Why weren't/aren't laity allowed passed the altar rail?

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Well let’s just clear it up shall we? Women aren’t unclean. No one is saying that is the reason they are not allowed in the sanctuary. There are simply roles for the clergy and those of the laity. Laity are at times allowed in the sanctuary but it is to be reserved primarily for the clergy or those serving. It’s important we don’t all try to march up to the sanctuary in the name of equality and for our rights for God’s sake. I really believe some of you would do this! Respect should be given to the clergy and most of all for God in the Eucharist.
 
It’s important we don’t all try to march up to the sanctuary in the name of equality and for our rights for God’s sake. I really believe some of you would do this! Respect should be given to the clergy and most of all for God in the Eucharist.
Oh really?

I don’t know who “some of you” is, but it isn’t me. I don’t have any reason to go up there at all. Furthermore, I’m not exactly the domestic type, so I probably wouldn’t be the one volunteering for the cleaning ministry.

I’m glad to know women aren’t allowed up there because some people decided we’re not clean. That would be hogwash and I will always stand against hogwash that demeans women.
 
It varies from Church to Church. Definitely in our Church, women are allowed to clean behind the Iconostasis,and replace the altar linens. I took part in such exercise on the eve of Easter, where we lifted the tabernacle off the Holy Table and the women replaced the linen. Then we placed the tabernacle back. Everyone was lay. The only absolute no-no was when there was any type of Service going on (Divine Liturgy or any other prayer service).

Actually the most important area in a Byzantine sanctuary is the area between the Holy Doors and the Holy Table. Only ordained men may go through that area. Even altar servers or even those ordained to Minor Orders cannot stand in that area. Funny though that the Bishop told me after one Liturgy that I should stand closer to him to hand him the censer. I’m a bit too careful not to enter that area but what happens is that he has to reach out a bit to get the censer.

edit to add:

The nice thing about the Byzantine tradition is that many of the other ministries in church by the laity are done outside the Iconostasis. Women may become a Cantoress or Lectoress because there is never a church architecture where the Cantor would be behind the Iconostasis, nor an area beside the Sanctuary where its looks kind of a gray area if its part of the Sanctuary or not. Also for Lectors, all lay reading are done in the center of the Nave. I’ve heard some would even have the reader stand at the back of the Nave in the middle facing the Holy Doors. But for us the reader just go to the center, or sometimes remain where they are.
Thanks for sharing. It’s always nice to have ittle glimpse’s into Eastern spirituality.
 
Where did I say that? Is having access to Christ less reverence?
It was a question. All you had to do was answer yes or no and give your explanation.

Having access to Christ isn’t what makes it less reverent. What does is how we treat the Eucharist compared to how the Jews treated the temple.
 
So what about married priests?
Just a thesis (read the last sentence)

I don’t think married priests are allowed to have sexual relations with their wives, but I could be wrong. Someone pointed that out after the post you quoted.
 
Just a thesis (read the last sentence)

I don’t think married priests are allowed to have sexual relations with their wives, but I could be wrong. Someone pointed that out after the post you quoted.
Yes, married Priests ARE allowed to have sex with their wives. Where on earth did you get such an idea? In both the Eastern Rites, and in the Latin Rite, this is not only allowed, but it would be required as a part of being married.

The ONLY case where this would NOT be allowed, would be in those very rare cases where a married man is allowed to leave his wife, and become a Priest but not live with her. This has been allowed in some cases where the woman enters a religious community, or where the man settles a significant amount of money and property on his wife, and they BOTH agree that under no circumstances will they ever live together again, nor will they engage in a sexual relationship. While still legally married, they are also bound to forever live apart from each other, and they are NOT allowed to annul their marriage.

Needless to say, this is a VERY rare situation.
 
Just a thesis (read the last sentence)

I don’t think married priests are allowed to have sexual relations with their wives, but I could be wrong. Someone pointed that out after the post you quoted.
One wonders where their children come from then.
 
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