HolyTransfigurationOrthodoxChurcH

In the Orthodox tradition, the faithful stand up for nearly the entire service …. In any case, if you find the amount of standing too challenging you're welcome to take a seat. No one minds or probably even notices. Long-term standing gets easier with practice.

We cross with our right hands from right to left (push, not pull), the opposite of Roman Catholics and high-church Protestants. We hold our hands in a prescribed way: thumb and first two fingertips pressed together, last two fingers pressed down to the palm.

We sign ourselves whenever the Trinity is invoked, whenever we venerate the cross or an icon, and on many other occasions in the course of the Liturgy. But people aren't expected to do everything the same way.

There is a new download in the freebies section which includes activities, crafts, and projects on the theme "I Am Orthodox!" (specifically, the following activities for primary school children, teens, and adults):

Ancestors Map, Collage, The Diversity Game, Family Stories, Family Tree, Following Bible Journeys, Journaling, Memories Album, Oral History, Orthodox Mirror Exercise, Personal "Memory" Box, Personal Value Inventory, Student Portrait, Think and Write Prompts, Tree of Life "Caring Tree," Writing Outlines.

Before commencing any rule of prayer, and at its completion, the following reverences are made (prostrations or bows), called The Seven Bow Beginning.

Then: Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us. Amen.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Heavenly King; Holy God (thrice); Glory, Both now; O Most Holy Trinity; Lord, have mercy (thrice); Glory, Both now; Our Father; Lord, have mercy (twelve); Glory, Both now; O come let us worship (thrice); Psalm 50, Have mercy on me, O God; I Believe, and the reading of the canons and akathists.

When Orthodox people have no opportunity to attend Orthodox divine services, especially in non-Orthodox countries, then the Church allows and encourages individuals and groups of Orthodox to read the service books privately, for the preservation of their faith. Such readings have long been customary in monastic establishments, hospitals, schools, on shipboard and, in recent times, by Orthodox in the USSR and in the diaspora. Reading prayer books or service books may, at least to some extent, replace church services.