Believers, entering the church, are applied to the icon. But to put candles at the altar and apply to the icons should be correct, with prayer and bows, observing customs and not interfering with other worshipers. Where and how to kiss the icon and in which cases you should touch it only with your forehead, the priest can tell you before or after the service.
Instruction manual
1
To apply (kiss) to the Holy Gospel, relics, the Cross and any icons, one should approach calmly and reverently, say a prayer mentally, cross yourself twice, make two deep obeisances before kissing. Attach to the icon. Then cross again and bow. It is better to make bows, lap touching the ground.
2
Observe the pious rule when applying to the festive icon and to the Cross: women are instructed to let children, then men and elderly people, go forward. Leave bulk bags and outerwear in the corner before approaching the iconostasis.
3
Deep believers apply lips to the icon, thereby expressing love and respect for those depicted in the icon. Touching the lips is a manifestation of deep faith and love, humility and reverence. Touching the icon with the forehead literally means “hugging”. Everyone chooses his own method, close to him. Applying to the icon is a celebration that is given by the believers to the icon, is raised to the face on which it is depicted and a mental touch to this face.
4
On the icon of the Savior, kiss only the feet (with the belt image - the hand), on the icon of the Mother of God and on the icons of all the saints - hands. If you apply to the icon of the Savior’s Not Made by Hands - the edge is the board on which the face is outlined. Going to the icon of the Beheading of the Head of St. John the Baptist, kiss the image of the hair.
5
If the icon depicts several saints, apply to the pen of one of them only once (so you will not detain other worshipers).
6
Do not kiss the very faces of Christ, the Mother of God and the saints depicted in the icon.
7
Applying to the holy relics also follows after two nods and mental prayer. One should be attached to the feet and to the head of the saint or to one head. Having departed, so as not to disturb others, make a third bow to the earth.
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