Why Do We Stand in Church? | Greek Orthodoxy 101 

While visiting a monastery in Ukraine and after a few days, during a long liturgy, the monk that was interpreter told me to sit on the bench. He said that sometimes it is better to sit and think about God rather than stand and think about legs.

Discouraged protestant seriously looking into Orthodoxy. This is really helpful!

This video is a lifeline in our current situation. Love Greek orthodox church

Thank you Father. I'm an Orthodox curious Protestant. Thank you for this explanation. Bless. SD

Father has such a wonderful sense of humor. Blessed Lent

This was an eye-opening video! As a Catholic, we were admonished against moving around in the church when services are ongoing. Thank you for this.

There are a few seats usually in Greek Orthodox churches, especially on the sides of the church. Nonetheless, even the seated will stand at certain times. What are these times? I have a provisional list: Whenever the priest gives a blessing, whenever the priest comes through the screen, whenever we make the sign of the cross, when the great entrance is made, when the Gospel is read, when the priest is censing the congregation, while the congregation is receiving the Holy Communion, as well as all the time during Holy Week when even the elderly sometimes have nowhere to sit. My understanding is that everyone who is able stands before the King of Heavens, that being the most respectful attitude - not necessarily kneeling or prostrating as if before a potentially vengeful worldly ruler.

From a Europe, thank you for explaining that. I'll add that even in Europe there are usually a few chairs or benches along the wall where the elderly, disabled or tired children can sit.

Δόξα τω θεώ! Very well said father! ☦

My family and I used to go to a Serbian orthodox church and we were always standing When I visited a friend's Catholic Church They were sitting on benches then getting on their knees during prayer

In Greece all churches and monasteries have chairs. My confessor (is that the correct word?) told me to try to stand, at least, after the Great Entrance...

I have been in Catholic and Protestant churches for various reasons since converting to Orthodoxy, and cannot bring myself to sit. It just seems so strange to me now. Of course, during the course of Liturgy my back may become tired and I will sit for a bit, but then stand again after.

I did not expect that snake part at the end!🤣 well played 👍

Thanks for the heads up on rattlesnakes

In my Greek Orthodox parish the faithful and especially the altar severs are requested to maintain a full prostration during the epiklesis and concentration out of respect for the miracle taking place. It’s like in the icons of the Transfiguration and Theophany where even the angels cover and divert their eyes due to the raw glory. It is our encounter with God.

Ethiopia Orthodox also stand for 70 percent of the service

This is refreshing

There is a history about pews in churches, they didn't come into force until the mid 15th century, and prior to that they were usually built on the walls of the church and were made of stone. Wooden pews were built after the 15th century, and mostly for the wealthy and well to do within any community and at a cost because wealthy families were expected to pay to sort of rent their pews. The best pews were to the front of the church and were quite ornate too. Thank you for your explanation which makes perfect sense, I can remember as a child being prompted to 'stand' by my Yiayia with a thunderous look on her face because we were not standing already........ah those were the days. lol

Thank you

Old people really have a hard time standing for hours. They can't just sit on the floor either, so I can understand why there are chairs. Perhaps, having movable chairs on the sides would be the best. But chairs, and especially pews, in the middle can be very troublesome as Father mentioned, especially for prostrations .

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It also separates the people.

We need the pews there are so many elderly and sick and disabled …I could not go unless I had a chair

😇🇬🇷💙

Big "T" traditions and then there are little "t" traditions. Is this a big T or a little t?

What about the handicapped?

Rattle snake was a joke right?

My parish doesnt have pews and also doesnt march with blm 😏