Prayers. The beginning is common when reading all canons and akathists. "O Lord, who created me, have mercy"

Orthodox Christians have accepted from the Holy Fathers and practice the following customs all over the world:

1. Entering the temple and overshadowing yourself sign of the cross, make three small bows, saying:

"Thou who created me, O Lord, have mercy."

"God, be merciful to me, a sinner."

“I have sinned beyond number, Lord, forgive me.”

2. Then, bowing to the right and left, they stand still and listen to the psalms and prayers read in church, but do not say other prayers to themselves, their own, and do not read them from books separately from church singing, for St. condemns such people. the Apostle Paul, as those moving away from church meeting(Heb. 10:25).

3. Small and great bows should be done not according to one’s own will, but according to the institution of the saint. apostles and saints father. Namely: when reading the Trisagion (“Holy God”), “Come, let us worship” and the threefold “Alleluia”, make the sign of the cross three times, making small bows; the same is true when reading “Vouchsafe, O Lord,” as well as at the beginning of the great doxology (“Glory to God in the highest”) and after the words of the priest: “Glory to Thee, Christ God, our hope.” After each exclamation of the priest, as well as when the reader reads “The Most Honest Cherub,” make the sign of the cross and make a small bow.

On weekdays, bow to the ground during the liturgy:
a) at the beginning of singing “Worthy and Righteous”;
b) when the prayer “We sing to You” ends;
c) at the end of the prayer "" or Zadostoynik;
d) at the beginning of the Lord's Prayer;
e) when wearing St. Gifts for Communion
f) and with the words “Always, now and ever.”
At Matins or the All-Night Vigil, when it is proclaimed: “Let us exalt the Theotokos and Mother of Light in song.”

On Sundays, as well as from St. Easter until the evening of St. Trinity, as well as from the day of the Nativity of Christ to the day of Baptism, also on the day of the Transfiguration and Exaltation, the holy apostles completely forbade kneeling and bowing to the ground, as evidenced by St. Basil the Great in his letter to Blessed Amphilochius. The same was confirmed Ecumenical councils I and VI; for Sundays and other feasts of the Lord contain the remembrance of our reconciliation with God, according to the word of the Apostle: “Be a servant, but a son” (Gal. 4:7); It is not appropriate for sons to perform slavish worship.

4. It is not common for Orthodox Christians to kneel with their heads raised, but at the words of the priest: “Pack and pack, bend the knee,” and so on. to prostrate oneself on the ground; the custom of kneeling at one’s own will, folding one’s hands and beating one’s chest was adopted from Western heretics, and in Orthodox Church not allowed. Orthodox Christians, according to the Church Charter, bow to the ground at the appointed time, prostrate themselves and stand on their feet again.

5. When in church they signify the people with a cross or the Gospel, an image or a Chalice, then everyone is baptized, bowing their heads, and when they signify with candles or bless with their hands, or burn incense to those present, then Orthodox Christians should not be baptized, but only bow their heads; Only on Bright Week of Easter, when the priest censes with the Cross in his hand, does everyone cross themselves and say: “Truly he is risen.” Thus, there should be a distinction between worship before a shrine and before people, although in a holy order.

6. When accepting the blessing of a priest or bishop, Christians kiss his right hand, but do not cross themselves before doing so. Shouldn't kiss clergy left hand, for this is characteristic only of Jews, but the right hand, through which the blessing is transmitted.

I will go into Your house, I will bow to Your holy temple in Your passion. Lord, guide me with Your righteousness, for the sake of my enemy, straighten my path before You: for there is no truth in their mouths, their heart is vain, their throat is open, their tongues are flattering. Judge for them, O God, that they may fall away from their thoughts; for the multitude of their wickedness, I will rid them of them, for I have grieved Thee, O Lord. And let all who trust in Thee rejoice, rejoice forever, and dwell in them, and let those who love Thy Name boast in Thee. For you have blessed the righteous, O Lord, for you have crowned us with weapons of favor.

One must enter the church quietly and reverently, as into the house of God, into the mysterious dwelling of the Heavenly King. Noise, conversations, and even more so laughter, when entering a church and staying in it, offend the holiness of the temple of God and the greatness of the God who dwells in it.

Upon entering the temple, you should stop near the doors and make three bows (to the ground in simple days, and on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays - waist) with prayers:

God, be merciful to me, a sinner.- Bow.

God, cleanse me, a sinner, and have mercy on me.- Bow.

Who created me, Lord, forgive me!- Bow.

At the following prayers, bows are usually made from the waist:

We bow to Your Cross, Master, and we glorify Your Holy Resurrection.

It is worthy to eat as one truly blesses Thee, the Mother of God...

Glory, and now....

Lord have mercy!(Thrice) Bless.

Through the prayers of the saints, our fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.

After this, as usual, bowing on both sides to the people who had first entered and making three bows from the waist with the Jesus Prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner,” listen to the beginning of the Divine Service with reverence and fear of God.

Men are supposed to ancient custom, stand in the temple for right side, and for women - on the left.

The church service is performed with many great and small bows. The Holy Church requires bowing with inner reverence and outer decorum, slowly, and, if possible, at the same time as other worshipers in the church. Before making a bow, you need to sign yourself with the sign of the cross and then make a bow - if it’s small, then you need to bow your head so that you can reach the ground with your hand, but if it’s big, you need to bend both knees together and reach the ground with your head. The sign of the cross should be depicted on oneself correctly, with reverence, slowly, joining together the first three fingers of the right hand as a sign that God is the One and Equal Trinity, and the remaining two fingers folded and bent towards the palm in commemoration of the fact that Jesus Christ is God and Man, who came to our earth for the sake of salvation. The right hand folded in this way ( right hand) should be placed first on the forehead, so that the Lord will enlighten our mind, then on the belly, in order to tame the flesh that wars against the spirit, and then on the right and left shoulders - to sanctify our activities. The Church Charter strictly requires that we bow in the temple of God not only earnestly, decorously and all at the same time, but also leisurely (“without struggling”), and in a timely manner, that is, exactly when it is indicated. Bowing and kneeling should be done at the end of each short petition or prayer, and not during its execution. The Church Charter pronounces strict judgment on those who bow improperly (Typikon, Monday of the first week of Holy Great Lent).

