Prostration in the Eastern Tradition?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Thomas48
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
T

Thomas48

Guest
Do the eastern churches have celebrations which require prostration (besides ordination)? I know the greatest form of prostration I’ve seen in the Syro Malabar Church is during the feast of Arch Angel Micheal. I’ll share some pictures.

View attachment 16312 View attachment 16313
 
Thomas48 said:
Do the eastern churches have celebrations which require prostration (besides ordination)? I know the greatest form of prostration I’ve seen in the Syro Malabar Church is during the feast of Arch Angel Micheal. I’ll share some pictures.

View attachment 16312 View attachment 16313
Click to expand...
The Byzantine Rite (traditionally) practices prostrations on every service (and personal prayers) outside of Sunday and Pascha/Easter through Pentecost. Especially during Lent we prostrate during the Prayer of St Ephraim the Syrian:

O Lord and Master of my life, a spirit of idleness, despondency, ambition, and idle talking give me not. Prostration.

But rather a spirit of chastity, humble-mindedness, patience, and love bestow upon me Thy servant. Prostration.

Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my failings and not condemn my brother; for blessed art Thou unto the ages of ages. Amen. Prostration.
 
But keep in mind that a prostration in the east doesn’t exactly look like a prostration in the Latin Church. In the east, it’s not simply lying flat face down on the floor (like at a Latin Rite ordination or religious profession) but bending at your knees and touching your forehead to the ground; I think some people may be more familiar with seeing Muslims do it during their prayers-but it looks the same.
 
2HeartsSlave said:
But keep in mind that a prostration in the east doesn’t exactly look like a prostration in the Latin Church. In the east, it’s not simply lying flat face down on the floor (like at a Latin Rite ordination or religious profession) but bending at your knees and touching your forehead to the ground; I think some people may be more familiar with seeing Muslims do it during their prayers-but it looks the same.
Click to expand...
As you have shown in the picture on the right 😃
 
Yes, the Muslims got it from the Eastern Christians.
2HeartsSlave said:
But keep in mind that a prostration in the east doesn’t exactly look like a prostration in the Latin Church. In the east, it’s not simply lying flat face down on the floor (like at a Latin Rite ordination or religious profession) but bending at your knees and touching your forehead to the ground; I think some people may be more familiar with seeing Muslims do it during their prayers-but it looks the same.
Click to expand...
 
And FWIW, as someone who has trouble with her knees and thus can’t do the full prostration, you can also lean over (bow) and touch the ground (or the seat of the pew in front of you 😉 ) with the palm of your hand, then make the sign of the cross. I’ve been assured that that “counts” as a bad-knee prostration. 👍
 
I think prostration is a beautiful way in showing ones devotion to Christ. I always got goosebumps when seeing priests do it. 😛
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top