fact, a non-Orthodox tradition.”

This is the simplest example, but it is also puzzling: if the parishioners do not know the meaning of the simplest litany, then what significance is attached to other, more complex moments of the service, what meaning is put into them, what is the general level of understanding of church rites?

What can we say about indifference to the sacred statutory norms, when, for example, not only ignorant laity, but also pastors and monks neglect the canonical rite of the temporary abolition of prostration and kneeling. But such restrictions are not an external formality. "Don't Bend Your Knee" certain moments St. refers to the norms of the "sacramental and liturgical life of the Church". Everything in the Orthodox ritual carries a deep theological and ascetic meaning, here the mysterious inner interaction between soul and body is touched upon. Since not only the mind, but “the whole soul-body being of a person participates in worship,” the adequacy of each movement is important. Hence the special symbolic language of gesture, which "the Church has included in worship as an organic part of prayer", it includes both bows and kneeling - "a voiceless language where the word is replaced by movement". Therefore, meaningful performance of ritual actions and strict adherence to the canonical order is so important.

Violation of the rank of prostrations is far from a trifle. Is this not a sign of the emasculation of church life, the emergence of a cult of ritual belief, when the service turns into "empty external actions" or, worse than that when they are given a false ritual superstitious meaning. The Fathers warn that "without deepening one's knowledge in this area, a person can easily fall into a habit that deadens and devastates." So that spiritual life does not degenerate into meaningless ritual, “it is necessary to constantly grow in the knowledge of God and not allow the liturgy to become a detail of our pious life. Precisely because it became mass instead of liturgy, a deep crisis was experienced by all of us.

Deep churching allows you to get closer to smart doing.

Notes

Announced - those to whom it was announced, i.e. taught, the teaching of the Church, people who believe in Christ and are preparing for the sacrament of baptism.

Prayer for the catechumens.

Some modern pastors speak in the sense that it is permissible for a Christian to deliberately bow his head while praying for the catechumens, thereby, as it were, showing his humility. One venerable archpriest, who acted in this way, confessed, responding to the bewilderment of his flock, that he bows his head during this prayer out of humility, since he considers himself “in matters of dogma” to have barely begun “the process of categorization”, and “in life by faith – who have not yet begun this process.” But confusion remains. When they do something that is not due to the order of worship, thereby attracting general attention to themselves, then a simple question arises: is it necessary to demonstrate one's humility to others, is this not contrary to the very spirit of humility, does it not turn into its opposite? Another, no less respectable pastor believes that “although we are baptized, we are not churched enough, and we do not act according to the grace of baptism”, on this basis, they say, “you can put yourself in the ranks of the catechumens and lower your head.” Here another question arises. Of course, we are all unworthy of the title of Christian, it is useful to realize this, but is it worthy of a Christian to imagine himself deprived of the inherent grace of baptism? Not to mention the fact that a person who is insufficiently churched cannot in any way be equated with an unbaptized person, for this it would be necessary to renounce dogmatic consciousness. In addition, according to this logic, in a minute, at the exclamation of “announcement, go out,” you will have, for the sake of humility, to imagine yourself leaving the service, and at the exclamation of “the tree of faithfulness ... Let us pray to the Lord”, you will already need not only to remember that we are baptized, but to imagine yourself and churched, and "acting according to grace." Otherwise, how can one receive communion if one “places oneself in the ranks of the catechumens”?.. Is such a game of fantasy appropriate during the service, instead of realizing the true sign of liturgical actions and symbols? The symbolism here is not a decor, but a strong means of spiritual influence, it is dangerous to distort it with an arbitrary game of the mind. Orthodox asceticism forbids the praying mind to admit precisely imagination, calls to fight with it, and not to cultivate it. Humility, on the other hand, as a living feeling of one's depravity and insignificance, as a sincere recognition of oneself as the worst among people, has nothing in common with self-hypnosis and pretense.

