Touching the Gospel Book/Bible and the Vessels, Veils, and Vestments during the Little and Great Entrance/Procession

  • Thread starter Thread starter 378
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
3

378

Guest
How common is this practice?? I have attended and/or seen Melkite and Antiochian liturgies, as well as Syriac liturgies, and seen this practice at times; some members of the congregation, during the Little Entrance procession of the Gospel Book/Bible or the Chalice, reach out and touch the Sacred Scriptures. I personally have never seen anyone reach out and touch the vessels, veils, and vestments during the Great Entrance procession. In addition, is this practiced among other traditions, including other Byzantine (Ukrainians, Italians) and Oriental Christians (Copts, Ethiopians, Armenians)??

As a Latin Catholic myself, I have never seen this done in the Novus Ordo masses during the entrance of the clergy at the beginning of the mass. Is this done during the Tridentine mass?? Has anyone ever seen it done in a Novus Ordo mass??
 
This is an old custom practiced by many Orthodox Churches, and is once again finding its way back into the tradition of their counterpart Catholic Churches. This also is seen in Churches following the Byzantine Rite. In general, veneration of the Gospel, the Holy Cross, icons, etc. is well established custom.
 
It is fairly common for folks to touch the book of the Gospel during the small entrance. During the Great Entrance it is common for people to touch the hem of the priest/deacons vestments or to kiss the vestments.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top