Before the start of any divine service, three bows must be made from the waist. Then, during all services, at every Come, let's worship, on Holy God, on triple Hallelujah and on Be the Name of the Lord rely on three bows from the waist, only on Hallelujah During the Six Psalms, for the sake of deep silence, according to the Rule, no bows are required, but the sign of the cross is performed. On Vouchsafe, Lord both at Vespers and Matins (in the Great Doxology, sung or read), three bows from the waist are performed. At all litanies church services listen carefully to each petition, mentally raising a prayer to God and making the sign of the cross while shouting: Lord have mercy or Give me, Lord, make a bow from the waist. When singing and reading stichera and other prayers, one should only bow when the words of the prayers encourage this; for example: “let’s fall down”, “let’s bow down”, “let’s pray”.

After Most honorable Cherub and before Bless in the name of the Lord, Father(or Vladyko) There is always a deep bow from the waist.

When reading akathists on each kontakion or ikos, a bow is made from the waist; when pronouncing or singing the thirteenth kontakion three times, bows to the ground or waist are due (according to the day): the same bows are due after reading the akathist prayer.

Memorial it is read with bows after each article (and in some monasteries bows are made to the ground or from the waist, according to the day, in others it is always from the waist).

By Worthy at Vespers and Matins, also during singing The most honest on the 9th song of the canon - bow according to the day; after the verse We praise, we bless a bow is required.

Before and after reading the Gospel (on Glory to You, Lord) there is always one bow from the waist; on the polyeleos, after each magnification - one bow from the waist.

When starting to read or sing the Creed, when pronouncing the words: By the power of Honest and Life-giving Cross , at the beginning of the reading of the Apostle, Gospel and paramia, it is necessary to sign oneself with the sign of the cross without bowing.

When a clergyman, teaching peace, says: Peace to all or proclaims The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and love(Love) God and Father and communion(communication) Holy Spirit be with you all and the face (choir), answering, sings: And to your spirit or And with your spirit, you should make a bow from the waist, without the sign of the cross. A bow is required during any blessing by the clergyman of all those praying, as well as during dismissal, if it is performed without the Cross. When the dismissal is pronounced by the clergyman with the Cross, with which he overshadows those praying, then the bow should be made with the sign of the cross. Unpious self-indulgence is when the laity, with the general blessing of the clergyman, fold their palms, and then sometimes also kiss them.

When proclaiming Bow your heads to the Lord you should bow your head and stand until the end of the prayer said by the priest: at this time the priest prays to God for everyone who bowed their heads.

When the church overshadows the people with the Cross, the Holy Gospel, an image or the Holy Cup, then everyone must be baptized, bowing their heads. And when they light candles or bless with their hands, or burn incense to the people, they should not be baptized, but only bow. Only on Bright Week of Holy Easter, when the priest censes with the Cross in his hand, does everyone cross themselves and, responding to his greeting Christ is Risen, They say: He is truly risen.

Thus, there should be a distinction between worship before a shrine and before people, even if they are sacred. When accepting the blessing of a priest or bishop, Christians fold their palms crosswise, placing the right on the left, and kiss the right hand of the blessing, but do not cross themselves before doing this.

When applying (kissing) the Holy Gospel, the Cross, honest relics and the icons should be approached in the proper order, without haste or crowding, bowing twice before kissing and one after kissing the shrine; make bows throughout the day - earthly or deep waist bows, reaching your hand to the ground. Venerating to the icons of the Savior, Mother of God and saints, you should not kiss their faces.

An icon may depict several sacred persons, but the icon must be kissed once, so that when worshipers gather, they do not detain others and thereby disturb the decorum of the church.

From Holy Easter to the Feast of the Holy Trinity, from the Feast of the Nativity of Christ to the Feast of the Epiphany (Svyatka), and in general on all great feasts of the Lord, prostrations to the ground during church services are canceled.

All-night vigil

The first opening of the royal doors and the censing of the altar depict the appearance of the glory of God in the creation of the world and man and the blissful state of the first parents in the paradise of God after their creation.

Singing Psalm 103 (pre-initial): Bless the Lord, my soul depicts a majestic picture of the universe. The priest’s movement during the singing of this psalm depicts the action of the Spirit of God, which hovered over the waters during the creation of the world. The lit lamp, presented by the deacon during the incense, signifies the light that, according to the Creative Voice, appeared after the first evening of existence.

The closing of the royal gates after the singing of the psalm and incense means that soon after the creation of the world and man, the gates of paradise were closed as a result of the crime of the forefather Adam. The reading by the priest of the lamp (evening) prayers before the royal doors marks the repentance of the forefather Adam and his descendants, who, in the person of the priest, before the closed royal doors, as before the closed gates of heaven, pray to their Creator for mercy.

Singing a psalm Blessed is the husband with verses from the first three psalms and the reading of the 1st kathisma partly depicts the blissful state of the first parents in paradise, partly the repentance of those who sinned and their hope in the Redeemer promised by God.

Singing Lord, I cried with verses marks the sorrow of the fallen forefather and his prayerful sighs before the closed gates of heaven, and at the same time the firm hope that the Lord, through faith in the promised Redeemer, will cleanse and deliver the human race from the falls of sin. This singing also depicts praise to God for His great mercies to us.

The opening of the royal doors during the singing of the Dogmatika (Theotokos) means that through the incarnation of the Son of God from the Blessed Virgin Mary and His descent to earth, the doors of paradise were opened for us.

The descent of the priest from the altar to the sole and his secret prayer marks the descent of the Son of God to earth for our redemption. The deacon, preceding the priest, represents the image of St. John the Baptist, who prepared people to receive the Savior of the world. The censing performed by the deacon indicates that along with the coming to earth of the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world, the Holy Spirit filled the whole world with His grace. The entry of the priest into the altar marks the Ascension of the Savior into Heaven, and the approach of the priest to the High Place signifies the sitting of the Son of God at the right hand of the Father and intercession before His Father for the human race. By the deacon's exclamation Wisdom, forgive me! The Holy Church teaches us to listen with reverence to the evening entrance. Chant Sveta Quiet contains the glorification of Christ the Savior for His descent to earth and the completion of our redemption.

Litiya (common procession and common prayer) contains special prayers for our bodily and spiritual needs and, above all, for the forgiveness of our sins by God’s mercy.

Prayer Now you let go tells of the meeting of the Lord Jesus Christ by the righteous elder Simeon in the Temple of Jerusalem and points to the need for constant remembrance of the hour of death.

Prayer Virgin Mary, rejoice reminds of the Annunciation of the Archangel Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The blessing of loaves, wheat, wine and oil, fulfilling their various gifts of grace, recalls those five loaves with which Christ, miraculously multiplying them, fed five thousand people.

The Six Psalms is the cry of a repentant sinner before Christ the Savior who came to earth.

