The need to attend the temple arises not only among Orthodox Christians, but also among many atheists during difficult life crises. The church - the temple of God - opens its doors to all: believers and doubters, adults and young children. When visiting a temple, you need to remember how to behave during a service.
You will need
For women - scarf, skirt below the knees
Instruction manual
1
A visit to the temple gives strength, primarily spiritual, fills a person’s consciousness with wisdom. Come to church some time before the service begins. If you entered the sixth psalm, reading the Gospel, or at the time of the fulfillment of the Holy Gifts, wait for the end of these parts of the service at the front door. Enter the church with humble joy, cross yourself, and make three belt bows.
2
People come to the Orthodox church in order to ask for blessings, thank for miracles, repent of sins, order prayers or just to calm and purify the soul. In the church, men should be on the right side of it, and women - on the left. Women should be in skirts below the knees with a headscarf covered. A visit to the temple suggests a lack of makeup on the face.
3
Light candles from other candles only. Set them for the health of the Savior, the Mother of God, Panteleimon and other saints who possessed the gift of healing. A candle for health is placed with the words: "Holy servant of God (name), pray to God for me, a sinner (or, if you ask for something else, his name)." Cross, bow and kiss the icon. If you light a candle to all the saints, say: "All saints, pray to God for us."
4
Before you attach to the icon, the gospel or the Cross, bow and cross yourself twice before kissing and once after. Adhering to the icon of the Savior, believers kiss their feet, and if the Savior is shown waist-deep, a hand with the words of the prayer "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner." Applying to the icons of the Virgin (with the words "Blessed Virgin Mary, save us") and saints - they kiss the hand.
5
Listen to prayers and, if you know their text, pray with everyone from the heart. Do not get annoyed at others and do not blame them for random errors. Do not eat anything in the church other than the blessed bread that the clergy give out. Do not walk around the church during the service; listen to the service while standing. If you feel unwell, of course, you are allowed to sit down, but do not leave the temple unless absolutely necessary.
6
If a clergyman overshadows the parishioners with the Gospel, in a way, a cross or a cup, then the parishioners are baptized and bow. If a clergyman blesses with a hand, carries a censer with the words “Peace be upon everyone”, or overshadowed with candles, the parishioners make a half-length bow without being baptized or folding their hands in a boat, as with a personal blessing.
Useful advice
A parishioner of the Orthodox Church should know at least a few prayers. Among them are the Prayer of the Lord, to the Holy Trinity, Prayers to the Virgin Mary and the Holy Spirit. Learn also the Creed, It is worthy to eat, Song of the Most Holy Theotokos, Psalm 50 (penitent).
