Entering a Byzantine Church/Receiving communion

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I visited a Byzantine Church in Houston over the weekend and, while it was very beautiful, I of course had no idea what to do because I am a Roman Catholic. When I entered, I just did what I normally do, went to a pew, genuflected in the direction of the curtain (since I assumed there was an altar/tabernacle behind it) and then took a seat. However when I saw everyone else come in, they went to the front where they had some icons, one of the transfiguration (I think) and one of Christ and the Theotokos, and they kissed these icons and crossed themselves. I am wondering, is this normally what you are supposed to do when you enter a Byzantine Catholic church? I noticed that this kissing of the icons went on multiple times throughout the liturgy.

Secondly is there any procedure that you’re supposed to do when receiving communion? I just went up there and received it, I didn’t know if there was some posture I should take, for example in the Maronite church you cross your hands over your chest or something.

Thanks!
 
CompSciGuy said:
I visited a Byzantine Church in Houston over the weekend and, while it was very beautiful, I of course had no idea what to do because I am a Roman Catholic. When I entered, I just did what I normally do, went to a pew, genuflected in the direction of the curtain (since I assumed there was an altar/tabernacle behind it) and then took a seat. However when I saw everyone else come in, they went to the front where they had some icons, one of the transfiguration (I think) and one of Christ and the Theotokos, and they kissed these icons and crossed themselves. I am wondering, is this normally what you are supposed to do when you enter a Byzantine Catholic church? I noticed that this kissing of the icons went on multiple times throughout the liturgy.

Secondly is there any procedure that you’re supposed to do when receiving communion? I just went up there and received it, I didn’t know if there was some posture I should take, for example in the Maronite church you cross your hands over your chest or something.

Thanks!
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Was it St. John Chrysostom you attended? I ask because I’m a parishioner there.

The veneration of icons upon entering the church is a normal part of the Byzantine liturgy. Not everyone chooses to do so. If you attend in the future, you may do so if you wish, but you certainly don’t have to. If you wish to venerate the icons, just follow what you see the regulars doing.

As far as receiving communion, traditionally, one approaches with arms crossed over the chest. However, not everyone chooses to do so. Generally, the priest or deacon distributing Holy Communion asks for your name. As I suggested with the veneration of the icons, when approaching for Holy Communion, just do what you see the regulars doing.

I hope this has been helpful.
 
The few that I have gone to just make a bow while making the sign of the cross when going to the pew.

Communion: cross your arms over your chest, tilt head back, and open mouth.

Usually say a prayer to self on your knees after Divine Liturgy is over and doors closed - at least where I went to.
 
Tbrightson said:
The few that I have gone to just make a bow while making the sign of the cross when going to the pew.

Communion: cross your arms over your chest, tilt head back, and open mouth.

Usually say a prayer to self on your knees after Divine Liturgy is over and doors closed - at least where I went to.
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Don’t kneel on Sundays.
 
It is not within Byzantine tradition to genuflect. A profound bow is more appropriate.

Also, it is not within Byzantine tradition to kneel before Liturgy on Sundays. The reason being is because kneeling wouldn’t symbolize the risen Christ.

When you receive communion, you cross your arms over your chest, you go up to the priest, open your mouth wide, allow him to drop the Species in, and after he has taken the spoon out of your mouth, you may close.
 
bben15 said:
It is not within Byzantine tradition to genuflect. A profound bow is more appropriate.

Also, it is not within Byzantine tradition to kneel before Liturgy on Sundays. The reason being is because kneeling wouldn’t symbolize the risen Christ.

When you receive communion, you cross your arms over your chest, you go up to the priest, open your mouth wide, allow him to drop the Species in, and after he has taken the spoon out of your mouth, you may close.
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I understand all that, but an individual may still choose to kneel if he/she wishes. My point being there are no kneeler police.
;)😉
 
There were a number of “traditionalist” Roman Catholics who insisted on kneeing when they received Holy Communion and after they received on Sundays, even after they were instructed not to by the pastor of my Ruthenian church.

The arrogance and ignorance of these people astounded me. They know best, right? :rolleyes: I can just imagine how they would feel is Easterners demanded to stand at an EF Mass.

Most of them finally learned their lesson and a few finally left. I suspect Father gathered them together in private and let them know they wouldn’t be given communion if they didn’t have the grace to follow the Byzantine rules which they had been reminded about more than once.
 
theistgal said:
Before or after the Liturgy, you may kneel to your heart’s content. There’s no law forbidding it.
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Canon 20 of Nicaea has traditionally been interpreted (at least in the East) as forbidding kneeling even in one’s private prayers on Sundays. St. Nikodemos of the Holy Mountain, for example, writes in his Exomologetarion, that monks do not perform full prostrations on Sundays, even as a part of their prayer rule, on account of that canon, instead substituting a greater number of bows, and that those who have received a penance or rule from their priest instructing them to do a certain number of full prostrations daily ought also to observe this practice.
 
