What is the correct way to venerate an icon?

[Durango]

then bowing and touching the floor with the tip of your right-hand fingers.

I was taught a little differently. I was under the impression that one does not touch the floor with the tip/tips of one’s fingers. The reason given is that the tips of the fingers are used to make the sign of the Cross. Therefore, one bends their fingers so that only the “backs” of the fingers actually contact the “unclean” floor before coming back up to make the Cross. When at a Russian Liturgy, I noticed that contact with the floor looked like a slight “brushing” motion as a parishoner’s arm would swing down and back up again. I personally just reach down and quickly place the backs of my fingers against the floor without the “swoosh”.

Durango

 

[MoreThan1Hat]

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.

:doh2:

 

[Durango]

As for tips on where to kiss an Icon, below is what understand the proper etiquet to be. Someone please correct me if I’m wrong:

If the feet of Christ are not displayed, kiss the hand of Christ holding the Gospel Book.

If it is only the face of Christ “Holy Napkin”, then kiss the hair, not the face.

If the Theotokos is standing, kiss somewhere down on her robe (not her feet).

If the Theotokos is holding Christ, I look for whichever hand shows the “back” of her hand and kiss there, as well as the feet of the Christ Child. (how do others do it?)

Holy Trinity: Kiss the backs of the “right” hands of the angels. On the Rublev Icon, I agree with the interpetation that the “left” angel represents the Father since the middle and right angles have their heads slightly bowed toward it. Therefore, I start from left to right (facing the Icon). If someone has a different opinion on how to venerate/kiss the Holy Trinity Icon, please share.

If it is a martyr holding a Cross, kiss the Cross.

If it is a Bishop holding a Gospel Book, kiss the Gospel Book.

If there is a Feast Day Icon with a lot of individuals depicted and you are in a Church with little time at the tetrapod to deliberate, you can never go wrong simply by kissing somewhere down in the lower corner.

Corrections and comments welcome.

Durango

 

[Frbrendan]

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.

It all depends on what village you come from. Russians do it one way, and the Arabs do it another way.

I was taught the Russian way–Sign of the Cross, then bow, and now I am attending an Arab parish, where they do it the opposite. I’m crossing while they are bowing, and vice versa.

 

[Aramis]

Most of the priests of the Diocese of Van Nuys’ metanoias during the dicocesan retreat HDL were Forehead, brush floor with back of fingers, right shoulder, left shoulder. The rest were Forehead, midriff, right shoulder, left shoulder, all whilst bowing. Actually, most brushed the floor on the first crossing, then bowed for the other two.