Incomplete lighting in the temple when reading the Six Psalms reminds of the state of the soul in sin. The flickering of lamps (lamps) depicts the night of the Nativity of Christ, which was announced by the joyful praise of the Angels: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men.

The reading of the first half of the Six Psalms expresses the sorrow of a soul that has moved away from God and is seeking Him.

The priest, while reading the Six Psalms in front of the royal doors of the Matins prayer, recalls the Eternal Intercessor of the New Testament before God the Father - the Lord Jesus Christ.

Reading the second half of the Six Psalms reveals the state of the repentant soul, aligned with God.

Singing God is Lord and appear to us reminds us of the salvation accomplished by the Savior who appeared in the world.

The singing of the Sunday troparion depicts the glory and majesty of the Risen Christ.

Reading kathismas reminds us of the great sorrows of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Singing poetry Praise the Name of the Lord The Holy Church glorifies the Lord for His many good deeds and mercies towards the human race.

Tropari Angelic Cathedral remind us of the Angel's good news to the myrrh-bearing women about the Resurrection of the Savior.

During Sunday all-night vigil The Holy Gospel, preaching about one of the appearances of the Risen Lord to the myrrh-bearing women or apostles, according to the Rule, is supposed to be read in the altar on the throne, as in the place marking the Life-Giving Tomb from which Christ the Savior rose.

After reading, the Gospel is carried into the middle of the temple for worship and kissing by the believers. When the Gospel is carried out from the altar, the worshipers look at it with special reverence, as at the Risen Lord Himself, bowing and crying: Having seen the Resurrection of Christ, let us worship the Holy Lord Jesus. This singing should be nationwide.

The canons of Matins glorify the Resurrection of Christ (or other sacred events from the life of the Lord), Holy Mother of God, holy Angels and saints of God, honored on this day. When singing My soul magnifies the Lord every time after the chorus The most honest a bow to the ground or from the waist is required - according to the day.

In praising stichera and in great doxology, special thanksgiving and glorification of the Lord Jesus Christ is offered.

Divine Liturgy

At the Divine Liturgy, the entire earthly life of the Lord Jesus Christ is remembered. The Liturgy is conventionally divided into three parts: proskomedia, Liturgy of the Catechumens and Liturgy of the Faithful.

At the proskomedia, usually performed during the reading of the 3rd and 6th hours, the Nativity of the Savior is remembered. At the same time, the Old Testament prophecies about His suffering and death are also remembered. At the proskomedia, substances are prepared for the celebration of the Eucharist and living and deceased members of the Church are commemorated. Great joy comes to the souls of the departed from their commemoration at the Divine Liturgy. Therefore, hurry to the temple of God to attend the proskomedia, remembering the health and repose of your relatives and friends, and all Orthodox Christians.

You can pray for the dead like this: Remember, Lord, the souls of your departed servants (names), and forgive their sins, voluntary and involuntary, giving them the Kingdom and the participation of Your eternal blessings and Your endless and blessed life of pleasure.

At the Liturgy of the Catechumens, the song of the Only Begotten Son depicts the coming to earth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

During the small entrance with the Gospel, depicting the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to preach, while singing the verse: Come, let us worship and fall before Christ a bow is made. When singing the Trisagion, make three bows from the waist.

When reading the Apostle, the deacon's censing must be responded to by bowing the head. Reading the apostle and censing means the preaching of the apostles to the whole world.

While reading the Gospel, as if listening to the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, you should stand with your head bowed.

The commemoration of members of the Church shows for whom the Sacrifice of the Eucharist is offered.

At the Liturgy of the Faithful great entrance symbolizes the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to free suffering for the salvation of the world.

The singing of the Cherubic song with the royal doors open occurs in imitation of the Angels, who constantly glorify the Heavenly King and invisibly solemnly accompany Him in the prepared and transferred Holy Gifts.

The placing of the Holy Gifts on the throne, the closing of the royal doors and the drawing of the curtain signify the burial of the Lord Jesus Christ, the rolling of the stone and the application of a seal to His Tomb.

At the end of the first half of the Cherubic Song, a bow is required. During the memorial His Holiness Patriarch, the local bishop and others are supposed to stand reverently, with their heads bowed and with the words: And all of you Orthodox Christians say to yourself: May the Lord God remember your bishopric in His Kingdom. This is what is said during the ministry of a bishop. When serving other clergy, one should say to oneself: May the Lord God remember your priesthood in His Kingdom. At the end of the commemoration you should say to yourself: Remember me, Lord, whenever(When) come in Your Kingdom.

Words: Doors, doors before the singing of the Creed in ancient times they were treated as gatekeepers so that they would not allow catechumens or pagans into the temple during the celebration of the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. Now these words remind the faithful not to allow thoughts of sin to enter the doors of their hearts. Words: Let us reek of wisdom(we will listen) call the attention of believers to the saving teaching of the Orthodox Church, set out in the Creed (dogmas). The singing of the Creed is public. At the beginning of the Creed, the sign of the cross should be made.

When the priest exclaims: Take it, eat it... Drink everything from it bows should be made from the waist. At this time, the Last Supper of the Lord Jesus Christ with the Apostles is remembered.

During the celebration of the very sacrament of the Holy Eucharist - the transformation of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ and the offering of the Bloodless Sacrifice for the living and the dead, we must pray with special attention, and at the end of singing to You we sing with the words: And we pray to You (we pray to You), God ours, we must bow down to the ground to the Body and Blood of Christ. The importance of this minute is so great that not a single minute of our life can compare with it. In this sacred moment lies all our salvation and God’s love for the human race, for God appeared in the flesh.

While singing Worthy to eat(or another sacred song in honor of the Mother of God - the worthy one) the priest prays for the living and the dead, remembering them by name, especially those for whom the Divine Liturgy is performed. And those present in the temple should at this time remember by name their loved ones, living and dead.

After it is worthy to eat or the worthy person replacing it - bow to the ground. With the words: And everyone and everything- a bow is made.

At the beginning of the nationwide singing of the Lord’s Prayer - Our Father- you should draw the sign of the cross on yourself and bow to the ground.

When the priest exclaims: Holy to saints prostration is required for the sake of the elevation of the Holy Lamb before His fragmentation. At this time, we must remember the Last Supper and the last conversation of the Lord Jesus Christ with the disciples, His suffering on the cross, death and burial.

At the opening of the royal doors and the presentation of the Holy Gifts, signifying the appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ after the Resurrection, with the exclamation: Come with the fear of God and faith! a bow to the ground is required.