Typicon, on the basis of the Canonical Rule of the VI Ecumenical Council No. 90, which is confirmed by the charter of St. (Right. No. 91) and other resolutions, imposes a categorical ban on prostrations and kneeling on Sundays and holidays and at certain moments of worship (Cherubic, Six Psalms, Most Honest, Great Doxology). It is significant that this statutory prohibition is not the fruit of a human invention, but received from above. Back in the III century. it was given by God in revelation through the angel St. : "From Sabbath evening to Sunday evening, as well as on the days of Pentecost, they do not kneel." The history of the Orthodox monastery ... T. 1. S. 238.

Novikov N.M. Jesus Prayer. The experience of two millennia. The teaching of the holy fathers and ascetics of piety from antiquity to the present day: a review of ascetic literature in 4 volumes. Vol.1. Chapter "Mystery of Sacraments". pp. 80-83. Novikov N.M.

Bows are symbolic actions that express feelings of reverence for the Highest Being - God. They have been used in the Christian Church since ancient times. Bows must be made slowly, in accordance with certain words of prayer.

What is a bow, varieties

Bowing is a symbolic act characterized by bowing of the body and head, which shows humility and submission to the Lord.

There are several types of bows:

• Great or earthly. With them, the worshiper kneels and touches the ground with his head.
• Small or waist. When it is performed, only the head and body bend.

There are certain cases where bows are not required. Many also confuse such concepts as bowing and the non-Orthodox custom of kneeling. When we bow to the ground, we show our humility and reverence for the Creator of the universe. After the bow, we get up, thus showing that the Lord has given us everything we need for salvation.

What do the scriptures say?

The custom to make earthly prostrations appeared in ancient biblical times. This is how Solomon prayed at the consecration of the Jerusalem temple (see: 1 Kings 8:54), Daniel in captivity in Babylon (see: Dan. 6:10) and other Old Testament righteous. This custom was consecrated by our Lord Jesus Christ (see Luke 22:41) and entered into practice Christian Church(see: Acts 12:60; Eph. 3:14). Here it is useful to recall the verses of the psalms ...

31:9:“Do not be like a horse, like a foolish hinny, whose jaws need to be curbed with a bridle and a bit, so that they submit to you.”

108:24:“My knees were exhausted from fasting, and my body was deprived of fat.”

We see that the holy prophet and king David made prostrations to the ground to the point of exhaustion in order to be cleansed of sins and fast with fasting that is pleasant and pleasing to God.

Our Lord Jesus Christ also prayed on his knees: “And he himself departed from them a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed…”(Luke 22:41).

Saint Ignatius (Bryanchaninov) wrote about prostrations: “The Lord fell on his knees during His prayer - and you should not neglect kneeling if you have enough strength to perform them. By worship to the face of the earth, according to the explanation of the fathers, our fall is depicted, and by rising from the earth, our redemption ... "

You should be baptized with a bow to the ground:

1. Fasting at the entrance to the temple and at the exit from it - three times.
2. In fasting at Matins, after each chorus to the song of the Theotokos "My soul magnifies the Lord" after the words "We magnify you."
3. At the liturgy at the beginning of the singing "It is worthy and righteous to eat ...".
4. At the end of the singing "We will sing to you ...".
5. After “It is worthy to eat ...” or a worthy one.
6. At the exclamation "Holy to the holy."
7. At the exclamation "And vouchsafe us, Lord ..." before singing "Our Father".
8. When taking out the Holy Gifts, at the words “Come with the fear of God and faith”, and the second time - at the words “Always, now and forever ...”.
9. IN great post at Great Compline while singing “Most Holy Lady…” – on every verse; while singing "Our Lady Virgin, rejoice ..." and so on. Three prostrations are performed at Lenten Vespers.
10. In Great Lent, when reading the prayer "Lord and Master of my life ...".
11. In Great Lent, during the final chant “Remember us, Lord, when you come into Your Kingdom,” three prostrations are due.

