What is the correct way to venerate an icon?

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Harpazo

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I’ve often wondered how it’s to be done in the Eastern Churches. I used to know how, but I can’t recall anymore sadly… Could someone show me step-by-step? I think there is a prostration involved in some cases and I know it’s different from a Western prostration.

Thanks in advance!

Pace e Bene
Andrew
 
Generally it’s two metanoias, then kiss it, then a third.
Sometimes, it’s not always practical to do this. Don’t worry about getting it “right.” God knows your heart.
 
If you know the appropriate irmos, it’s good to say it, too, following the third metanoia.
 
Could someone give me a step-by-step on how to do this. I’ve seen others do this where they would go up to the icon and do a low bow and do the sign of the cross then kiss it. Sometimes I would see someone reach down to the floor and then make the sign of the cross. I do not know the proper forms.
 
dbacks5439 said:
Could someone give me a step-by-step on how to do this. I’ve seen others do this where they would go up to the icon and do a low bow and do the sign of the cross then kiss it. Sometimes I would see someone reach down to the floor and then make the sign of the cross. I do not know the proper forms.
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Going by what bpbasilphx said, it’s:
  • Two “metanias.” A metania is done by making the sign of the cross, then bowing and touching the floor with the tip of your right-hand fingers.
  • Kiss the icon (I’ve heard that ideally, it’s Christ on the feet and saints on the hands)
  • Another metania (make the sign of the cross, then bow and touch the floor with the tip of your right-hand fingers)
Hope this helps! :byzsoc:

(edit: Watch the smiley!)
 
Thanks, that does help. Also, I have seen some put money in a basket and then light a candle. Is this done for a particular intention, say for good health?
 
<<Is this done for a particular intention, say for good health?>>

Exactly.
 
The money is used to pay for the candles, at least in my parish. The surplus (a mere several cents per candle) goes to the operating fund.

The candles are for special intentions. In the more “Orthodox in Union” style parishes, they are long tapers (about 1.5-2 hour), and are placed in candlestands in front of the Icons of Pantocratnor and Theotokos.
 
During Lent, on weekdays, and in personal prayer, there is the tradition of making a full prostration before an icon. I’ve only seen it done in an Eastern Catholic Church during the Great Fast while I’ve seen it in Orthodox Churches on weekdays.

Make the Sign of the Cross
Go down on hands and knees and touch the forehead to the floor
Come up and make the Sign of the Cross
Go down on hands and knees and touch the forehead to the floor
Come up and kiss the icon
Make the Sign of the Cross
Go down on hands and knees and touch the forehead to the floor

I’ve seen some Orthodox do a metania the other way around, touching the floor first then rising to make the Sign of the Cross. I don’t remember the reason they gave.
 
wynd said:
  • Kiss the icon (I’ve heard that ideally, it’s Christ on the feet and saints on the hands
(edit: Watch the smiley!)
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Actually, in many of the Slavic Eastern Churches, it is considered EXTREMELY FORWARD, if not down right rude to kiss the ikons of Christ and Mary on the face, hands or feet.

It is more proper to kiss their vestments.

It’s also considered very rude to kiss the main ikons on the ikonostas.

hope this helps…
 
Patchunky said:
Actually, in many of the Slavic Eastern Churches, it is considered EXTREMELY FORWARD, if not down right rude to kiss the ikons of Christ and Mary on the face, hands or feet.

It is more proper to kiss their vestments.

It’s also considered very rude to kiss the main ikons on the ikonostas.

hope this helps…
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Like I said, it’s what I’ve heard.
 
Woodstock said:
I’ve seen some Orthodox do a metania the other way around, touching the floor first then rising to make the Sign of the Cross. I don’t remember the reason they gave.
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Most likely Greek Orthodox, who first touch the floor and then make the sign of the Cross, as opposed to the Russian way of doing it.
 
Note to the ladies:

Step one is to make sure that all lipstick has been removed before you approach the icon:doh2:
 
Khoria_Anna said:
Note to the ladies:

Step one is to make sure that all lipstick has been removed before you approach the icon:doh2:
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Or, if one (be they male or female) has some form of lip application on (in Alaska, due to weather, it isn’t uncommon for men to have on chapstick), one may instead kiss one’s fingers and use the fingers to touch the icon.
 
I’ve always wondered if it is still permitted to kiss the an icon even if the person might be ill. (Common sense would tell me, no).

And, if a person can’t postrate on the floor is allowed to at least do deep bows in front of the icons. (I have bad knees and will do deep bows).
 
Edwin1961 said:
I’ve always wondered if it is still permitted to kiss the an icon even if the person might be ill. (Common sense would tell me, no).

And, if a person can’t postrate on the floor is allowed to at least do deep bows in front of the icons. (I have bad knees and will do deep bows).
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In the first, kiss your fingers and then touch the icon insead of kissing directly.

In the second, yes, a deep bow is accepted practice (even among the Russian Orthodox).
 
Aramis said:
It is a hymn of prayer, intended to teach… Take a look at the Ruthenian pew book; it has many of the irmosi.
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I’m having a moment of bewilderment…do you mean Troparia and Kontakia? Maybe I have my terminology mixed up. I am, after all, in a Ruthenian parish with a good many latinizations.

And on the topic, actually - what to do about people who ALWAYS kiss the icons on the face, and with lip stuff on to boot? I pray for them, but it seems some catechesis is in order…?

:byzsoc:
 
MoreThan1Hat said:
I’m having a moment of bewilderment…do you mean Troparia and Kontakia? Maybe I have my terminology mixed up. I am, after all, in a Ruthenian parish with a good many latinizations.

And on the topic, actually - what to do about people who ALWAYS kiss the icons on the face, and with lip stuff on to boot? I pray for them, but it seems some catechesis is in order…?

:byzsoc:
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In the new pewbook, examples are on pages 167, 185.

They usually follow a magnification of Mary when part of the DL, matins, or vespers.

The combination of a magnification and irmos replaces the Theotokion on many feasts.
 
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