Well gosh, I was kneeling after receiving communion when I went back to the pew. I didn’t know you weren’t supposed to.
 
CompSciGuy said:
Well gosh, I was kneeling after receiving communion when I went back to the pew. I didn’t know you weren’t supposed to.
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Generally, you are not going to get in trouble or spoken to if you kneel. The Eastern tradition prohibits kneeling and prostrating on Sundays (even during private devotions). Sunday is a joyous day, not a day for penance (kneeling is seen as being penitential). However, most people understand that Western Catholics are used to kneeling and don’t mind. 🙂

Do not, however, kneel to receive the Eucharist. This is disruptive and a Eucharist mishap might occur (especially when you stand up again). For this reason, Byzantine Catholics do not make the sign of the Cross while standing before the Chalice. We don’t want to knock into it. 😉
 
theistgal said:
I understand all that, but an individual may still choose to kneel if he/she wishes. My point being there are no kneeler police.
;)😉
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Certain priests will ask you not to kneel in their parish on sundays. And if they see people who ignored it last week here again, make a general announcement that “Kneeling on sundays is not appropriate in a Byzantine parish. When in Rome, kneel like a Roman. When here, stand like a Byzantine.” (priest’s name withheld, but it’s a direct quote.)
 
Urn said:
There were a number of “traditionalist” Roman Catholics who insisted on kneeing when they received Holy Communion and after they received on Sundays, even after they were instructed not to by the pastor of my Ruthenian church.

The arrogance and ignorance of these people astounded me. They know best, right? :rolleyes: I can just imagine how they would feel is Easterners demanded to stand at an EF Mass.

Most of them finally learned their lesson and a few finally left. I suspect Father gathered them together in private and let them know they wouldn’t be given communion if they didn’t have the grace to follow the Byzantine rules which they had been reminded about more than once.
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Bravo, Father!

I’ve seen ONE trad attempt that. Rev. Fr. gave them a blessing, said “See me after liturgy” and sent them on to the pew.
 
Urn said:
There were a number of “traditionalist” Roman Catholics who insisted on kneeing when they received Holy Communion and after they received on Sundays, even after they were instructed not to by the pastor of my Ruthenian church.
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Mhm… I stood in the back of a Latin parish once and got yelled at by around 10 parishioners for being distracting and disrespectful by standing so I didn’t do it again. But somehow this does not surprise me; it’s amazing how arrogant some people are when it comes to kneeling. I was even at an ordination (at the Maronite Cathedral for Maronite clergy) and a few sisters said they’d follow my lead because they had never been to a Maronite liturgy. Well sure enough when it came to the Institution Narrative they told me to kneel down. sigh

On-topic, I’m not that versed in Byzantine worship; there are icons of Christ and the Theotokos under what seem to be mini-baldachins at the Melkite Church by my house near the entrance to the church. Normally when I enter a Byzantine Church I would venerate such icons but because of the low top of the baldachin-like structures it makes it awkwardly difficult; are they still to be venerated or not?
 
MorEphrem said:
Mhm… I stood in the back of a Latin parish once and got yelled at by around 10 parishioners for being distracting and disrespectful by standing
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Wow. 😦 I’ve never even imagined that anyone reacts that way.
 
Aramis said:
Bravo, Father!

I’ve seen ONE trad attempt that. Rev. **Fr. gave them a blessing, said “See me after liturgy” **and sent them on to the pew.
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That’s beautiful. I think the worst part about the kneelers is the looks on their faces. They may not fully understand why they are supposed to stand but it’s pretty clear they have been told.

The only time I saw my (former - RIP) Byzantine priest actually refused anyone communion (and he did it in a very gentlemanly manner) was when a woman presented herself wearing a tube top and hot pants.
 
MorEphrem said:
Mhm… I stood in the back of a Latin parish once and got yelled at by around 10 parishioners for being distracting and disrespectful by standing so I didn’t do it again. But somehow this does not surprise me; it’s amazing how arrogant some people are when it comes to kneeling. I was even at an ordination (at the Maronite Cathedral for Maronite clergy) and a few sisters said they’d follow my lead because they had never been to a Maronite liturgy. Well sure enough when it came to the Institution Narrative they told me to kneel down. sigh
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I think a huge part of it is the need for some to bring attention to oneself and to give oneself the feeling of being “even more pious” than those around you. When I went to my first Byzantine Divine Liturgy I simply followed what everyone else was doing.
 
Urn said:
I think a huge part of it is the need for some to bring attention to oneself and to give oneself the feeling of being “even more pious” than those around you. When I went to my first Byzantine Divine Liturgy I simply followed what everyone else was doing.
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When I went to a Tridentine Latin Mass, I knelt on the kneeler to receive Communion just like everyone else. I couldn’t imagine standing standing while everyone else beside me is kneeling. 😃
 
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