The Shepherd, October 2006
“O Lord, I Have Loved The Beauty of Thy House”, 3
Attire in Church
We should come to church with the profound sense that we are coming before the King of the Universe. If we were going to visit an earthly ruler, we would want to dress as best as we were able as a simple matter of respect for the person we would be seeing, and we should have at least as much reverence for God and His holy temple. Clothing should also be modest – which means one’s clothes should actually cover one adequately. A good rule of thumb is that we should be attired such that we would be able to make full prostrations without embarrassing ourselves or those around us. We should not wear clothes that attract undue attention to ourselves, either because they are flashy, gaudy, or because they are immodest (see 1 Tim. 2:9-10).
According to the teachings of St. Paul the Apostle, women should cover their heads in Church, and men should not (see 1 Cor. 11).
It should be noted, however, that it is not up to individuals in the parish to enforce a dress code. People should concern themselves with their own behaviour, and that of their families. In situations in which something needs to be said, the priest, the warden, or the senior sister will be the one to do so.
Standing in Church
The normal posture of Orthodox worship is to stand during the services. Pews are found in many Churches in America, but this is not the traditional practice of the Orthodox Church. There are traditionally benches along the sides of the walls of the Church for people to sit who need to – particularly the elderly, and the infirm. Those who are able to should graciously give up their seats when they see an elderly or infirm person who needs to sit, or a visitor who is unaccustomed to standing. There are certain times when one should definitely be standing, unless they are unable to do so: as a rule, whenever the Royal Doors are opened, during the Six Psalms at Matins (at which time one should be particularly still), during the Gospel reading, during the Cherubic Hymn, the Anaphora (when the Eucharist is consecrated), and during the “Our Father,” and when Holy Communion is being administered to the faithful. At these same solemn points of the service, we should refrain from lighting candles, venerating the icons, or moving about unnecessarily.
If one must sit, one should not cross ones legs while doing so. Particularly for those Orthodox from “the old country,” this is considered to be very disrespectful. Whistling near the church, at any time, is considered to be extremely disrespectful to Russians.
During the service, we should not fold our arms, lean against the walls, or stick our hands in our pockets, or behind our backs. These postures signify a casual attitude that is not conducive to right worship.
On Sundays we do not kneel or make prostrations, except when making prostrations before the Cross on those occasions when the Cross is brought out for veneration.
When Receiving Holy Communion
Partaking of Communion is a matter that should be treated with the utmost seriousness, and should neither be taken lightly by carelessly communing, or by avoiding confession and communion for prolonged periods of time, unless this is due to a penance (in which case regular confession should continue).
Proper preparation for communion requires all of the following elements: recent confession, the blessing of the priest to commune, keeping the fast, praying the pre-communion prayers from the Prayer Book, and abstaining entirely from food and drink from the midnight prior to Communion.
One should wipe off lipstick or lip balm before communing or venerating an icon, the Gospel, or the Cross. These can damage icons or wooden crosses, and can be difficult to clean off from metallic items. Parents should ensure that the faces (and noses) of their smaller children have been wiped prior to their approaching the chalice.
 Do not make the sign of the Cross when approaching the chalice, because it has happened that this has resulted in knocking the chalice, and spilling the Holy Mysteries, which is a very serious matter. Instead, one should approach the Chalice with one’s arms crossed (with one’s right hand on one’s left shoulder, and one’s left arm covering ones right arm, and touching one’s right shoulder).***
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