Dear Baba

Without pews there is a natural feel to being inside the church temple that I didn’t expect considering how majestic the services are. But how do I move around in this space? What is and what is not appropriate? - In Motion

Dear Friend in Motion; I agree with you completely that there is a naturalness to being in a holy place. It is after all, where we were created to be. That is particularly felt in Orthodox worship and yet there is an understanding that to be in God’s presence is an awesome thing. We must be so careful not to mix up natural with casual. If you were in the courts of a king how would you move about? How would you behave? How would you interact with others? Here let’s sit down and have a cup of tea and I’m sure we’ll be able to come up with something that will help you feel more comfortable.

• As always, remember that being in the church temple is to be in a holy place. If ever you have been by yourself in the temple, you understand that amazing peace that permeates everything. It is like a calming pool. So using that analogy, our movement in there should be to create as few ripples as possible. We definitely don’t want to splash around, dive, dunk and otherwise frolic in this holy place. This is true also for children. Like us, they should not run, stomp, bounce, or jump around in church either.

• I remember seeing the nuns in one of the churches in Russia. They moved quietly and calmly. And their movement was with purpose. Most of all, they did not disturb anyone praying around them. Keep that in mind as you move about in the church temple.

• We were taught that there was connection extending from the altar, through the royal doors, down the steps and into the nave. This is especially true when the clergy are serving in the nave as they do at certain times. That line should not be broken. So for example, if there is a baptism, a wedding, an ordination, or when the bishop is visiting, no one should pass between them and the altar. If you absolutely have to get to the other side of the church, go around the back towards the doors and then over. For a wedding and baptism that start at the back of the church, please just wait a few minutes until everyone has moved to the middle before crossing over.

• If you really have to move to the other side of the church, stop, bow and make the sign of the cross before the altar and proceed quietly.

• Children can cross the church to a beloved Godparent, special friend or back to mom and dad most assuredly. What a beautiful thing to see children worshipping with Godparents and their church family. But it is important too that children learn to be patient and move about the church at appropriate times. As they grow and learn, you may want to have them check with you if it is ok to move or not until they are sure of it for themselves.

• There are times we do move in church – for communion, when we light candles, when we tend to the candles, when we tend to a child or another person who needs some assistance. We are not asked to be cold statues, heavens no. But there are times when lighting candles and snuffing out the stubs can wait a few moments.

• We should not be moving around the church during the holy times of the liturgy. I’m sure you remember those from our previous conversations. But as a refresher, those are the times when the church is being censed (except to move to the center of the church), for the entrances, Holy God, the Gospel, the Cherubimic Hymn, the Creed, the Anaphora (starting with A Mercy of Peace and concluding with We Praise Thee), the Our Father and of course when the chalice is out.

• Ah the chalice. That is so very important. The whole liturgy works towards this moment. It is the physical presence of our Lord and Savior and we are called to commune with Him. Nothing could be more important. Remember from earlier, there is an unbroken connection between the altar and the chalice. Please don’t try to slip around behind the priest.

• All this is also true when you are taking photographs of special events. Please be mindful how you are moving about the church to get that special shot. I remember one priest told me of his horror when during the crowning at a wedding; he turned to find the professional photographer sitting on the altar to get that perfect shot.

Remember always that in the church temple you are in a holy place. It is a place where heaven and earth are joined together in timeless worship of the Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Keep that awe of being in a holy place and I’m sure you will move about the church just fine. So my dear, please have another cup of tea. I’ve just brewed up a fresh pot for us to enjoy.

Baba