Merry Christmas

[Ad Orientem]

And Merry Christmas again!

https://youtu.be/3BNUX-UHkE8

[Kriegsspiel]

What just happened... Did I get Patriarch Rolled? Orthodoxxed?

[Ad Orientem]

What just happened... Did I get Patriarch Rolled? Orthodoxxed?

That only happens in Russia...

https://youtu.be/EiuzLOs__TI?t=762

[Kriegsspiel]

Nope, not falling for it again.

[Ad Orientem]

[Ad Orientem]

Just curious what the objection is to sitting. I once went to a Russian Orthodox funeral service and it was just like your youtube link: everyone standing, on top of each other, for 2 hours without a break. And worse yet, holding candles. How some woman's hair did not catch on fire that day was the true miracle. Those are loooong services to be standing the whole time.

In Eastern Christianity standing is the traditional posture for worship. There are usually benches along the wall of the church for the elderly and infirm. Kneeling is a penitential act, normally done during confession and a lot during Lent. And yes, our services tend to be long. That said one will find pews in some Orthodox parishes in the West. Usually they are former Protestant or Catholic churches that we acquired. Here in the US, the Greeks have embraced pews and most of their parishes have them. At or near the top of my list of advice for visitors to an Orthodox church service is to wear comfortable shoes. (Ladies for the love of G-- don't wear high heels!)