Initial parishioners often feel awkward when meeting with a priest, as they certainly do not know how to turn to him. However, do not be embarrassed. The priest is a spiritual shepherd, and it is important for him to help his parishioners.
You will need
Knowledge of church etiquette
Instruction manual
1
When meeting with the priest, it is not customary to say "Hello" and seek to shake hands. Pious parishioners ask for a blessing: bow in their belts, touching the ground, and say: "Father John, bless." It should not be baptized. If you do not know the name of the priest, you can say: "Father, bless." At the same time, hands are folded with their palms up: the right palm over the left. The priest overshadows the sign of the cross with the words “God bless” or “In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” and puts his right hand in your palms. In response, you need to kiss your hand, which often confuses the original parishioners. You should not be shy, because, kissing the priest’s hand, you touch the invisibly coming Christ blessing you. The same rule applies when parting with a priest.
2
It is appropriate to ask for a blessing before a long trip, in difficult life circumstances, for example, before a surgical operation. An important meaning of blessing is permission, permission, parting words.
3
According to etiquette, the priest is addressed only to "you." This expresses reverence and reverence. Tactlessly seek blessing from a priest during a service when he is sent to a place of confession or baptism. If a parishioner meets a priest on the street, blessings can be sought. But if the priest is busy or in a hurry, it is wiser to limit himself to a bow. The deacon — the assistant priest — does not ask for blessings. If you need to contact him, you can say, for example: "Father deacon, will baptism take place tomorrow?"
4
If you need to invite a priest home to perform a treasure, you can do this in person or by phone. In a telephone conversation they also address "Bless, Father" and state the essence of the request. Concluding the conversation, you need to thank and, again, ask for blessings.
5
Addressing the priest in writing, the forms “Your Reverend” (when referring to the priest), “Your High Reverend” (when referring to the archpriest) are used.
note
In the traditions of Orthodoxy, the priest is not addressed with the words: "Holy Father." Instead, they say "honest father."
Related article
How to contact an Orthodox priest