When starting to receive the Holy Mysteries of the Body and Blood of Christ after the priest reads the prayers before communion, one must bow to the ground, fold his hands crosswise on his chest (under no circumstances should he cross himself, so as not to accidentally push and spill the Holy Chalice - folded crosswise hands replace the sign of the cross at this time) and slowly, reverently, with the fear of God, approach the Holy Chalice, calling your name, and after receiving the Holy Mysteries, kiss the lower part of the Chalice, like the most pure rib of Christ, and then step aside calmly, without making the sign of the cross and bowing until the warmth is accepted. We must especially thank the Lord for His great mercy, for the gracious gift of Holy Communion: Glory to You, God! Glory to You, God! Glory to You, God! Prostrations to the ground on this day are not performed by the communicants until the evening. Those who do not receive communion for Divine Liturgy, during the holy moments of communion, they should stand in the church with reverent prayer, without thinking about earthly things, without leaving the church at this time, so as not to offend the Shrine of the Lord and not to violate the decorum of the church.

At the last appearance of the Holy Gifts, depicting the Ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ into Heaven, with the words of the priest: Always, now and ever and forever and ever a bow to the ground with the sign of the cross is required for those who have not been honored with the Holy Mysteries, and for communicants - a bow from the waist with the sign of the cross. Those who have not yet had time to receive warmth by this time should turn their face to the Holy Chalice, thereby expressing reverence for the great Shrine.

The holy antidoron (from Greek - instead of a gift) is distributed to those present at the Divine Liturgy for the blessing and sanctification of soul and body, so that those who have not partaken of the Holy Mysteries may taste the consecrated bread. The church charter indicates that antidor can only be taken on an empty stomach - without eating or drinking anything.

The antidor, just like the bread blessed at the lithium, should be received reverently, folding the palms crosswise, right to left, and kissing the hand of the priest giving this gift. On the days of the Holy Pentecost, the following bows and bows to the ground are also required.

When pronouncing the prayer of the saint: (to my life), 16 bows are due, of which 4 are earthly (in the Charter they are called great) and 12 waist bows (throwing). The church charter commands to read this prayer with tenderness and fear of God, standing upright and raising the mind and heart to God. Having completed the first part of the prayer - Lord and Master of my life, - it is necessary to make a great bow. Then, standing upright, still turning your thoughts and feelings to God, you should say the second part of the prayer - The spirit of chastity- and, having finished it, again make a great bow. After saying the third part of the prayer - Hey, Lord the King- a third bow to the ground is required. Then 12 bows are made from the waist (“lightly, for the sake of fatigue” - Typikon, Monday of the first week of Great Lent) with the words: God, cleanse me (me), a sinner. Having made small bows, they read the saint’s prayer again, but not dividing it into parts, but the whole thing, and at the end of it they bow to the ground (the fourth). This holy prayer is said at all weekly Lenten services, with the exception of Saturdays and Sundays.

At Vespers, one bow to the ground is required after the hymns. Rejoice, Virgin Mary, Baptist of Christ, and pray for us, holy apostles.

At Great Compline one should listen carefully to the reading church prayers. After the Creed, while singing Holy Lady Mother of God, pray for us sinners and other prayer verses, at the end of each verse there is a bow to the ground, and in polyeleos celebrations - a bow.

About bows during the reading of the Great Penitential Canon of the Saint, the Rule says: “For each troparion we perform three throwings, saying the present refrain: Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me».

On Lord of strength, be with us and other verses, one bow is required.

When the priest pronounces the great dismissal - prayer Lord, Most Merciful it is necessary to bow to the ground, asking the Lord for forgiveness of sins with heartfelt tenderness.

After the troparions of the hours with their verses (1st hour: Tomorrow hear my voice; 3rd hour: Lord, Who is Your Most Holy Spirit; 6th hour: Also on the sixth day and hour; 9th hour: Even at nine o'clock) three prostrations are required; on the troparion To Your Most Pure Image- one bow to the ground; on all hours at the end of the Mother of God (at the 1st hour: What shall we call You, O Blessed One?; at 3 o'clock: Mother of God, You are the true vine; at the 6th hour: Yako are not imams of boldness; at 9 o'clock: For our sake, be born) three small bows are made. In the rite of representation, during the singing of the Blessed: In Your Kingdom remember us, Lord, after each verse with a chorus it is necessary to make a small bow, and at the last three times singing Remember us three bows to the ground are required; by prayer Loosen up, leave it alone, although there is no indication in the Charter, it is an ancient custom to always bow (to the ground or from the waist, depending on the day).

At the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts at Vespers, during the reading of the third antiphon of the 18th kathisma, when the Holy Gifts are transferred from the throne to the altar, as well as when a priest appears with a candle and censer in the open royal doors, pronouncing the second parimia before reading The light of Christ enlightens everyone! one is supposed to fall prostrate to the ground. While singing: May my prayer be corrected the prayer of all the people is performed with kneeling; the singers and the reader kneel alternately after performing the prescribed verse; at the end of singing all the verses of the prayer, three bows to the ground are made (according to custom) with the prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian). During the Great Entrance, when the Presanctified Gifts are transferred from the altar to the throne, the people and singers should prostrate themselves to the ground out of reverence for the Holy Mysteries of the Body and Blood of Christ. At the end of the singing Now the Powers of Heaven Three bows to the ground are required, according to custom, also with the prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian. The priest should listen to the prayer behind the pulpit with attention, applying its meaning to the heart, and at the end of it, make a bow from the waist.

During Holy Week, bowing to the ground stops on Great Wednesday. The Charter says this: “ On Be the Name of the Lord: three bows, and abiye (immediately) the bows to the ground that occur in the church are completely abolished; in cells even before Great Friday they take place. The veneration of the Holy Shroud on Good Friday and Holy Saturday, like the Holy Cross, is accompanied by three prostrations to the ground.”

Entrance and initial bows, and also about which it is said that they are relied on depending on the day (“by the day”) - on the days of Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, pre-feasts and feasts, polyeleos and the great doxology, the zone ones are performed, while on simple days the earthly ones are performed. On weekdays, bowing to the ground ceases from Vespers on Friday. Having vouchsafed, Lord, and begin from Vespers on Sunday, also from Vouchsafe, Lord.

On the eve of the one-day holidays, polyeleos and the great doxology, prostrations also stop with Vespers and begin with Vespers, from the Lord, Vouchsafed, on the holiday itself.

Before great holidays, prostrations stop on the eve of the forefeast. Worship of the Holy Cross on the Feast of the Exaltation is always performed with prostrations to the ground, even if it falls on a Sunday.

