A church is a special, sacred place in the territory of any city or village. That is why you should know and strictly follow the rules of conduct in it. This is especially true for people who rarely visit temples and do not very often attend services. Before going to a holy place, you need to learn and memorize how to behave properly in the church. Needless to say, you should be wearing a cross pendant and matching clothing. It is better to leave your cell phone at home, as a last resort - turn it off while visiting the temple.
Instructions
Step 1
At the entrance to the church, make three bows in the waist with the words: "God, cleanse me a sinner and have mercy on me", "Holy Mother of God, save me a sinner", "God, have mercy on me, a sinner," ".
Step 2
If you entered the church when there is no service, then you can just calmly stand and pray quietly, light candles for the health and repose of relatives and friends, as well as icons of those saints to whom you wanted to turn for help or with words of gratitude. If your goal is to get to the service and defend the service, then you should come to the church 10-15 minutes before the ceremony.
Step 3
At the time of the service, there are usually a lot of people in the church. Do not push them aside or disturb them in vain, treat the parishioners with due respect, respect their religious attitude. Try to delicately find a free and comfortable place where you can see and hear everything well. If you meet acquaintances, do not rush to greet them loudly and exchange handshakes, just bow slightly (silently) to them, indicating that you see them.
Step 4
If you decide to defend the entire service, please be patient, because sometimes it lasts 3 hours. All this time, you should not shift from foot to foot, sigh often and demonstrate your fatigue. In case of excessive fatigue, you can sit for a short time on the bench that is usually available in the church. However, when the Royal Doors (the doors of the altar) are open, one cannot sit, at this time even sick elderly people stand up. It is also unacceptable to stand with your back to the altar during the service. If for some reason you cannot defend the entire service, then you should delicately, trying to be invisible, leave the church, crossing yourself first at the exit, and then on the street, facing the facade of the church …
Step 5
If you have outlined for yourself which icons you will put candles on, it is best to do this before the start of the service. Do not push your elbows aside as you make your way to the candlestick. It would be wiser to wait calmly. If there is no free space in the candlestick, you can simply place your candle on the candlestick stand, church officials will certainly put it down as soon as space becomes available. Even if you haven't lit a candle, cross yourself, pray and, if you wish, kiss the icon.
Step 6
If you took your children with you to church, do not let them run around the room, laugh and talk loudly, and even less scream. Explain to them in advance why in this place it is impossible to be capricious and cheeky to behave. It is better to take the crying child out of the church, so that with his cry he does not interfere with other parishioners in a state of goodness and conversation with God.
Step 7
If you are a rare guest in the church and do not know at all what and how to do, observe the old women and repeat after them all their actions - the signs of the cross, bows, etc. Remember that behind every act of true believers lies a deep tradition that has developed over the centuries. Leave the demonstration of your independence, pride, disobedience to certain rules and customs for another occasion. After all, you entered the church for prayer, and this will not benefit you and will not bring you closer to the truth if you enter a sacred place without humility.
