How to behave in the church: principles and rules

Even unbelievers know that the church is a place where certain norms of behavior are observed. How to behave in the church? There are many rules, but there are general principles that will help you to understand an unfamiliar situation: do not interfere with other parishioners, do not attract attention, listen carefully to the reader and the choir during the chants. What are the rules of behavior in the Orthodox Church?

Holiday color

Dressing a believing woman needs to be kept as close as possible, that is, the skirt (and not the trousers) should be long, the sleeves are also desirable up to the wrists. Of course, you need a handkerchief. Constant parishioners wear handkerchiefs of a certain color: green on the Trinity, blue - on the Virgin holidays, black - in the great post. The same black turns red on Easter night. The church should come in beautiful clothes, it is a holiday, and not a "fair of humility", mostly ostentatious. How to behave in the church to a stronger sex? Men also need to dress modestly, hats in front of the entrance must be removed. Cross is mandatory, without it you can not participate in rituals.

On a way

On the way to the temple it is good to read to himself the penitential psalm of David (50th) and Jesus' prayer. There is also a special prayer of a man who goes to church. But this is not for beginning parishioners, so limit yourself to the psalm and the prayer of Jesus Christ. Both of these texts can be found in any prayer book, in particular, among the morning prayers. At the entrance to the church it is customary to cross three times with a bow.

To be in time all

In the temple you need to come 15 minutes before the start of the divine service. You calmly submit notes to the proskomedia or order mass, pray before the faces of the saints. Which icon should I go to in the church? There are no special rules. It is advisable to bypass everything hanging out available. First you are baptized twice with a belt-bow, then the third time you make a sign, kiss the icon and bow for the third time. How to behave in the church, if you have already accepted the Body and Blood? It is not possible to make bows before the communion, and before the Liturgy it is possible.

Special time

There are times when parishioners require a particularly attentive prayer (in the church they say - "special"). This applies to the time of reading the Gospel, Shestopsalmiya, the so-called Cherubic song and the Eucharistic canon. How to behave properly in the church? In these moments you can not move, you need to remain silent and listen. If you are late, do not enter the temple from the vestibule at the time of reading such prayers. Wait until they run out. Unconfined people can not be traditionally placed on the "Liturgy of the faithful", so after the priest's phrase "Catechumens, get them out!" They must leave the temple, the service is finished for them.

Difficulties of Rites

Cross signs and bows during the liturgy are a difficult question. There are rules for each prayer being read. If you are inexperienced, just do everything as others do. It is not customary in the church to kneel when you want it. But if everyone knelt, then you can join. At this moment, the Orthodox bow their heads.

When the service is over, the priest gives for the kissing of the cross, come up, overshadow yourself with a sign and touch the shrine with your lips. Usually after this they kiss the priest's hand. At the exit from the temple, you should cross three times, each time with a bow.