It is customary to sit while reading parimia and kathisma with sedals. It is useful to remember that according to the Charter, sitting is allowed not during the reading of the kathismas themselves, but during the lives and patristic teachings placed between the kathismas and sedals.

The care of the Holy Church for us continues even after the service, so that we do not lose the grace-filled mood that, by the grace of God, we were awarded in church. The Church commands us to leave the temple in reverent silence, with thanksgiving to the Lord, who has made us worthy to be present in the temple, with a prayer that the Lord will grant us to always visit His holy temple until the end of our lives.

The Charter speaks about this as follows: “After absolution, coming from the church, we go with all silence to our cell, or to the service. And it is not appropriate for us to have conversations with each other at the monastery on the road, for this is withheld from the holy fathers.”

When we are in the temple of God, let us remember that we are in the presence of the Lord God, the Mother of God, the holy Angels and the Church of the Firstborn, that is, all the saints. “In the temple standing, Thy glory, in Heaven we stand in our minds (we think).”

The saving power of church prayers, chants and readings depends on the feeling with which our hearts and minds receive them. Therefore, if it is impossible to bow for one reason or another, then it is better to humbly ask the Lord for forgiveness than to violate church decorum. But it is absolutely necessary to delve into everything that happens during church service to feed on it. Then only during the church service will everyone warm their heart, awaken their conscience, revive their withered soul and enlighten their mind.

Let us firmly remember the words of the holy Apostle Paul: “Stand fast and hold to the traditions which you have learned either by word or by our message” ().

BRIEF PRAYER RULE FOR THE LAYS

"Every Christian should have

rule" (St. John Chrysostom) "If you do

rule without laziness, then a great reward from

You will receive God and remission of sins.”

(St. Innocent of Irkutsk)

I. INITIAL BOWING

In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

[To remind you of the sign of the cross and bows, a cross has been placed here and below[+]].

Stay a little, silently and then pray slowly with the fear of God, if possible, then with tears, firmly believing that “the Holy Spirit strengthens us in our weaknesses: for we do not know what to pray for, and how we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings that cannot be expressed” (Rom. 8:26)

Publican's Prayer

God, be merciful to me, a sinner[+].

God, cleanse my sins and have mercy on me[+]

Lord, who created me, have mercy on me[+]

Without number of sins, Lord, forgive me[+]

My Lady, Most Holy Theotokos, save me, a sinner[+].

Angel, my holy guardian, save me from all evil[+].

Saint ( the name of your saint), pray to God for me[+].

II. INITIAL PRAYERS

Initial prayer

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen [+].

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee [+]

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Heavenly King, Comforter, Soul (1) of truth, Who (2) is everywhere and fulfills everything (3), Treasure of good things (4) and Giver of life, come and dwell in us, and cleanse us from all filth and save us, O Good One ( 5), our souls.

1) spirit 2) which 3) exists everywhere and fulfills everything 4) the source of all good 5) good

Trisagion

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal; have mercy on us ( three times, with a bow from the waist) [+].

Note. During the period from Holy Easter to Pentecost, the prayer to the Holy Spirit - “Heavenly King” is not read. On the week of Holy Easter, the entire trisagion is not read, but is replaced by the troparion “Christ is Risen...” three times. Also, before the celebration of Easter, instead of “It is worthy to eat, as in truth,” the following is read or sung: “Shine, shine, new Jerusalem: for the glory of the Lord has risen upon you; rejoice now and be glad, Zion, you are the Pure One, adorn yourself to the Mother of God, about the rise of Your Nativity.”

Glory to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. [+]

Prayer to the Most Holy Trinity

Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us: Lord, cleanse our sins; Master forgive our iniquities; Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy name's sake.

Lord have mercy [+] ( Three times)

Glory to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen [+].

Lord's Prayer.

Our Father, who art in heaven! Hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done as it is (1) in heaven and on earth. Give us (2) this day our daily bread (3); and forgive us our debts (4), just as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Come, let us worship our God the King[+].

Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King God [+].

Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, the King and our God [+].

Psalm 50

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy, and according to the multitude of Your mercies, cleanse my iniquity. Above all (5) wash me from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my iniquity, and I will take away my sin before me (6). I have sinned against You alone, and I have done evil before You; for yes (7) you were justified in all Your words, and you were victorious, and you will never judge You (8). Behold (9) I was conceived in iniquity, and my mother gave birth to me in sins. For thou hast loved the truth, thou hast revealed thy unknown and secret wisdom (10) to me. Sprinkle me with hysso(11), and I will be clean; Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Give joy and gladness to my hearing; humble bones will rejoice (13). Turn Your face away from my sins, and cleanse all my iniquities. God, create in me a pure heart, and renew a right spirit in my womb. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit away from me. Give the world the joy of Your salvation, and strengthen me with the Lord’s Spirit. I will teach the wicked Your way, and the wicked will turn to You. Deliver me from blood (1), O God, the God of my salvation; my tongue shall rejoice in Thy righteousness, O Lord, my mouth shall be opened, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise. As if (2) you had desired sacrifices, you would have given burnt offerings (3) you would not have been pleased. The sacrifice to God is a broken spirit (4), a contrite and humble heart God will not despise (5). Bless Zion, O Lord, with Your favor, and may the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then you will be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness, the wave offering and the burnt offering: then they will lay the bull on Your altar [+].

Symbol of faith

I believe in one God, the Father, Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, visible to all and invisible (6). And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only begotten, who was born of the Father before all ages, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, uncreated, consubstantial with the Father, by whom all things were (7). For our sake, man and our salvation came down from heaven and became incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became human (8). She was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate (9), and suffered, and was buried. And he rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures (10). And ascended into Heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father; and again (11) He will come with glory to judge the living and the dead, His Kingdom will have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Life-Giving (12), who proceeds from the Father, who is worshiped and glorified with the Father and the Son (13), who spoke the prophets (14). Into one Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the remission of sins. Tea(15) of the resurrection of the dead; And the life of the next century. Amen [+]

1) from crimes 2) if 3) the Old Testament. sacrifices 4) spiritual poverty 5) will not despise 6) St. Angels 7) everything happened 8) who became a man 9) Pontic Pilate was the ruler of the region 10) according to prophecies in the Old. The covenant (in the scriptures) 11) again 12) giving life (spiritual) 13) worthy of equal worship and glory 14) speaking through the prophets 15) I wait.

MORNING PRAYER

St. Macarius the Great

(read only in the morning)

To You, Lord, Lover of Mankind, having risen from sleep, I run (1) and strive for Your works (2) with Your mercy; and I pray to You: help me at all times, in every thing, and deliver me from all worldly evil things and the devil’s haste (3), and save me and bring me into Your eternal Kingdom. You are my Creator, and the Provider and Giver of every good thing, and in You is all my hope (4), and I send up glory to You, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. [+].

