Catholic visiting Russian Orthodox Church....

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Love_is_Patient

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what should I know? what should i do so that i do not offend anyone?

Thanks,

❤️ Love is Patient
 
Love_is_Patient said:
what should I know? what should i do so that i do not offend anyone?

Thanks,

❤️ Love is Patient
Click to expand...
Dear Love is Patient,
I am Russian Orthodox. I want to try to help you with your question of what you ask what you should do so as not to offend anyone while visiting a Russian Orthodox Church. Well, speaking as an older middle aged man (not quite elderly, but soon will get there) who has a lifetime of experience in that church, you may not be able to offend certain people, no matter what you do. In most Orthodox churches, you’ll certainly find plenty of old people who will just give you a dirty look when you come in. Some may make unpleasant remarks to you. If you attempt to talk to some parishioners there, they will tell you that they don’t speak English, even though they do. You may find it to be a hostile place.
The formal procedure of going through the mass is way too involved to write about it in this e-mail. There is, however, an excellent book, written by an Orthodox priest, titled The Law of God You can obtain this book from the bookstore at The Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY. The Russian Orthodox Church in Exile has a web site which features an on line bookstore. this book can be ordered from there. I have a copy of this book and I can tell you that it is so well written that I couldn’t put it down until I finished reading it. (This book is available in both a Russian Language version as well as in English)
My first paragraph in this message to you may not sound encouraging. However, I want to tell you honestly what you may encounter. You find people who offend easily everywhere. The Catholic Church is full of rude and unfriendly people as well. (My wife is a Roman Catholic) The Russian Orthodox Parish that I belonged to as a child and a young adult was full of unpleasant, arrogant people. The book, The Law of God explains very well that the devil has been defeated by Jesus, so now the devil does his deeds from inside “The Church”. These people are merely the devil’s tools and are to be laughed at.
 
Glory to Jesus Christ!

Hello Love is Patient,

http://www.saintinnocent.net/23.jpg

You may stand anywhere in the Nave, but not on the Bema, allowing space up front for people to approach the candlestands and icons. There may be chairs, although ideally these will be left open for the infirm and elderly, mothers with young children, etc. Many parishes even have pews (because of the bowing I find them constraining). I have noticed that most Orthodox will grab a chair if they can get it, although traditionally we stand through the liturgy (this was also the case in the west for most of it’s history, so purist Traditionalists in the west could make a strong case for removing pews too 🤷 ).

http://ocaphoto.oca.org/filetmp/2004/July/85/Detail/DSC_0090.jpg

There will be no kneeling on most Sundays, it being Resurrection Day every week. Some Uniate parishes were accepted into Holy Orthodoxy in the 20th century and they may continue the practice of kneeling at the Cherubic Hymn, consecration and the Lord’s Prayer but generally this is not done.

We cross ourselves at the mention of the Holy Trinity, but we always address the Holy Trinity as the Three Persons, as such: **+Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Or…

**For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the +Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.

So you would want to pay attention as you pray along with us. Cross youself in the way you are used to, as a visitor this is not going to puzzle or disturb anyone.

You may venerate the icons on the analoys. We generally kiss them after parayer and crossing ourselves thrice. If you feel comfortable doing so go right ahead.

When the priest of deacon is censing the church, try not to turn your back to it, instead face it. If he censes you directly you may bow and cross yourself.

You already know to refrain from approaching the Sacred Mysteries, but you may be offered a bit of Antidoran by laypersons after they themselves have received. It is OK to accept the gift of Blessed Bread, as it is not the Holy Eucharist.

At the conclusion of the liturgy we venerate the cross. You are welcome to participate along with everyone else. The priest will hold the hand cross in his right (blessing) hand…you kiss the corpus, and then lightly kiss the blessing hand. The priest will have a few nice things to say to everyone in the line, he may invite you to hospitality afterward.

http://ocaphoto.oca.org/filetmp/2004/March/43/Detail/DSC_0113.jpg

This being Lent, the pickin’s after Liturgy will reflect the diet of most Orthodox this season.

I understand what Antonin is stating. There are probably some ethnic parishes which might be a little off-putting, But this has more to do with the nature of immigrant communities and crotchety personalities more than anything else.

The Orthodox parishes I am familiar with are used to receiving visitors, so you would not be a bother to anyone. If there is a greeter you will be offered advice and a possibly a Missalette (we don’t call it that, just a Divine Liturgy book).

My experience is primarily with older congregations which have evolved away from the old ethnic base of the early days, or never had that. My parish was established over 100 years ago for Russian expatriates by a priest-martyr and canonized saint, and yet now we are mostly English speaking American born, with about 30% converts (like me). Some of the old timers tell me how different it was coming into the parish forty years ago, it sort of sounds like what Antonin is talking about.

See 12 things I wish I had known by Frederica Matthews-Green.

Pax et Bonum,
Michael
 
Hesychios said:
Glory to Jesus Christ!

Hello Love is Patient,

You may stand anywhere in the Nave, but not on the Bema, allowing space up front for people to approach the candlestands and icons. There may be chairs, although ideally these will be left open for the infirm and elderly, mothers with young children, etc. Many parishes even have pews (because of the bowing I find them constraining). I have noticed that most Orthodox will grab a chair if they can get it, although traditionally we stand through the liturgy (this was also the case in the west for most of it’s history, so purist Traditionalists in the west could make a strong case for removing pews too 🤷 ).

There will be no kneeling on most Sundays, it being Resurrection Day every week. Some Uniate parishes were accepted into Holy Orthodoxy in the 20th century and they may continue the practice of kneeling at the Cherubic Hymn, consecration and the Lord’s Prayer but generally this is not done.

We cross ourselves at the mention of the Holy Trinity, but we always address the Holy Trinity as the Three Persons, as such: ***+***Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Or…

***For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the +***Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.

