Byzantine Church Etiquette

[Apotheoun]

[quote name='Veridicus' date='13 February 2010 - 05:23 PM' timestamp='1266106990' post='2056723']
I think this one probably looks like that inside too.
[/quote]
The icon of the Pantocrator would not fit into that pointy spire.

The images below better exemplify the exterior of an Eastern Christian temple:

[img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/44/Temple_Saint_Sava.jpg[/img]

[img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2a/Russia-Moscow-Cathedral_of_Christ_the_Saviour-8.jpg[/img]

[Apotheoun]

[quote name='Veridicus' date='13 February 2010 - 05:25 PM' timestamp='1266107106' post='2056726']
Is the Dome always Pantocratoros?
[/quote]
Yes, that is traditional . . . after all, Christ is the ruler of the cosmos.

[Veridicus]

[quote name='Apotheoun' date='13 February 2010 - 06:29 PM' timestamp='1266107389' post='2056730']
Yes, that is traditional . . . after all, Christ is the ruler of the cosmos.
[/quote]

Don't you think a holographic resurrection/crucifix demonstrates that idea to modern man more innovatively?

[Apotheoun]

[quote name='Veridicus' date='13 February 2010 - 05:33 PM' timestamp='1266107630' post='2056732']
Don't you think a holographic resurrection/crucifix demonstrates that idea to modern man more innovatively?
[/quote]
Not really.

[Apotheoun]

How to properly greet a priest:



In the Byzantine Tradition, when we meet a Priest (or a Bishop) it is the practice of our Faith that we ask for a Blessing.

It is not the Practice of our Faith to say, "Hello. How do you do" and shake hands.

The Church transforms even as simple a thing as greeting a priest into yet another occasion to encounter God. The ritual we perform at in this social meeting is directed not so much at the Priest but at God who is everywhere present. The encounter with the priest is a kind of catalyst to find God in humility and grace - for both priest and parishioner.

It becomes an opportunity to worship God. It can be an opportunity to receive Divine Blessing, for God alone is the source of all blessing.

God can use the occasion of the meeting to recall our unvigilant selves back to God and back to His Presence in our Lives and the Grace and Blessings that are proffered to those who seek Him.

"...The Hand of God is held out in blessing for all who seek Him..." (Ezra 8:18b)

Thus approaching a Priest, we offer our hand to him for the Blessing.

Our hands should be held cross-wise, palms upward, right hand over left.

We say to him: "Blahoslovy" or "Father, Bless".

(In the case of a Bishop, we say: "Blahoslovy Vladyko" or "Master, Bless".)

The Priest then makes the Sign of the Cross over us.

Then he puts his Blessing hand into our open hands.

Thus doing, he invokes God's blessing with this prayer:

“May the Lord bless you from Zion and may you see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life." (Psalm 128:5)

We then kiss the Blessing hand of the Priest as a way to express to God our response to Divine Love.

Saint John Chrysostom taught that if one were to meet a Priest walking along with an Angel, that we should greet the Priest first and kiss his hand, since that hand has touched the Body and Blood of our Lord.

It is a wonderful blessing to be blessed. An opportunity not to be missed.

Let us take every occasion to open our hands and our hearts to God's Blessings, God's Grace, and God's Love.

"Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me your statutes!"


Taken from: [url="http://saintelias.com/ca/etiquette/priest.php"]Greeting a Priest[/url]

[Veridicus]

[quote name='Apotheoun' date='13 February 2010 - 06:37 PM' timestamp='1266107873' post='2056735']
Saint John Chrysostom taught that if one were to meet a Priest walking along with an Angel, that we should greet the Priest first and kiss his hand, since that hand has touched the Body and Blood of our Lord.
[/quote]

Excellent.

[Resurrexi]

[img]http://www.holycross-hermitage.com/holycrosshermitage/gallery25/images/dsc04891.jpg[/img]

Eastern priests have the coolest beards. I think that Latin priests should become Easternized in that respect.

Edited February 14, 2010 by Resurrexi

[Nihil Obstat]

[quote name='Resurrexi' date='13 February 2010 - 06:48 PM' timestamp='1266108519' post='2056739']

Eastern priests have the coolest beards. I think that Latin priests should become Easternized in that respect.
[/quote]
[img]http://www.sspx.ca/EucharisticCrusade/2001%20February/Images/kolbe.jpg[/img]

[Resurrexi]

[quote name='Nihil Obstat' date='13 February 2010 - 07:53 PM' timestamp='1266108828' post='2056740']
[img]http://www.sspx.ca/EucharisticCrusade/2001%20February/Images/kolbe.jpg[/img]
[/quote]



My, you have grown quite a beard, Nihil!

[Veridicus]

[quote name='Apotheoun' date='13 February 2010 - 06:35 PM' timestamp='1266107709' post='2056733']
Not really.
[/quote]

I hope you know I was kidding.

[Apotheoun]

[quote name='Veridicus' date='13 February 2010 - 05:58 PM' timestamp='1266109090' post='2056742']
I hope you know I was kidding.
[/quote]
I know.

[Apotheoun]

[url="http://saintelias.com/ca/etiquette/frwho.php"]Who's Who? in Church Services[/url]

[Veridicus]

[quote name='Apotheoun' date='13 February 2010 - 07:01 PM' timestamp='1266109310' post='2056744']
[url="http://saintelias.com/ca/etiquette/frwho.php"]Who's Who? in Church Services[/url]
[/quote]

It would be nice to see a table format comparison of the priestly vestments comparing the Eastern & Western traditions. Is the Phelon comparable to a chasible?

Edited February 14, 2010 by Veridicus

[Apotheoun]

[quote name='Veridicus' date='13 February 2010 - 06:13 PM' timestamp='1266110030' post='2056754']
Is the Phelon comparable to a chasible?
[/quote]
Yes.

The phelonion worn by the priest in the picture at the St. Elias webpage that I linked to looks like a Byzantine-Greek version of the vestment, but I prefer the phelonion from the Byzantine-Slav (in particular Russian) tradition, which has a high back (neck) on it.

An example of what I am talking about can be seen in this brief video:

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F22HOrMEmXE[/media]

And also in this picture:

[img]http://www.saintjonah.org/pics/inthealtar_sm.jpg[/img]

[Apotheoun]

Another picture that shows the style I like best:

[img]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2658/3902633448_6462b9c10d.jpg[/img]

Edit: the three priests in the background are wearing the high backed version of the phelonion, while the bishop in the foreground is wearing the sakkos, which is similar to the deacons outer garment.

Edited February 14, 2010 by Apotheoun