EVENING PRAYER

the same saint

(read only in the evening)

Lord our God, who (5) have sinned in these days in word, deed and thought, as He is Good (6) and Lover of mankind, forgive me. Grant me a peaceful and serene sleep; Send Your guardian angel, covering and keeping (7) me from all evil; for You are the guardian of our souls and bodies, and we send glory to You, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. [+].

Hymn to the Most Holy Theotokos

Virgin Mother of God, rejoice, full of grace Mary, the Lord is with you: blessed are you among women (8), and blessed is the fruit of your womb (9), for (10) you gave birth to the Savior of our souls [+].

1) I appeal 2) I convert diligently, I try 3) temptation 4) hope 5) that 6) as good 7) preserving 8) among all the women of the world 9) Son of God 10) since.

Prayer

Weaken, forgive, forgive, O God, our sins, voluntary and involuntary, even in word and in deed, even in knowledge and in ignorance, even in days and in nights, even in mind and in thought: forgive us everything, for it is Good and Lover of Humanity [+]

Prayer

Forgive those who hate and offend us, Lord Lover of Mankind. Do good to those who do good. Grant to our brothers and relatives the same petitions for salvation and eternal life: visit those who are infirm and grant healing. Manage the sea as well. For travelers, travel. Contribute to the Emperor. Grant forgiveness of sins to those who serve and forgive us. Have mercy on those who commanded us unworthy to pray for them according to the greatness of Your mercy. Remember, Lord, our fathers and brothers who have fallen before us, and give them rest, where the light of Your face shines. Remember, Lord, our captive brothers, and deliver me from every situation. Remember, Lord, those who bear fruit and do good in Your holy churches, and give them petitions for salvation and eternal life. Remember, Lord, us humble and sinful and unworthy Thy servants, and enlighten our minds with the light of Thy mind, and guide us on the path of Thy commandments through the prayers of our Most Pure Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, and all Thy Saints, for blessed art thou unto the ages of ages, Amen [+].

MEMORIAL TO THE LIVING

Save, Lord, and have mercy on my spiritual father ( his name), and with his holy prayers forgive my sins [+].

Save, Lord, and have mercy on my parents ( their names), brothers and sisters, and my relatives according to the flesh, and all my neighbors, and friends, and grant them Thy peaceful and most peaceful goodness (1)[+].

Save, Lord, and have mercy on those who hate and offend me and create misfortunes against me (2), and do not leave them to perish for me for the sake of a sinner [+].

Hasten, Lord, to enlighten the ignorant of You ( pagans) by the light of Your Gospel, and blinded by destructive heresies and schism, and united to Your Holy Apostolic and Catholic Church [+].

ABOUT THE DECEASED

Remember, Lord, the souls of Your departed servants, my parents ( their names) and all relatives according to the flesh; and forgive them all their sins, voluntary and involuntary, giving them the Kingdom and communion (3) of Your eternal good things and Your endless and blessed life of pleasure [+].

Grant, O Lord, remission of sins to all who have previously departed in the faith and hope of the resurrection to our father, brothers and sisters, and create for them eternal memory ( three times) [+].

END OF PRAYERS

Glorious Ever-Virgin, Mother of Christ God, bring our prayer to Thy Son and our God, that through Thee our souls may be saved[+].

My hope is the Father, my refuge is the Son, my protection is the Holy Spirit! Holy Trinity, glory to Thee [+].

It is worthy to eat as truly (4) the blessedness (5) of You, the Mother of God, the Ever-Blessed (6) and Most Immaculate and Mother of our God. The most honorable Cherub and the most glorious without comparison Seraphim, without incorruption (7) God the Word (8) who gave birth to the real Mother of God, we magnify Thee [+].

The Word to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen [+].

Lord have mercy ( three times)[+].

Bless [+].

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, prayers for the sake of Thy Most Pure Mother, our venerable and God-bearing fathers and the holy ( remember the Saint of this day) and all saints, have mercy on us. Amen ( three bows[+]).

Note 1st. In the morning, without praying, do not start eating, drinking, or doing anything. Before starting any work, pray like this: “ God bless! In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen" When finished, say: “ Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee! Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen».

Before eating, read: “ Our Father"...to the end, then bless food and drink with the cross. (In the family, the eldest in the house blesses). At the end of the meal, read “ It is worthy to eat as truly...“to the end, for the Most Holy Virgin Mary, through the birth of the Son of God, gave the whole world “true food and true drink” (John 6:55), i.e. Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Throughout the day, keep in your heart the shortest, but most saving prayer: “ Lord have mercy!»…

Note 2. If you have an urgent task and you are very busy with work, or you are in weakness, then never quickly read the rules without due attention, do not anger God, and do not multiply your sins: it is better to read one prayer slowly, reverently, than several prayers hastily, hastily. Therefore, a very busy person should, with the blessing of the Venerable Martyr Macarius of Kanevsky, read one prayer - “ Our Father…“If you have a little more time, then, with the blessing of Rev. Seraphim of Sarov miracle. - read " Our Father" three times, " Virgin Mary, rejoice" three times and " I believe" - once.

Note 3. If, on the contrary, you have a lot of free time, then do not spend it idlely, because idleness is the mother of vices, but even if you were no longer capable of work due to illness or old age, fill the time with prayerful deeds, so that you will find great mercy from the Lord God. We zealously advise all unemployed people and those who are zealous about acquiring (acquiring) the spirit of prayer to perform Optina Rule of Pentecost- below.

1) peaceful, i.e. in this world, during life; premium - beyond the grave; good - mercy, bliss 2) troubles 3) participation, inheritance 4) in justice 5) praise 6) always blessed 7) without original sin 8) God the Word is Jesus Christ (John 1:1)

RULE OF PENTHUNDRED

Having stood for prayer, first make the “initial bows,” then read the “initial prayers” (see above) and after “Our Father,” “Have mercy on me, O God” (Ps. 50) and “I Believe,” slowly say one hundred prayers Jesus: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner,” of which: 10 prayers with bows to the ground, 20 prayers with bows from the waist and 70 without bows, standing straight.

