Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

To: NYer
Good post, as always.

We Orthodox stand to receive, just as we always have, with arms crossed, and maybe kneeling a bit if we have a short priest. But then we are usually standing during the entire Divine Liturgy, except for when we sit during the homily or hit the floor for a prostration.

And communion in the hand? What is that? Have the priests no spoons?

29 posted on 05/13/2013 8:29:11 PM PDT by Martin Tell (Victrix causa diis placuit sed victa Catoni.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]


To: Martin Tell
We Orthodox stand to receive, just as we always have, with arms crossed, and maybe kneeling a bit if we have a short priest. But then we are usually standing during the entire Divine Liturgy, except for when we sit during the homily or hit the floor for a prostration.

: - )

Though baptized in the Latin Church, I practice my faith in a Maronite (Eastern) Church. Like you, we stand during the Divine Liturgy and receive communion standing. Recently, a lapsed catholic wandered into our church and I gave him a tour. The first thing he noticed was the absence of kneelers. I explained that kneeling was a sign of reverence in the west whereas standing is the norm in the east. He wasn't buying it. To drive the point home, I asked him if he knelt during the reading of the Gospel. He said "no, we stand". And "why", I asked. "Out of respect". Precisely! The light went on and he also smiled.

Communion in the hand should be eliminated. Personally, I consider it profane. Pope Benedict and now, Pope Francis give communion by intinction. Like the Orthodox, we eastern rite catholics receive communion by intinction. Since the Maronite Church uses unleavened bread, no spoons are necessary. The Melkites and other eastern churches that follow the Byzantine Rite, use leavened bread and spoons.

Thanks for the ping! BTW, did you see the meeting between Pope Francis and Pope Tawadros II? I am about to post a thread and will ping you to it.

31 posted on 05/14/2013 4:08:01 AM PDT by NYer (Beware the man of a single book - St. Thomas Aquinas)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson