HELP! on crossing oneslef and prostrations

Tessa · Post by **Tessa** » Tue 3 February 2004 1:59 am

Can someone help me with the rules for prostrations and crossing yourself upon entering on church ON SUNDAYS and other days. Do they differ? I (who was not taught correctly about seemingly anything) always crossed once upon entering the door of the narthex, once before entering the nave with a slight bow, and once before venerating each icon. I only ever prostrated on Great Friday and this being as bendind over and touching the ground three times before veneration of the tomb.

Oh yes, and please don't email a link to Jordanville rule because I have that but am still confused.

In Christ
Tessa

OrthodoxyOrDeath · Post by **OrthodoxyOrDeath** » Tue 3 February 2004 9:07 pm

A few years ago I printed out a very good description of all the traditions of prostrations and crosses from a "Mathewite" website. The site no longer has the article.

I still have the printout but just don't have the time to scan it right now. If you still haven't found anything after a week let me know...

Tessa · Post by **Tessa** » Tue 3 February 2004 9:40 pm

thanks!!!

Mary Kissel · Post by **Mary Kissel** » Wed 4 February 2004 1:03 pm

I'm not sure if this is the correct way to do it or not, but the way I was 'taught' when i was in the OCA was you cross yourself as you're entering the Church and then you cross yourself and do one bow in the middle of the church aisle on your way up to venerate the icons and then when you get to where the icons are you cross yourself, bow once, cross yourself, bow the second time and then venerate the icon, then you cross yourself and bow the third time (when i say bow...i mean bend down as far as you can at the waist with your right arm extended to the floor) I have seen some people prostrate when they go up to venerate the icons too in basically the same way. if this is wrong, forgive me please and correct me please if i am wrong. thankyou

MaryCecilia

Mary Kissel · Post by **Mary Kissel** » Tue 10 February 2004 12:31 pm

Does no one else know the answer to this question?

Siluan · Post by **Siluan** » Wed 11 February 2004 2:30 am

I am not too well-versed on this topic, but here goes. Actually, I am quoting from the book, "A Guide to Orthodox Life: Some Beliefs, Customs, and traditions of the Church" by Father David Cownie and Presbytera Juliana Cownie. I think this is from the Synod in Resistance.

"On entering the Church proper, having crossed ourselves when approaching the building, we normally reverence the central Icon in the narthex with three prostrations. This is done by making the Sign of the Cross twice with a bow (bending and touching the ground with the right hand) or, if one wishes, a prostration (falling to the knees and bending the head almost to the ground).

(With regard to prostrations, it should be remembered, here, that because Sunday is the Day of Resurrection, we do not make prostrations or kneel in Church after Saturday Vespers.) This proscription holds not only for Sundays, but also for the entire festal period from Pascha to Pentecost.

We then kiss the icon and cross ourselves a third time, making a final bow or prostration."

Hope this helps!