Important Notes

Bowing to the ground on Sunday causes a lot of controversy. First of all, this lies in the fact that, according to the Church Charter, it is forbidden to bow to the ground on Sundays and holidays. But many liturgists say that it is always necessary to make prostrations before the throne, regardless of the day of the week or holiday. In addition, there is a certain practice when bows to the ground are replaced by waist bows. There is such a thing as the Liturgy. Even John of Kronstadt spoke about making prostrations during the Liturgy. He said that it is necessary to make obeisances regardless of the time of the Liturgy. It is worth doing three bows during it:

1. At the entrance in front of the Throne.
2. In the position of the Gifts.
3. Right before communion.

But then again, if you do not know when to bow to the ground at the Liturgy, you can consult with the clergy or simply observe their behavior. Since it is quite difficult to comprehend all the subtleties of performing all the rituals and ceremonies, you should not be shy about asking for help, as well as consulting with knowledgeable people. This will allow you to avoid unpleasant and embarrassing situations in the temple. Remember that the commission of any action should not go out of necessity or coercion. All actions should come from a pure heart and only with good intentions. After all, our appeal to the Lord will be heard and bestowed with grace only if we have pure thoughts and sincere faith.

Everything depends only on you, because with what desires we come to God, we will receive in return. It is necessary not only to ask, but also to thank. For this, prayers of thanksgiving are best suited. And be very careful that the proverb “Make a fool pray, he will hurt his forehead” cannot be applied to you.

When not to make prostrations

It is impossible to make great bows:

• in the days from Christmas to Epiphany,
• on Sundays,
• on the days of great holidays,
• from Easter to Pentecost
• on the feast of the Transfiguration, · it is forbidden to communicants on the day of the first communion and subsequent ones.

There is also such a view as the great guard bows. These are called triple prostrations, which are accompanied by the imposition of the Orthodox sign of the cross and the reading of the prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian, which is divided into three verses.

How to properly lay down prostrations?

Priests say that the Church Charter speaks of unhurried, timely, orderly, unhurried and earnest fulfillment. Bows and kneeling should be performed after each multiple petition of a litany or prayer. Do not do this while reading or singing. It is also not allowed to make prostrations along with the sign of the cross.

How to do earthly prostrations? Before committing, you must make the sign of the cross on yourself. After that, kneel down and bow, hands and head should touch the floor. Before you kiss an icon or a crucifix, you must again cross yourself twice, bow, kiss, and then cross yourself again and bow.

Prostration in Islam

Sajda (prostration) is one of the required elements prayer. A person who performs prayer, after straightening from a waist bow, bows to the ground, touching the ground with his forehead and nose, thereby expressing his reverence before Allah. In each rak'ah of prayer, two sajdahs are performed, one after the other. If during the sajdah touch the ground only with the forehead, without touching the nose, then such a sajdah is allowed, but in the absence of a good reason, such a sajdah is makruh.

If, during the sajdah, a person touches the ground only with his nose and does not touch his forehead, then, according to Imam Abu Hanifa, such a sajdah is permissible, while, according to Imam Muhammad and Abu Yusuf, such a sajdah is not allowed without a good reason. Touching the ground during sajda with the chin or cheek is not allowed.

If a person cannot touch the ground with his forehead and nose, then he performs sajda with a nod of his head. According to the scholars of the Hanafi madhhab, touching the ground with the palms and knees during sajdah is sunnah, while according to Imam Zufar, Shafi'i and Ahmad, this is fard. It is unacceptable to perform sajda without touching the ground with the toes.

If the place of sajdah is half an arshin (twelve fingers) above the place where the legs are, then sajdah will be allowed, but if this place is much higher, then performing sajdah will be unacceptable.

Because of a large number people, you can perform sajda on your knees or on your back in front of the prayer. If the sajdah is performed on something soft, wool, hay or snow, if a hard surface is felt under it, then the sajdah will be allowed.

