Kneeling

[JW55]

For those visiting an Eastern Catholic Church, is kneeling to pray after receiving communion considered inappropriate or disrespectful if there are kneelers in the pews of the church? I know many eastern churches don’t have pews, but others do.

 

[ConstantineTG]

For those visiting an Eastern Catholic Church, is kneeling to pray after receiving communion considered inappropriate or disrespectful if there are kneelers in the pews of the church? I know many eastern churches don’t have pews, but others do.

Depends how Latinized a parish is. Why force your own tradition on others? If you are in an Eastern parish and you know its not appropriate to kneel, why kneel? Even if there are others who do, you know they are wrong for doing so.

If you are going to an Eastern parish, respect their tradition. If an Eastern Catholic comes into an RC parish, they should kneel, do as the Romans do.

 

[Aramis]

Many parishes with pews have no kneelers.

Remember, Kneeling does not mean Adoration in the byzantine context, but grief. It gives the implication of being sorrowful for having received communion. Most Byzantines know the Latins mean adoration with it, but when not in Rome…

Where Latinization isn’t rampant, and the priest isn’t on a delatinization kick, it will usually be ignored, or occasionally a Babushka will simply block the kneeler so you can’t put it down. (I’ve seen this done. In two different parishes. By two different babushki.)

If Latinization is rampant, you might be one of several.

If the priest is on a Delatinization kick, you might get a quiet earful after liturgy, or the whole parish might get a quick lesson just before the Royal Doors are closed, reminding that kneeling is a sign of Grief, not Adoration, and therefore inappropriate in a Byzantine Parish after reception of the Holy Eucharist. (I’ve also seen this.)

If Latinization is rampant, and the priest is on a delatinization kick, you might get the lesson as a reminder at the end of the homily… (I’ve also seen this.)

Occasionally, when it’s obvious there are a bunch of Latins present, the reminder not to kneel during the liturgy may be given before the incensation.

 

[JW55]

Thank you. Excellent information. The information regarding the Byzantine’s interpretation of kneeling is enlightening.

I have tried to be respectful of the different traditions when visiting and I do follow those customs of which I am aware. However, even with reading and research there are many practices that take a while to absorb. Fortunately, the churches I have visited have been very helpful and tolerant of my “lack of awareness” and have offered assistance when I have gotten lost in the process.

 

[German_Melkite]

I think I am as “Eastern” as it gets, but I find the cudgel of “Latinization” to be miss used and illogically applied.

It is the tradition of the East to stand in prayer and to stand following communion - and as such - it is good and right to stand at those times. But that is Eastern tradition, not some Roman-style law. Those who fear the specter of “Latinization” in their desire to avoid any break with history, impose standards using a very Western mindset.

For me, at least, one of the most precious beauties of the East is the idea that our process to God is very personal and direct. The Church does not announce God’s will, so much as guiding us to listen closely to God’s voice in our hearts. Holy Tradition is not a prescription of how we must pray to God. Holy Tradition is a** example **of how others have reached out to God.

The old lady who stops some one from expressing their deep adoration after communion (no matter what the gesture or attitude is) - that old lady is not pious, she is rude. The priest whose impromptu lecture on the postures of prayer embarrasses some one who was expressing their heart, is not right minded, he is pompously righteous.

Eastern Christians should live out their traditions and let their examples guide others. Obviously when in a new or different situation, it is best to try to emulate the actions of those who are more knowledgeable. But if an outsider does not yet know of or feel comfortable with the different gestures, stances, prayers - then we should accept what is in their heart, until they can embrace the traditions we have developed.

 

[Little_Boy_Lost]

It is ok to kneel during the week but not on Saturday evenings or sundays. The traditional context of kneeling in the East is penitential whereas in the west it is fealty. I’ve seen people kneel during vespers in Great Lent and our parish does not have kneelers.

 

[Seamus_L]

My experience has been that the Eastern Catholics remain standing after receiving communion from Easter Sunday, either till after the Feast of the Ascension, or possibly longer, can’t seem to remember exactly when it ends. Other times of the year, I have noticed a very small number of people who stand after communion. The vast majority I’ve seen, kneel after receiving, the rest of the year.

 

[ciero]

My experience has been that the Eastern Catholics remain standing after receiving communion from Easter Sunday, either till after the Feast of the Ascension, or possibly longer, can’t seem to remember exactly when it ends. Other times of the year, I have noticed a very small number of people who stand after communion. The vast majority I’ve seen, kneel after receiving, the rest of the year.

We start kneeling again at the Vespers of Pentecost…the service is called Kneeling Vespers…We do NOT kneel on Sundays the rest of the year…In the Byzantine tradition we should NEVER kneel after receiving the Holy Eucharist…as kneeling is a sign of penitence and we should not do penance after receiving the Eucharist…we should rejoice and give thanks to God.