At the end of the 1st centenary, bow to the ground and read:

My Most Holy Lady Theotokos, with Your saints and all-powerful prayers, remove [ drive away] from me, Your humble and accursed servant, despondency, oblivion, lack of understanding, negligence and all the nasty, evil, and blasphemous thoughts from my accursed heart, and from my darkened mind; extinguish the flame of my passions, for I am poor and damned; and deliver me from many and cruel memories and enterprises, and from all actions [ affairs, actions] the evil ones free me; for Thou art blessed from all generations, and Thy most honorable name is glorified forever and ever. Amen.

Having gotten up, begin the second and third hundred of Jesus prayers in the same order, ending with a bow to the ground and the same prayer: “ My Most Holy Lady Theotokos»…

Read the fourth hundred in the same order, but instead of the Jesus Prayer, say the prayers to the Most Holy Theotokos: “ My Lady, Most Holy Theotokos, save me, a sinner.».

The fifth hundred was divided into two parts, namely: 50 prayers to the Guardian Angel: “ Holy Angel of God, my guardian, pray to God for me, a sinner.", of which: 5 prayers with a bow to the ground, 10 with a bow and 35 without bows, at the end with a bow to the ground the prayer: " My Most Holy Lady Theotokos, through Your holy and all-powerful prayers..."In the same manner as St. Guardian Angel, say the remaining 50 prayers to all Saints: “ All holy things, pray to God for me, a sinner." (5 earthly bows, 10 waist, 35 standing) and again the prayer: “ My Most Holy Lady Theotokos..." with a bow to the ground.

END OF PENTECENTURE

“It is worthy to eat as truly...” to the end. Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever and ever. Amen [+].

Lord have mercy [+]. ( three times)

Bless [+].

Vacation. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, prayers for the sake of Thy Most Pure Mother and the Holy Guardian Angel, and all the Saints, have mercy and save me, a sinner, for I am Good and Lover of Mankind. Amen [+]

You can perform Pentecentenary at any time when you are free: the benefit from it is great, for through it a Christian acquires fervent prayer and can acquire unceasing prayer to God. We especially advise those who are zealous for piety to pray at night, as St. Prophet David, who rose at midnight to sing praises (Psalm 119:62). Our Lord Jesus Christ spent whole nights in prayer to the Father (Luke 6:12), which all the holy saints did. St. John Chrysostom admonishes us: “The night was not given for this, that we should sleep all of it... The Church of God rises at midnight, rise also you. Then the soul becomes purer... Get down on your knees, sigh, pray to God to be merciful to you.” And in the church they sing about this: “The night is dark for the unfaithful, O Christ, but for the faithful, enlightenment is in the sweetness of Thy words”... (5 Irmos, 7 chapters of Resurrection Sl.) For night prayer, a special mercy of God is bestowed, for St. Church for everyone morning service prays especially about night prayer books: “ Remember, Lord, and in the night those who cry to You, I will hear(their) and have mercy and crush their invisible and fighting enemies under their noses.” However, when praying the night prayer, do not think that you are performing an extraordinary feat: many spend whole nights playing cards, dancing, etc., and do not complain of fatigue...

Note 4th. In the family morning and evening prayer should be performed by all family members, if possible, together in the presence of the head of the family, since the family is “ house church"(Col. 4:15) and prayer in it must therefore be done with one mouth, gracefully and orderly, as in the temple (1 Cor. 14:40). If the head of the family is literate, then he reads the prayer, and if not, then he entrusts it to one of the literate people. At the end of the prayers, children and all younger family members greet the elders, and then each other with Good morning, or say good night.

READING THE WORD OF GOD

“The words that I speak to you are spirit and

life" (John 1:63)

Every Christian should not only pray often, but in addition read or listen to the word of God, because both prayer and the word of God in the everyday life of a person serve as the most powerful means for sanctification, enlightenment, edification and, in general, for the work of salvation. That is why the Lord commanded us to investigate by studying the Holy Scriptures (John 5:39) and called those blessed who listen to the word of God and keep it (Luke 11:28).

Why is reading the word of God so important? Because through it we recognize ourselves, all our shortcomings and vices: - the word of God is the mirror of one's heart(James 1:23), it is then “ spiritual sword", penetrating to the separation of soul and spirit... and "judges the feelings and thoughts of the heart" (Heb. 4: 12) and finally, it is food and drink for the soul, why St. The Prophet David likened the student to the law of God beautiful tree, planted at the source, which brings forth its fruit in its season (Psalm 1). Yet this is because all Holy Scripture is inspired by God, every word in it is inspired and warmed by the Spirit of God and is useful for teaching, for correction, for reproof, for instruction in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16).

What is especially useful for us from the New Testament is reading the Gospel, and from the Old Testament - the Psalter. The word of God should be read immediately after prayer in this order: daily one chapter from the Gospel, starting from Gospel. Matthew and 2 chapters from the Apostle, starting with the Acts of St. apostles, and then 1 kathisma from the psaltitis. But if you don’t have enough time, then read as many poems as you can, at least during the time when you are free. You just need to read the word of God with humility, with the fear of God and not in a hurry. Taking the book of St. Scriptures, cross yourself, kiss and say a prayer, prophet. David: “Open my eyes, and I will see the wonders of Your law. I am a stranger on earth, do not hide Your commandments from me (Psalm 119: 18, 19).

It is in vain that some frivolous people think that if they have read the word of God several times, then they already know everything and there is no need to study again. Blessed is the man who studies the law of the Lord day and night (Psalm 1). The Word of God is an “endless book” in its wisdom and depth: the more you read with humility and diligence, the more the wonders of God are revealed to you, as in the starry sky: the longer you look at the sky, the more stars you see...

In the family, like prayer, the word of God must be read aloud, and at the end of the reading, cross again, kiss and lay it to the saint. icons, wherever St. the book did not gather dust.

HOW AN ORTHODOX PERSON BEHAVIOR IN THE TEMPLE OF GOD:

Upon entering the temple, you should stop near the door and make three bows (to the ground on ordinary days, and on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays - to the waist) with prayers:

God, be merciful to me, a sinner. - Bow.
God, cleanse me, a sinner, and have mercy on me. - Bow.
Who created me, Lord, forgive me! - Bow.

At the following prayers, bows are usually made from the waist:

We bow to Your Cross, Master, and we glorify Your Holy Resurrection.
It is worthy to eat as one truly blesses Thee, the Mother of God...
Glory, and now...
Lord have mercy! (Thrice) Bless.
Through the prayers of the saints, our fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.

According to ancient custom, men are supposed to stand on the right side of the temple,

The sign of the cross should be depicted on oneself correctly, with reverence, slowly, joining together the first three fingers of the right hand as a sign that God is the One and Equal Trinity, and the remaining two fingers folded and bent towards the palm in commemoration of the fact that Jesus Christ is God and Man, who came to our earth for the sake of salvation. The right hand (right hand) folded in this way should be placed first on the forehead, so that the Lord will enlighten our mind, then on the belly, in order to tame the flesh that wars against the spirit, and then on the right and left shoulders - to sanctify our activities.