If the face is immersed in this, and firmness is not felt, then the sajdah will be unlawful. Sajda can be performed on anything that is laid on the ground, provided that it is clean. The presence of sewage in this place will not cause harm, provided that the sewage has no smell and volume.

Sajda is the most important element prayer and the most vivid expression of humility before Allah and His exaltation. It is reported that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “A person is closest to his Lord during sajd. During the Sajd, make a lot of dua ”(Muslim, Salat, 215).

Man is a spiritual and physical creation. The position of the body in prayer affects the soul, helping to tune in the right way. Without labor it is impossible to reach the Kingdom of God, to be cleansed of passions and sins. The bow of the earth is a body that promotes humility, patience and contrition inner man before the Creator. Our Lord Jesus Christ himself prayed on his knees, and even more so we should not neglect such a useful spiritual exercise. It is important to know how to bow to the earth correctly, according to the canons of the Church.

Earthly prostrations are not permitted by the Church:

• in the period from the Resurrection of Christ to the Day of the Holy Trinity;
• from the Nativity of Christ to Epiphany (Holy days);
• on the days of the twelfth holidays;
• Sunday days. But there are exceptions when the prostration is blessed at the liturgy on Sunday: after the priest’s phrase “Having changed by Your Holy Spirit” and at the moment of taking the Chalice with the Holy Mysteries of Christ from the altar to the people with the words “Come with the fear of God and faith”;
• communion day to evening worship.

In all other periods, prostrations are made, but it is not possible to list these cases because of their multitude. It is important to adhere simple rule: during worship, follow the priests and repeat after them. Lenten services are especially replete with kneeling. When a special bell rings, you need to kneel down.

At home, you can bow to the ground at prayer on any day, except for periods when it is not blessed by the Church. The main thing is to observe the measure and not overdo it. The quality of bows is more important than their quantity. also in Orthodox practice it is unacceptable to pray while kneeling for a long time, this is practiced in the Catholic Church.

Saint Ignatius (Bryanchaninov) wrote about earthly prostrations: “The Lord fell on his knees during His prayer - and you should not neglect kneeling if you have enough strength to perform them. Bowing to the face of the earth, according to the fathers, depicts our fall, and rebellion from the earth is our redemption."

Earthly things should be done slowly, with attention and concentration. Stand up straight, reverently cross yourself, kneel down, put your palms in front, and touch your forehead to the floor. Then stand up straight from your knees and repeat if necessary. It is customary to make a bow with short prayer, for example with Jesus, "have mercy" or in your own words. And you can also send a word to the Queen of Heaven or the Saints.

It is important to understand that prostration is not an end in itself, but a tool for gaining lost communion with God and the beneficial gifts of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the answer to the question "How to bow to the ground?" will consist in the correct repentant disposition of the heart, filled with the fear of God, faith, hope for the inexpressible mercy of the Lord to us sinners.

This question, despite its seeming simplicity and formality, is, in my opinion, rather complicated, since most people (and there is nothing reprehensible in this!) Come to church only on Sundays and the Twelfth or Great Feasts (except for the services of Great Lent).

This, of course, due to work and family employment is quite understandable and normal. Thank God that a modern Christian, with the speeds and technologies of the current world, fulfills this main necessary minimum.

It is known that on Sundays, the time from Easter to Vespers of Pentecost, from the Nativity of Christ to the Baptism of the Lord (Christmas Day) and on the Twelfth Feasts, prostrations to the earth are prohibited by the Charter. This is evidenced by St. Basil the Great in his letter to Blessed Amphilochius. He writes that the holy apostles forbade bending the knee at all and making prostrations on the aforementioned days. The same was approved by the canons of the I and VI Ecumenical Councils. That is, we see that the highest church authority - the apostolic decrees and conciliar reason - bows to the earth on these days are not accepted.

Why is this?