So you would want to pay attention as you pray along with us. Cross youself in the way you are used to, as a visitor this is not going to puzzle or disturb anyone.

You may venerate the icons on the analoys. We generally kiss them after parayer and crossing ourselves thrice. If you feel comfortable doing so go right ahead.

When the priest of deacon is censing the church, try not to turn your back to it, instead face it. If he censes you directly you may bow and cross yourself.

You already know to refrain from approaching the Sacred Mysteries, but you may be offered a bit of Antidoran by laypersons after they themselves have received. It is OK to accept the gift of Blessed Bread, as it is not the Holy Eucharist.

At the conclusion of the liturgy we venerate the cross. You are welcome to participate along with everyone else. The priest will hold the hand cross in his right (blessing) hand…you kiss the corpus, and then lightly kiss the blessing hand. The priest will have a few nice things to say to everyone in the line, he may invite you to hospitality afterward.

I understand what Antonin is stating. There are probably some ethnic parishes which might be a little off-putting, But this has more to do with the nature of immigrant communities and crotchety personalities more than anything else.

The Orthodox parishes I am familiar with are used to receiving visitors, so you would not be a bother to anyone. If there is a greeter you will be offered advice and a possibly a Missalette (we don’t call it that, just a Divine Liturgy book).

My experience is primarily with older congregations which have evolved away from the old ethnic base of the early days, or never had that. My parish was established over 100 years ago for Russian expatriates by a priest-martyr and canonized saint, and yet now we are mostly English speaking American born, with about 30% converts (like me). Some of the old timers tell me how different it was coming into the parish forty years ago, it sort of sounds like what Antonin is talking about.

See 12 things I wish I had known by Frederica Matthews-Green.

Pax et Bonum,
Michael
Click to expand...
Thank you so much! I really love the photos, and I love the beauty of Orthodox Churches. 🙂 and the link was great. 👍
 
Antonin said:
Dear Love is Patient,
I am Russian Orthodox. I want to try to help you with your question of what you ask what you should do so as not to offend anyone while visiting a Russian Orthodox Church. Well, speaking as an older middle aged man (not quite elderly, but soon will get there) who has a lifetime of experience in that church, you may not be able to offend certain people, no matter what you do. In most Orthodox churches, you’ll certainly find plenty of old people who will just give you a dirty look when you come in. Some may make unpleasant remarks to you. If you attempt to talk to some parishioners there, they will tell you that they don’t speak English, even though they do. You may find it to be a hostile place.
The formal procedure of going through the mass is way too involved to write about it in this e-mail. There is, however, an excellent book, written by an Orthodox priest, titled The Law of God You can obtain this book from the bookstore at The Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY. The Russian Orthodox Church in Exile has a web site which features an on line bookstore. this book can be ordered from there. I have a copy of this book and I can tell you that it is so well written that I couldn’t put it down until I finished reading it. (This book is available in both a Russian Language version as well as in English)
My first paragraph in this message to you may not sound encouraging. However, I want to tell you honestly what you may encounter. You find people who offend easily everywhere. The Catholic Church is full of rude and unfriendly people as well. (My wife is a Roman Catholic) The Russian Orthodox Parish that I belonged to as a child and a young adult was full of unpleasant, arrogant people. The book, The Law of God explains very well that the devil has been defeated by Jesus, so now the devil does his deeds from inside “The Church”. These people are merely the devil’s tools and are to be laughed at.
Click to expand...
Thanks! I just hope to blend in as best I can as a visitor. I have a great respect for the Orthodox, and i’m looking forward to my visit.
 
Love_is_Patient said:
Actually, I’ll be visiting a Russian Orthodox Church in Russia. 🙂
Click to expand...
In that case you’ll probably be more of a curiosity than anything. Make sure you dress appropriately, suit and tie for a male or a dress and head covering for a female. Other than that just do as the Russians do.😉

Yours in Christ
Joe
 
Love_is_Patient said:
Actually, I’ll be visiting a Russian Orthodox Church in Russia. 🙂
Click to expand...
Where will you be visiting? By “visit” do you mean to go to see like a museum or art gallery or do you mean to be attending divine worship with Orthodox people? Do you speak Russian?

If you speak no Russian and are going as for historical artistic interest - still to cover head as woman and dress well, but will follow English speaking guides.

If going to Divine Worship- Hesychios has provided you good information. If you speak Russian, slavonic singing of Symbol and Our Father can be easily for you. If do not speak Russian or know Slavonic respondings, you will be probably leaving before end of Divine Worship which is sufficiently long.

Russian people, particularly young, will be most helpful to you.
 
Antonin said:
Well, speaking as an older middle aged man (not quite elderly, but soon will get there) who has a lifetime of experience in that church, you may not be able to offend certain people, no matter what you do. In most Orthodox churches, you’ll certainly find plenty of old people who will just give you a dirty look when you come in. Some may make unpleasant remarks to you. If you attempt to talk to some parishioners there, they will tell you that they don’t speak English, even though they do. You may find it to be a hostile place.
Click to expand...
My experience is different. I have attended Russian Orthodox services, where we knew absolutely nobody, and we were totally welcomed; to the extent of being invited to brunch afterwards. I’ve known many Russian Orthodox and have found them, without exception, to be very respectful and accepting of Catholics. I’ve even be told “it’s really the same thing.” A very good Catholic friend of mine married a Russian Orthodox girl and there was absolutely no issue for either Church.

By the way, I don’t think all Orthodox Churches are like this; my experience with Greek Orthodox is pretty mixed. Institutionally, I don’t think they like us at all and some will make that point quite clear.

Dress nicely and wear comfortable shoes. It’s a beautiful service, but you’re going to stand through the whole thing and they are long.
 
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