The Church Charter strictly requires that we bow in the temple of God not only earnestly, decorously and all at the same time, but also leisurely (“without struggling”), and in a timely manner, that is, exactly when it is indicated. Bowing and kneeling should be done at the end of each short petition or prayer, and not during its execution. The Church Charter pronounces strict judgment on those who bow improperly (Typikon, Monday of the first week of Holy Great Lent).

Before the start of any divine service, three bows must be made from the waist.
Then, at all services, at every Come, let us bow down, to the Holy God, at the threefold Alleluia and at Bless the Name of the Lord, three bows are made from the waist, only on Alleluia in the middle of the Six Psalms, for the sake of deep silence, according to the Charter, no bows are required, but the sign of the cross is performed .

On the Voucher, Lord, both at Vespers and at Matins (in the great doxology, sung or read), three bows from the waist are made.

At all litanies of church services, listen carefully to each petition, mentally raising a prayer to God and, making the sign of the cross while shouting: Lord, have mercy or Grant, Lord, make a bow from the waist.

When singing and reading stichera and other prayers, one should only bow when the words of the prayers encourage this; for example: “let’s fall down”, “let’s bow down”, “let’s pray”.

After the Most Honest Cherub and before the Name of the Lord, bless the Father (or Master), a deep bow from the waist is always due.

The memorial is read with bows after each article (and in some monasteries bows are given to the ground or from the waist, according to the day, in others it is always from the waist).

According to Worthy at Vespers and Matins, also during the singing of the Most Honest Song on the 9th song of the canon - bow according to the day; After the verse We praise, we bless, a bow is required.

Before and after reading the Gospel (Glory to Thee, Lord), one bow is always given; on the polyeleos, after each magnification - one bow from the waist.

When starting to read or sing the Creed, when pronouncing the words: By the Power of the Honest and Life-Giving Cross, when starting to read the Apostle, Gospel and Paramia, one is supposed to sign oneself with the sign of the cross without bowing.

When the clergyman, teaching peace, says: Peace to all or proclaims the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love (love) of God and the Father, and the communion (communion) of the Holy Spirit be with you all and the choir (choir), answering, sings: And the spirits yours or And with your spirit, you should make a bow from the waist, without the sign of the cross.

A bow is required during any blessing by the clergyman of all those praying, as well as during dismissal, if it is performed without the Cross. When the dismissal is pronounced by the clergyman with the Cross, with which he overshadows those praying, then the bow should be made with the sign of the cross. Unpious self-indulgence is when the laity, with the general blessing of the clergyman, fold their palms, and then sometimes also kiss them.

When you proclaim your Head to the Lord, bow your head and stand until the end of the prayer said by the priest: at this time the priest prays to God for all who bowed their heads.

When the church overshadows the people with the Cross, the Holy Gospel, an image or the Holy Cup, then everyone must be baptized, bowing their heads. And when they light candles or bless with their hands, or burn incense to the people, they should not be baptized, but only bow. Only on Bright Week of Holy Easter, when the priest censes with the Cross in his hand, does everyone cross themselves and, answering his greeting, Christ is risen, say: Truly he is risen.

When applying (kissing) the Holy Gospel, the Cross, holy relics and icons, one should approach in the proper order, slowly and without crowding, make two bows before kissing and one after kissing the shrine; make bows throughout the day - earthly or deep waist bows, reaching your hand to the ground.

When venerating icons of the Savior, the Mother of God and saints, one should not kiss their faces.

The Patriarchal Official of the mid-17th century indicated that when kissing icons of the Savior, one should kiss the foot (in the case of a half-length image, the hand); to the icons of the Mother of God and saints - in the hand; to the icon of the Image of the Savior Not Made by Hands and to the icon of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist - in a braid of hair.
An icon may depict several sacred persons, but the icon must be kissed once, so that when worshipers gather, they do not detain others and thereby disturb the decorum of the church.

Almost every more or less educated person knows or has even seen in life or a movie what Christians usually do a short prayer, accompanying her with a threefold bow. However, what kind of prayer this is and why exactly three bows are made during it remains unknown to many. To understand this issue, today we are talking about the shortest and most frequently used prayer in Old Believer worship and everyday life. This prayer is called " Publican's Prayer».

The Gospel parable of the publican and the Pharisee teaches people how to pray correctly. What does this parable say?

“Two men entered the temple to pray: one was a Pharisee, and the other was a publican ( publican - a petty collector of taxes and arrears, a person of a profession extremely despised in ancient Israel). The Pharisee, standing, prayed to himself like this: “God! I thank You that I am not like other people: robbers, offenders, adulterers ( people leading a dissolute lifestyle - approx.), or like this publican - I fast twice a week, I give a tenth of everything I acquire. The publican, standing in the distance, did not even dare to raise his eyes to heaven; but, hitting himself on the chest, he said: “God! Be merciful to me, a sinner! I tell you that this one went to his house justified more than the other: for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 18:10-14).

The Pharisee knew and observed all the provisions of the Law of Moses and therefore considered himself a righteous man. A publican is a tax collector, a person despised by society: taxes went to the treasury of the Roman conquerors. We can say that the Pharisee is a righteous man, and the tax collector is a sinner. Each of them prays differently. The Pharisee thanks God that he is not as sinful “as other people.” In his prayer one can hear praising himself: how good I am, how I do everything right. And the publican comes to God with repentance and humility. He does not even dare to raise his eyes, but only humbly asks God for mercy and forgiveness.

The deep meaning of this prayer and its simplicity became the reason for its widespread distribution in Christianity.

The Church has long had a custom of performing the publican’s prayer in an expanded, triple version:

When a woman or girl prays alone, she changes the endings male into feminine: “more sinful”, “sinful”. Most often, this prayer is performed with three bows from the waist. The Old Believers call it “three bows.” They are usually performed in the following cases:

before entering the temple, on the porch (porch);
at the entrance to a residential building or other premises where there is a Cross or icons;
before leaving the temple or home (even for a short time);
First part ;
at the end of the initial bows after performing the prayer in or;
most short version prayers before and after meals; and also after waking up or before going to bed.
Passing by their temple, Old Believers also stop and pray three bows.
at all other moments of life when it is urgently necessary to turn to God.
This prayer is also easy to teach to young children due to its brevity and simplicity.

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