The holy supreme apostle Paul answers this question: “Already carry the servant. But a son” (Gal. 4:7). That is, the prostration of the earth represents a slave - a person who has fallen into sin and on his knees begging for forgiveness, in deep humble and repentant feelings repenting of his sins.

And the Resurrection of Christ, the entire period of the Triodion of Color, the small Easters of ordinary Sundays, Christmas time and the Twelfth Holidays - this is the time when “Already carry the slave. But a son,” that is, our Lord Jesus Christ restores and heals in Himself the image of fallen man and restores him in filial dignity, again introducing him into the Kingdom of Heaven, establishing a New Covenant-union between God and man. Therefore, bowing to the ground during the periods of the aforementioned holidays is an insult to God and, as it were, a rejection by a person of this restoration in sonship. A person making a bow to the ground, on a holiday, seems to say to God words that are opposite to the verses of Divine Paul: “I don’t want to be a son. I want to be a slave." In addition, such a person directly violates the canons of the Church, established by the grace of the Holy Spirit, the apostolic canons and the Ecumenical Councils.

I personally heard the opinion that, they say, often a layman does not go to church for everyday worship, then let him do prostrations at least on Sunday. I cannot agree with this. Since the apostolic ordinances and Ecumenical Councils forbid it, and the Church, with God's help, stands in obedience. In addition, the custom of kneeling in the temple at one's own will is also strictly prohibited.

For people who do not go to church for daily services (I repeat, this is not a sin. You can understand a busy person), I would recommend taking on the feat of prostration in the cell home prayer on weekdays. How much someone will bear, so that over time it also does not become an unbearable burden: five, ten, twenty, thirty. And who can - and more. Set a standard with God's help for yourself. Bowing to the ground with a prayer, especially with Jesus: “Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner,” is a very useful thing. But, as they say, everything has its time.

At the Sunday Liturgy, prostration is done in two places of worship. The priest in the altar in front of the Throne also puts them approximately and semantic. The first moment: at the end of the singing “We sing to you”, when the culmination of the Eucharistic canon and the whole Divine Liturgy, - the Holy Gifts are transubstantiated on the Throne; bread, wine and water become the Body and Blood of Christ. The second point: when taking out the Chalice for the communion of believers, since the priest before communion in the altar also makes a prostration. In the period from Easter to Pentecost, these earthly prostrations are replaced by waist ones. No more prostrations are made at the Sunday Divine Liturgy or Liturgy in the other period indicated above.

If you, dear brothers and sisters, are at the Liturgy of a weekday, then bowing to the ground is permitted by the Charter in the two cases already mentioned, as well as at the beginning of singing “Worthy and Righteous”; the end of the prayer "It is worthy to eat", or the meritor; at the end of the Liturgy, when the priest proclaims “Always, now and forever,” when the priest last time at the Liturgy he appears with a Cup with the Body and Blood of Christ in his hands in the Royal Doors and transfers it from the throne to the altar (a symbol of the Ascension of the Lord). At the evening divine service, prostration to the earth is allowed (at matins), when the priest or deacon leaves the altar with a censer after the eighth ode of the ordinary canon and proclaims in front of the icon of the Virgin Mary on the iconostasis, “Let us exalt the Theotokos and Mother of Light in song.” Next, the song of the Monk Cosmas of Maium “The Most Honorable Cherub” is sung, during which it is also customary to kneel because of love and reverence for Holy Mother of God, since it is believed that at this time She resides in the temple and visits all those who pray in it.

Let us, dear brothers and sisters, strive to observe the Rule of the Church. He is our golden fairway in muddy water outside world and the inner heart with its emotions and sensuality. On the one hand, he does not allow us to deviate into laziness and negligence, on the other hand, into the delusion and spiritual delusion of "vital holiness." And along this fairway, the church ship sails to the Kingdom of Heaven. Our work on board is grace-filled obedience. After all, all the holy fathers placed it and valued it very highly. After all, by disobedience the first people fell away from God, and by obedience we are united with Him, seeing the example, of course, of the God-man Jesus, Who was obedient to death and even death on the cross.

