Do not genuflect, just a reverent bow.
You cross yourself with your first 3 fingers for the trinity and you move your hand up, down, right, left…not left first. Everything is a capella. there is no missil. the Deacon Sings the Epistle, the Priest the Gospel, all sung a capella. there is no old testament reading. It is a cross between a tridentine with the priest facing the tabernacle and a lot of incense used, and the conservative nature. They do a procession up the aisle and then around the church with the incense. Everyone crosses themselves anytime the holy spirit’s name is mentioned so yes, everytime “In the name iof the father son and holy spirit” the good thing for me…I have a lot of pain issues, so I have no pressure to sit and stand and kneeling is generally not done. they are in the church but not used. Please read some literature especially in the Catechism of the Catholic Church starting in Article 2 regarding confirmation and Eastern Catholicism through at least section 4. You will see small children receiving communion. I have been studying the differences for months so very strange from being Luteran then Latin Rite, then trying to move forward potentially with transfering to Eastern (Byzantine) You may be completely** wowed**, or turned off…but I like the ability for so many traditions, almost as many as there are Catholics. I am SO glad to have found it, and I found out about Eastern churches as my husband’s best friend’s ordination had his spiritual director…a “Russian Greek”(Eastern) I was surprised by his vestments, when I was constantly finding no churches who were friendly, or who kept the priest hostage half the day, I was glad it peaked my interest. He is now Bi-Ritual…and I have someone’s mind to pick when questions arise, though the priests ar involved the entire day. good Luck, and I hope you enjoy your visit!
