Prohibition of Kneeling on Sundays

[SyroMalankara]

I’ve read numerous times that the prohibition of kneeling of Sundays is from the 1st Council of Nicæa, but I have never seen or read the context or what exactly the Council meant by this statement. The Antiochian Syriac Churches all have a portion within the Holy Qurbono of St. James where the priest HAS to prostrate, or at the very least kneel.
How was this practice able to mesh with the ancient prohibition?

 

[Nine_Two]

It’s Canon 20 of the Council of Nicea:

Since there are some persons who kneel in church on Sunday and on the days of Pentecost, with a view to preserving uniformity in all parishes, it has seemed best to the holy Council for prayers to be offered to God while standing.

I’m not familiar with that particular liturgy so I can’t comment on its own use of kneeling/prostrating.

 

[SyroMalankara]

So the Canon could be interpreted as a prohibition against kneeling individually, as opposed to the entire parish doing so uniformly?

 

[Brendan]

It the Latin published by the Council, it’s even more interesting

…ut omnia in universis locis consonater observentur, placuit sancto concililo stantes Domino vota persolvere.

Which can mean that one offers the Lord’s Prayer standing. Which has been the common position in the Roman Rite.

 

[SyroMalankara]

If the Canon refers specifically to the Lord’s Prayer, then I think that it has been implemented Universally - no Church, that I am aware of, prayers that particular prayer kneeling.

 

[Nine_Two]

If the Canon refers specifically to the Lord’s Prayer, then I think that it has been implemented Universally - no Church, that I am aware of, prayers that particular prayer kneeling.

Orthodox Churches do, when it isn’t a Sunday or during Pentecost.

I find it odd that they’d make it a rule that a particular prayer can not be prayed a certain way on certain days. That just doesn’t make any sense. A particular prayer always being prayed a certain way would make sense, or certain days when certain actions are not allowed make sense, but not certain actions accompanying certain prayers on certain days.

In other words I have a hard time buying that interpretation.

 

[Aramis]

I’m of the interpretation that its a universal prohibition… because of the theology that arises from it. The symbolism of the day of Resurrection, a day to stand aright, to stand in awe, to be attentive, to offer the Holy Oblation in peace. Uniformity of posture is called for by the council. But it’s also clear it is just a discipline, not an anathematic, canon. It’s positively passive.

 

[Nine_Two]

I’m of the interpretation that its a universal prohibition… because of the theology that arises from it. The symbolism of the day of Resurrection, a day to stand aright, to stand in awe, to be attentive, to offer the Holy Oblation in peace. Uniformity of posture is called for by the council. But it’s also clear it is just a discipline, not an anathematic, canon. It’s positively passive.

Depends, the canons of the church didn’t tend το pronounce anathema in the beginning as they did more and more later on, however I do agree, it’s more of a recommended practice that should be followed, rather than an automatic excommunication for those who disobey.