Priest Andrei Chizhenko

Details Created: 14.09.2015 11:34

Prayer gestures. At what time should a parishioner make the sign of the cross (that is, be baptized), and at what time should he bow? This is what we are talking about today.

Most good advice One thing that can be given to a person who is completely unfamiliar with the Rule of Divine Services and the rules of conduct during Divine Services is to follow how the priest and deacon behave. They cross themselves and bow - and the parishioners should. They kneel - and the parishioners need to kneel. Even one observation of what and how the clergy are doing will, in a short time, make it possible to assimilate the culture of behavior during worship and answer many questions. It is strange, but even parishioners with experience sometimes do not know how to properly behave during worship. This suggests that the parishioners do not look and do not think about what and how do the clergy. I mean, what and how do in the service. Because in real life the parishioners follow the priests very carefully – what car he drives, how his wife and children are dressed, and much more.

And you should be careful about what and how the priest does not in his worldly life - only God is the judge of every person, but at the service, because here the priest is not ordinary person but a servant of God.

However, we digress.

Let's talk about our topic: prayer behavior during worship.

bows

There are three types of bows:

1. Simple bowing of the head;

2. Waist bow: we bow at the waist. If we follow strict rules, then during the waist bow we should lean forward so that our fingers touch the floor.

3. Bow to the ground: We kneel and bow our heads to the ground. Then we get up.

In accordance with the rules of the Church Charter, during worship, all three types of bows are used in appropriate cases. At what time - which ones, we will now tell:

head bow

A short bow of the head is never accompanied by the sign of the cross, we simply bow our head or slightly bow our bodies:

A. To the words of the priest Peace to all; The blessing of the Lord is on you, that grace and philanthropy ...; The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the Father and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

B. To the words of church hymns: let's fall down, bow down.

IN. Whenever the priest blesses not with the Cross, but with his hand. When the priest blesses with the Cross (for example, after the Liturgy, on vacation, or at other moments, one should cross himself and then make a bow from the waist)

G. Whenever a priest (or bishop) blesses with candles.

D. Every time you get censed. By incense, a deacon (or priest) expresses reverence for a person as the image of God. In response, we bow to the deacon (or priest). The exception is on the night of Holy Easter. Then the priest censes with the Cross in his hand and greets everyone with an exclamation Christ is Risen. Here you need to first cross yourself, and then bow.

Prolonged bowing of the head

With the exclamations of the deacon: Bow your heads to the Lord And Let us bow our heads to the Lord. With these words, you should bow your head and stand like that all the time while the prayer is being read.

E. We bow our heads during the Great Entrance, when the procession of the clergy stops at the pulpit.

AND. While reading the Holy Gospel.

Belt bow

Always before bowing from the waist, we overshadow ourselves with the sign of the cross!

Having made the sign of the cross, we bow in bow:

A. After each petition of the diaconal litany, while the choir sings Lord have mercy or Give it, Lord.

B. After each exclamation of the priest, with which he completes the litany.

IN. Always when singing in chorus: Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

G. For each: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us(during Liturgy).

D. After singing Most Honorable Cherub.

E. When reading akathists - at each kontakion and ikos; when reading the canons at the evening service - before each troparion.

AND. Before and after the reading of the Gospel, with the singing of the choir: Glory to You, Lord, Glory to You.

Z. Before singing Creed(on Liturgy).

AND. Before reading Apostle(on Liturgy).

TO. Whenever the priest blesses with the Cross (for example, after the Liturgy, on vacation, during the singing of Many Years, and in other cases).

L. Every time they bless with the Chalice, the Cross, the Holy Gospel and the icon.

M. At the beginning of the prayer Our Father.

N. Passing by the royal doors inside the temple, we must also cross ourselves and bow.

Earthly bows

Earthly bows are canceled:

A. From Easter to the feast of the Holy Trinity;

B. From the feast of the Nativity of Christ to the feast of the Epiphany (during Christmas time);

G. On the days of the twelfth (twelve great) holidays;

D. On Sundays. However, it is important to clarify the following here: although since ancient times Sunday has enjoyed special respect, nevertheless, some Christians, due to their reverent attitude towards the relic of the Body and Blood of Christ, wanted to bow to the ground in front of the shrine on these days. So the custom was fixed to allow two earthly bows even on Sunday:

1) after the words of the priest: Having changed by Your Holy Spirit;

2) and then, when the Chalice with the Body and Blood of Christ is taken out to all believers with the words: Come with the fear of God and faith.

It is at these two moments that prostrations to the earth, even on Sunday, are blessed. At other times, it is not blessed (except for bows before the Cross and the Shroud, if they are in the middle of the temple).

The first of the moments - the end of the consecration of the Holy Gifts - is not easy to track if the royal doors are closed and it is not visible through them how the clergy bow to the ground. In this case, you can bow to the ground with the exclamation of the priest: holy to the holy.

If the day is not Sunday, then one more must be added to these two prostrations during the Liturgy. This bow is done when the Chalice is shown to the believers for the last time. And this happens after Communion. When everyone has received communion, the priest brings the Chalice into the altar, reverently immerses the particles taken from the prosphora into it, and quietly reads the prescribed prayers. After that, the priest turns with the Chalice to the faithful and proclaims: Always, now and ever, and forever and ever! At this time, it is also necessary to make a prostration. If the day is Sunday, then you need to overshadow yourself with the sign of the cross and make a bow.

E. Even prostrations are canceled until the evening for a person who has received communion. But with the beginning of the evening service, a new liturgical day begins, therefore, starting in the evening, even a communicant can make prostrations.

We talked about when prostrations are cancelled. What to say about when they, on the contrary, are laid?

All the cases when prostrations are laid down cannot be cited, there are many of them. The important thing is this: whenever the worshipers are called to bow to the ground, this bow is done by the clergy themselves. There are many such cases in Lent. Watch the priests and you won't go wrong.

kneeling

Let me tell you straight away that Orthodox tradition It is not customary to pray on your knees. Other priests do not know this either. You look, sometimes the Eucharistic canon begins - and everyone in the altar kneels and remains in that position. Friends: Praying on your knees is the custom of the Catholic Church. In Orthodoxy, they kneel for a short time:

A. During the transfer of the shrine.

B. Once a year they listen to kneeling prayers on the Day of the Holy Trinity;

IN. They kneel during prayer (for example, after a prayer service), when the deacon (or priest) called for this: On bended knee let's pray.

G. You can kneel down when a particularly revered shrine is carried past, for example miraculous icon, power.

But just like that, they don’t kneel in the temple and, moreover, they don’t remain in this position for a long time.

We overshadow ourselves with the sign of the cross, but do not bow

A. While reading the Six Psalms. It is read during Matins, which can be served in the morning or in the evening. Also, the Six Psalms is always performed during the All-Night Vigil, that is, on Saturday evening and on the eve of holidays.

The Six Psalms consists of six psalms. In the middle, after three psalms, the reader proclaims:

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to Thee, O God.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, glory to Thee, O God.

Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and forever and ever. Amen.

The Six Psalms is performed in deep silence and reverence. These six selected psalms they talk about the expectation of mankind of the Messiah - the Savior. Silence here denotes the state in which ancient humanity on the eve of the Coming of Christ: the concentrated expectation of deliverance from sin.

B. At the beginning of singing Creed;

G. At the beginning of the reading of the Apostle, the Gospel (at the Liturgy, at the All-Night Vigil);

D. At the beginning of the reading of proverbs (on all-night vigil before the big holiday

E. When the priest pronounces the words By the power of the Honorable and Life-Giving Cross(these words are found in some prayers).